SUMO-targeted ubiquitin E3 ligase RNF4 is required for the response of human cells to DNA damage

Transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair is coordinated by ubiquitin and SUMO in response to ultraviolet irradiation

Cockayne Syndrome (CS) is a severe neurodegenerative and premature aging autosomal-recessive disease, caused by inherited defects in the CSA and CSB genes, leading to defects in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) and consequently hypersensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. TC-NER is initiated by lesion-stalled RNA polymerase II, which stabilizes the interaction with the SNF2/SWI2 ATPase CSB to facilitate recruitment of the CSA E3 Cullin ubiquitin ligase complex. However, the precise biochemical connections between CSA and CSB are unknown. The small ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO is important in the DNA damage response. We found that CSB, among an extensive set of other target proteins, is the most dynamically SUMOylated substrate in response to UV irradiation. Inhibiting SUMOylation reduced the accumulation of CSB at local sites of UV irradiation and reduced recovery of RNA synthesis. Interestingly, CSA is required for the efficient clearance of SUMOylated CSB. However, subsequent proteomic analysis of CSA-dependent ubiquitinated substrates revealed that CSA does not ubiquitinate CSB in a UV-dependent manner. Surprisingly, we found that CSA is required for the ubiquitination of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, RPB1. Combined, our results indicate that the CSA, CSB, RNA polymerase II triad is coordinated by ubiquitin and SUMO in response to UV irradiation. Furthermore, our work provides a resource of SUMO targets regulated in response to UV or ionizing radiation.

RNF4-mediated SUMO-targeted ubiquitination relieves PARIS/ZNF746-mediated transcriptional repression

The transcriptional repressor PARIS, which is a substrate of the ubiquitin E3 ligase parkin, represses the expression of the transcriptional co-activator, PGC-1α. However, little is known about how its repression activity is regulated. We have previously shown that PARIS is SUMOylated, and this SUMOylation plays an important role in regulating its transcriptional repression activity. In this study, we demonstrated that PARIS SUMOylation induced its ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation, which was mediated by the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase RNF4. Reporter gene assays revealed that co-expression of SUMO3 and RNF4 relieved PARIS-mediated transcriptional repression. Conversely, the SUMO E3 ligase PIASy inhibited the RNF4-mediated ubiquitination of PARIS and blocked the RNF4-mediated relief of PARIS-mediated transcriptional repression. These results suggest that RNF4 regulates PARIS ubiquitination to control its transcriptional repression activity.

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules in DNA double strand break repair

Both environmental and endogenous factors induce various forms of DNA damage. DNA double strand break (DSB) is the most deleterious DNA lesion. The swift initiation of a complexed network of interconnected pathways to repair the DNA lesion is essential for cell survival. In the past years, the roles of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins in DNA damage response and DNA repair has been explored. These findings help us better understand the complicated mechanism of DSB signaling pathways.

SUMO Chains Rule on Chromatin Occupancy

The dynamic and reversible post-translational modification of proteins and protein complexes with the ubiquitin-related SUMO modifier regulates a wide variety of nuclear functions, such as transcription, replication and DNA repair. SUMO can be attached as a monomer to its targets, but can also form polymeric SUMO chains. While monoSUMOylation is generally involved in the assembly of protein complexes, multi- or polySUMOylation may have very different consequences. The evolutionary conserved paradigmatic signaling process initiated by multi- or polySUMOylation is the SUMO-targeted Ubiquitin ligase (StUbL) pathway, where the presence of multiple SUMO moieties primes ubiquitylation by the mammalian E3 ubiquitin ligases RNF4 or RNF111, or the yeast Slx5/8 heterodimer. The mammalian SUMO chain-specific isopeptidases SENP6 or SENP7, or yeast Ulp2, counterbalance chain formation thereby limiting StUbL activity. Many facets of SUMO chain signaling are still incompletely understood, mainly because only a limited number of polySUMOylated substrates have been identified. Here we summarize recent work that revealed a highly interconnected network of candidate polySUMO modified proteins functioning in DNA damage response and chromatin organization. Based on these datasets and published work on distinct polySUMO-regulated processes we discuss overarching concepts in SUMO chain function. We propose an evolutionary conserved role of polySUMOylation in orchestrating chromatin dynamics and genome stability networks by balancing chromatin-residency of protein complexes. This concept will be exemplified in processes, such as centromere/kinetochore organization, sister chromatid cohesion, DNA repair and replication.

Beyond reversal: ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteases and the orchestration of the DNA double strand break repair response

The cellular response to genotoxic DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) uses a multitude of post-translational modifications to localise, modulate and ultimately clear DNA repair factors in a timely and accurate manner. Ubiquitination is well established as vital to the DSB response, with a carefully co-ordinated pathway of histone ubiquitination events being a central component of DSB signalling. Other ubiquitin-like modifiers (Ubl) including SUMO and NEDD8 have since been identified as playing important roles in DSB repair. In the last five years ∼20 additional Ub/Ubl proteases have been implicated in the DSB response. The number of proteases identified highlights the complexity of the Ub/Ubl signal present at DSBs. Ub/Ubl proteases regulate turnover, activity and protein-protein interactions of DSB repair factors both catalytically and non-catalytically. This not only ensures efficient repair of breaks but has a role in channelling repair into the correct DSB repair sub-pathways. Ultimately Ub/Ubl proteases have essential roles in maintaining genomic stability. Given that deficiencies in many Ub/Ubl proteases promotes sensitivity to DNA damaging chemotherapies, they could be attractive targets for cancer treatment.

The SUMO Isopeptidase SENP6 Functions as a Rheostat of Chromatin Residency in Genome Maintenance and Chromosome Dynamics

Signaling by the ubiquitin-related SUMO pathway relies on coordinated conjugation and deconjugation events. SUMO-specific deconjugating enzymes counterbalance SUMOylation, but comprehensive insight into their substrate specificity and regulation is missing. By characterizing SENP6, we define an N-terminal multi-SIM domain as a critical determinant in targeting SENP6 to SUMO chains. Proteomic profiling reveals a network of SENP6 functions at the crossroads of chromatin organization and DNA damage response (DDR). SENP6 acts as a SUMO eraser at telomeric and centromeric chromatin domains and determines the SUMOylation status and chromatin association of the cohesin complex. Importantly, SENP6 is part of the hPSO4/PRP19 complex that drives ATR-Chk1 activation. SENP6 deficiency impairs chromatin association of the ATR cofactor ATRIP, thereby compromising the activation of Chk1 signaling in response to aphidicolin-induced replicative stress and sensitizing cells to DNA damage. We propose a general role of SENP6 in orchestrating chromatin dynamics and genome stability networks by balancing chromatin residency of protein complexes.

The SUMO Pathway in Hematomalignancies and Their Response to Therapies

SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-related MOdifier) is a post-translational modifier of the ubiquitin family controlling the function and fate of thousands of proteins. SUMOylation is deregulated in various hematological malignancies, where it participates in both tumorigenesis and cancer cell response to therapies. This is the case for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemias (APL) where SUMOylation, and subsequent destruction, of the PML-RARα fusion oncoprotein are triggered by arsenic trioxide, which is used as front-line therapy in combination with retinoic acid to cure APL patients. A similar arsenic-induced SUMO-dependent degradation was also documented for Tax, a human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV1) viral protein implicated in Adult T-cell Leukemogenesis. SUMOylation also participates in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) response to both chemo- and differentiation therapies, in particular through its ability to regulate gene expression. In Multiple Myeloma, many enzymes of the SUMO pathway are overexpressed and their high expression correlates with lower response to melphalan-based chemotherapies. B-cell lymphomas overexpressing the c-Myc oncogene also overexpress most components of the SUMO pathway and are highly sensitive to SUMOylation inhibition. Targeting the SUMO pathway with recently discovered pharmacological inhibitors, alone or in combination with current therapies, might therefore constitute a powerful strategy to improve the treatment of these cancers.

How Does SUMO Participate in Spindle Organization?

The ubiquitin-like protein SUMO is a regulator involved in most cellular mechanisms. Recent studies have discovered new modes of function for this protein. Of particular interest is the ability of SUMO to organize proteins in larger assemblies, as well as the role of SUMO-dependent ubiquitylation in their disassembly. These mechanisms have been largely described in the context of DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, or signaling, while much less is known on how SUMO facilitates organization of microtubule-dependent processes during mitosis. Remarkably however, SUMO has been known for a long time to modify kinetochore proteins, while more recently, extensive proteomic screens have identified a large number of microtubule- and spindle-associated proteins that are SUMOylated. The aim of this review is to focus on the possible role of SUMOylation in organization of the spindle and kinetochore complexes. We summarize mitotic and microtubule/spindle-associated proteins that have been identified as SUMO conjugates and present examples regarding their regulation by SUMO. Moreover, we discuss the possible contribution of SUMOylation in organization of larger protein assemblies on the spindle, as well as the role of SUMO-targeted ubiquitylation in control of kinetochore assembly and function. Finally, we propose future directions regarding the study of SUMOylation in regulation of spindle organization and examine the potential of SUMO and SUMO-mediated degradation as target for antimitotic-based therapies.

Inhibiting ubiquitination causes an accumulation of SUMOylated newly synthesized nuclear proteins at PML bodies

Protein ubiquitination and SUMOylation are required for the maintenance of cellular protein homeostasis, and both increase in proteotoxic conditions (e.g. heat shock or proteasome inhibition). However, we found that when ubiquitination was blocked in several human cell lines by inhibiting the ubiquitin-activating enzyme with TAK243, there was an unexpected, large accumulation of proteins modified by SUMO2/3 chains or SUMO1, but not by several other ubiquitin-like proteins. This buildup of SUMOylated proteins was evident within 3–4 h. It required the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-conjugating enzyme, UBC9, and the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and thus was not due to nonspecific SUMO conjugation by ubiquitination enzymes. The SUMOylated proteins accumulated predominantly bound to chromatin and were localized to PML nuclear bodies. Because blocking protein synthesis with cycloheximide prevented the buildup of SUMOylated proteins, they appeared to be newly-synthesized proteins. The proteins SUMOylated after inhibition of ubiquitination were purified and analyzed by MS. In HeLa and U2OS cells, there was a cycloheximide-sensitive increase in a similar set of SUMOylated proteins (including transcription factors and proteins involved in DNA damage repair). Surprisingly, the inhibition of ubiquitination also caused a cycloheximide-sensitive decrease in a distinct set of SUMOylated proteins (including proteins for chromosome modification and mRNA splicing). More than 80% of the SUMOylated proteins whose levels rose or fell upon inhibiting ubiquitination inhibition underwent similar cycloheximide-sensitive increases or decreases upon proteasome inhibition. Thus, when nuclear substrates of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway are not efficiently degraded, many become SUMO-modified and accumulate in PML bodies.

Actin' between phase separated domains for heterochromatin repair

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are particularly challenging to repair in pericentromeric heterochromatin because of the increased risk of aberrant recombination in highly repetitive sequences. Recent studies have identified specialized mechanisms enabling 'safe' homologous recombination (HR) repair in heterochromatin. These include striking nuclear actin filaments (F-actin) and myosins that drive the directed motion of repair sites to the nuclear periphery for 'safe' repair. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms involved, and propose how they might operate in the context of a phase-separated environment.

The deSUMOylase SENP2 coordinates homologous recombination and nonhomologous end joining by independent mechanisms

SUMOylation (small ubiquitin-like modifier) in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) response regulates recruitment, activity, and clearance of repair factors. However, our understanding of a role for deSUMOylation in this process is limited. Here we identify different mechanistic roles for deSUMOylation in homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) through the investigation of the deSUMOylase SENP2. We found that regulated deSUMOylation of MDC1 prevents excessive SUMOylation and its RNF4-VCP mediated clearance from DSBs, thereby promoting NHEJ. In contrast, we show that HR is differentially sensitive to SUMO availability and SENP2 activity is needed to provide SUMO. SENP2 is amplified as part of the chromosome 3q amplification in many cancers. Increased SENP2 expression prolongs MDC1 focus retention and increases NHEJ and radioresistance. Collectively, our data reveal that deSUMOylation differentially primes cells for responding to DSBs and demonstrates the ability of SENP2 to tune DSB repair responses.

Methods to analyze STUbL activity

Posttranslational modification with small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) plays an important role in many biological processes. SUMO-targeted ubiquitin E3 ligases (STUbLs) are part of the really interesting new gene (RING)-type family of ubiquitin E3 ligases. STUbLs recognize their SUMO-modified substrates via SUMO-interaction motifs and ubiquitinate them via the RING domain. As a result, they form a link between the ubiquitin and SUMO signaling pathways. STUbL activity is required for the maintenance of genome stability, the repair of damaged DNA and to target SUMO-modified proteins for degradation by the proteasome. In vitro assays for STUbL activity have been developed and used to identify their cognate ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s), to determine their substrate requirements, and to characterize the types of ubiquitin chains linked to substrates. While we have focused on the STUbL RING finger protein 4 (RNF4) the methods we describe can be extended to other STUbLs. We also describe an assay for RNF4 ubiquitination activity based on fluorescence polarization, suitable for high-throughput compound screening in drug discovery.

SUMO-Targeted Ubiquitin Ligases (STUbLs) Reduce the Toxicity and Abnormal Transcriptional Activity Associated With a Mutant, Aggregation-Prone Fragment of Huntingtin

Cell viability and gene expression profiles are altered in cellular models of neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s Disease (HD). Using the yeast model system, we show that the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) Slx5 reduces the toxicity and abnormal transcriptional activity associated with a mutant, aggregation-prone fragment of huntingtin (Htt), the causative agent of HD. We demonstrate that expression of an aggregation-prone Htt construct with 103 glutamine residues (103Q), but not the non-expanded form (25Q), results in severe growth defects in slx5Δ and slx8Δ cells. Since Slx5 is a nuclear protein and because Htt expression affects gene transcription, we assessed the effect of STUbLs on the transcriptional properties of aggregation-prone Htt. Expression of Htt 25Q and 55Q fused to the Gal4 activation domain (AD) resulted in reporter gene auto-activation. Remarkably, the auto-activation of Htt constructs was abolished by expression of Slx5 fused to the Gal4 DNA-binding domain (BD-Slx5). In support of these observations, RNF4, the human ortholog of Slx5, curbs the aberrant transcriptional activity of aggregation-prone Htt in yeast and a variety of cultured human cell lines. Functionally, we find that an extra copy of SLX5 specifically reduces Htt aggregates in the cytosol as well as chromatin-associated Htt aggregates in the nucleus. Finally, using RNA sequencing, we identified and confirmed specific targets of Htt’s transcriptional activity that are modulated by Slx5. In summary, this study of STUbLs uncovers a conserved pathway that counteracts the accumulation of aggregating, transcriptionally active Htt (and possibly other poly-glutamine expanded proteins) on chromatin in both yeast and in mammalian cells.

Acetylation of SUMO2 at lysine 11 favors the formation of non-canonical SUMO chains

Post-translational modifications by ubiquitin-related SUMO modifiers regulate cellular signaling networks and protein homeostasis. While SUMO1 is mainly conjugated to proteins as a monomer, SUMO2/3 can form polymeric chains. Poly-SUMOylation is best understood in the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (StUbL) pathway, where chains prime proteins for subsequent ubiquitylation by StUbLs. SUMO chains typically form in response to genotoxic or proteotoxic stress and are preferentially linked via lysine 11 of SUMO2/3. Here, we report that K11 of SUMO2/3 undergoes reversible acetylation with SIRT1 being the K11 deacetylase. In a purified in vitro system, acetylation of SUMO2/3 impairs chain formation and restricts chain length. In a cellular context, however, K11 acetyl-mimicking SUMO2 does not affect the StUbL pathway, indicating that in cells non-canonical chains are more prevalent. MS-based SUMO proteomics indeed identified non-canonical chain types under basal and stress conditions. Importantly, mimicking K11 acetylation alters chain architecture by favoring K5- and K35-linked chains, while inhibiting K7 and K21 linkages. These data provide insight into SUMO chain signaling and point to a role of K11 acetylation as a modulator of SUMO2/3 chains.

A genome-wide screen of Epstein-Barr virus proteins that modulate host SUMOylation identifies a SUMO E3 ligase conserved in herpesviruses

Many cellular processes pertinent for viral infection are regulated by the addition of small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMO) to key regulatory proteins, making SUMOylation an important mechanism by which viruses can commandeer cellular pathways. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a master at manipulating of cellular processes, which enables life-long infection but can also lead to the induction of a variety of EBV-associated cancers. To identify new mechanisms by which EBV proteins alter cells, we screened a library of 51 EBV proteins for global effects on cellular SUMO1 and SUMO2 modifications (SUMOylation), identifying several proteins not previously known to manipulate this pathway. One EBV protein (BRLF1) globally induced the loss of SUMOylated proteins, in a proteasome-dependent manner, as well as the loss of promeylocytic leukemia nuclear bodies. However, unlike its homologue (Rta) in Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus, it did not appear to have ubiquitin ligase activity. In addition we identified the EBV SM protein as globally upregulating SUMOylation and showed that this activity was conserved in its homologues in herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1 UL54/ICP27) and cytomegalovirus (CMV UL69). All three viral homologues were shown to bind SUMO and Ubc9 and to have E3 SUMO ligase activity in a purified system. These are the first SUMO E3 ligases discovered for EBV, HSV1 and CMV. Interestingly the homologues had different specificities for SUMO1 and SUMO2, with SM and UL69 preferentially binding SUMO1 and inducing SUMO1 modifications, and UL54 preferentially binding SUMO2 and inducing SUMO2 modifications. The results provide new insights into the function of this family of conserved herpesvirus proteins, and the conservation of this SUMO E3 ligase activity across diverse herpesviruses suggests the importance of this activity for herpesvirus infections.

Reading chromatin signatures after DNA double-strand breaks

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are DNA lesions that must be accurately repaired in order to preserve genomic integrity and cellular viability. The response to DSBs reshapes the local chromatin environment and is largely orchestrated by the deposition, removal and detection of a complex set of chromatin-associated post-translational modifications. In particular, the nucleosome acts as a central signalling hub and landing platform in this process by organizing the recruitment of repair and signalling factors, while at the same time coordinating repair with other DNA-based cellular processes. While current research has provided a descriptive overview of which histone marks affect DSB repair, we are only beginning to understand how these marks are interpreted to foster an efficient DSB response. Here we review how the modified chromatin surrounding DSBs is read, with a focus on the insights gleaned from structural and biochemical studies.This article is part of the themed issue 'Chromatin modifiers and remodellers in DNA repair and signalling'.

And yet, it moves: nuclear and chromatin dynamics of a heterochromatic double-strand break

Heterochromatin is mostly composed of repeated DNA sequences prone to aberrant recombination. How cells maintain the stability of these sequences during double-strand break (DSB) repair has been a long-standing mystery. Studies in Drosophila cells revealed that faithful homologous recombination repair of heterochromatic DSBs relies on the striking relocalization of repair sites to the nuclear periphery before Rad51 recruitment and repair progression. Here, we summarize our current understanding of this response, including the molecular mechanisms involved, and conserved pathways in mammalian cells. We will highlight important similarities with pathways identified in budding yeast for repair of other types of repeated sequences, including rDNA and short telomeres. We will also discuss the emerging role of chromatin composition and regulation in heterochromatin repair progression. Together, these discoveries challenged previous assumptions that repair sites are substantially static in multicellular eukaryotes, that heterochromatin is largely inert in the presence of DSBs, and that silencing and compaction in this domain are obstacles to repair.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Chromatin modifiers and remodellers in DNA repair and signalling’.

Mitotic and Meiotic Functions for the SUMOylation Pathway in the Caenorhabditis elegans Germline

Meiosis is a highly regulated process, partly due to the need to break and then repair DNA as part of the meiotic program. Post-translational modifications are widely used during meiotic events to regulate steps such as protein complex formation, checkpoint activation, and protein attenuation. In this paper, we investigate how proteins that are obligatory components of the SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) pathway, one such post-translational modification, affect the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. We show that UBC-9, the E2 conjugation enzyme, and the C. elegans homolog of SUMO, SMO-1, localize to germline nuclei throughout prophase I. Mutant analysis of smo-1 and ubc-9 revealed increased recombination intermediates throughout the germline, originating during the mitotic divisions. SUMOylation mutants also showed late meiotic defects including defects in the restructuring of oocyte bivalents and endomitotic oocytes. Increased rates of noninterfering crossovers were observed in ubc-9 heterozygotes, even though interfering crossovers were unaffected. We have also identified a physical interaction between UBC-9 and DNA repair protein MRE-11 ubc-9 and mre-11 null mutants exhibited similar phenotypes at germline mitotic nuclei and were synthetically sick. These phenotypes and genetic interactions were specific to MRE-11 null mutants as opposed to RAD-50 or resection-defective MRE-11 We propose that the SUMOylation pathway acts redundantly with MRE-11, and in this process MRE-11 likely plays a structural role.

Arkadia (RING Finger Protein 111) Mediates Sumoylation-Dependent Stabilization of Nrf2 Through K48-Linked Ubiquitination

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The transcription factor Nrf2 is a master regulator of the antioxidant defense system, protecting cells from oxidative damage. We previously reported that the SUMO-targeted E3 ubiquitin ligase (STUbL), RING finger protein 4 (RNF4) accelerated the degradation rate of Nrf2 in promyelocytic leukemia-nuclear body (PML-NB)-enriched fractions and decreased Nrf2-mediated gene transcription. The mechanisms that regulate Nrf2 nuclear levels are poorly understood. In this study, we aim to explore the role of the second mammalian STUbL, Arkadia/RNF111 on Nrf2.

METHODS

Arkadia mediated ubiquitination was detected using co-immunoprecipitation assays in which whole cell lysates were immunoprecipated with anti-Nrf2 antibody and Western blotted with anti-hemagglutinin (HA) antibody or anti-Lys-48 ubiquitin-specific antibody. The half-life of Nrf2 was detected in whole cell lysates and promyelocytic leukemia-nuclear body enriched fractions by cycloheximide-chase. Reporter gene assays were performed using the antioxidant response element (ARE)-containing promoter Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).

RESULTS

We show that Arkadia/RNF111 is able to ubiquitinate Nrf2 resulting in the stabilization of Nrf2. This stabilization was mediated through Lys-48 ubiquitin chains, contrary to traditionally degradative role of Lys-48 ubiquitination, suggesting that Lys-48 ubiquitination of Nrf2 protects Nrf2 from degradation thereby allowing Nrf2-dependent gene transcription.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings highlight a novel mechanism to positively regulate nuclear Nrf2 levels in response to oxidative stress through Arkadia-mediated K48-linked ubiquitination of Nrf2.

The post-translational modification, SUMOylation, and cancer (Review)

SUMOylation is a reversible post-translational modification which has emerged as a crucial molecular regulatory mechanism, involved in the regulation of DNA damage repair, immune responses, carcinogenesis, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Four SUMO isoforms have been identified, which are SUMO1, SUMO2/3 and SUMO4. The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) pathway is conserved in all eukaryotes and plays pivotal roles in the regulation of gene expression, cellular signaling and the maintenance of genomic integrity. The SUMO catalytic cycle includes maturation, activation, conjugation, ligation and de-modification. The dysregulation of the SUMO system is associated with a number of diseases, particularly cancer. SUMOylation is widely involved in carcinogenesis, DNA damage response, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis. SUMO can be used as a potential therapeutic target for cancer. In this review, we briefly outline the basic concepts of the SUMO system and summarize the involvement of SUMO proteins in cancer cells in order to better understand the role of SUMO in human disease.

FBW7 regulates DNA interstrand cross-link repair by modulating FAAP20 degradation

Mutations that deregulate protein degradation lead to human malignancies. The SCF ubiquitin E3 ligase complex degrades key oncogenic regulators, thereby limiting their oncogenic potential. FBW7 is a substrate recognition subunit of SCF^FBW7 and is among the most commonly mutated ubiquitin-proteasome system proteins in cancer. FBW7-mutated cancer cells display increased genome instability, but the molecular mechanism by which FBW7 preserves genome integrity remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that SCF^FBW7 regulates the stability of FAAP20, a critical component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair pathway. Phosphorylation of the FAAP20 degron motif by GSK3β provides a platform for recognition and polyubiquitination of FAAP20 by FBW7, and its subsequent degradation by the proteasome. Accordingly, enhanced GSK3β-FBW7 signaling disrupts the FA pathway. In cells expressing non-phosphorylatable FAAP20 mutant, the turnover of its binding partner, FANCA, is deregulated in the chromatin during DNA ICL repair, and the FA pathway is compromised. We propose that FAAP20 degradation, which is prompted by its phosphorylation, controls the dynamics of the FA core complex required for completing DNA ICL repair. Together, this study provides insights into how FBW7-mediated proteolysis regulates genome stability and how its deregulation is associated with tumorigenesis.

RNF4-mediated SUMOylation is essential for NDRG2 suppression of lung adenocarcinoma

N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) protein is a tumor suppressor that inhibits cancer growth, metastasis and invasion. The ubiquitin ligase RNF4 integrates signaling by SUMO and ubiquitin through its selective recognition and ubiquitination of SUMO-modified proteins. We evaluated NDRG2 SUMOylation in lung adenocarcinoma cells and its underlying molecular mechanism. The results showed that NDRG2 is covalently modified by SUMO1 at K333, which suppressed anchorage independent adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and tumor growth. In human lung adenocarcinomas cells, RNF4 targeted NDRG2 to proteasomal degradation by stimulating its SUMOylation. Endogenous RNF4 expression was increased in human lung adenocarcinomas cells, and there was a concomitant upregulation of SUMO. These findings indicate that SUMOylation of NDRG2 is necessary for its tumor suppressor function in lung adenocarcinoma and that RNF4 increases the efficiency of this process.

DNA binding by the MATα2 transcription factor controls its access to alternative ubiquitin-modification pathways

Like many transcription factors, the yeast protein MATalpha2 (α2) undergoes rapid proteolysis via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). At least two ubiquitylation pathways regulate α2 degradation: one pathway utilizes the ubiquitin ligase (E3) Doa10 and the other the heterodimeric E3 Slx5/Slx8. Doa10 is a transmembrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum/inner nuclear membrane, whereas Slx5/Slx8 localizes to the nucleus and binds DNA nonspecifically. While a single protein can often be ubiquitylated by multiple pathways, the reasons for this “division of labor” are not well understood. Here we show that α2 mutants with impaired DNA binding become inaccessible to the Slx5/Slx8 pathway but are still rapidly degraded through efficient shunting to the Doa10 pathway. These results are consistent with the distinct localization of these E3s. We also characterized a novel class of DNA binding-defective α2 variants whose degradation is strongly impaired. Our genetic data suggest that this is due to a gain-of-function interaction that limits their access to Doa10. Together, these results suggest multiple ubiquitin-ligation mechanisms may have evolved to promote rapid destruction of a transcription factor that resides in distinct cellular subcompartments under different conditions. Moreover, gain-of-function mutations, which also occur with oncogenic forms of human transcription factors such as p53, may derail this fail-safe system.

The Biology of SUMO-Targeted Ubiquitin Ligases in Drosophila Development, Immunity, and Cancer

The ubiquitin and SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) pathways modify proteins that in turn regulate diverse cellular processes, embryonic development, and adult tissue physiology. These pathways were originally discovered biochemically in vitro, leading to a long-standing challenge of elucidating both the molecular cross-talk between these pathways and their biological importance. Recent discoveries in Drosophila established that ubiquitin and SUMO pathways are interconnected via evolutionally conserved SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) proteins. STUbL are RING ubiquitin ligases that recognize SUMOylated substrates and catalyze their ubiquitination, and include Degringolade (Dgrn) in Drosophila and RNF4 and RNF111 in humans. STUbL are essential for early development of both the fly and mouse embryos. In the fly embryo, Dgrn regulates early cell cycle progression, sex determination, zygotic gene transcription, segmentation, and neurogenesis, among other processes. In the fly adult, Dgrn is required for systemic immune response to pathogens and intestinal stem cell regeneration upon infection. These functions of Dgrn are highly conserved in humans, where RNF4-dependent ubiquitination potentiates key oncoproteins, thereby accelerating tumorigenesis. Here, we review the lessons learned to date in Drosophila and highlight their relevance to cancer biology.

The STUbL RNF4 regulates protein group SUMOylation by targeting the SUMO conjugation machinery

SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases (STUbLs) mediate the ubiquitylation of SUMOylated proteins to modulate their functions. In search of direct targets for the STUbL RNF4, we have developed TULIP (targets for ubiquitin ligases identified by proteomics) to covalently trap targets for ubiquitin E3 ligases. TULIP methodology could be widely employed to delineate E3 substrate wiring. Here we report that the single SUMO E2 Ubc9 and the SUMO E3 ligases PIAS1, PIAS2, PIAS3, ZNF451, and NSMCE2 are direct RNF4 targets. We confirm PIAS1 as a key RNF4 substrate. Furthermore, we establish the ubiquitin E3 ligase BARD1, a tumor suppressor and partner of BRCA1, as an indirect RNF4 target, regulated by PIAS1. Interestingly, accumulation of BARD1 at local sites of DNA damage increases upon knockdown of RNF4. Combined, we provide an insight into the role of the STUbL RNF4 to balance the role of SUMO signaling by directly targeting Ubc9 and SUMO E3 ligases.

SUMO and ubiquitin are key signal transducers in several cellular processes including the DNA-damage response. Here the authors describe a method for selective enrichment of ubiquitin substrates for E3 ligases from complex cellular proteomes and identify the SUMO conjugation machinery as direct RNF4 substrates.

SUMO in the DNA Double-Stranded Break Response: Similarities, Differences, and Cooperation with Ubiquitin

In recent years, our knowledge of the varied role that ubiquitination plays in promoting signal amplification, novel protein interactions, and protein turnover has progressed rapidly. This is particularly remarkable in the examination of how DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are repaired, with many components of the ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation, de-conjugation, and recognition machinery now identified as key factors in DSB repair. In addition, a member of the Ub-like family, small Ub-like modifier (SUMO), has also been recognised as integral for efficient repair. Here, we summarise our emerging understanding of SUMOylation both as a distinct modification and as a cooperative modification with Ub, using the cellular response to DNA DSBs as the primary setting to compare these modifications.

SUMO, a small, but powerful, regulator of double-strand break repair

The response to a DNA double-stranded break in mammalian cells is a process of sensing and signalling the lesion. It results in halting the cell cycle and local transcription and in the mediation of the DNA repair process itself. The response is launched through a series of post-translational modification signalling events coordinated by phosphorylation and ubiquitination. More recently modifications of proteins by Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) isoforms have also been found to be key to coordination of the response (Morris et al. 2009 Nature462, 886-890 (doi:10.1038/nature08593); Galanty et al. 2009 Nature462, 935-939 (doi:10.1038/nature08657)). However our understanding of the role of SUMOylation is slight compared with our growing knowledge of how ubiquitin drives signal amplification and key chromatin interactions. In this review we consider our current knowledge of how SUMO isoforms, SUMO conjugation machinery, SUMO proteases and SUMO-interacting proteins contribute to directing altered chromatin states and to repair-protein kinetics at a double-stranded DNA lesion in mammalian cells. We also consider the gaps in our understanding.This article is part of the themed issue 'Chromatin modifiers and remodellers in DNA repair and signalling'.

Converging Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) and Ubiquitin Signaling: Improved Methodology Identifies Co-modified Target Proteins

Post-translational protein modifications (PTMs) including small chemical groups and small proteins, belonging to the ubiquitin family, are essential for virtually all cellular processes. In addition to modification by a single PTM, proteins can be modified by a combination of different modifiers, which are able to influence each other. Because little is known about crosstalk among different ubiquitin family members, we developed an improved method enabling identification of co-modified proteins on a system-wide level using mass spectrometry. We focused on the role of crosstalk between SUMO and ubiquitin during proteasomal degradation. Using two complementary approaches, we identified 498 proteins to be significantly co-modified by SUMO and ubiquitin upon MG132 treatment. These targets included many enzymatic components of PTM machinery, involved in SUMOylation and ubiquitylation, but also phosphorylation, methylation and acetylation, revealing a highly complex interconnected network of crosstalk among different PTMs. In addition, various other biological processes were found to be significantly enriched within the group of co-modified proteins, including transcription, DNA repair and the cell cycle. Interestingly, the latter group mostly consisted of proteins involved in mitosis, including a subset of chromosome segregation regulators. We hypothesize that group modification by SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases regulates the stability of the identified subset of mitotic proteins, which ensures proper chromosome segregation. The mitotic regulators KIF23 and MIS18BP1 were verified to be co-modified by SUMO and ubiquitin on inhibition of the proteasome and subsequently identified as novel RNF4 targets. Both modifications on MIS18BP1 were observed to increase simultaneously during late mitosis, whereas the total protein level decreased immediately afterward. These results confirm the regulation of MIS18BP1 via SUMO-ubiquitin crosstalk during mitosis. Combined, our work highlights extensive crosstalk between SUMO and ubiquitin, providing a resource for further unraveling of SUMO-ubiquitin crosstalk.

Functions of SUMO in the Maintenance of Genome Stability

Like in most other areas of cellular metabolism, the functions of the ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO in the maintenance of genome stability are manifold and varied. Perturbations of global sumoylation causes a wide spectrum of phenotypes associated with defects in DNA maintenance, such as hypersensitivity to DNA-damaging agents, gross chromosomal rearrangements and loss of entire chromosomes. Consistent with these observations, many key factors involved in various DNA repair pathways have been identified as SUMO substrates. However, establishing a functional connection between a given SUMO target, the cognate SUMO ligase and a relevant phenotype has remained a challenge, mainly because of the difficulties involved in identifying important modification sites and downstream effectors that specifically recognize the target in its sumoylated state. This review will give an overview over the major pathways of DNA repair and genome maintenance influenced by the SUMO system and discuss selected examples of SUMO's actions in these pathways where the biological consequences of the modification have been elucidated.

Site-specific inhibition of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 selectively impairs SUMO chain formation

Posttranslational modifications by small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs) regulate many cellular processes, including genome integrity, gene expression, and ribosome biogenesis. The E2-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 catalyzes the conjugation of SUMOs to ϵ-amino groups of lysine residues in target proteins. Attachment of SUMO moieties to internal lysines in Ubc9 itself can further lead to the formation of polymeric SUMO chains. Mono- and poly-SUMOylations of target proteins provide docking sites for distinct adapter and effector proteins important for regulating discrete SUMO-regulated pathways. However, molecular tools to dissect pathways depending on either mono- or poly-SUMOylation are largely missing. Using a protein-engineering approach, we generated high-affinity SUMO2 variants by phage display that bind the back side binding site of Ubc9 and function as SUMO-based Ubc9 inhibitors (SUBINs). Importantly, we found that distinct SUBINs primarily inhibit poly-SUMO chain formation, whereas mono-SUMOylation was not impaired. Proof-of-principle experiments demonstrated that in a cellular context, SUBINs largely prevent heat shock-triggered poly-SUMOylation. Moreover, SUBINs abrogated arsenic-induced degradation of promyelocytic leukemia protein. We propose that the availability of the new chain-selective SUMO inhibitors reported here will enable a thorough investigation of poly-SUMO-mediated cellular processes, such as DNA damage responses and cell cycle progression.

Cell cycle-dependent control of homologous recombination

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are among the most deleterious type of DNA lesions threatening genome integrity. Homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) are two major pathways to repair DSBs. HR requires a homologous template to direct DNA repair, and is generally recognized as a high-fidelity pathway. In contrast, NHEJ directly seals broken ends, but the repair product is often accompanied by sequence alterations. The choice of repair pathways is strictly controlled by the cell cycle. The occurrence of HR is restricted to late S to G2 phases while NHEJ operates predominantly in G1 phase, although it can act throughout most of the cell cycle. Deregulation of repair pathway choice can result in genotoxic consequences associated with cancers. How the cell cycle regulates the choice of HR and NHEJ has been extensively studied in the past decade. In this review, we will focus on the current progresses on how HR is controlled by the cell cycle in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammals. Particular attention will be given to how cyclin-dependent kinases modulate DSB end resection, DNA damage checkpoint signaling, repair and processing of recombination intermediates. In addition, we will discuss recent findings on how HR is repressed in G1 and M phases by the cell cycle.

Viral manipulation of the cellular sumoylation machinery

Viruses exploit various cellular processes for their own benefit, including counteracting anti-viral responses and regulating viral replication and propagation. In the past 20 years, protein sumoylation has emerged as an important post-translational modification that is manipulated by viruses to modulate anti-viral responses, viral replication, and viral pathogenesis. The process of sumoylation is a multi-step cascade where a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is covalently attached to a conserved ΨKxD/E motif within a target protein, altering the function of the modified protein. Here we review how viruses manipulate the cellular machinery at each step of the sumoylation process to favor viral survival and pathogenesis.

Ubiquitin-like modifications in the DNA damage response

Genomic DNA is damaged at an extremely high frequency by both endogenous and environmental factors. An improper response to DNA damage can lead to genome instability, accelerate the aging process and ultimately cause various human diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. The mechanisms that underlie the cellular DNA damage response (DDR) are complex and are regulated at many levels, including at the level of post-translational modification (PTM). Since the discovery of ubiquitin in 1975 and ubiquitylation as a form of PTM in the early 1980s, a number of ubiquitin-like modifiers (UBLs) have been identified, including small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs), neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 8 (NEDD8), interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-F adjacent transcript 10 (FAT10), ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFRM1), URM1 ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (URM1), autophagy-related protein 12 (ATG12), autophagy-related protein 8 (ATG8), fan ubiquitin-like protein 1 (FUB1) and histone mono-ubiquitylation 1 (HUB1). All of these modifiers have known roles in the cellular response to various forms of stress, and delineating their underlying molecular mechanisms and functions is fundamental in enhancing our understanding of human disease and longevity. To date, however, the molecular mechanisms and functions of these UBLs in the DDR remain largely unknown. This review summarizes the current status of PTMs by UBLs in the DDR and their implication in cancer diagnosis, therapy and drug discovery.

RAP80, ubiquitin and SUMO in the DNA damage response

A decade has passed since the first reported connection between RAP80 and BRCA1 in DNA double-strand break repair. Despite the initial identification of RAP80 as a factor localizing BRCA1 to DNA double-strand breaks and potentially promoting homologous recombination, there is increasing evidence that RAP80 instead suppresses homologous recombination to fine-tune the balance of competing DNA repair processes during the S/G₂ phase of the cell cycle. RAP80 opposes homologous recombination by inhibiting DNA end-resection and sequestering BRCA1 into the BRCA1-A complex. Ubiquitin and SUMO modifications of chromatin at DNA double-strand breaks recruit RAP80, which contains distinct sequence motifs that recognize ubiquitin and SUMO. Here, we review RAP80's role in repressing homologous recombination at DNA double-strand breaks and how this role is facilitated by its ability to bind ubiquitin and SUMO modifications.

DNA-damage-induced degradation of EXO1 exonuclease limits DNA end resection to ensure accurate DNA repair

End resection of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to generate 3'-single-stranded DNA facilitates DSB repair via error-free homologous recombination (HR) while stymieing repair by the error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. Activation of DNA end resection involves phosphorylation of the 5' to 3' exonuclease EXO1 by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-like kinases ATM (ataxia telangiectasia-mutated) and ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) and by the cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2. After activation, EXO1 must also be restrained to prevent over-resection that is known to hamper optimal HR and trigger global genomic instability. However, mechanisms by which EXO1 is restrained are still unclear. Here, we report that EXO1 is rapidly degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system soon after DSB induction in human cells. ATR inhibition attenuated DNA-damage-induced EXO1 degradation, indicating that ATR-mediated phosphorylation of EXO1 targets it for degradation. In accord with these results, EXO1 became resistant to degradation when its SQ motifs required for ATR-mediated phosphorylation were mutated. We show that upon the induction of DNA damage, EXO1 is ubiquitinated by a member of the Skp1-Cullin1-F-box (SCF) family of ubiquitin ligases in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Importantly, expression of degradation-resistant EXO1 resulted in hyper-resection, which attenuated both NHEJ and HR and severely compromised DSB repair resulting in chromosomal instability. These findings indicate that the coupling of EXO1 activation with its eventual degradation is a timing mechanism that limits the extent of DNA end resection for accurate DNA repair.

Mechanism and disease association of E2-conjugating enzymes: lessons from UBE2T and UBE2L3

Ubiquitin signalling is a fundamental eukaryotic regulatory system, controlling diverse cellular functions. A cascade of E1, E2, and E3 enzymes is required for assembly of distinct signals, whereas an array of deubiquitinases and ubiquitin-binding modules edit, remove, and translate the signals. In the centre of this cascade sits the E2-conjugating enzyme, relaying activated ubiquitin from the E1 activating enzyme to the substrate, usually via an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Many disease states are associated with dysfunction of ubiquitin signalling, with the E3s being a particular focus. However, recent evidence demonstrates that mutations or impairment of the E2s can lead to severe disease states, including chromosome instability syndromes, cancer predisposition, and immunological disorders. Given their relevance to diseases, E2s may represent an important class of therapeutic targets. In the present study, we review the current understanding of the mechanism of this important family of enzymes, and the role of selected E2s in disease.

The increasing complexity of the ubiquitin code

Ubiquitylation is essential for signal transduction as well as cell division and differentiation in all eukaryotes. Substrate modifications range from a single ubiquitin molecule to complex polymeric chains, with different types of ubiquitylation often eliciting distinct outcomes. The recent identification of novel chain topologies has improved our understanding of how ubiquitylation establishes precise communication within cells. Here, we discuss how the increasing complexity of ubiquitylation is employed to ensure robust and faithful signal transduction in eukaryotic cells.

A Lysine Desert Protects a Novel Domain in the Slx5-Slx8 SUMO Targeted Ub Ligase To Maintain Sumoylation Levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Protein modification by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) plays important roles in genome maintenance. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proper regulation of sumoylation is known to be essential for viability in certain DNA repair mutants. Here, we find the opposite result; proper regulation of sumoylation is lethal in certain DNA repair mutants. Yeast cells lacking the repair factors TDP1 and WSS1 are synthetically lethal due to their redundant roles in removing Top1-DNA covalent complexes (Top1ccs). A screen for suppressors of tdp1∆ wss1∆ synthetic lethality isolated mutations in genes known to control global sumoylation levels including ULP1, ULP2, SIZ2, and SLX5 The results suggest that alternative pathways of repair become available when sumoylation levels are altered. Curiously, both suppressor mutations that were isolated in the Slx5 subunit of the SUMO-targeted Ub ligase created new lysine residues. These "slx5-K" mutations localize to a 398 amino acid domain that is completely free of lysine, and they result in the auto-ubiquitination and partial proteolysis of Slx5. The decrease in Slx5-K protein leads to the accumulation of high molecular weight SUMO conjugates, and the residual Ub ligase activity is needed to suppress inviability presumably by targeting polysumoylated Top1ccs. This "lysine desert" is found in the subset of large fungal Slx5 proteins, but not its smaller orthologs such as RNF4. The lysine desert solves a problem that Ub ligases encounter when evolving novel functional domains.

Regulation of DNA double-strand break repair by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly cytotoxic DNA lesions. The swift recognition and faithful repair of such damage is crucial for the maintenance of genomic stability, as well as for cell and organismal fitness. Signalling by ubiquitin, SUMO and other ubiquitin-like modifiers (UBLs) orchestrates and regulates cellular responses to DSBs at multiple levels, often involving extensive crosstalk between these modifications. Recent findings have revealed compelling insights into the complex mechanisms by which ubiquitin and UBLs regulate protein interactions with DSB sites to promote accurate lesion repair and protection of genome integrity in mammalian cells. These advances offer new therapeutic opportunities for diseases linked to genetic instability.

Eukaryotic DNA damage responses: Homologous recombination factors and ubiquitin modification

To prevent genomic instability disorders, cells have developed a DNA damage response. The response involves various proteins that sense damaged DNA, transduce damage signals, and effect DNA repair. In addition, ubiquitin modifications modulate the signaling pathway depending on cellular context. Among various types of DNA damage, double-stranded breaks are highly toxic to genomic integrity. Homologous recombination (HR) repair is an essential mechanism that fixes DNA damage because of its high level of accuracy. Although factors in the repair pathway are well established, pinpointing the exact mechanisms of repair and devising therapeutic applications requires more studies. Moreover, essential functions of ubiquitin modification in the DNA damage signaling pathway have emerged. In this review, to explore the eukaryotic DNA damage response, we will mention the functions of main factors in the HR repair pathway and ubiquitin modification.

SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase activity can either suppress or promote genome instability, depending on the nature of the DNA lesion

The posttranslational modifiers SUMO and ubiquitin critically regulate the DNA damage response (DDR). Important crosstalk between these modifiers at DNA lesions is mediated by the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL), which ubiquitinates SUMO chains to generate SUMO-ubiquitin hybrids. These SUMO-ubiquitin hybrids attract DDR proteins able to bind both modifiers, and/or are degraded at the proteasome. Despite these insights, specific roles for SUMO chains and STUbL in the DDR remain poorly defined. Notably, fission yeast defective in SUMO chain formation exhibit near wild-type resistance to genotoxins and moreover, have a greatly reduced dependency on STUbL activity for DNA repair. Based on these and other data, we propose that a critical role of STUbL is to antagonize DDR-inhibitory SUMO chain formation at DNA lesions. In this regard, we identify a SUMO-binding Swi2/Snf2 translocase called Rrp2 (ScUls1) as a mediator of the DDR defects in STUbL mutant cells. Therefore, in support of our proposal, SUMO chains attract activities that can antagonize STUbL and other DNA repair factors. Finally, we find that Taz1^TRF1/TRF2-deficiency triggers extensive telomeric poly-SUMOylation. In this setting STUbL, together with its cofactor Cdc48^p97_, actually promotes genomic instability caused by the aberrant processing of taz1Δ telomeres by DNA repair factors. In summary, depending on the nature of the initiating DNA lesion, STUbL activity can either be beneficial or harmful.

Since its discovery in 2007, SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) activity has been identified as a key regulator of diverse cellular processes such as DNA repair, mitosis and DNA replication. In each of these processes, STUbL has been shown to promote the chromatin extraction and/or degradation of SUMO chain modified proteins. However, it remains unclear whether STUbL acts as part of a "programmed" cascade to remove specific proteins, or antagonizes localized SUMO chain formation that otherwise impedes each process. Here we determine that SUMO chains, the major recruitment signal for STUbL, are largely dispensable for genotoxin resistance in fission yeast. Moreover, when SUMO chain formation is compromised, the need for STUbL activity in DNA repair is strongly reduced. These results indicate a primary role for STUbL in antagonizing localized SUMO chain formation. Interestingly, we also find that STUbL activity can be toxic at certain genomic lesions that induce extensive local SUMOylation. For example, STUbL promotes the chromosome instability and cell death caused by deprotected telomeres following Taz1^TRF1/2 deletion. Together, our data suggest that STUbL limits DNA repair-inhibitory SUMO chain formation, and depending on the nature of the genomic lesion, can either suppress or cause genome instability.

Ataxin-3 consolidates the MDC1-dependent DNA double-strand break response by counteracting the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase RNF4

The SUMO‐targeted ubiquitin ligase RNF4 functions at the crossroads of the SUMO and ubiquitin systems. Here, we report that the deubiquitylation enzyme (DUB) ataxin‐3 counteracts RNF4 activity during the DNA double‐strand break (DSB) response. We find that ataxin‐3 negatively regulates ubiquitylation of the checkpoint mediator MDC1, a known RNF4 substrate. Loss of ataxin‐3 markedly decreases the chromatin dwell time of MDC1 at DSBs, which can be fully reversed by co‐depletion of RNF4. Ataxin‐3 is recruited to DSBs in a SUMOylation‐dependent fashion, and in vitro it directly interacts with and is stimulated by recombinant SUMO, defining a SUMO‐dependent mechanism for DUB activity toward MDC1. Loss of ataxin‐3 results in reduced DNA damage‐induced ubiquitylation due to impaired MDC1‐dependent recruitment of the ubiquitin ligases RNF8 and RNF168, and reduced recruitment of 53BP1 and BRCA1. Finally, ataxin‐3 is required for efficient MDC1‐dependent DSB repair by non‐homologous end‐joining and homologous recombination. Consequently, loss of ataxin‐3 sensitizes cells to ionizing radiation and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor. We propose that the opposing activities of RNF4 and ataxin‐3 consolidate robust MDC1‐dependent signaling and repair of DSBs.

RNF4 interacts with multiSUMOylated ETV4

Protein SUMOylation represents an important regulatory event that changes the activities of numerous proteins. Recent evidence demonstrates that polySUMO chains can act as a trigger to direct the ubiquitin ligase RNF4 to substrates to cause their turnover through the ubiquitin pathway. RNF4 uses multiple SUMO interaction motifs (SIMs) to bind to these chains. However, in addition to polySUMO chains, a multimeric binding surface created by the simultaneous SUMOylation of multiple residues on a protein or complex could also provide a platform for the recruitment of multi-SIM proteins like RNF4. Here we demonstrate that multiSUMOylated ETV4 can bind to RNF4 and that a unique combination of SIMs is required for RNF4 to interact with this multiSUMOylated platform. Thus RNF4 can bind to proteins that are either polySUMOylated through a single site or multiSUMOylated on several sites and raises the possibility that such multiSIM-multiSUMO interactions might be more widespread.

Nuclear Dynamics of Heterochromatin Repair

Repairing double-strand breaks (DSBs) is particularly challenging in pericentromeric heterochromatin, where the abundance of repeated sequences exacerbates the risk of ectopic recombination and chromosome rearrangements. Recent studies in Drosophila cells revealed that faithful homologous recombination (HR) repair of heterochromatic DSBs relies on the relocalization of DSBs to the nuclear periphery before Rad51 recruitment. We summarize here the exciting progress in understanding this pathway, including conserved responses in mammalian cells and surprising similarities with mechanisms in yeast that deal with DSBs in distinct sites that are difficult to repair, including other repeated sequences. We will also point out some of the most important open questions in the field and emerging evidence suggesting that deregulating these pathways might have dramatic consequences for human health.

RNF4 regulates DNA double-strand break repair in a cell cycle-dependent manner

Both RNF4 and KAP1 play critical roles in the response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), but the functional interplay of RNF4 and KAP1 in regulating DNA damage response remains unclear. We have previously demonstrated the recruitment and degradation of KAP1 by RNF4 require the phosphorylation of Ser824 (pS824) and SUMOylation of KAP1. In this report, we show the retention of DSB-induced pS824-KAP1 foci and RNF4 abundance are inversely correlated as cell cycle progresses. Following irradiation, pS824-KAP1 foci predominantly appear in the cyclin A (-) cells, whereas RNF4 level is suppressed in the G0-/G1-phases and then accumulates during S-/G2-phases. Notably, 53BP1 foci, but not BRCA1 foci, co-exist with pS824-KAP1 foci. Depletion of KAP1 yields opposite effect on the dynamics of 53BP1 and BRCA1 loading, favoring homologous recombination repair. In addition, we identify p97 is present in the RNF4-KAP1 interacting complex and the inhibition of p97 renders MCF7 breast cancer cells relatively more sensitive to DNA damage. Collectively, these findings suggest that combined effect of dynamic recruitment of RNF4 to KAP1 regulates the relative occupancy of 53BP1 and BRCA1 at DSB sites to direct DSB repair in a cell cycle-dependent manner.

A phosphorylation-deubiquitination cascade regulates the BRCA2-RAD51 axis in homologous recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is one of the major DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways in mammalian cells. Defects in HR trigger genomic instability and result in cancer predisposition. The defining step of HR is homologous strand exchange directed by the protein RAD51, which is recruited to DSBs by BRCA2. However, the regulation of the BRCA2-RAD51 axis remains unclear. Here we report that ubiquitination of RAD51 hinders RAD51-BRCA2 interaction, while deubiquitination of RAD51 facilitates RAD51-BRCA2 binding and RAD51 recruitment and thus is critical for proper HR. Mechanistically, in response to DNA damage, the deubiquitinase UCHL3 is phosphorylated and activated by ATM. UCHL3, in turn, deubiquitinates RAD51 and promotes the binding between RAD51 and BRCA2. Overexpression of UCHL3 renders breast cancer cells resistant to radiation and chemotherapy, while depletion of UCHL3 sensitizes cells to these treatments, suggesting a determinant role of UCHL3 in cancer therapy. Overall, we identify UCHL3 as a novel regulator of DNA repair and reveal a model in which a phosphorylation-deubiquitination cascade dynamically regulates the BRCA2-RAD51 pathway.