101
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Cdk1 regulates the temporal recruitment of telomerase and Cdc13-Stn1-Ten1 complex for telomere replication. Mol Cell Biol 2013; 34:57-70. [PMID: 24164896 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01235-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the cell cycle-dependent telomere elongation by telomerase is controlled by the cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). The telomere length homeostasis is balanced between telomerase-unextendable and telomerase-extendable states that both require Cdc13. The recruitment of telomerase complex by Cdc13 promotes telomere elongation, while the formation of Cdc13-Stn1-Ten1 (CST) complex at the telomere blocks telomere elongation by telomerase. However, the cellular signaling that regulates the timing of the telomerase-extendable and telomerase-unextendable states is largely unknown. Phosphorylation of Cdc13 by Cdk1 promotes the interaction between Cdc13 and Est1 and hence telomere elongation. Here, we show that Cdk1 also phosphorylates Stn1 at threonine 223 and serine 250 both in vitro and in vivo, and these phosphorylation events are essential for the stability of the CST complexes at the telomeres. By controlling the timing of Cdc13 and Stn1 phosphorylations during cell cycle progression, Cdk1 regulates the temporal recruitment of telomerase complexes and CST complexes to the telomeres to facilitate telomere maintenance.
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102
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Bonetti D, Martina M, Falcettoni M, Longhese MP. Telomere-end processing: mechanisms and regulation. Chromosoma 2013; 123:57-66. [PMID: 24122006 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-013-0440-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein complexes that provide protection to the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Telomeric DNA consists of tandemly repeated G-rich sequences that terminate with a 3' single-stranded overhang, which is important for telomere extension by the telomerase enzyme. This structure, as well as most of the proteins that specifically bind double and single-stranded telomeric DNA, are conserved from yeast to humans, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying telomere identity are based on common principles. The telomeric 3' overhang is generated by different events depending on whether the newly synthesized strand is the product of leading- or lagging-strand synthesis. Here, we review the mechanisms that regulate these processes at Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammalian telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Bonetti
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
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103
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Pfeiffer V, Crittin J, Grolimund L, Lingner J. The THO complex component Thp2 counteracts telomeric R-loops and telomere shortening. EMBO J 2013; 32:2861-71. [PMID: 24084588 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance by the conventional DNA replication machinery and telomerase is assisted by specialized DNA helicases, nucleases and telomere binding proteins. Here, we identify the THO components at telomeres and define critical roles of this complex in telomere stability. Deletion of the THO-subunit THP2 leads to telomere shortening. We discover that telomeres contain RNA:DNA hybrid structures or R-loops which involve the long-noncoding RNA TERRA and which accumulate in thp2-Δ cells. Telomere length is not restored by R-loop removal upon RNase H overexpression, but by deletion of Exonuclease 1 (Exo1). Replication stress further enhances the short telomere phenotype of THP2 mutants. Similar events occur upon induced transcription of TERRA and genetic analysis links Thp2 to TERRA function. Altogether, our data indicate that THO, through the interplay with TERRA, regulates chromosome end processing activities and prevents interference with semiconservative DNA replication of telomeric DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Pfeiffer
- EPFL-Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, School of Life Sciences, ISREC-Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
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104
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Wang Y, Sharpless N, Chang S. p16(INK4a) protects against dysfunctional telomere-induced ATR-dependent DNA damage responses. J Clin Invest 2013; 123:4489-501. [PMID: 24091330 DOI: 10.1172/jci69574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctional telomeres limit cellular proliferative capacity by activating the p53-p21- and p16(INK4a)-Rb-dependent DNA damage responses (DDRs). The p16(INK4a) tumor suppressor accumulates in aging tissues, is a biomarker for cellular senescence, and limits stem cell function in vivo. While the activation of a p53-dependent DDR by dysfunctional telomeres has been well documented in human cells and mouse models, the role for p16(INK4a) in response to telomere dysfunction remains unclear. Here, we generated protection of telomeres 1b p16-/- mice (Pot1bΔ/Δ;p16-/-) to address the function of p16(INK4a) in the setting of telomere dysfunction in vivo. We found that deletion of p16(INK4a) accelerated organ impairment and observed functional defects in highly proliferative organs, including the hematopoietic system, small intestine, and testes. Pot1bΔ/Δ;p16-/- hematopoietic cells exhibited increased telomere loss, increased chromosomal fusions, and telomere replication defects. p16(INK4a) deletion enhanced the activation of the ATR-dependent DDR in Pot1bΔ/Δ hematopoietic cells, leading to p53 stabilization, increased p21-dependent cell cycle arrest, and elevated p53-dependent apoptosis. In contrast to p16(INK4a), deletion of p21 did not activate ATR, rescued proliferative defects in Pot1bΔ/Δ hematopoietic cells, and significantly increased organismal lifespan. Our results provide experimental evidence that p16(INK4a) exerts protective functions in proliferative cells bearing dysfunctional telomeres.
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105
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Kasbek C, Wang F, Price CM. Human TEN1 maintains telomere integrity and functions in genome-wide replication restart. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:30139-30150. [PMID: 24025336 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.493478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
TEN1 is a component of the mammalian CTC1-STN1-TEN1 complex. CTC1 and/or STN1 functions in telomere duplex replication, C-strand fill-in, and genome-wide restart of replication following fork stalling. Here we examine the role of human TEN1 and ask whether it also functions as a specialized replication factor. TEN1 depletion causes an increase in multitelomere fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) signals similar to that observed after CTC1 or STN1 depletion. However, TEN1 depletion also results in increased telomere loss. This loss is not accompanied by increased telomere deprotection, recombination, or T-circle release. Thus, it appears that both the multiple telomere signals and telomere loss stem from problems in telomere duplex replication. TEN1 depletion can also affect telomere length, but whether telomeres lengthen or shorten is cell line-dependent. Like CTC1 and STN1, TEN1 is needed for G-overhang processing. Depletion of TEN1 does not effect overhang elongation in mid-S phase, but it delays overhang shortening in late S/G2. These results indicate a role for TEN1 in C-strand fill-in but do not support a direct role in telomerase regulation. Finally, TEN1 depletion causes a decrease in genome-wide replication restart following fork stalling similar to that observed after STN1 depletion. However, anaphase bridge formation is more severe than with CTC1 or STN1 depletion. Our findings indicate that TEN1 likely functions in conjunction with CTC1 and STN1 at the telomere and elsewhere in the genome. They also raise the possibility that TEN1 has additional roles and indicate that TEN1/CTC1-STN1-TEN1 helps solve a wide range of challenges to the replication machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Kasbek
- From the Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Feng Wang
- From the Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | - Carolyn M Price
- From the Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267.
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106
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Zhou J, Richardson M, Reddy V, Menon M, Barrack ER, Reddy GPV, Kim SH. Structural and functional association of androgen receptor with telomeres in prostate cancer cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2013; 5:3-17. [PMID: 23363843 PMCID: PMC3616228 DOI: 10.18632/aging.100524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres protect the ends of linear chromosomes from being recognized as damaged DNA, and telomere stability is required for genome stability. Here we demonstrate that telomere stability in androgen receptor (AR)-positive LNCaP human prostate cancer cells is dependent on AR and androgen, as AR inactivation by AR antagonist bicalutamide (Casodex), AR-knockdown, or androgen-depletion caused telomere dysfunction, and the effect of androgen-depletion or Casodex was blocked by the addition of androgen. Notably, neither actinomycin D nor cycloheximide blocked the DNA damage response to Casodex, indicating that the role of AR in telomere stability is independent of its role in transcription. We also demonstrate that AR is a component of telomeres, as AR-bound chromatin contains telomeric DNA, and telomeric chromatin contains AR. Importantly, AR inactivation by Casodex caused telomere aberrations, including multiple abnormal telomere signals, remindful of a fragile telomere phenotype that has been described previously to result from defective telomere DNA replication. We suggest that AR plays an important role in telomere stability and replication of telomere DNA in prostate cancer cells, and that AR inactivation-mediated telomere dysfunction may contribute to genomic instability and progression of prostate cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Zhou
- Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
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107
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Min JN, Tian Y, Xiao Y, Wu L, Li L, Chang S. The mINO80 chromatin remodeling complex is required for efficient telomere replication and maintenance of genome stability. Cell Res 2013; 23:1396-413. [PMID: 23979016 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2013.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The INO80 (inositol requiring mutant 80) chromatin remodeling complex plays important roles in transcriptional regulation and DNA replication and repair, and consists of several functional protein subunits, including the critical Ino80 ATPase catalytic subunit. While the function of INO80 has been studied in yeast and mammalian cell lines, we do not know how mIno80 contributes to the maintenance of genome stability to prevent cancer development in mice. Here, we use a conditional knockout approach to explore the cellular and organismal functions of mIno80. Deletion of mIno80 results in profound cellular proliferative defects and activation of p21-dependent cellular senescence. While mIno80 is required for efficient repair of DNA double strand breaks, its depletion did not impact upon the formation of γ-H2AX and 53BP1 DNA damage foci, or the activation of the ATM-CHK2-dependent DNA damage response. mIno80 deletion inhibited the generation of single-strand DNA, resulting in defects in homology-directed DNA repair (HDR) at telomeres. Fragile telomeres were prominent in mIno80(Δ/Δ) MEFs, suggesting that chromatin remodeling is required for efficient telomere replication. mIno80(-/-) mouse embryos die early during embryogenesis, while conditional deletion of mIno80 in adult mice results in weight loss and premature death. In a p53(-/-) tumor-prone background, mIno80 haploinsufficiency favored the development of sarcomas. Our studies suggest that the mIno80 chromatin remodeling complex plays important roles in telomere replication, HDR-mediated repair of dysfunctional telomeres, and maintenance of genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Na Min
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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108
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Vallabhaneni H, O'Callaghan N, Sidorova J, Liu Y. Defective repair of oxidative base lesions by the DNA glycosylase Nth1 associates with multiple telomere defects. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003639. [PMID: 23874233 PMCID: PMC3715427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are chromosome end structures and are essential for maintenance of genome stability. Highly repetitive telomere sequences appear to be susceptible to oxidative stress-induced damage. Oxidation may therefore have a severe impact on telomere integrity and function. A wide spectrum of oxidative pyrimidine-derivatives has been reported, including thymine glycol (Tg), that are primarily removed by a DNA glycosylase, Endonuclease III-like protein 1 (Nth1). Here, we investigate the effect of Nth1 deficiency on telomere integrity in mice. Nth1 null (Nth1(-/-) ) mouse tissues and primary MEFs harbor higher levels of Endonuclease III-sensitive DNA lesions at telomeric repeats, in comparison to a non-telomeric locus. Furthermore, oxidative DNA damage induced by acute exposure to an oxidant is repaired slowly at telomeres in Nth1(-/-) MEFs. Although telomere length is not affected in the hematopoietic tissues of Nth1(-/-) adult mice, telomeres suffer from attrition and increased recombination and DNA damage foci formation in Nth1(-/-) bone marrow cells that are stimulated ex vivo in the presence of 20% oxygen. Nth1 deficiency also enhances telomere fragility in mice. Lastly, in a telomerase null background, Nth1(-/-) bone marrow cells undergo severe telomere loss at some chromosome ends and cell apoptosis upon replicative stress. These results suggest that Nth1 plays an important role in telomere maintenance and base repair against oxidative stress-induced base modifications. The fact that telomerase deficiency can exacerbate telomere shortening in Nth1 deficient mouse cells supports that base excision repair cooperates with telomerase to maintain telomere integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haritha Vallabhaneni
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Julia Sidorova
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Yie Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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109
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Abstract
Telomeric DNA at eukaryotic chromosome ends terminates with single stranded 3' G-rich overhangs. The overhang is generated by the interplay of several dynamic processes including semiconservative DNA replication, 3' end elongation by telomerase, C-strand fill-in synthesis and nucleolytic processing. The mammalian CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) complex is directly involved at several stages of telomere end formation. Elucidation of its structural organization and identification of interaction partners support the notion that mammalian CST is, as its yeast counterpart, a RPA-like complex. CST binding at mammalian telomere 3' overhangs increases upon their elongation by telomerase. Formation of a trimeric CST complex at telomeric 3'overhangs leads to telomerase inhibition and at the same time mediates a physical interaction with DNA polymerase-α. Thus CST seems to play critical roles in coordinating telomerase elongation and fill-in synthesis to complete telomere replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuh-Yow Chen
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC); School of Life Sciences; Frontiers in Genetics National Center of Competence in Research; Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne, Switzerland
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110
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Bryan C, Rice C, Harkisheimer M, Schultz DC, Skordalakes E. Structure of the human telomeric Stn1-Ten1 capping complex. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66756. [PMID: 23826127 PMCID: PMC3691326 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of the human homologue of the yeast CST in 2009 posed a new challenge in our understanding of the mechanism of telomere capping in higher eukaryotes. The high-resolution structure of the human Stn1-Ten1 (hStn1-Ten1) complex presented here reveals that hStn1 consists of an OB domain and tandem C-terminal wHTH motifs, while hTen1 consists of a single OB fold. Contacts between the OB domains facilitate formation of a complex that is strikingly similar to the replication protein A (RPA) and yeast Stn1-Ten1 (Ten1) complexes. The hStn1-Ten1 complex exhibits non-specific single-stranded DNA activity that is primarily dependent on hStn1. Cells expressing hStn1 mutants defective for dimerization with hTen1 display elongated telomeres and telomere defects associated with telomere uncapping, suggesting that the telomeric function of hCST is hTen1 dependent. Taken together the data presented here show that the structure of the hStn1-Ten1 subcomplex is conserved across species. Cell based assays indicate that hTen1 is critical for the telomeric function of hCST, both in telomere protection and downregulation of telomerase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Bryan
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Cory Rice
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael Harkisheimer
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David C. Schultz
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Emmanuel Skordalakes
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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111
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Webb CJ, Wu Y, Zakian VA. DNA repair at telomeres: keeping the ends intact. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2013; 5:5/6/a012666. [PMID: 23732473 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a012666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The molecular era of telomere biology began with the discovery that telomeres usually consist of G-rich simple repeats and end with 3' single-stranded tails. Enormous progress has been made in identifying the mechanisms that maintain and replenish telomeric DNA and the proteins that protect them from degradation, fusions, and checkpoint activation. Although telomeres in different organisms (or even in the same organism under different conditions) are maintained by different mechanisms, the disparate processes have the common goals of repairing defects caused by semiconservative replication through G-rich DNA, countering the shortening caused by incomplete replication, and postreplication regeneration of G tails. In addition, standard DNA repair mechanisms must be suppressed or modified at telomeres to prevent their being recognized and processed as DNA double-strand breaks. Here, we discuss the players and processes that maintain and regenerate telomere structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Webb
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, USA
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112
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Kappei D, Butter F, Benda C, Scheibe M, Draškovič I, Stevense M, Novo CL, Basquin C, Araki M, Araki K, Krastev DB, Kittler R, Jessberger R, Londoño-Vallejo JA, Mann M, Buchholz F. HOT1 is a mammalian direct telomere repeat-binding protein contributing to telomerase recruitment. EMBO J 2013; 32:1681-701. [PMID: 23685356 PMCID: PMC3680732 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive DNA structures that, together with the shelterin and the CST complex, protect the ends of chromosomes. Telomere shortening is mitigated in stem and cancer cells through the de novo addition of telomeric repeats by telomerase. Telomere elongation requires the delivery of the telomerase complex to telomeres through a not yet fully understood mechanism. Factors promoting telomerase-telomere interaction are expected to directly bind telomeres and physically interact with the telomerase complex. In search for such a factor we carried out a SILAC-based DNA-protein interaction screen and identified HMBOX1, hereafter referred to as homeobox telomere-binding protein 1 (HOT1). HOT1 directly and specifically binds double-stranded telomere repeats, with the in vivo association correlating with binding to actively processed telomeres. Depletion and overexpression experiments classify HOT1 as a positive regulator of telomere length. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation and cell fractionation analyses show that HOT1 associates with the active telomerase complex and promotes chromatin association of telomerase. Collectively, these findings suggest that HOT1 supports telomerase-dependent telomere elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Kappei
- Medical Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, University Cancer Center, Dresden University of Technology, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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113
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Raffa GD, Cenci G, Ciapponi L, Gatti M. Organization and Evolution of Drosophila Terminin: Similarities and Differences between Drosophila and Human Telomeres. Front Oncol 2013; 3:112. [PMID: 23675571 PMCID: PMC3650302 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila lacks telomerase and fly telomeres are elongated by occasional transposition of three specialized retroelements. Drosophila telomeres do not terminate with GC-rich repeats and are assembled independently of the sequence of chromosome ends. Recent work has shown that Drosophila telomeres are capped by the terminin complex, which includes the fast-evolving proteins HOAP, HipHop, Moi, and Ver. These proteins, which are not conserved outside Drosophilidae and closely related Diptera, localize and function exclusively at telomeres, protecting them from fusion events. Other proteins required to prevent end-to-end fusion in flies include HP1, Eff/UbcD1, ATM, the components of the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs (MRN) complex, and the Woc transcription factor. These proteins do not share the terminin properties; they are evolutionarily conserved non-fast-evolving proteins that do not accumulate only at telomeres and do not serve telomere-specific functions. We propose that following telomerase loss, Drosophila rapidly evolved terminin to bind chromosome ends in a sequence-independent manner. This hypothesis suggests that terminin is the functional analog of the shelterin complex that protects human telomeres. The non-terminin proteins are instead likely to correspond to ancestral telomere-associated proteins that did not evolve as rapidly as terminin because of the functional constraints imposed by their involvement in diverse cellular processes. Thus, it appears that the main difference between Drosophila and human telomeres is in the protective complexes that specifically associate with the DNA termini. We believe that Drosophila telomeres offer excellent opportunities for investigations on human telomere biology. The identification of additional Drosophila genes encoding non-terminin proteins involved in telomere protection might lead to the discovery of novel components of human telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia D Raffa
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma Roma, Italy ; Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "C. Darwin," Sapienza Università di Roma Roma, Italy
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114
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Pfeiffer V, Lingner J. Replication of telomeres and the regulation of telomerase. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2013; 5:a010405. [PMID: 23543032 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a010405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are the physical ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. They protect chromosome ends from DNA degradation, recombination, and DNA end fusions, and they are important for nuclear architecture. Telomeres provide a mechanism for their replication by semiconservative DNA replication and length maintenance by telomerase. Through telomerase repression and induced telomere shortening, telomeres provide the means to regulate cellular life span. In this review, we introduce the current knowledge on telomere composition and structure. We then discuss in depth the current understanding of how telomere components mediate their function during semiconservative DNA replication and how telomerase is regulated at the end of the chromosome. We focus our discussion on the telomeres from mammals and the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Pfeiffer
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Frontiers in Genetics National Center of Competence in Research, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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115
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Lin W, Sampathi S, Dai H, Liu C, Zhou M, Hu J, Huang Q, Campbell J, Shin-Ya K, Zheng L, Chai W, Shen B. Mammalian DNA2 helicase/nuclease cleaves G-quadruplex DNA and is required for telomere integrity. EMBO J 2013; 32:1425-39. [PMID: 23604072 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficient and faithful replication of telomeric DNA is critical for maintaining genome integrity. The G-quadruplex (G4) structure arising in the repetitive TTAGGG sequence is thought to stall replication forks, impairing efficient telomere replication and leading to telomere instabilities. However, pathways modulating telomeric G4 are poorly understood, and it is unclear whether defects in these pathways contribute to genome instabilities in vivo. Here, we report that mammalian DNA2 helicase/nuclease recognizes and cleaves telomeric G4 in vitro. Consistent with DNA2's role in removing G4, DNA2 deficiency in mouse cells leads to telomere replication defects, elevating the levels of fragile telomeres (FTs) and sister telomere associations (STAs). Such telomere defects are enhanced by stabilizers of G4. Moreover, DNA2 deficiency induces telomere DNA damage and chromosome segregation errors, resulting in tetraploidy and aneuploidy. Consequently, DNA2-deficient mice develop aneuploidy-associated cancers containing dysfunctional telomeres. Collectively, our genetic, cytological, and biochemical results suggest that mammalian DNA2 reduces replication stress at telomeres, thereby preserving genome stability and suppressing cancer development, and that this may involve, at least in part, nucleolytic processing of telomeric G4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Lin
- Department of Radiation Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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116
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Jacobs JJL. Loss of telomere protection: consequences and opportunities. Front Oncol 2013; 3:88. [PMID: 23596571 PMCID: PMC3625723 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive sequences at the natural ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes that protect these from recognition as chromosome breaks. Their ability to do so critically depends on the binding of sufficient quantities of functional shelterin, a six-unit protein complex with specific and crucial roles in telomere maintenance and function. Insufficient telomere length, leading to insufficient concentration of shelterin at chromosome ends, or otherwise crippled shelterin function, causes telomere deprotection. While contributing to aging-related pathologies, loss of telomere protection can act as a barrier to tumorigenesis, as dysfunctional telomeres activate DNA-damage-like checkpoint responses that halt cell proliferation or trigger cell death. In addition, dysfunctional telomeres affect cancer development and progression by being a source of genomic instability. Reviewed here are the different approaches that are being undertaken to investigate the mammalian cellular response to telomere dysfunction and its consequences for cancer. Furthermore, it is discussed how current and future knowledge about the mechanisms underlying telomere damage responses might be applied for diagnostic purposes or therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline J L Jacobs
- Division of Molecular Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute Amsterdam, Netherlands
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117
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Zhang P, Herbig U, Coffman F, Lambert MW. Non-erythroid alpha spectrin prevents telomere dysfunction after DNA interstrand cross-link damage. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:5321-40. [PMID: 23571757 PMCID: PMC3664817 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere integrity is critical for telomere function and genomic stability. We previously demonstrated that non-erythroid α-spectrin (αIISp) is present in mammalian cell nuclei where it is important in repair of DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) and chromosome stability. We now demonstrate that αIISp is also important for telomere maintenance after ICL damage. It localizes to telomeres in S phase after ICL damage where it has enhanced association with TRF1 and TRF2 and is required for recruitment of the ICL repair protein, XPF, to damage-induced foci at telomeres. In telomerase-positive normal cells depleted of αIISp by siRNA or in Fanconi anemia, complementation group A (FA-A) cells, where αIISp levels are 35–40% of normal, ICL damage results in failure of XPF to localize to telomeres, markedly increased telomere dysfunction-induced foci, followed by catastrophic loss of telomeres. Restoration of αIISp levels to normal in FA-A cells corrects these deficiencies. Our studies demonstrate that αIISp is critical for repair of DNA ICLs at telomeres, likely by facilitating the recruitment of repair proteins similar, but not identical, to its proposed role in repair of DNA ICLs in genomic DNA and that this function in turn is critical for telomere maintenance after DNA ICL damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07042, USA
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118
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Ashton NW, Bolderson E, Cubeddu L, O'Byrne KJ, Richard DJ. Human single-stranded DNA binding proteins are essential for maintaining genomic stability. BMC Mol Biol 2013; 14:9. [PMID: 23548139 PMCID: PMC3626794 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-14-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The double-stranded conformation of cellular DNA is a central aspect of DNA stabilisation and protection. The helix preserves the genetic code against chemical and enzymatic degradation, metabolic activation, and formation of secondary structures. However, there are various instances where single-stranded DNA is exposed, such as during replication or transcription, in the synthesis of chromosome ends, and following DNA damage. In these instances, single-stranded DNA binding proteins are essential for the sequestration and processing of single-stranded DNA. In order to bind single-stranded DNA, these proteins utilise a characteristic and evolutionary conserved single-stranded DNA-binding domain, the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-fold. In the current review we discuss a subset of these proteins involved in the direct maintenance of genomic stability, an important cellular process in the conservation of cellular viability and prevention of malignant transformation. We discuss the central roles of single-stranded DNA binding proteins from the OB-fold domain family in DNA replication, the restart of stalled replication forks, DNA damage repair, cell cycle-checkpoint activation, and telomere maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W Ashton
- Genome Stability Laboratory, Cancer and Ageing Research Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
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119
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Leehy KA, Lee JR, Song X, Renfrew KB, Shippen DE. MERISTEM DISORGANIZATION1 encodes TEN1, an essential telomere protein that modulates telomerase processivity in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2013; 25:1343-54. [PMID: 23572541 PMCID: PMC3663272 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.112.107425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres protect chromosome ends from being recognized as DNA damage, and they facilitate the complete replication of linear chromosomes. CST [for CTC1(Cdc13)/STN1/TEN1] is a trimeric chromosome end binding complex implicated in both aspects of telomere function. Here, we characterize TEN1 in the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We report that TEN1 (for telomeric pathways in association with Stn1, which stands for suppressor of cdc thirteen) is encoded by a previously characterized gene, MERISTEM DISORGANIZATION1 (MDO1). A point mutation in MDO1, mdo1-1/ten1-3 (G77E), triggers stem cell differentiation and death as well as a constitutive DNA damage response. We provide biochemical and genetic evidence that ten1-3 is likely to be a null mutation. As with ctc1 and stn1 null mutants, telomere tracts in ten1-3 are shorter and more heterogeneous than the wild type. Mutants also exhibit frequent telomere fusions, increased single-strand telomeric DNA, and telomeric circles. However, unlike stn1 or ctc1 mutants, telomerase enzyme activity is elevated in ten1-3 mutants due to an increase in repeat addition processivity. In addition, TEN1 is detected at a significantly smaller fraction of telomeres than CTC1. These data indicate that TEN1 is critical for telomere stability and also plays an unexpected role in modulating telomerase enzyme activity.
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120
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Abstract
Human single-strand (ss) DNA binding proteins 1 and 2 (hSSB1 and 2) are components of the hSSB1/2-INTS3-C9orf80 heterotrimeric protein complex shown to participate in DNA damage response and maintenance of genome stability. However, their roles at telomeres remain unknown. Here, we generated murine SSB1 conditional knockout mice and cells and found that mSSB1 plays a critical role in telomere end protection. Both mSSB1 and mSSB2 localize to a subset of telomeres and are required to repair TRF2-deficient telomeres. Deletion of mSSB1 resulted in increased chromatid-type fusions involving both leading- and lagging-strand telomeric DNA, suggesting that it is required for the protection of G-overhangs. mSSB1's interaction with INTS3 is required for its localization to damaged DNA. mSSB1 interacts with Pot1a, but not Pot1b, and its association with telomeric ssDNA requires Pot1a. mSSB1(Δ/Δ) mice die at birth with developmental abnormalities, while mice with the hypomorphic mSSB1(F/F) allele are born alive and display increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR). Our results suggest that mSSB1 is required to maintain genome stability, and document a previously unrecognized role for mSSB1/2 in the protection of newly replicated leading- and lagging-strand telomeres.
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121
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Churikov D, Corda Y, Luciano P, Géli V. Cdc13 at a crossroads of telomerase action. Front Oncol 2013; 3:39. [PMID: 23450759 PMCID: PMC3584321 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere elongation by telomerase involves sequential steps that must be highly coordinated to ensure the maintenance of telomeres at a proper length. Telomerase is delivered to telomere ends, where it engages single-strand DNA end as a primer, elongates it, and dissociates from the telomeres via mechanism that is likely coupled to the synthesis of the complementary C-strand. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the telomeric G-overhang bound Cdc13 acts as a platform for the recruitment of several factors that orchestrate timely transitions between these steps. In this review, we focus on some unresolved aspects of telomerase recruitment and on the mechanisms that regulate telomere elongation by telomerase after its recruitment to chromosome ends. We also highlight the key regulatory modifications of Cdc13 that promote transitions between the steps of telomere elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Churikov
- Marseille Cancer Research Center, U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, Aix-Marseille University Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, France
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122
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Wang F, Stewart JA, Kasbek C, Zhao Y, Wright WE, Price CM. Human CST has independent functions during telomere duplex replication and C-strand fill-in. Cell Rep 2012; 2:1096-103. [PMID: 23142664 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2012.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) is an RPA-like complex that is needed for efficient replication through the telomere duplex and genome-wide replication restart after fork stalling. Here, we show that STN1/CST has a second function in telomere replication during G-overhang maturation. Analysis of overhang structure after STN1 depletion revealed normal kinetics for telomerase-mediated extension in S phase but a delay in subsequent overhang shortening. This delay resulted from a defect in C-strand fill-in. Short telomeres exhibited the fill-in defect but normal telomere duplex replication, indicating that STN1/CST functions independently in these processes. Our work also indicates that the requirement for STN1/CST in telomere duplex replication correlates with increasing telomere length and replication stress. Our results provide direct evidence that STN1/CST participates in C-strand fill-in. They also demonstrate that STN1/CST participates in two mechanistically separate steps during telomere replication and identify CST as a replication factor that solves diverse replication-associated problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Cancer and Cell Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0521, USA
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123
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Nelson ADL, Shippen DE. Blunt-ended telomeres: an alternative ending to the replication and end protection stories. Genes Dev 2012; 26:1648-52. [PMID: 22855827 DOI: 10.1101/gad.199059.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres ensure the complete replication of genetic material while simultaneously distinguishing the chromosome terminus from a double-strand break. A prevailing theme in telomere biology is that the two chromosome ends are symmetrical. Both terminate in a single-strand 3' extension, and the 3' extension is crucial for telomere end protection. In this issue of Genes & Development, Kazda and colleagues (pp. 1703-1713) challenge this paradigm using a series of elegant biochemical and genetic assays to demonstrate that half of the chromosomes in flowering plants are blunt-ended. This discovery reveals unanticipated complexity in telomeric DNA processing and a novel mode of chromosome end protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D L Nelson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, 77843, USA
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124
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Abstract
There has been mounting evidence of a causal role for telomere dysfunction in a number of degenerative disorders. Their manifestations encompass common disease states such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bone marrow failure. Although these disorders seem to be clinically diverse, collectively they comprise a single syndrome spectrum defined by the short telomere defect. Here we review the manifestations and unique genetics of telomere syndromes. We also discuss their underlying molecular mechanisms and significance for understanding common age-related disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Armanios
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
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125
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The human CST complex is a terminator of telomerase activity. Nature 2012; 488:540-4. [PMID: 22763445 DOI: 10.1038/nature11269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The lengths of human telomeres, which protect chromosome ends from degradation and end fusions, are crucial determinants of cell lifespan. During embryogenesis and in cancer, the telomerase enzyme counteracts telomeric DNA shortening. As shown in cancer cells, human telomerase binds the shelterin component TPP1 at telomeres during the S phase of the cell cycle, and adds ~60 nucleotides in a single round of extension, after which telomerase is turned off by unknown mechanisms. Here we show that the human CST (CTC1, STN1 and TEN1) complex, previously implicated in telomere protection and DNA metabolism, inhibits telomerase activity through primer sequestration and physical interaction with the protection of telomeres 1 (POT1)–TPP1 telomerase processivity factor. CST competes with POT1–TPP1 for telomeric DNA, and CST–telomeric-DNA binding increases during late S/G2 phase only on telomerase action, coinciding with telomerase shut-off. Depletion of CST allows excessive telomerase activity, promoting telomere elongation. We propose that through binding of the telomerase-extended telomere, CST limits telomerase action at individual telomeres to approximately one binding and extension event per cell cycle. Our findings define the sequence of events that occur to first enable and then terminate telomerase-mediated telomere elongation.
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126
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Huang C, Dai X, Chai W. Human Stn1 protects telomere integrity by promoting efficient lagging-strand synthesis at telomeres and mediating C-strand fill-in. Cell Res 2012; 22:1681-95. [PMID: 22964711 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2012.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is critical for genome stability. The newly-identified Ctc1/Stn1/Ten1 complex is important for telomere maintenance, though its precise role is unclear. We report here that depletion of hStn1 induces catastrophic telomere shortening, DNA damage response, and early senescence in human somatic cells. These phenotypes are likely due to the essential role of hStn1 in promoting efficient replication of lagging-strand telomeric DNA. Downregulation of hStn1 accumulates single-stranded G-rich DNA specifically at lagging-strand telomeres, increases telomere fragility, hinders telomere DNA synthesis, as well as delays and compromises telomeric C-strand synthesis. We further show that hStn1 deficiency leads to persistent and elevated association of DNA polymerase α (polα) to telomeres, suggesting that hStn1 may modulate the DNA synthesis activity of polα rather than controlling the loading of polα to telomeres. Additionally, our data suggest that hStn1 is unlikely to be part of the telomere capping complex. We propose that the hStn1 assists DNA polymerases to efficiently duplicate lagging-strand telomeres in order to achieve complete synthesis of telomeric DNA, therefore preventing rapid telomere loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhui Huang
- School of Molecular Biosciences, WWAMI Medical Education Program, Washington State University, PO Box 1495, Spokane, WA 99210, USA
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127
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Abstract
There has been mounting evidence of a causal role for telomere dysfunction in a number of degenerative disorders. Their manifestations encompass common disease states such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bone marrow failure. Although these disorders seem to be clinically diverse, collectively they comprise a single syndrome spectrum defined by the short telomere defect. Here we review the manifestations and unique genetics of telomere syndromes. We also discuss their underlying molecular mechanisms and significance for understanding common age-related disease processes.
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128
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Abstract
There has been mounting evidence of a causal role for telomere dysfunction in a number of degenerative disorders. Their manifestations encompass common disease states such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bone marrow failure. Although these disorders seem to be clinically diverse, collectively they comprise a single syndrome spectrum defined by the short telomere defect. Here we review the manifestations and unique genetics of telomere syndromes. We also discuss their underlying molecular mechanisms and significance for understanding common age-related disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Armanios
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
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129
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Cesare AJ, Karlseder J. A three-state model of telomere control over human proliferative boundaries. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2012; 24:731-8. [PMID: 22947495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2012.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Revised: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsic limits on cellular proliferation in human somatic tissue serves as a tumor suppressor mechanism by restricting cell growth in aged cells with accrued pre-cancerous mutations. This is accompanied by the potential cost of restricting regenerative capacity and contributing to cellular and organismal aging. Emerging data support a model where telomere erosion controls proliferative boundaries through the progressive change of telomere structure from a protected state, through two distinct states of telomere deprotection. In this model telomeres facilitate a controlled permanent cell cycle arrest with a stable diploid genome during differentiation and may serve as an epigenetic sensor of general stress in DNA metabolism processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Cesare
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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130
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Walne AJ, Bhagat T, Kirwan M, Gitiaux C, Desguerre I, Leonard N, Nogales E, Vulliamy T, Dokal IS. Mutations in the telomere capping complex in bone marrow failure and related syndromes. Haematologica 2012; 98:334-8. [PMID: 22899577 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2012.071068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenita and its variants have overlapping phenotypes with many disorders including Coats plus, and their underlying pathology is thought to be one of defective telomere maintenance. Recently, biallelic CTC1 mutations have been described in patients with syndromes overlapping Coats plus. CTC1, STN1 and TEN1 are part of the telomere-capping complex involved in maintaining telomeric structural integrity. Based on phenotypic overlap we screened 73 genetically uncharacterized patients with dyskeratosis congenita and related bone marrow failure syndromes for mutations in this complex. Biallelic CTC1 mutations were identified in 6 patients but none in either STN1 or TEN1. We have expanded the phenotypic spectrum associated with CTC1 mutations and report that intracranial and retinal abnormalities are not a defining feature, as well as showing that the effect of these mutations on telomere length is variable. The study also demonstrates the lack of disease-causing mutations in other components of the telomere-capping complex.
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131
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Dai X, Huang C, Chai W. CDK1 differentially regulates G-overhang generation at leading- and lagging-strand telomeres in telomerase-negative cells in G2 phase. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:3079-86. [PMID: 22871736 DOI: 10.4161/cc.21472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Human telomeres contain single-stranded 3' G-overhangs that function in telomere end protection and telomerase action. Previously we have demonstrated that multiple steps involving C-strand end resection, telomerase elongation and C-strand fill-in contribute to G-overhang generation in telomerase-positive cancer cells. However, how G-overhangs are generated in telomerase-negative human somatic cells is unknown. Here, we report that C-strand fill-in is present at lagging-strand telomeres in telomerase-negative human cells but not at leading-strand telomeres, suggesting that C-strand fill-in is independent of telomerase extension of G-strand. We further show that while cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) positively regulates C-strand fill-in, CDK1 unlikely regulates G-overhang generation at leading-strand telomeres. In addition, DNA polymerase α (Polα) association with telomeres is not altered upon CDK1 inhibition, suggesting that CDK1 does not control the loading of Polα to telomeres during fill-in. In summary, our results reveal that G-overhang generation at leading- and lagging-strand telomeres are regulated by distinct mechanisms in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyu Dai
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
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