101
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Cui X, Yu Y, Gupta S, Cho YM, Lees-Miller SP, Meek K. Autophosphorylation of DNA-dependent protein kinase regulates DNA end processing and may also alter double-strand break repair pathway choice. Mol Cell Biol 2006; 25:10842-52. [PMID: 16314509 PMCID: PMC1316975 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.25.24.10842-10852.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Two highly conserved double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways, homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), function in all eukaryotes. How a cell chooses which pathway to utilize is an area of active research and debate. During NHEJ, the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) functions as a "gatekeeper" regulating DNA end access. Here, we provide evidence that DNA-PK regulates DNA end access via its own autophosphorylation. We demonstrated previously that autophosphorylation within a major cluster of sites likely mediates a conformational change that is critical for DNA end processing. Furthermore, blocking autophosphorylation at these sites inhibits a cell's ability to utilize the other major double-strand break repair pathway, HR. Here, we define a second major cluster of DNA-PK catalytic subunit autophosphorylation sites. Whereas blocking phosphorylation at the first cluster inhibits both end processing and HR, blocking phosphorylation at the second cluster enhances both. We conclude that separate DNA-PK autophosphorylation events may function reciprocally by not only regulating DNA end processing but also affecting DSB repair pathway choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 48824, USA
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102
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Ma Y, Pannicke U, Lu H, Niewolik D, Schwarz K, Lieber MR. The DNA-dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit Phosphorylation Sites in Human Artemis. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:33839-46. [PMID: 16093244 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m507113200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemis protein has irreplaceable functions in V(D)J recombination and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) as a hairpin and 5' and 3' overhang endonuclease. The kinase activity of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) is necessary in activating Artemis as an endonuclease. Here we report that three basal phosphorylation sites and 11 DNA-PKcs phosphorylation sites within the mammalian Artemis are all located in the C-terminal domain. All but one of these phosphorylation sites deviate from the SQ or TQ motif of DNA-PKcs that was predicted previously from in vitro phosphorylation studies. Phosphatase-treated mammalian Artemis and Artemis that is mutated at the three basal phosphorylation sites still retain DNA-PKcs-dependent endonucleolytic activities, indicating that basal phosphorylation is not required for the activation. In vivo studies of Artemis lacking the C-terminal domain have been reported to be sufficient to complement V(D)J recombination in Artemis null cells. Therefore, the C-terminal domain may have a negative regulatory effect on the Artemis endonucleolytic activities, and phosphorylation by DNA-PKcs in the C-terminal domain may relieve this inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunmei Ma
- Department of Pathology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089-9176, USA
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103
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Lee HS, Yang HK, Kim WH, Choe G. Loss of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) expression in gastric cancers. Cancer Res Treat 2005; 37:98-102. [PMID: 19956487 PMCID: PMC2785401 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2005.37.2.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2005] [Accepted: 03/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE DNA-PKcs is one of the DNA repair genes. It was recently found that hyperplasia and dysplasia of the intestinal mucosa and the production of aberrant crypt foci were developed in DNA-PKcs-null mice, and this suggests a suppressive role for DNA-PKcs in tumorigenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS To investigate the possible relationship between the clinico-pathologic characteristics and the survival of gastric cancer patients, the expression status of DNA-PKcs was determined in 279 consecutive gastric cancers. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the expression levels of DNA-PKcs protein by using the tissue array method. RESULTS Out of 279 consecutive gastric cancers, 63 cases (22.6%) showed the loss of DNA-PKcs expression. The loss of DNA-PKcs expression was significantly associated with advanced cancer (p<0.001), lymphatic invasion (p=0.001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.009), and advanced pTNM stage (p=0.009). Univariate survival analysis revealed that patients with the loss of DNA-PKcs expression had significantly poorer survival than those patients with intact DNA-PKcs expression (p=0.004). Moreover, the loss of DNA-PKcs expression was identified to correlate with a lower survival in the subgroup of stage I gastric cancer patients (p=0.037). CONCLUSION The loss of DNA-PKcs expression was found in 23% of human gastric cancers and this was identified to significantly correlate with poor patient survival, especially for stage I gastric cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Seung Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Han-Kwang Yang
- Deparment of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woo Ho Kim
- Deparment of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gheeyoung Choe
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
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104
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Abstract
Double-strand breaks (DSBs) arise endogenously during normal cellular processes and exogenously by genotoxic agents such as ionizing radiation (IR). DSBs are one of the most severe types of DNA damage, which if left unrepaired are lethal to the cell. Several different DNA repair pathways combat DSBs, with nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) being one of the most important in mammalian cells. Competent NHEJ catalyses repair of DSBs by joining together and ligating two free DNA ends of little homology (microhomology) or DNA ends of no homology. The core components of mammalian NHEJ are the catalytic subunit of DNA protein kinase (DNA-PK(cs)), Ku subunits Ku70 and Ku80, Artemis, XRCC4 and DNA ligase IV. DNA-PK is a nuclear serine/threonine protein kinase that comprises a catalytic subunit (DNA-PK(cs)), with the Ku subunits acting as the regulatory element. It has been proposed that DNA-PK is a molecular sensor for DNA damage that enhances the signal via phosphorylation of many downstream targets. The crucial role of DNA-PK in the repair of DSBs is highlighted by the hypersensitivity of DNA-PK(-/-) mice to IR and the high levels of unrepaired DSBs after genotoxic insult. Recently, DNA-PK has emerged as a suitable genetic target for molecular therapeutics such as siRNA, antisense and novel inhibitory small molecules. This review encompasses the recent literature regarding the role of DNA-PK in the protection of genomic stability and focuses on how this knowledge has aided the development of specific DNA-PK inhibitors, via both small molecule and directed molecular targeting techniques. This review promotes the inhibition of DNA-PK as a valid approach to enhance the tumor-cell-killing effects of treatments such as IR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer J Collis
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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105
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Budman J, Chu G. Processing of DNA for nonhomologous end-joining by cell-free extract. EMBO J 2005; 24:849-60. [PMID: 15692565 PMCID: PMC549622 DOI: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7600563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2004] [Accepted: 01/03/2005] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammalian cells, nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) repairs DNA double-strand breaks created by ionizing radiation and V(D)J recombination. We have developed a cell-free system capable of processing and joining noncompatible DNA ends. The system had key features of NHEJ in vivo, including dependence on Ku, DNA-PKcs, and XRCC4/Ligase4. The NHEJ reaction had striking properties. Processing of noncompatible ends involved polymerase and nuclease activities that often stabilized the alignment of opposing ends by base pairing. To achieve this, polymerase activity efficiently synthesized DNA across discontinuities in the template strand, and nuclease activity removed a limited number of nucleotides back to regions of microhomology. Processing was suppressed for DNA ends that could be ligated directly, biasing the reaction to preserve DNA sequence and maintain genomic integrity. DNA sequence internal to the ends influenced the spectrum of processing events for noncompatible ends. Furthermore, internal DNA sequence strongly influenced joining efficiency, even in the absence of processing. These results support a model in which DNA-PKcs plays a central role in regulating the processing of ends for NHEJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Budman
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gilbert Chu
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Stanford University, CCSR Building Room 1145, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5151, USA. Tel.: +1 650 725 6442; Fax: +1 650 736 2282; E-mail:
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106
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Dudásová Z, Dudás A, Chovanec M. Non-homologous end-joining factors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2005; 28:581-601. [PMID: 15539075 DOI: 10.1016/j.femsre.2004.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2004] [Revised: 06/02/2004] [Accepted: 06/02/2004] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) are considered to be a severe form of DNA damage, because if left unrepaired, they can cause a cell death and, if misrepaired, they can lead to genomic instability and, ultimately, the development of cancer in multicellular organisms. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae repairs DSB primarily by homologous recombination (HR), despite the presence of the KU70, KU80, DNA ligase IV and XRCC4 homologues, essential factors of the mammalian non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) machinery. S. cerevisiae, however, lacks clear DNA-PKcs and ARTEMIS homologues, two important additional components of mammalian NHEJ. On the other hand, S. cerevisiae is endowed with a regulatory NHEJ component, Nej1, which has not yet been found in other organisms. Furthermore, there is evidence in budding yeast for a requirement for the Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 complex for NHEJ, which does not appear to be the case either in Schizosaccharomyces pombe or in mammals. Here, we comprehensively describe the functions of all the S. cerevisiae NHEJ components identified so far and present current knowledge about the NHEJ process in this organism. In addition, this review depicts S. cerevisiae as a powerful model system for investigating the utilization of either NHEJ or HR in DSB repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Dudásová
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlárska 7, 833 91 Bratislava 37, Slovak Republic
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107
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Hefferin ML, Tomkinson AE. Mechanism of DNA double-strand break repair by non-homologous end joining. DNA Repair (Amst) 2005; 4:639-48. [PMID: 15907771 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2004.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2004] [Accepted: 12/10/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is critical for maintaining genome stability. Although the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway frequently results in minor changes in DNA sequence at the break site and occasionally the joining of previously unlinked DNA molecules, it is a major contributor to cell survival following exposure of mammalian cells to agents that cause DSBs. This repair mechanism is conserved in lower eukaryotes and in some prokaryotes although the majority of DSBs are repaired by recombinational repair pathways in these organisms. Here we will describe the biochemical properties of NHEJ factors from bacteria, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and mammals, and how physical and functional interactions among these factors co-ordinate the repair of DSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Hefferin
- Molecular and Cell Biology Graduate Program, University of Maryland Graduate School, Baltimore, MD 21201-1509, USA
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108
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Abstract
Efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks is essential for the maintenance of chromosomal integrity. In higher eukaryotes, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA is the primary pathway that repairs these breaks. NHEJ also functions in developing lymphocytes to repair strand breaks that occur during V(D)J recombination, the site-specific recombination process that provides for the assembly of functional antigen-receptor genes. If V(D)J recombination is impaired, B- and T-lymphocyte development is blocked resulting in severe combined immunodeficiency disease. In the last decade, an intensive research effort has focused on NHEJ resulting in a reasonable understanding of how double-strand breaks are resolved. Six distinct gene products have been identified that function in this pathway (Ku70, Ku86, XRCC4, DNA ligase IV, Artemis, and DNA-PKcs). Three of these comprise one complex, the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). This protein complex is central during NHEJ, because DNA-PK initially recognizes and binds to the damaged DNA and then targets the other repair activities to the site of DNA damage. In this review, we discuss recent developments that have provided insight into how DNA-PK functions, once bound to DNA ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katheryn Meek
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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109
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Dip R, Naegeli H. Binding of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit to Holliday junctions. Biochem J 2004; 381:165-74. [PMID: 15035658 PMCID: PMC1133774 DOI: 10.1042/bj20031666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2003] [Revised: 03/03/2004] [Accepted: 03/22/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase) is a double-strand break sensor involved in DNA repair and signal transduction. In the present study, we constructed site-directed cross-linking probes to explore the range of DNA discontinuities that are recognized by DNA-PK(CS) (DNA-PK catalytic subunit). A comparison between different substrate architectures showed that DNA-PK(CS) associates preferentially with the crossover region of synthetic Holliday junctions. This interaction with four-way junctions was preserved when biotin-streptavidin complexes were assembled at the termini to exclude the binding of Ku proteins. The association of DNA-PK(CS) with Holliday junctions was salt-labile even in the presence of Ku proteins, but this interaction could be stabilized when the DNA probes were incubated with the endogenous enzyme in nuclear extracts of human cells. Cross-linking of the endogenous enzyme in cellular extracts also demonstrated that DNA-PK(CS) binds to DNA ends and four-way junctions with similar affinities in the context of a nuclear protein environment. Kinase assays using p53 proteins as a substrate showed that, in association with four-way structures, DNA-PK(CS) adopts an active conformation different from that in the complex with linear DNA. Our results are consistent with a structure-specific, but Ku- and DNA end-independent, recruitment of DNA-PK(CS) to Holliday junction intermediates. This observation suggests an unexpected functional link between the two main pathways that are responsible for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramiro Dip
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Tierspital, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hanspeter Naegeli
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich-Tierspital, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
- To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail )
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110
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Weterings E, van Gent DC. The mechanism of non-homologous end-joining: a synopsis of synapsis. DNA Repair (Amst) 2004; 3:1425-35. [PMID: 15380098 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2004.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is required for resistance to genotoxic agents, such as ionizing radiation, but also for proper development of the vertebrate immune system. Much progress has been made in identifying the factors that are involved in this repair pathway. We are now entering the phase in which we begin to understand basic concepts of the reaction mechanism and regulation of non-homologous end-joining. This review concentrates on novel insights into damage recognition and subsequent tethering, processing and joining of DNA ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Weterings
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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111
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Drouet J, Delteil C, Lefrançois J, Concannon P, Salles B, Calsou P. DNA-dependent protein kinase and XRCC4-DNA ligase IV mobilization in the cell in response to DNA double strand breaks. J Biol Chem 2004; 280:7060-9. [PMID: 15520013 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m410746200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway in mammals requires at least the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and the DNA ligase IV-XRCC4 protein complexes. DNA-PK comprises the Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer and the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs. Here we report the first description of the nuclear mobilization of endogenous NHEJ proteins after exposure of human cells to double strand-breaking agents. DSB infliction specifically induced a dose- and time-dependent mobilization of Ku70/80, DNA-PKcs, XRCC4, and DNA ligase IV proteins from a soluble nucleoplasmic compartment to a less extractable nuclear fraction. XRCC4 recruitment was accompanied by its DNA-PK-dependent phosphorylation. The recruited proteins co-immunoprecipitated, indicating that they had assembled into complexes. However, DNA-PK was attached to chromatin, whereas XRCC4-ligase IV resisted solubilization by DNase I. The rates of appearance and dissolution of NHEJ proteins paralleled that of histone variant H2AX phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. We established that under conditions of genomic DSB infliction 1) Ku recruitment was not dependent on the co-recruitment of the other NHEJ proteins, 2) DNA-PKcs was physically required for the mobilization of the XRCC4-ligase IV complex, 3) DNA ligase IV was physically necessary for stable recruitment of XRCC4, and 4) phosphorylation of either H2AX or XRCC4 was unnecessary for DNA-PK or XRCC4-ligase IV recruitment. Altogether these results offer insights into the interplay between key NHEJ proteins during this repair process in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Drouet
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, CNRS UMR 5089, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, Cedex 4, France
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112
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Reddy YVR, Ding Q, Lees-Miller SP, Meek K, Ramsden DA. Non-homologous End Joining Requires That the DNA-PK Complex Undergo an Autophosphorylation-dependent Rearrangement at DNA Ends. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:39408-13. [PMID: 15258142 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m406432200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Repair of chromosome breaks by non-homologous end joining requires the XRCC4-ligase IV complex, Ku, and the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). DNA-PKcs must also retain kinase activity and undergo autophosphorylation at six closely linked sites (ABCDE sites). We describe here an end-joining assay using only purified components that reflects cellular requirements for both Ku and kinase-active DNA-PKcs and investigate the mechanistic basis for these requirements. A need for DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation is sufficient to explain the requirement for kinase activity, in part because autophosphorylation is generally required for end-joining factors to access DNA ends. However, DNA-PKcs with all six ABCDE autophosphorylation sites mutated to alanine allows access to ends through autophosphorylation of other sites, yet our in vitro end-joining assay still reflects the defectiveness of this mutant in cellular end joining. In contrast, mutation of ABCDE sites to aspartate, a phosphorylation mimic, supports high levels of end joining that is now independent of kinase activity. This is likely because DNA-PKcs with aspartate substitutions at ABCDE sites allow access to DNA ends while retaining affinity for Ku-bound ends and stabilizing recruitment of the XRCC4-ligase IV complex. Autophosphorylation at ABCDE sites thus apparently directs a rearrangement of the DNA-PK complex that ensures access to broken ends and joining steps are coupled together within a synaptic complex, making repair more accurate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeturu V R Reddy
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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113
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Block WD, Yu Y, Merkle D, Gifford JL, Ding Q, Meek K, Lees-Miller SP. Autophosphorylation-dependent remodeling of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit regulates ligation of DNA ends. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 32:4351-7. [PMID: 15314205 PMCID: PMC514382 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkh761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is one of the primary pathways for the repair of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. Proteins required for NHEJ include the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), Ku, XRCC4 and DNA ligase IV. Current models predict that DNA-PKcs, Ku, XRCC4 and DNA ligase IV assemble at DSBs and that the protein kinase activity of DNA-PKcs is essential for NHEJ-mediated repair of DSBs in vivo. We previously identified a cluster of autophosphorylation sites between amino acids 2609 and 2647 of DNA-PKcs. Cells expressing DNA-PKcs in which these autophosphorylation sites have been mutated to alanine are highly radiosensitive and defective in their ability to repair DSBs in the context of extrachromosomal assays. Here, we show that cells expressing DNA-PKcs with mutated autophosphorylation sites are also defective in the repair of IR-induced DSBs in the context of chromatin. Purified DNA-PKcs proteins containing serine/threonine to alanine or aspartate mutations at this cluster of autophosphorylation sites were indistinguishable from wild-type (wt) protein with respect to protein kinase activity. However, mutant DNA-PKcs proteins were defective relative to wt DNA-PKcs with respect to their ability to support T4 DNA ligase-mediated intermolecular ligation of DNA ends. We propose that autophosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at this cluster of sites is important for remodeling of DNA-PK complexes at DNA ends prior to DNA end joining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley D Block
- Cancer Biology Research Group and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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114
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Abstract
The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a critical role in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and in V(D)J recombination. DNA-PK also plays a very important role in triggering apoptosis in response to severe DNA damage or critically shortened telomeres. Paradoxically, components of the DNA-PK complex are present at the mammalian telomere where they function in capping chromosome ends to prevent them from being mistaken for double-strand breaks. In addition, DNA-PK appears to be involved in mounting an innate immune response to bacterial DNA and to viral infection. As DNA-PK localizes very rapidly to DNA breaks and phosphorylates itself and other damage-responsive proteins, it appears that DNA-PK serves as both a sensor and a transducer of DNA-damage signals. The many roles of DNA-PK in the mammalian cell are discussed in this review with particular emphasis on recent advances in our understanding of the phosphorylation events that take place during the activation of DNA-PK at DNA breaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Burma
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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115
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Lieber MR, Ma Y, Pannicke U, Schwarz K. The mechanism of vertebrate nonhomologous DNA end joining and its role in V(D)J recombination. DNA Repair (Amst) 2004; 3:817-26. [PMID: 15279766 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2004.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate immune system generates double-strand DNA (dsDNA) breaks to generate the antigen receptor repertoire of lymphocytes. After those double-strand breaks have been created, the DNA joinings required to complete the process are carried out by the nonhomologous DNA end joining pathway, or NHEJ. The NHEJ pathway is present not only in lymphocytes, but in all eukaryotic cells ranging from yeast to humans. The NHEJ pathway is needed to repair these physiologic breaks, as well as challenging pathologic breaks that arise from ionizing radiation and oxidative damage to DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Lieber
- USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Ctr., Rm. 5428, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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116
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Park EJ, Chan DW, Park JH, Oettinger MA, Kwon J. DNA-PK is activated by nucleosomes and phosphorylates H2AX within the nucleosomes in an acetylation-dependent manner. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 31:6819-27. [PMID: 14627815 PMCID: PMC290281 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic DNA is organized into nucleosomes and higher order chromatin structure, which plays an important role in the regulation of many nuclear processes including DNA repair. Non-homologous end-joining, the major pathway for repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells, is mediated by a set of proteins including DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). DNA-PK is comprised of a large catalytic subunit, DNA-PKcs, and its regulatory subunit, Ku. Current models predict that Ku binds to the ends of broken DNA and DNA-PKcs is recruited to form the active kinase complex. Here we show that DNA-PK can be activated by nucleosomes through the ability of Ku to bind to the ends of nucleosomal DNA, and that the activated DNA-PK is capable of phosphorylating H2AX within the nucleosomes. Histone acetylation has little effect on the steps of Ku binding to nucleosomes and subsequent activation of DNA-PKcs. However, acetylation largely enhances the phosphorylation of H2AX by DNA-PK, and this acetylation effect is observed when H2AX exists in the context of nucleosomes but not in a free form. These results suggest that the phosphorylation of H2AX, known to be important for DSB repair, can be regulated by acetylation and may provide a mechanistic basis on which to understand the recent observations that histone acetylation critically functions in repairing DNA DSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Jung Park
- Division of Molecular Life Sciences and Center for Cell Signalling Research, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Korea
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117
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Wang YG, Nnakwe C, Lane WS, Modesti M, Frank KM. Phosphorylation and regulation of DNA ligase IV stability by DNA-dependent protein kinase. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:37282-90. [PMID: 15194694 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m401217200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA ligase IV (Lig4), x-ray cross-complementation group 4 (XRCC4), and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) are essential mammalian nonhomologous end joining proteins used for V(D)J recombination and DNA repair. Previously a Lig4 peptide was reported to be an in vitro substrate for DNA-PK, but the phosphorylation state of Lig4 protein in vivo is not known. In this study, we report that a full-length Lig4 construct was expressed as a phosphoprotein in the cell. Also the full-length Lig4 protein, in complex with XRCC4, was an in vitro substrate for DNA-PK. Using tandem mass spectrometry, we identified a DNA-PK phosphorylation site at Thr-650 in human Lig4 and a potential second phosphorylation site at Ser-668 or Ser-672. Phosphorylation of Lig4 per se was not required for Lig4 DNA end joining activity. Substitution of these amino acids with alanine, individually or in combination, led to changes in Lig4 protein stability of mouse Lig4. The phosphomimetic mutation S650D returned Lig4 stability to that of the wild-type protein. Furthermore DNA-PK was found to negatively regulate Lig4 protein stability. Our results suggest that Lig4 stability is regulated by multiple factors, including interaction with XRCC4, phosphorylation status, and possibly Lig4 conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Gang Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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118
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Downs
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 80 Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, UK.
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119
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Weterings E, Verkaik NS, Brüggenwirth HT, Hoeijmakers JHJ, van Gent DC. The role of DNA dependent protein kinase in synapsis of DNA ends. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 31:7238-46. [PMID: 14654699 PMCID: PMC291856 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a central role in the non-homologous end-joining pathway of DNA double strand break repair. Its catalytic subunit (DNA-PK(CS)) functions as a serine/threonine protein kinase. We show that DNA-PK forms a stable complex at DNA termini that blocks the action of exonucleases and ligases. The DNA termini become accessible after autophosphorylation of DNA-PK(CS), which we demonstrate to require synapsis of DNA ends. Interestingly, the presence of DNA-PK prevents ligation of the two synapsed termini, but allows ligation to another DNA molecule. This alteration of the ligation route is independent of the type of ligase that we used, indicating that the intrinsic architecture of the DNA-PK complex itself is not able to support ligation of the synapsed DNA termini. We present a working model in which DNA-PK creates a stable molecular bridge between two DNA ends that is remodeled after DNA-PK autophosphorylation in such a way that the extreme termini become accessible without disrupting synapsis. We infer that joining of synapsed DNA termini would require an additional protein factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Weterings
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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120
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Abstract
The ability to sense DNA damage and activate response pathways that coordinate cell cycle progression and DNA repair is essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity and the viability of organisms. During the last couple of years, several proteins have been identified that participate very early in the DNA damage response. Here we review the current understanding of the mechanisms by which mammalian cells detect DNA lesions, especially double-strand breaks, and mediate the signal to downstream transducers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Ward
- Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA
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121
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Boskovic J, Rivera-Calzada A, Maman JD, Chacón P, Willison KR, Pearl LH, Llorca O. Visualization of DNA-induced conformational changes in the DNA repair kinase DNA-PKcs. EMBO J 2003; 22:5875-82. [PMID: 14592984 PMCID: PMC275412 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/cdg555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) is essential for the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) in non- homologous end joining (NHEJ) and during V(D)J recombination. DNA-PKcs binds single- and double-stranded DNA in vitro, and in vivo the Ku heterodimer probably helps recruit it to DSBs with high affinity. Once loaded onto DNA, DNA-PKcs acts as a scaffold for other repair factors to generate a multiprotein complex that brings the two DNA ends together. Human DNA-PKcs has been analysed by electron microscopy in the absence and presence of double-stranded DNA, and the three-dimensional reconstruction of DNA-bound DNA-PKcs displays large conformational changes when compared with the unbound protein. DNA-PKcs seems to use a palm-like domain to clip onto the DNA, and this new conformation correlates with the activation of the kinase. We suggest that the observed domain movements might help the binding and maintenance of DNA-PKcs' interaction with DNA at the sites of damage, and that these conformational changes activate the kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasminka Boskovic
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Campus Universidad Complutense, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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122
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Onclercq-Delic R, Calsou P, Delteil C, Salles B, Papadopoulo D, Amor-Guéret M. Possible anti-recombinogenic role of Bloom's syndrome helicase in double-strand break processing. Nucleic Acids Res 2003; 31:6272-82. [PMID: 14576316 PMCID: PMC275476 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bloom's syndrome (BS) which associates genetic instability and predisposition to cancer is caused by mutations in the BLM gene encoding a RecQ family 3'-5' DNA helicase. It has been proposed that the generation of genetic instability in BS cells could result from an aberrant non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ), one of the two main DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways in mammalian cells, the second major pathway being homologous recombination (HR). Using cell extracts, we report first that Ku70/80 and the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), key factors of the end-joining machinery, and BLM are located in close proximity on DNA and that BLM binds to DNA only in the absence of ATP. In the presence of ATP, BLM is phosphorylated and dissociates from DNA in a strictly DNA-PKcs-dependent manner. We also show that BS cells display, in vivo, an accurate joining of DSBs, reflecting thus a functional NHEJ pathway. In sharp contrast, a 5-fold increase of the HR-mediated DNA DSB repair in BS cells was observed. These results support a model in which NHEJ activation mediates BLM dissociation from DNA, whereas, under conditions where HR is favored, e.g. at the replication fork, BLM exhibits an anti-recombinogenic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosine Onclercq-Delic
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8126, Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 Rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif Cedex, France
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123
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Boldogh I, Roy G, Lee MS, Bacsi A, Hazra TK, Bhakat KK, Das GC, Mitra S. Reduced DNA double strand breaks in chlorambucil resistant cells are related to high DNA-PKcs activity and low oxidative stress. Toxicology 2003; 193:137-52. [PMID: 14599773 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2003.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Modulation of DNA repair represents a strategy to overcome acquired drug resistance of cells to genotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, including nitrogen mustards (NM). These agents induce DNA inter-strand cross-links, which in turn produce double strand breaks (dsbs). These breaks are primarily repaired via the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. A DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex plays an important role in NHEJ, and its increased level/activity is associated with acquired drug resistance of human tumors. We show in this report that the DNA-PK complex has comparable levels and kinase activity of DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) in a nearly isogenic pair of drug-sensitive (A2780) and resistant (A2780/100) cells; however, treatment with chlorambucil (Cbl), a NM-type of drug, induced differential effects in these cells. The kinase activity of DNA-PKcs was increased up to 2h after Cbl treatment in both cell types; however, it subsequently decreased only in sensitive cells, which is consistent with increased levels of DNA dsbs. The decreased kinase activity of DNA-PKcs was not due to a change in its amount or the levels of Ku70 and Ku86, their subcellular distribution, cell cycle progression or caspase-mediated degradation of DNA-PK. In addition to DNA cross-links, Cbl treatment of cells causes a 2.2-fold increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both cell types. However, the ROS in A2780/100 cells were reduced to the basal level after 3-4h, while sensitive cells continued to produce ROS and undergo apoptosis. Pre-treatment of A2780 cells with the glutathione (GSH) precursor, N-acetyl-L-cysteine prevented Cbl-induced increase in ROS, augmented the kinase activity of DNA-PKcs, decreased the levels of DNA dsbs and increased cell survival. Depletion in GSH from A2780/100 cells by L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) resulted in sustained production of ROS, lowered DNA-PKcs kinase activity, enhanced levels of DNA dsbs, and increased cell killing by Cbl. We propose that oxidative stress decreases repair of DNA dsbs via lowering kinase activity of DNA-PKcs and that induction of ROS could be the basis for adjuvant therapies for sensitizing tumor cells to nitrogen mustards and other DNA cross-linking drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Istvan Boldogh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sealy Center for Molecular Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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124
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Abstract
The double-strand break (DSB) is believed to be one of the most severe types of DNA damage, and if left unrepaired is lethal to the cell. Several different types of repair act on the DSB. The most important in mammalian cells are nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR). NHEJ is the predominant type of DSB repair in mammalian cells, as opposed to lower eucaryotes, but HRR has recently been implicated in critical cell signaling and regulatory functions that are essential for cell viability. Whereas NHEJ repair appears constitutive, HRR is regulated by the cell cycle and inducible signal transduction pathways. More is known about the molecular details of NHEJ than HRR in mammalian cells. This review focuses on the mechanisms and regulation of DSB repair in mammalian cells, the signaling pathways that regulate these processes and the potential crosstalk between NHEJ and HRR, and between repair and other stress-induced pathways with emphasis on the regulatory circuitry associated with the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer Valerie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0058, USA.
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125
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Ding Q, Reddy YVR, Wang W, Woods T, Douglas P, Ramsden DA, Lees-Miller SP, Meek K. Autophosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase is required for efficient end processing during DNA double-strand break repair. Mol Cell Biol 2003; 23:5836-48. [PMID: 12897153 PMCID: PMC166339 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.23.16.5836-5848.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays an essential role in nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) by initially recognizing and binding to DNA breaks. We have shown that in vitro, purified DNA-PK undergoes autophosphorylation, resulting in loss of activity and disassembly of the kinase complex. Thus, we have suggested that autophosphorylation of the DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) may be critical for subsequent steps in DNA repair. Recently, we defined seven autophosphorylation sites within DNA-PKcs. Six of these are tightly clustered within 38 residues of the 4,127-residue protein. Here, we show that while phosphorylation at any single site within the major cluster is not critical for DNA-PK's function in vivo, mutation of several sites abolishes the ability of DNA-PK to function in NHEJ. This is not due to general defects in DNA-PK activity, as studies of the mutant protein indicate that its kinase activity and ability to form a complex with DNA-bound Ku remain largely unchanged. However, analysis of rare coding joints and ends demonstrates that nucleolytic end processing is dramatically reduced in joints mediated by the mutant DNA-PKcs. We therefore suggest that autophosphorylation within the major cluster mediates a conformational change in the DNA-PK complex that is critical for DNA end processing. However, autophosphorylation at these sites may not be sufficient for kinase disassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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126
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Kelavkar U, Wang S, Badr K. KU 70/80 lupus autoantigen is the transcription factor induced by interleukins (IL)-13 and -4 leading to induction of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) in human cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2003; 507:469-81. [PMID: 12664628 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-0193-0_73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Uddhav Kelavkar
- Renal Division, Emory University, Center for Glomerulonephritis, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
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127
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Kozlov S, Gueven N, Keating K, Ramsay J, Lavin MF. ATP activates ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in vitro. Importance of autophosphorylation. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:9309-17. [PMID: 12645530 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m300003200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia Mutated (ATM), mutated in the human disorder ataxia-telangiectasia, is rapidly activated by DNA double strand breaks. The mechanism of activation remains unresolved, and it is uncertain whether autophosphorylation contributes to activation. We describe an in vitro immunoprecipitation system demonstrating activation of ATM kinase from unirradiated extracts by preincubation with ATP. Activation is both time- and ATP concentration-dependent, other nucleotides fail to activate ATM, and DNA is not required. ATP activation is specific for ATM since it is not observed with kinase-dead ATM, it requires Mn2+, and it is inhibited by wortmannin. Exposure of activated ATM to phosphatase abrogates activity, and repeat cycles of ATP and phosphatase treatment reveal a requirement for autophosphorylation in the activation process. Phosphopeptide mapping revealed similarities between the patterns of autophosphorylation for irradiated and ATP-treated ATM. Caffeine inhibited ATM kinase activity for substrates but did not interfere with ATM autophosphorylation. ATP failed to activate either A-T and rad3-related protein (ATR) or DNA-dependent protein kinase under these conditions, supporting the specificity for ATM. These data demonstrate that ATP can specifically induce activation of ATM by a mechanism involving autophosphorylation. The relationship of this activation to DNA damage activation remains unclear but represents a useful model for understanding in vivo activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Kozlov
- The Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston Qld 4029, Australia
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128
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Calsou P, Delteil C, Frit P, Drouet J, Salles B. Coordinated assembly of Ku and p460 subunits of the DNA-dependent protein kinase on DNA ends is necessary for XRCC4-ligase IV recruitment. J Mol Biol 2003; 326:93-103. [PMID: 12547193 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2836(02)01328-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks by the non-homologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ) requires a minimal set of proteins including DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), DNA-ligase IV and XRCC4 proteins. DNA-PK comprises Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer and the kinase subunit DNA-PKcs (p460). Here, by monitoring protein assembly from human nuclear cell extracts on DNA ends in vitro, we report that recruitment to DNA ends of the XRCC4-ligase IV complex responsible for the key ligation step is strictly dependent on the assembly of both the Ku and p460 components of DNA-PK to these ends. Based on co-immunoprecipitation experiments, we conclude that interactions of Ku and p460 with components of the XRCC4-ligase IV complex are mainly DNA-dependent. In addition, under p460 kinase permissive conditions, XRCC4 is detected at DNA ends in a phosphorylated form. This phosphorylation is DNA-PK-dependent. However, phosphorylation is dispensable for XRCC4-ligase IV loading to DNA ends since stable DNA-PK/XRCC4-ligase IV/DNA complexes are recovered in the presence of the kinase inhibitor wortmannin. These findings extend the current knowledge of the assembly of NHEJ repair proteins on DNA termini and substantiate the hypothesis of a scaffolding role of DNA-PK towards other components of the NHEJ DNA repair process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Calsou
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, CNRS UMR 5089, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077, Cedex 4, Toulouse, France.
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129
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Yang J, Yu Y, Duerksen-Hughes PJ. Protein kinases and their involvement in the cellular responses to genotoxic stress. Mutat Res 2003; 543:31-58. [PMID: 12510016 DOI: 10.1016/s1383-5742(02)00069-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cells are constantly subjected to genotoxic stress, and much has been learned regarding their response to this type of stress during the past year. In general, the cellular genotoxic response can be thought to occur in three stages: (1) damage sensing; (2) activation of signal transduction pathways; (3) biological consequences and attenuation of the response. The biological consequences, in particular, include cell cycle arrest and cell death. Although our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular genotoxic stress responses remains incomplete, many cellular components have been identified over the years, including a group of protein kinases that appears to play a major role. Various DNA-damaging agents can activate these protein kinases, triggering a protein phosphorylation cascade that leads to the activation of transcription factors, and altering gene expression. In this review, the involvement of protein kinases, particularly the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), at different stages of the genotoxic response is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310031, China
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130
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Lee JW, Inamdar KV, Hannah MF, Lees-Miller SP, Povirk LF. DNA end sequestration by DNA-dependent protein kinase and end joining of sterically constrained substrates in whole-cell extracts. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2003; 42:279-287. [PMID: 14673873 DOI: 10.1002/em.10197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Extracts of Xenopus eggs and of cultured human and hamster cells have the capacity to join nonhomologous DNA ends, and all do so with similar specificity. To examine the formation of repair complexes on DNA under conditions of end joining, end-labeled fragments were incubated with the various extracts and then subjected to DNase-I footprinting. Human and Xenopus extracts produced footprints virtually identical to that of purified DNA-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme (Ku plus DNA-PKcs), with protection of the terminal 28 bp. Extracts of hamster cells were more variable, but usually produced a 16-bp footprint, similar to that of Ku alone. In all cases a 28-bp holoenzyme-like footprint was associated with wortmannin-sensitive end joining, minimal 3'-5' exonucleolytic resection, and a predominance of accurate end-joining products. To determine whether the short segments of DNA occupied by Ku and DNA-PK were sufficient to support end joining, Y-shaped substrates were constructed in which only one arm was available for end joining. A Y substrate with a 31-bp arm bearing a partially cohesive 3' overhang was accurately joined by a Xenopus egg extract, whereas a substrate with a 21-bp arm was not. Surprisingly, a human cell extract did not join the Y substrates at all. The results suggest that differences in wortmannin sensitivity and in the distribution of in vitro end-joining products may be attributable to the variations in the levels of DNA-PKcs in the extracts. In addition, end joining in human extracts appears to involve interactions with significantly longer segments of DNA than the approximately 28 bp occupied by DNA-PK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Wan Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0230, USA
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131
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Krejci L, Chen L, Van Komen S, Sung P, Tomkinson A. Mending the break: two DNA double-strand break repair machines in eukaryotes. PROGRESS IN NUCLEIC ACID RESEARCH AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2003; 74:159-201. [PMID: 14510076 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6603(03)01013-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lumir Krejci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Institute of Biotechnology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78245, USA
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132
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Woods T, Wang W, Convery E, Errami A, Zdzienicka MZ, Meek K. A single amino acid substitution in DNA-PKcs explains the novel phenotype of the CHO mutant, XR-C2. Nucleic Acids Res 2002; 30:5120-8. [PMID: 12466535 PMCID: PMC137947 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkf625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently described a CHO DSBR mutant belonging to the XRCC7 complementation group (XR-C2) that has the interesting phenotype of being radiosensitive, but having only a modest defect in VDJ recombination. This cell line expresses only slightly reduced levels of DNA-PKcs but has undetectable DNA-PK activity. Limited sequence analyses of DNA-PKcs transcripts from XR-C2 revealed a point mutation that results in an amino acid substitution of glutamic acid for glycine six residues from the C-terminus. To determine whether this single substitution was responsible for the phenotype in XR-C2 cells, we introduced the mutation into a DNA-PKcs expression vector. Whereas transfection of this expression vector significantly restores the VDJ recombination deficits in DNA-PKcs-deficient cells, radioresistance is not restored. Thus, expression of this mutant form of DNA-PKcs in DNA-PKcs- deficient cells substantially recapitulates the phenotype observed in XR-C2, and we conclude that this single amino acid substitution is responsible for the non-homologous end joining deficits observed in XR-C2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Woods
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, 350 FST, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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133
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Sapkota GP, Deak M, Kieloch A, Morrice N, Goodarzi AA, Smythe C, Shiloh Y, Lees-Miller SP, Alessi DR. Ionizing radiation induces ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM)-mediated phosphorylation of LKB1/STK11 at Thr-366. Biochem J 2002; 368:507-16. [PMID: 12234250 PMCID: PMC1223019 DOI: 10.1042/bj20021284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2002] [Accepted: 09/16/2002] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The serine/threonine protein kinase LKB1 functions as a tumour suppressor, and mutations in this enzyme lead to the inherited Peutz-Jeghers cancer syndrome. We previously found that LKB1 was phosphorylated at Thr-366 in vivo, a residue conserved in mammalian, Xenopus and Drosophila LKB1, located on a C-terminal non-catalytic moiety of the enzyme. Mutation of Thr-366 to Ala or Asp partially inhibited the ability of LKB1 to suppress growth of G361 melanoma cells, but did not affect LKB1 activity in vitro or LKB1 localization in vivo. As a first step in exploring the role of this phosphorylation further, we have generated a phosphospecific antibody specifically recognizing LKB1 phosphorylated at Thr-366 and demonstrate that exposure of cells to ionizing radiation (IR) induced a marked phosphorylation of LKB1 at Thr-366 in the nucleus. Thr-366 lies in an optimal phosphorylation motif for the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-like kinases DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM) and ataxia telangiectasia-related kinase (ATR), which function as sensors for DNA damage in cells and mediate cellular responses to DNA damage. We demonstrate that both DNA-PK and ATM efficiently phosphorylate LKB1 at Thr-366 in vitro and provide evidence that ATM mediates this phosphorylation in vivo. This is based on the finding that LKB1 is not phosphorylated in a cell line lacking ATM in response to IR, and that agents which induce cellular responses via ATR in preference to ATM poorly induce phosphorylation of LKB1 at Thr-366. These observations provide the first link between ATM and LKB1 and suggest that ATM could regulate LKB1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal P Sapkota
- MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit, MSI/WTB Complex, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, U.K.
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134
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Douglas P, Sapkota GP, Morrice N, Yu Y, Goodarzi AA, Merkle D, Meek K, Alessi DR, Lees-Miller SP. Identification of in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation sites in the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase. Biochem J 2002; 368:243-51. [PMID: 12186630 PMCID: PMC1222982 DOI: 10.1042/bj20020973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2002] [Revised: 08/12/2002] [Accepted: 08/19/2002] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is required for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), such as those caused by ionizing radiation and other DNA-damaging agents. DNA-PK is composed of a large catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and a heterodimer of Ku70 and Ku80 that assemble on the ends of double-stranded DNA to form an active serine/threonine protein kinase complex. Despite in vitro and in vivo evidence to support an essential role for the protein kinase activity of DNA-PK in the repair of DNA DSBs, the physiological targets of DNA-PK have remained elusive. We have previously shown that DNA-PK undergoes autophosphorylation in vitro, and that autophosphorylation correlates with loss of protein kinase activity and dissociation of the DNA-PK complex. Also, treatment of cells with the protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, enhances DNA-PKcs phosphorylation and reduces DNA-PK activity in vivo. Here, using solid-phase protein sequencing, MS and phosphospecific antibodies, we have identified seven in vitro autophosphorylation sites in DNA-PKcs. Six of these sites (Thr2609, Ser2612, Thr2620, Ser2624, Thr2638 and Thr2647) are clustered in a region of 38 amino acids in the central region of the protein. Five of these sites (Thr2609, Ser2612, Thr2638, Thr2647 and Ser3205) are conserved between six vertebrate species. Moreover, we show that DNA-PKcs is phosphorylated in vivo at Thr2609, Ser2612, Thr2638 and Thr2647 in okadaic acid-treated human cells. We propose that phosphorylation of these sites may play an important role in DNA-PK function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Douglas
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
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135
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Michaelidis TM, Grummt I. Mechanism of inhibition of RNA polymerase I transcription by DNA-dependent protein kinase. Biol Chem 2002; 383:1683-90. [PMID: 12530533 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2002.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA-dependent protein kinase represses RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription in vitro. To investigate the mechanism underlying transcriptional repression, we compared Pol I transcription in extracts from cells that either contain or lack the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PKcs). ATP-dependent repression of Pol I transcription was observed in extracts from DNA-PKcs-containing but not -deficient cells, required templates with free DNA ends, and was overcome by exogenous SL1, the factor that nucleates initiation complex formation. Order-of-addition experiments demonstrate that DNA-PKcs does not inactivate component(s) of the Poll transcription machinery. Instead, phosphorylated Ku protein competes with SL1 for binding to the rDNA promoter and, as a consequence, prevents initiation complex formation. The results reveal a novel mechanism of transcriptional regulation by DNA-PK. Once targeted to DNA, autophosphorylated Ku may displace positive- or negative-acting factors from their target sites, thereby repressing or activating transcription in a gene-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theologos M Michaelidis
- Division of Molecular Biology of the Cell II, German Cancer Research Center, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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136
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Mauldin SK, Getts RC, Liu W, Stamato TD. DNA-PK-dependent binding of DNA ends to plasmids containing nuclear matrix attachment region DNA sequences: evidence for assembly of a repair complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2002; 30:4075-87. [PMID: 12235392 PMCID: PMC137113 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkf529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We find that nuclear protein extracts from mammalian cells contain an activity that allows DNA ends to associate with circular pUC18 plasmid DNA. This activity requires the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PKcs) and Ku since it was not observed in mutants lacking Ku or DNA-PKcs but was observed when purified Ku/DNA-PKcs was added to these mutant extracts. Purified Ku/DNA-PKcs alone did not produce association of DNA ends with plasmid DNA suggesting that additional factors in the nuclear extract are necessary for this activity. Competition experiments between pUC18 and pUC18 plasmids containing various nuclear matrix attachment region (MAR) sequences suggest that DNA ends preferentially associate with plasmids containing MAR DNA sequences. At a 1:5 mass ratio of MAR to pUC18, approximately equal amounts of DNA end binding to the two plasmids were observed, while at a 1:1 ratio no pUC18 end binding was observed. Calculation of relative binding activities indicates that DNA end-binding activities to MAR sequences was 7-21-fold higher than pUC18. Western analysis of proteins bound to pUC18 and MAR plasmids indicates that XRCC4, DNA ligase IV and scaffold attachment factor A preferentially associate with the MAR plasmid in the absence or presence of DNA ends. In contrast, Ku and DNA-PKcs were found on the MAR plasmid only in the presence of DNA ends suggesting that binding of these proteins to DNA ends is necessary for their association with MAR DNA. The ability of DNA-PKcs/Ku to direct DNA ends to MAR and pUC18 plasmid DNA is a new activity for DNA-PK and may be important for its function in double-strand break repair. A model for DNA repair based on these observations is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley K Mauldin
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, 100 Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA and Genisphere, Incorporated, 4170 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1694, USA
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137
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Chan DW, Chen BPC, Prithivirajsingh S, Kurimasa A, Story MD, Qin J, Chen DJ. Autophosphorylation of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit is required for rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks. Genes Dev 2002; 16:2333-8. [PMID: 12231622 PMCID: PMC187438 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1015202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is the predominant pathway that repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), consisting of Ku and DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is activated by DNA in vitro and is required for NHEJ. We report that DNA-PKcs is autophosphorylated at Thr2609 in vivo in a Ku-dependent manner in response to ionizing radiation. Phosphorylated DNA-PKcs colocalizes with both gamma-H2AX and 53BP1 after DNA damage. Mutation of Thr2609 to Ala leads to radiation sensitivity and impaired DSB rejoining. These findings establish that Ku-dependent phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at Thr2609 is required for the repair of DSBs by NHEJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doug W Chan
- Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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138
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Cho NH, Cordon-Cardo C, Li GC, Kim SH. Allotype imbalance or microsatellite mutation in low-grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities in adults. J Pathol 2002; 198:21-9. [PMID: 12210059 DOI: 10.1002/path.1177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The ability to repair DNA double-strand breaks is essential to maintain chromosomal stability. Virtually all soft tissue sarcomas contain chromosomal instabilities, including clonal aberrations and cytogenetic aberrations. However, the relevance of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in the pathogenesis of soft tissue sarcoma has not been clarified. The main aim of this work is to compare the prognostic impact of genotypic imbalance in low-grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities, and to correlate this with the translational level of DNA-PK. This study investigated 28 adult low-grade malignant spindle cell tumours of the extremities, predominantly fibrosarcomas, for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite mutation on flanking regions of each DNA-PK subunit, with identical immunophenotypes. Twelve different polymorphic markers flanking the specific loci of three subunits comprise the genetic map of DNA-PK, at 22q13, 2q35, and 8q11. Translational activity was also analysed by western blot and conventional immunohistochemistry. The overall sarcoma 5-year survival rate was 61.7%. LOH was identified in the specific coding region of DNA-PK in 39.29% for the DNA-PK catalytic subunit (cs), 17.86% for Ku70, and only 7.14% for Ku80. A positive LOH for DNA-PKcs was shown to be a significant factor for poor survival (log rank test p = 0.0160). Immunoreactivity and immunoblot results correlated with the loss of DNA-PKcs allotype in soft tissue sarcoma (Fisher's exact test p = 0.0037). Ku70 and DNA-PKcs were almost identical in terms of immunoreactivity. In conclusion, whereas microsatellite mutation seems an uncommon event during the evolution of low-grade fibrosarcoma of the extremities in adults, the loss of DNA-PKcs defines a biologically more aggressive subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam Hoon Cho
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemoon-Ku, Shinchon-Dong, Seoul, Korea.
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139
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Li B, Comai L. Displacement of DNA-PKcs from DNA ends by the Werner syndrome protein. Nucleic Acids Res 2002; 30:3653-61. [PMID: 12202749 PMCID: PMC137412 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkf488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2002] [Accepted: 07/02/2002] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex, which is composed of a DNA-dependent kinase subunit (DNA-PKcs) and the Ku70/80 heterodimer, is involved in DNA double-strand break repair by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Ku70/80 interacts with the Werner syndrome protein (WRN) and stimulates WRN exonuclease activity. To investigate a possible function of WRN in NHEJ, we have examined the relationship between DNA-PKcs, Ku and WRN. First, we showed that WRN forms a complex with DNA-PKcs and Ku in solution. Next, we determined whether this complex assembles on DNA ends. Interestingly, the addition of WRN to a Ku:DNA-PKcs:DNA complex results in the displacement of DNA-PKcs from the DNA, indicating that the triple complex WRN:Ku:DNA-PKcs cannot form on DNA ends. The displacement of DNA-PKcs from DNA requires the N- and C-terminal regions of WRN, both of which make direct contact with the Ku70/80 heterodimer. Moreover, exonuclease assays indicate that DNA-PKcs does not protect DNA from the nucleolytic action of WRN. These results suggest that WRN may influence the mechanism by which DNA ends are processed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baomin Li
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, HMR 509, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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140
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Abstract
The catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK(CS)) is required for a non-homologous end-joining pathway that repairs DNA double-strand breaks produced by ionizing radiation or V(D)J recombination; however, its role in this pathway has remained obscure. Using a neutravidin pull-down assay, we found that DNA-PK(CS) mediates formation of a synaptic complex containing two DNA molecules. Furthermore, kinase activity was cooperative with respect to DNA concentration, suggesting that activation of the kinase occurs only after DNA synapsis. Electron microscopy revealed complexes of two DNA ends brought together by two DNA-PK(CS) molecules. Our results suggest that DNA-PK(CS) brings DNA ends together and then undergoes activation of its kinase, presumably to regulate subsequent steps for processing and ligation of the ends.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel M. Stansel
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 and
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA Present address: Department of Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Jack D. Griffith
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 and
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA Present address: Department of Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
| | - Gilbert Chu
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 and
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA Present address: Department of Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA Corresponding author e-mail:
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141
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Karmakar P, Piotrowski J, Brosh RM, Sommers JA, Miller SPL, Cheng WH, Snowden CM, Ramsden DA, Bohr VA. Werner protein is a target of DNA-dependent protein kinase in vivo and in vitro, and its catalytic activities are regulated by phosphorylation. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:18291-302. [PMID: 11889123 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111523200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Werner Syndrome is characterized by early onset of aging, elevated chromosomal instability, and a high incidence of cancer. Werner protein (WRN) is a member of the recQ gene family, but unlike other members of the recQ family, it contains a unique 3'-->5' exonuclease activity. We have reported previously that human Ku heterodimer interacts physically with WRN and functionally stimulates WRN exonuclease activity. Because Ku and DNA-PKcs, the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), form a complex at DNA ends, we have now explored the possibility of functional modulation of WRN exonuclease activity by DNA-PK. We find that although DNA-PKcs alone does not affect the WRN exonuclease activity, the additional presence of Ku mediates a marked inhibition of it. The inhibition of WRN exonuclease by DNA-PKcs requires the kinase activity of DNA-PKcs. WRN is a target for DNA-PKcs phosphorylation, and this phosphorylation requires the presence of Ku. We also find that treatment of recombinant WRN with a Ser/Thr phosphatase enhances WRN exonuclease and helicase activities and that WRN catalytic activity can be inhibited by rephosphorylation of WRN with DNA-PK. Thus, the level of phosphorylation of WRN appears to regulate its catalytic activities. WRN forms a complex, both in vitro and in vivo, with DNA-PKC. WRN is phosphorylated in vivo after treatment of cells with DNA-damaging agents in a pathway that requires DNA-PKcs. Thus, WRN protein is a target for DNA-PK phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo, and this phosphorylation may be a way of regulating its different catalytic activities, possibly in the repair of DNA dsb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parimal Karmakar
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, NIA, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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142
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Hanakahi LA, West SC. Specific interaction of IP6 with human Ku70/80, the DNA-binding subunit of DNA-PK. EMBO J 2002; 21:2038-44. [PMID: 11953323 PMCID: PMC125973 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/21.8.2038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, DNA double-strand breaks can be repaired by non-homologous end-joining, a process dependent upon Ku70/80, XRCC4 and DNA ligase IV. In mammals, this process also requires DNA-PK(cs), the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase DNA-PK. Previously, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) was shown to be bound by DNA-PK and to stimulate DNA-PK-dependent end-joining in vitro. Here, we localize IP6 binding to the Ku70/80 subunits of DNA- PK, and show that DNA-PK(cs) alone exhibits no detectable affinity for IP6. Moreover, proteolysis mapping of Ku70/80 in the presence and absence of IP6 indicates that binding alters the conformation of the Ku70/80 heterodimer. The yeast homologue of Ku70/80, yKu70/80, fails to bind IP6, indicating that the function of IP6 in non-homologous end-joining, like that of DNA-PK(cs), is unique to the mammalian end-joining process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen C. West
- Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Clare Hall Laboratories, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3LD, UK
Corresponding author e-mail:
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143
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Zhou G, Mihindukulasuriya KA, MacCorkle-Chosnek RA, Van Hooser A, Hu MCT, Brinkley BR, Tan TH. Protein phosphatase 4 is involved in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:6391-8. [PMID: 11698396 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m107014200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4, previously named protein phosphatase X (PPX)), a PP2A-related serine/threonine phosphatase, has been shown to be involved in essential cellular processes, such as microtubule growth and nuclear factor kappa B activation. We provide evidence that PP4 is involved in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha signaling in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells. Treatment of HEK293T cells with TNF-alpha resulted in time-dependent activation of endogenous PP4, peaking at 10 min, as well as increased serine and threonine phosphorylation of PP4. We also found that PP4 is involved in relaying the TNF-alpha signal to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) as indicated by the ability of PP4-RL, a dominant-negative PP4 mutant, to block TNF-alpha-induced JNK activation. Moreover, the response of JNK to TNF-alpha was inhibited in HEK293 cells stably expressing PP4-RL in comparison to parental HEK293 cells. The involvement of PP4 in JNK signaling was further demonstrated by the specific activation of JNK, but not p38 and ERK2, by PP4 in transient transfection assays. However, no direct PP4-JNK interaction was detected, suggesting that PP4 exerts its positive regulatory effect on JNK in an indirect manner. Taken together, these data indicate that PP4 is a signaling component of the JNK cascade and involved in relaying the TNF-alpha signal to the JNK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guisheng Zhou
- Department of Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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144
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Smith J, Baldeyron C, De Oliveira I, Sala-Trepat M, Papadopoulo D. The influence of DNA double-strand break structure on end-joining in human cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2001; 29:4783-92. [PMID: 11726687 PMCID: PMC96706 DOI: 10.1093/nar/29.23.4783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA end-joining is the major repair pathway for double-strand breaks (DSBs) in higher eukaryotes. To understand how DSB structure affects the end-joining process in human cells, we have examined the in vivo repair of linearized plasmids containing complementary as well as several different configurations of non-complementary DNA ends. Our results demonstrate that, while complementary and blunt termini display comparable levels of error-free rejoining, end-joining fidelity is decreased to varying extents among mismatched non-complementary ends. End structure also influences the kinetics of repair, accurately recircularized substrates for blunt and complementary termini being detected significantly earlier than for mismatched non-complementary ends. These results suggest that the end-joining process is composed of an early component, capable of efficiently repairing substrates requiring a single ligation event, and a late component, involved in the rejoining of complex substrates requiring multiple processing steps. Finally, these two types of repair events may have different genetic requirements as suggested by the finding that exposure of cells to wortmannin, a potent inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-related kinases (PI 3-related kinases), blocks the repair of complex substrates while having little or no effect on those requiring a simple ligation event.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Smith
- UMR 218 CNRS, Institut Curie-Recherche, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248 Paris, France
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145
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Yannone SM, Roy S, Chan DW, Murphy MB, Huang S, Campisi J, Chen DJ. Werner syndrome protein is regulated and phosphorylated by DNA-dependent protein kinase. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:38242-8. [PMID: 11477099 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m101913200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a highly mutagenic and potentially lethal damage that occurs in all organisms. Mammalian cells repair DSBs by homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining, the latter requiring DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). Werner syndrome is a disorder characterized by genomic instability, aging pathologies and defective WRN, a RecQ-like helicase with exonuclease activity. We show that WRN interacts directly with the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PK(CS)), which inhibits both the helicase and exonuclease activities of WRN. In addition we show that WRN forms a stable complex on DNA with DNA-PK(CS) and the DNA binding subunit Ku. This assembly reverses WRN enzymatic inhibition. Finally, we show that WRN is phosphorylated in vitro by DNA-PK and requires DNA-PK for phosphorylation in vivo, and that cells deficient in WRN are mildly sensitive to ionizing radiation. These data suggest that DNA-PK and WRN may function together in DNA metabolism and implicate WRN function in non-homologous end joining.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Yannone
- Life Sciences Division, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
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146
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Soubeyrand S, Torrance H, Giffin W, Gong W, Schild-Poulter C, Haché RJ. Activation and autoregulation of DNA-PK from structured single-stranded DNA and coding end hairpins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:9605-10. [PMID: 11481441 PMCID: PMC55499 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.171211398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) acts through an essential relationship with DNA to participate in the regulation of multiple cellular processes. Yet the role of DNA as a cofactor in kinase activity remains to be completely elucidated. For example, although DNA-PK activity appears to be required for the resolution of hairpin coding ends in variable diversity joining recombination, kinase activity remains to be demonstrated from hairpin ends or other DNA structures. In the present study we report that DNA-PK is strongly activated from hairpin ends and structured single-stranded DNA, but that the phosphorylation of many heterologous substrates is blocked efficiently by inactivation of the kinase through autophosphorylation. However, substrates that bound efficiently to single-stranded DNA such as p53 and replication protein A were efficiently phosphorylated by DNA-PK from structured DNA. DNA-PK also was found to be active toward heterologous substrates from hairpin ends on double-stranded DNA under conditions where autophosphorylation was minimized. These results suggest that the role of DNA-PK in resolving coding end hairpins is likely to be enzymatic rather than structural, expand understanding of how DNA-PK binding to structured DNA relates to enzyme activity, and suggest a mechanism for autoregulatory control of its kinase activity in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Soubeyrand
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Health Research Institute, ON, Canada
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147
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Abstract
The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), comprised of the Ku70/Ku80 (now known as G22p1/Xrcc5) heterodimer and the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs (now known as Prkdc), is required for the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway of DNA double-strand break repair. The mechanism of action of DNA-PK remains unclear. We have investigated whether DNA-PK regulates gene transcription in vivo after DNA damage using the subtractive hybridization technique of cDNA representational difference analysis (cDNA RDA). Differential transcription, both radiation-dependent and independent, was detected and confirmed in primary mouse embryo fibroblasts from DNA-PKcs(-/-) and DNA-PKcs(+/+) mice. We present evidence that transcription of the extracellular matrix gene laminin alpha 4 (Lama4) is regulated by DNA-PK in a radiation-independent manner. However, screening of both primary and immortalized DNA-PKcs-deficient cell lines demonstrates that the majority of differences were not consistently dependent on DNA-PK status. Similar results were obtained in experiments using KU mutant hamster cell lines, indicating heterogeneity of transcription between closely related cell lines. Our results suggest that while DNA-PK may be involved in limited gene-specific transcription, it does not play a major role in the transcriptional response to DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bryntesson
- Department of Molecular Haematology and Cancer Biology, Institute of Child Health, University College, London, 30 Guildford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom
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148
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Chen S, Inamdar KV, Pfeiffer P, Feldmann E, Hannah MF, Yu Y, Lee JW, Zhou T, Lees-Miller SP, Povirk LF. Accurate in vitro end joining of a DNA double strand break with partially cohesive 3'-overhangs and 3'-phosphoglycolate termini: effect of Ku on repair fidelity. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:24323-30. [PMID: 11309379 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m010544200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
To examine determinants of fidelity in DNA end joining, a substrate containing a model of a staggered free radical-mediated double-strand break, with cohesive phosphoglycolate-terminated 3'-overhangs and a one-base gap in each strand, was constructed. In extracts of Xenopus eggs, human lymphoblastoid cells, hamster CHO-K1 cells, and a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) derivative lacking the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), the predominant end joining product was that corresponding to accurate restoration of the original sequence. In extracts of the Ku-deficient CHO derivative xrs6, a shorter product, consistent with 3' --> 5' resection before ligation, was formed. Similar results were seen for a substrate with 5'-overhangs and recessed 3'-phosphoglycolate ends. Supplementation of the xrs6 extracts with purified Ku restored accurate end joining. In Xenopus and human extracts, but not in hamster extracts, gap filling and ligation were blocked by wortmannin, consistent with a requirement for DNA-PKcs activity. The results suggest a Ku-dependent pathway, regulated by DNA-PKcs, that can accurately restore the original DNA sequence at sites of free radical-mediated double-strand breaks, by protecting DNA termini from degradation and maintaining the alignment of short partial complementarities during gap filling and ligation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA
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149
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Douglas P, Moorhead GB, Ye R, Lees-Miller SP. Protein phosphatases regulate DNA-dependent protein kinase activity. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:18992-8. [PMID: 11376007 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m011703200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a complex of DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and the DNA end-binding Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer. DNA-PK is required for DNA double strand break repair by the process of nonhomologous end joining. Nonhomologous end joining is a major mechanism for the repair of DNA double strand breaks in mammalian cells. As such, DNA-PK plays essential roles in the cellular response to ionizing radiation and in V(D)J recombination. In vitro, DNA-PK undergoes phosphorylation of all three protein subunits (DNA-PK catalytic subunit, Ku70 and Ku80) and phosphorylation correlates with inactivation of the serine/threonine protein kinase activity of DNA-PK. Here we show that phosphorylation-induced loss of the protein kinase activity of DNA-PK is restored by the addition of the purified catalytic subunit of either protein phosphatase 1 or protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and that this reactivation is blocked by the potent protein phosphatase inhibitor, microcystin. We also show that treating human lymphoblastoid cells with either okadaic acid or fostriecin, at PP2A-selective concentrations, causes a 50-60% decrease in DNA-PK protein kinase activity, although the protein phosphatase 1 activity in these cells was unaffected. In vivo phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs, Ku70, and Ku80 was observed when cells were labeled with [(32)P]inorganic phosphate in the presence of the protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid. Together, our data suggest that reversible protein phosphorylation is an important mechanism for the regulation of DNA-PK protein kinase activity and that the protein phosphatase responsible for reactivation in vivo is a PP2A-like enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Douglas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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150
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Okada S, Ono K, Hamada N, Inada T, Kubota N. A low-pH culture condition enhances the radiosensitizing effect of wortmannin. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2001; 49:1149-56. [PMID: 11240258 DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(00)01429-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The radiosensitizing effect of wortmannin on human tumor cells in a low-pH microenvironment was compared with that in a neutral-pH environment. METHODS AND MATERIALS A172 human glioblastoma cells, A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells, and HMV-1 human melanoma cells were treated with 20 microM wortmannin 2 h before irradiation, and cell survival was examined. A low-pH microenvironment was simulated by exposing cells to low-pH culture medium for 24 h before wortmannin treatment. The effects of wortmannin on the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (dsbs) after 50-Gy irradiation in both low- and neutral-pH conditions were measured by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Expression of the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) in low-pH conditions was also compared with that in neutral-pH conditions by Western blot analysis. RESULTS The radiosensitizing effect of wortmannin was greater in low-pH cultures than in neutral-pH cultures for all cell lines. The fast-rejoining component of DNA dsb repair was inhibited more strongly in low-pH than in neutral-pH conditions, although there was little difference in DNA-PKcs expression between groups. CONCLUSIONS The low-pH culture condition, which was designed to mimic the microenvironment of the central tumor mass in actively proliferating solid tumors, enhanced the radiosensitizing effect of wortmannin by inhibiting the fast-rejoining component of DNA dsb repair and by prolonging the retention of nonrejoined DNA dsbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Okada
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Ami-machi, Ibaraki, Japan
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