Genome instability: a mechanistic view of its causes and consequences

Identification of Multiple Proteins Coupling Transcriptional Gene Silencing to Genome Stability in Arabidopsis thaliana

Eukaryotic genomes are regulated by epigenetic marks that act to modulate transcriptional control as well as to regulate DNA replication and repair. In Arabidopsis thaliana, mutation of the ATXR5 and ATXR6 histone methyltransferases causes reduction in histone H3 lysine 27 monomethylation, transcriptional upregulation of transposons, and a genome instability defect in which there is an accumulation of excess DNA corresponding to pericentromeric heterochromatin. We designed a forward genetic screen to identify suppressors of the atxr5/6 phenotype that uncovered loss-of-function mutations in two components of the TREX-2 complex (AtTHP1, AtSAC3B), a SUMO-interacting E3 ubiquitin ligase (AtSTUbL2) and a methyl-binding domain protein (AtMBD9). Additionally, using a reverse genetic approach, we show that a mutation in a plant homolog of the tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 enhances the atxr5/6 phenotype. Through characterization of these mutations, our results suggest models for the production atxr5 atxr6-induced extra DNA involving conflicts between the replicative and transcriptional processes in the cell, and suggest that the atxr5 atxr6 transcriptional defects may be the cause of the genome instability defects in the mutants. These findings highlight the critical intersection of transcriptional silencing and DNA replication in the maintenance of genome stability of heterochromatin.

In eukaryotic genomes cellular processes such as transcription and replication need to be tightly controlled in order to promote genomic stability and prevent deleterious mutations. In Arabidopsis thaliana, two redundant histone methyltransferases, ATXR5 and ATXR6, are responsible for the deposition of a silencing epigenetic mark, histone H3 lysine 27 monomethylation. Loss of ATXR5/6 results in transcriptional activation of transposable elements (TEs), upregulation of DNA damage response genes and a genomic instability defect characterized as an excess of DNA corresponding to heterochromatin regions. Using a genetic screen, we sought to find suppressors of the atxr5/6 phenotype, and interestingly, we identified multiple genes implicated in general transcriptional activity. Through genomic characterization of the mutants our data suggest a model where transcriptional silencing of heterochromatin during S-phase is required for proper replication and maintenance of genome stability. These findings emphasize the important relationship between chromatin, transcriptional control and replication in the maintenance of genome stability in a eukaryotic system and identify new players involved in these processes.

Genome stability: What we have learned from cohesinopathies

Cohesin is a multiprotein complex involved in many DNA-related processes such as proper chromosome segregation, replication, transcription, and repair. Mutations in cohesin gene pathways are responsible for human diseases, collectively referred to as cohesinopathies. In addition, both cohesin gene expression dysregulation and mutations have been identified in cancer. Cohesinopathy cells are characterized by genome instability (GIN) visualized by a constellation of markers such as chromosome aneuploidies, chromosome aberrations, precocious sister chromatid separation, premature centromere separation, micronuclei formation, and sensitivity to genotoxic drugs. The emerging picture suggests that GIN observed in cohesinopathies may result from the synergistic effects of the multiple cohesin dysfunctions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bromodeoxyuridine does not contribute to sister chromatid exchange events in normal or Bloom syndrome cells

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) are considered sensitive indicators of genome instability. Detection of SCEs typically requires cells to incorporate bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) during two rounds of DNA synthesis. Previous studies have suggested that SCEs are induced by DNA replication over BrdU-substituted DNA and that BrdU incorporation alone could be responsible for the high number of SCE events observed in cells from patients with Bloom syndrome (BS), a rare genetic disorder characterized by marked genome instability and high SCE frequency. Here we show using Strand-seq, a single cell DNA template strand sequencing technique, that the presence of variable BrdU concentrations in the cell culture medium and in DNA template strands has no effect on SCE frequency in either normal or BS cells. We conclude that BrdU does not induce SCEs and that SCEs detected in either normal or BS cells reflect DNA repair events that occur spontaneously.

The topography of mutational processes in breast cancer genomes

Somatic mutations in human cancers show unevenness in genomic distribution that correlate with aspects of genome structure and function. These mutations are, however, generated by multiple mutational processes operating through the cellular lineage between the fertilized egg and the cancer cell, each composed of specific DNA damage and repair components and leaving its own characteristic mutational signature on the genome. Using somatic mutation catalogues from 560 breast cancer whole-genome sequences, here we show that each of 12 base substitution, 2 insertion/deletion (indel) and 6 rearrangement mutational signatures present in breast tissue, exhibit distinct relationships with genomic features relating to transcription, DNA replication and chromatin organization. This signature-based approach permits visualization of the genomic distribution of mutational processes associated with APOBEC enzymes, mismatch repair deficiency and homologous recombinational repair deficiency, as well as mutational processes of unknown aetiology. Furthermore, it highlights mechanistic insights including a putative replication-dependent mechanism of APOBEC-related mutagenesis.

Genetic and physical mapping of the earliness per se locus Eps-A (m) 1 in Triticum monococcum identifies EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3) as a candidate gene

Wheat cultivars exposed to optimal photoperiod and vernalization treatments still exhibit differences in flowering time, referred to as earliness per se (Eps). We previously identified the Eps-A^m1 locus from Triticum monococcum and showed that the allele from cultivated accession DV92 significantly delays heading time and increases the number of spikelets per spike relative to the allele from wild accession G3116. Here, we expanded a high-density genetic and physical map of the Eps-A^m1 region and identified the wheat ortholog of circadian clock regulator EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3) as a candidate gene. No differences in ELF3 transcript levels were found between near-isogenic lines carrying the DV92 and G3116 Eps-A^m1 alleles, but the encoded ELF3 proteins differed in four amino acids. These differences were associated with altered transcription profiles of PIF-like, PPD1, and FT1, which are known downstream targets of ELF3. Tetraploid wheat lines with combined truncation mutations in the A- and B-genome copies of ELF3 flowered earlier and had less spikelets per spike than the wild-type control under short- and long-day conditions. Both effects were stronger in a photoperiod-sensitive than in a reduced photoperiod-sensitive background, indicating a significant epistatic interaction between PPD1 and ELF3 (P < 0.0001). By contrast, the introgression of the T. monococcum chromosome segment carrying the Eps-A^m1 allele from DV92 into durum wheat delayed flowering and increased the number of spikelets per spike. Taken together, the above results support the hypothesis that ELF3 is Eps-A^m1. The ELF3 alleles identified here provide additional tools to modulate reproductive development in wheat.

Integration, Regulation, and Long-Term Stability of R2 Retrotransposons

R2 elements are sequence specific non-LTR retrotransposons that exclusively insert in the 28S rRNA genes of animals. R2s encode an endonuclease that cleaves the insertion site and a reverse transcriptase that uses the cleaved DNA to prime reverse transcription of the R2 transcript, a process termed target primed reverse transcription. Additional unusual properties of the reverse transcriptase as well as DNA and RNA binding domains of the R2 encoded protein have been characterized. R2 expression is through co-transcription with the 28S gene and self-cleavage by a ribozyme encoded at the R2 5' end. Studies in laboratory stocks and natural populations of Drosophila suggest that R2 expression is tied to the distribution of R2-inserted units within the rDNA locus. Most individuals have no R2 expression because only a small fraction of their rRNA genes need to be active, and a contiguous region of the locus free of R2 insertions can be selected for activation. However, if the R2-free region is not large enough to produce sufficient rRNA, flanking units - including those inserted with R2 - must be activated. Finally, R2 copies rapidly turnover within the rDNA locus, yet R2 has been vertically maintained in animal lineages for hundreds of millions of years. The key to this stability is R2's ability to remain dormant in rDNA units outside the transcribed regions for generations until the stochastic nature of the crossovers that drive the concerted evolution of the rDNA locus inevitably reshuffle the inserted and uninserted units, resulting in transcription of the R2-inserted units.

PolDIP2 interacts with human PrimPol and enhances its DNA polymerase activities

Translesion synthesis (TLS) employs specialized DNA polymerases to bypass replication fork stalling lesions. PrimPol was recently identified as a TLS primase and polymerase involved in DNA damage tolerance. Here, we identify a novel PrimPol binding partner, PolDIP2, and describe how it regulates PrimPol's enzymatic activities. PolDIP2 stimulates the polymerase activity of PrimPol, enhancing both its capacity to bind DNA and the processivity of the catalytic domain. In addition, PolDIP2 stimulates both the efficiency and error-free bypass of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydrodeoxyguanosine (8-oxoG) lesions by PrimPol. We show that PolDIP2 binds to PrimPol's catalytic domain and identify potential binding sites. Finally, we demonstrate that depletion of PolDIP2 in human cells causes a decrease in replication fork rates, similar to that observed in PrimPol^−/− cells. However, depletion of PolDIP2 in PrimPol^−/− cells does not produce a further decrease in replication fork rates. Together, these findings establish that PolDIP2 can regulate the TLS polymerase and primer extension activities of PrimPol, further enhancing our understanding of the roles of PolDIP2 and PrimPol in eukaryotic DNA damage tolerance.

Mutation of cancer driver MLL2 results in transcription stress and genome instability

Genome instability is a recurring feature of tumorigenesis. Mutation in MLL2, encoding a histone methyltransferase, is a driver in numerous different cancer types, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we present evidence that MLL2 mutation results in genome instability. Mouse cells in which MLL2 gene deletion can be induced display elevated levels of sister chromatid exchange, gross chromosomal aberrations, 53BP1 foci, and micronuclei. Human MLL2 knockout cells are characterized by genome instability as well. Interestingly, MLL2 interacts with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and RECQL5, and, although MLL2 mutated cells have normal overall H3K4me levels in genes, nucleosomes in the immediate vicinity of RNAPII are hypomethylated. Importantly, MLL2 mutated cells display signs of substantial transcription stress, and the most affected genes overlap with early replicating fragile sites, show elevated levels of γH2AX, and suffer frequent mutation. The requirement for MLL2 in the maintenance of genome stability in genes helps explain its widespread role in cancer and points to transcription stress as a strong driver in tumorigenesis.

Signaling from Mus81-Eme2-Dependent DNA Damage Elicited by Chk1 Deficiency Modulates Replication Fork Speed and Origin Usage

Mammalian cells deficient in ATR or Chk1 display moderate replication fork slowing and increased initiation density, but the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear. We show that exogenous deoxyribonucleosides suppress both replication phenotypes in Chk1-deficient, but not ATR-deficient, cells. Thus, in the absence of exogenous stress, depletion of either protein impacts the replication dynamics through different mechanisms. In addition, Chk1 deficiency, but not ATR deficiency, triggers nuclease-dependent DNA damage. Avoiding damage formation through invalidation of Mus81-Eme2 and Mre11, or preventing damage signaling by turning off the ATM pathway, suppresses the replication phenotypes of Chk1-deficient cells. Damage and resulting DDR activation are therefore the cause, not the consequence, of replication dynamics modulation in these cells. Together, we identify moderate reduction of precursors available for replication as an additional outcome of DDR activation. We propose that resulting fork slowing, and subsequent firing of backup origins, helps replication to proceed along damaged templates.

The Budding Yeast Ubiquitin Protease Ubp7 Is a Novel Component Involved in S Phase Progression

DNA damage must be repaired in an accurate and timely fashion to preserve genome stability. Cellular mechanisms preventing genome instability are crucial to human health because genome instability is considered a hallmark of cancer. Collectively referred to as the DNA damage response, conserved pathways ensure proper DNA damage recognition and repair. The function of numerous DNA damage response components is fine-tuned by posttranslational modifications, including ubiquitination. This not only involves the enzyme cascade responsible for conjugating ubiquitin to substrates but also requires enzymes that mediate directed removal of ubiquitin. Deubiquitinases remove ubiquitin from substrates to prevent degradation or to mediate signaling functions. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae deubiquitinase Ubp7 has been characterized previously as an endocytic factor. However, here we identify Ubp7 as a novel factor affecting S phase progression after hydroxyurea treatment and demonstrate an evolutionary and genetic interaction of Ubp7 with DNA damage repair pathways of homologous recombination and nucleotide excision repair. We find that deletion of UBP7 sensitizes cells to hydroxyurea and cisplatin and demonstrate that factors that stabilize replication forks are critical under these conditions. Furthermore, ubp7Δ cells exhibit an S phase progression defect upon checkpoint activation by hydroxyurea treatment. ubp7Δ mutants are epistatic to factors involved in histone maintenance and modification, and we find that a subset of Ubp7 is chromatin-associated. In summary, our results suggest that Ubp7 contributes to S phase progression by affecting the chromatin state at replication forks, and we propose histone H2B ubiquitination as a potential substrate of Ubp7.

Tumor Evolutionary Principles: How Intratumor Heterogeneity Influences Cancer Treatment and Outcome

Recent studies have shown that intratumor heterogeneity contributes to drug resistance in advanced disease. Intratumor heterogeneity may foster the selection of a resistant subclone, sometimes detectable prior to treatment. Next-generation sequencing is enabling the phylogenetic reconstruction of a cancer's life history and has revealed different modes of cancer evolution. These studies have shown that cancer evolution is not always stochastic and has certain constraints. Consideration of cancer evolution may enable the better design of clinical trials and cancer therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the different modes of cancer evolution and how this might impact clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we will discuss several therapeutic strategies for managing emergent intratumor heterogeneity.

EEPD1 Rescues Stressed Replication Forks and Maintains Genome Stability by Promoting End Resection and Homologous Recombination Repair

Replication fork stalling and collapse is a major source of genome instability leading to neoplastic transformation or cell death. Such stressed replication forks can be conservatively repaired and restarted using homologous recombination (HR) or non-conservatively repaired using micro-homology mediated end joining (MMEJ). HR repair of stressed forks is initiated by 5’ end resection near the fork junction, which permits 3’ single strand invasion of a homologous template for fork restart. This 5’ end resection also prevents classical non-homologous end-joining (cNHEJ), a competing pathway for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Unopposed NHEJ can cause genome instability during replication stress by abnormally fusing free double strand ends that occur as unstable replication fork repair intermediates. We show here that the previously uncharacterized Exonuclease/Endonuclease/Phosphatase Domain-1 (EEPD1) protein is required for initiating repair and restart of stalled forks. EEPD1 is recruited to stalled forks, enhances 5’ DNA end resection, and promotes restart of stalled forks. Interestingly, EEPD1 directs DSB repair away from cNHEJ, and also away from MMEJ, which requires limited end resection for initiation. EEPD1 is also required for proper ATR and CHK1 phosphorylation, and formation of gamma-H2AX, RAD51 and phospho-RPA32 foci. Consistent with a direct role in stalled replication fork cleavage, EEPD1 is a 5’ overhang nuclease in an obligate complex with the end resection nuclease Exo1 and BLM. EEPD1 depletion causes nuclear and cytogenetic defects, which are made worse by replication stress. Depleting 53BP1, which slows cNHEJ, fully rescues the nuclear and cytogenetic abnormalities seen with EEPD1 depletion. These data demonstrate that genome stability during replication stress is maintained by EEPD1, which initiates HR and inhibits cNHEJ and MMEJ.

The cell itself damages its own DNA throughout the cell cycle as a result of oxidative metabolism, and this damage creates barriers for replication fork progression. Thus, DNA replication is not a smooth and continuous process, but rather one of stalls and restarts. Therefore, proper replication fork restart is crucial to maintain the integrity of the cell’s genome, and preventing its own death or immortalization. To restart after stalling, the replication fork subverts a DNA repair pathway termed homologous recombination. Using any other pathway for fork repair will result in an unstable genome. How the homologous recombination repair pathway is initiated at the replication fork is not well defined. In this study we demonstrate the previously uncharacterized EEPD1 protein is a novel gatekeeper for the initiation of this fork repair pathway. EEPD1 promotes 5’ end resection, the initial step of homologous recombination, which also prevents alternative fork repair pathways that lead to unstable chromosomes. Thus, EEPD1 protects the integrity of the cell genome by promoting the safe homologous recombination fork repair pathway.

Regulation of mismatch repair by histone code and posttranslational modifications in eukaryotic cells

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protects genome integrity by correcting DNA replication-associated mispairs, modulating DNA damage-induced cell cycle checkpoints and regulating homeologous recombination. Loss of MMR function leads to cancer development. This review describes progress in understanding how MMR is carried out in the context of chromatin and how chromatin organization/compaction, epigenetic mechanisms and posttranslational modifications of MMR proteins influence and regulate MMR in eukaryotic cells.

RECQL5 has unique strand annealing properties relative to the other human RecQ helicase proteins

The RecQ helicases play important roles in genome maintenance and DNA metabolism (replication, recombination, repair, and transcription). Five different homologs are present in humans, three of which are implicated in accelerated aging genetic disorders: Rothmund Thomson (RECQL4), Werner (WRN), and Bloom (BLM) syndromes. While the DNA helicase activities of the 5 human RecQ helicases have been extensively characterized, much less is known about their DNA double strand annealing activities. Strand annealing is an important integral enzymatic activity in DNA metabolism, including DNA repair. Here, we have characterized the strand annealing activities of all five human RecQ helicase proteins and compared them. Interestingly, the relative strand annealing activities of the five RecQ proteins are not directly (inversely) related to their helicase activities. RECQL5 possesses relatively strong annealing activity on long or small duplexed substrates compared to the other RecQs. Additionally, the strand annealing activity of RECQL5 is not inhibited by the presence of ATP, unlike the other RecQs. We also show that RECQL5 efficiently catalyzes annealing of RNA to DNA in vitro in the presence or absence of ATP, revealing a possible new function for RECQL5. Additionally, we investigate how different known RecQ interacting proteins, RPA, Ku, FEN1 and RAD51, regulate their strand annealing activity. Collectively, we find that the human RecQ proteins possess differential DNA double strand annealing activities and we speculate on their individual roles in DNA repair. This insight is important in view of the many cellular DNA metabolic actions of the RecQ proteins and elucidates their unique functions in the cell.

Genomic instability in human cancer: Molecular insights and opportunities for therapeutic attack and prevention through diet and nutrition

Genomic instability can initiate cancer, augment progression, and influence the overall prognosis of the affected patient. Genomic instability arises from many different pathways, such as telomere damage, centrosome amplification, epigenetic modifications, and DNA damage from endogenous and exogenous sources, and can be perpetuating, or limiting, through the induction of mutations or aneuploidy, both enabling and catastrophic. Many cancer treatments induce DNA damage to impair cell division on a global scale but it is accepted that personalized treatments, those that are tailored to the particular patient and type of cancer, must also be developed. In this review, we detail the mechanisms from which genomic instability arises and can lead to cancer, as well as treatments and measures that prevent genomic instability or take advantage of the cellular defects caused by genomic instability. In particular, we identify and discuss five priority targets against genomic instability: (1) prevention of DNA damage; (2) enhancement of DNA repair; (3) targeting deficient DNA repair; (4) impairing centrosome clustering; and, (5) inhibition of telomerase activity. Moreover, we highlight vitamin D and B, selenium, carotenoids, PARP inhibitors, resveratrol, and isothiocyanates as priority approaches against genomic instability. The prioritized target sites and approaches were cross validated to identify potential synergistic effects on a number of important areas of cancer biology.

DAMPs, ageing, and cancer: The 'DAMP Hypothesis'

Ageing is a complex and multifactorial process characterized by the accumulation of many forms of damage at the molecular, cellular, and tissue level with advancing age. Ageing increases the risk of the onset of chronic inflammation-associated diseases such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease. In particular, ageing and cancer share some common origins and hallmarks such as genomic instability, epigenetic alteration, aberrant telomeres, inflammation and immune injury, reprogrammed metabolism, and degradation system impairment (including within the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the autophagic machinery). Recent advances indicate that damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) such as high mobility group box 1, histones, S100, and heat shock proteins play location-dependent roles inside and outside the cell. These provide interaction platforms at molecular levels linked to common hallmarks of ageing and cancer. They can act as inducers, sensors, and mediators of stress through individual plasma membrane receptors, intracellular recognition receptors (e.g., advanced glycosylation end product-specific receptors, AIM2-like receptors, RIG-I-like receptors, and NOD1-like receptors, and toll-like receptors), or following endocytic uptake. Thus, the DAMP Hypothesis is novel and complements other theories that explain the features of ageing. DAMPs represent ideal biomarkers of ageing and provide an attractive target for interventions in ageing and age-associated diseases.

The Fanconi Anemia Pathway Maintains Genome Stability by Coordinating Replication and Transcription

DNA replication stress can cause chromosomal instability and tumor progression. One key pathway that counteracts replication stress and promotes faithful DNA replication consists of the Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins. However, how these proteins limit replication stress remains largely elusive. Here we show that conflicts between replication and transcription activate the FA pathway. Inhibition of transcription or enzymatic degradation of transcription-associated R-loops (DNA:RNA hybrids) suppresses replication fork arrest and DNA damage occurring in the absence of a functional FA pathway. Furthermore, we show that simple aldehydes, known to cause leukemia in FA-deficient mice, induce DNA:RNA hybrids in FA-depleted cells. Finally, we demonstrate that the molecular mechanism by which the FA pathway limits R-loop accumulation requires FANCM translocase activity. Failure to activate a response to physiologically occurring DNA:RNA hybrids may critically contribute to the heightened cancer predisposition and bone marrow failure of individuals with mutated FA proteins.

•

Replication and transcription collisions cause genome instability in FA

•

A functional FA pathway protects cells from unscheduled accumulation of R-loops

•

Transcription inhibition or R-loop removal restores normal replication in FA cells

•

FANCM resolves R-loops via its translocase activity

The Deubiquitylating Enzyme USP4 Cooperates with CtIP in DNA Double-Strand Break End Resection

DNA end resection is a highly regulated and critical step in DNA double-stranded break (DSB) repair. In higher eukaryotes, DSB resection is initiated by the collaborative action of CtIP and the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex. Here, we find that the deubiquitylating enzyme USP4 directly participates in DSB resection and homologous recombination (HR). USP4 confers resistance to DNA damage-inducing agents. Mechanistically, USP4 interacts with CtIP and MRN via a specific, conserved region and the catalytic domain of USP4, respectively, and regulates CtIP recruitment to sites of DNA damage. We also find that USP4 autodeubiquitylation is essential for its HR functions. Collectively, our findings identify USP4 as a key regulator of DNA DSB end resection.

Senataxin controls meiotic silencing through ATR activation and chromatin remodeling

Senataxin, defective in ataxia oculomotor apraxia type 2, protects the genome by facilitating the resolution of RNA–DNA hybrids (R-loops) and other aspects of RNA processing. Disruption of this gene in mice causes failure of meiotic recombination and defective meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, leading to male infertility. Here we provide evidence that the disruption of Setx leads to reduced SUMOylation and disruption of protein localization across the XY body during meiosis. We demonstrate that senataxin and other DNA damage repair proteins, including ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein-interacting partner, are SUMOylated, and a marked downregulation of both ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein-interacting partner and TopBP1 leading to defective activation and signaling through ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein occurs in the absence of senataxin. Furthermore, chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4, a component of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase chromatin remodeler that interacts with both ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein and senataxin was not recruited efficiently to the XY body, triggering altered histone acetylation and chromatin conformation in Setx^−/− pachytene-staged spermatocytes. These results demonstrate that senataxin has a critical role in ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein- and chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4-mediated transcriptional silencing and chromatin remodeling during meiosis providing greater insight into its critical role in gene regulation to protect against neurodegeneration.

PTEN regulates RPA1 and protects DNA replication forks

Tumor suppressor PTEN regulates cellular activities and controls genome stability through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we report that PTEN is necessary for the protection of DNA replication forks against replication stress. We show that deletion of PTEN leads to replication fork collapse and chromosomal instability upon fork stalling following nucleotide depletion induced by hydroxyurea. PTEN is physically associated with replication protein A 1 (RPA1) via the RPA1 C-terminal domain. STORM and iPOND reveal that PTEN is localized at replication sites and promotes RPA1 accumulation on replication forks. PTEN recruits the deubiquitinase OTUB1 to mediate RPA1 deubiquitination. RPA1 deletion confers a phenotype like that observed in PTEN knockout cells with stalling of replication forks. Expression of PTEN and RPA1 shows strong correlation in colorectal cancer. Heterozygous disruption of RPA1 promotes tumorigenesis in mice. These results demonstrate that PTEN is essential for DNA replication fork protection. We propose that RPA1 is a target of PTEN function in fork protection and that PTEN maintains genome stability through regulation of DNA replication.

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3) regulates homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair

Background

Our previous work found that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3) was overexpressed in human ovarian cancer and the overexpression of SRSF3 was required for ovarian cancer cell growth and survival. The mechanism underlying the role of SRSF3 in ovarian cancer remains to be addressed.

Methods

We conducted microarray analysis to profile the gene expression and splicing in SRSF3-knockdown cells and employed quantitative PCR and western blotting to validate the profiling results. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation to study transcription and the direct repeat green fluorescent protein reporter assay to study homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair (HRR).

Results

We identified 687 genes with altered expression and 807 genes with altered splicing in SRSF3-knockdown cells. Among expression-altered genes, those involved in HRR, including BRCA1, BRIP1 and RAD51, were enriched and were all downregulated. We demonstrated that the downregulation of BRCA1, BRIP1 and RAD51 expression was caused by decreased transcription and not due to increased nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Further, we found that SRSF3 knockdown impaired HRR activity in the cell and increased the level of γ-H2AX, a biomarker for double-strand DNA breaks. Finally, we observed that SRSF3 knockdown changed splicing pattern of KMT2C, a H3K4-specific histone methyltransferase, and reduced the levels of mono- and trimethylated H3K4.

Conclusion

These results suggest that SRSF3 is a new regulator of HRR process, which possibly regulates the expression of HRR-related genes indirectly through an epigenetic pathway. This new function of SRSF3 not only explains why overexpression of SRSF3 is required for ovarian cancer cell growth and survival but also offers a new insight into the mechanism of the neoplastic transformation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-015-0422-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes and frailty status in elderly. A lack of association with clinical features

Frailty is a condition of vulnerability that carries an increased risk of poor outcome in elder adults. Frail individuals show fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, and a reduced physical function, and are known to frequently experience disability, social isolation, and institutionalization. Identifying frail people is a critical step for geriatricians to provide timely geriatric care and, eventually, to improve the quality of life in elderly. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association between frailty status and micronucleus (MN) frequency, a known marker of genomic instability, in a sample of elder adults. Several clinical features were evaluated and their possible association with MN frequency was tested. Criteria proposed by Fried were used to identify frail subjects. Overall, 180 elder adults entered the study, 93 of them (51.7%) frail. No association between MN frequency and frailty status was found under the specific conditions tested in this study (mean ratio=1.06; 95% CI 0.96-1.18). The inclusion of MN frequency in the Fried's frailty scale minimally improved the classification of study subjects according to the multidimensional prognostic index (MPI). The presence of genomic instability in the ageing process and in most chronic diseases, demands further investigation on this issue.

A computational method for the identification of new candidate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic chemicals

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death. Based on current knowledge, one of the causes of cancer is exposure to toxic chemical compounds, including radioactive compounds, dioxin, and arsenic. The identification of new carcinogenic chemicals may warn us of potential danger and help to identify new ways to prevent cancer. In this study, a computational method was proposed to identify potential carcinogenic chemicals, as well as non-carcinogenic chemicals. According to the current validated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic chemicals from the CPDB (Carcinogenic Potency Database), the candidate chemicals were searched in a weighted chemical network constructed according to chemical-chemical interactions. Then, the obtained candidate chemicals were further selected by a randomization test and information on chemical interactions and structures. The analyses identified several candidate carcinogenic chemicals, while those candidates identified as non-carcinogenic were supported by a literature search. In addition, several candidate carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic chemicals exhibit structural dissimilarity with validated carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic chemicals.

Genetic instability in budding and fission yeast-sources and mechanisms

Cells are constantly confronted with endogenous and exogenous factors that affect their genomes. Eons of evolution have allowed the cellular mechanisms responsible for preserving the genome to adjust for achieving contradictory objectives: to maintain the genome unchanged and to acquire mutations that allow adaptation to environmental changes. One evolutionary mechanism that has been refined for survival is genetic variation. In this review, we describe the mechanisms responsible for two biological processes: genome maintenance and mutation tolerance involved in generations of genetic variations in mitotic cells of both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. These processes encompass mechanisms that ensure the fidelity of replication, DNA lesion sensing and DNA damage response pathways, as well as mechanisms that ensure precision in chromosome segregation during cell division. We discuss various factors that may influence genome stability, such as cellular ploidy, the phase of the cell cycle, transcriptional activity of a particular region of DNA, the proficiency of DNA quality control systems, the metabolic stage of the cell and its respiratory potential, and finally potential exposure to endogenous or environmental stress.

The stability of budding and fission yeast genomes is influenced by two contradictory factors: (1) the need to be fully functional, which is ensured through the replication fidelity pathways of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes through sensing and repairing DNA damage, through precise chromosome segregation during cell division; and (2) the need to acquire changes for adaptation to environmental challenges.

Yeast Assay Highlights the Intrinsic Genomic Instability of Human PML Intron 6 over Intron 3 and the Role of Replication Fork Proteins

Human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by a specific balanced translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21) involving the PML and RARA genes. In both de novo and therapy-related APL, the most frequent PML breakpoints are located within intron 6, and less frequently in intron 3; the precise mechanisms by which these breakpoints arise and preferentially in PML intron 6 remain unsolved. To investigate the intrinsic properties of the PML intron sequences in vivo, we designed Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains containing human PML intron 6 or intron 3 sequences inserted in yeast chromosome V and measured gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCR). This approach provided evidence that intron 6 had a superior instability over intron 3 due to an intrinsic property of the sequence and identified the 3’ end of intron 6 as the most susceptible to break. Using yeast strains invalidated for genes that control DNA replication, we show that this differential instability depended at least upon Rrm3, a DNA helicase, and Mrc1, the human claspin homolog. GCR induction by hydrogen peroxide, a general genotoxic agent, was also dependent on genetic context. We conclude that: 1) this yeast system provides an alternative approach to study in detail the properties of human sequences in a genetically controlled situation and 2) the different susceptibility to produce DNA breaks in intron 6 versus intron 3 of the human PML gene is likely due to an intrinsic property of the sequence and is under replication fork genetic control.

Disruption of the mevalonate pathway induces dNTP depletion and DNA damage

The mevalonate pathway is tightly linked to cell division. Mevalonate derived non-sterol isoprenoids and cholesterol are essential for cell cycle progression and mitosis completion respectively. In the present work, we studied the effects of fluoromevalonate, a competitive inhibitor of mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase, on cell proliferation and cell cycle progression in both HL-60 and MOLT-4 cells. This enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of isopentenyl diphosphate, the first isoprenoid in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, consuming ATP at the same time. Inhibition of mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase was followed by a rapid accumulation of mevalonate diphosphate and the reduction of ATP concentrations, while the cell content of cholesterol was barely affected. Strikingly, mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase inhibition also resulted in the depletion of dNTP pools, which has never been reported before. These effects were accompanied by inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest at S phase, together with the appearance of γ-H2AX foci and Chk1 activation. Inhibition of Chk1 in cells treated with fluoromevalonate resulted in premature entry into mitosis and massive cell death, indicating that the inhibition of mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase triggered a DNA damage response. Notably, the supply of exogenously deoxyribonucleosides abolished γ-H2AX formation and prevented the effects of mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase inhibition on DNA replication and cell growth. The results indicate that dNTP pool depletion caused by mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase inhibition hampered DNA replication with subsequent DNA damage, which may have important consequences for replication stress and genomic instability.

Directed Evolution of RecA Variants with Enhanced Capacity for Conjugational Recombination

The recombination activity of Escherichia coli (E. coli) RecA protein reflects an evolutionary balance between the positive and potentially deleterious effects of recombination. We have perturbed that balance, generating RecA variants exhibiting improved recombination functionality via random mutagenesis followed by directed evolution for enhanced function in conjugation. A recA gene segment encoding a 59 residue segment of the protein (Val79-Ala137), encompassing an extensive subunit-subunit interface region, was subjected to degenerate oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis. An iterative selection process generated at least 18 recA gene variants capable of producing a higher yield of transconjugants. Three of the variant proteins, RecA I102L, RecA V79L and RecA E86G/C90G were characterized based on their prominence. Relative to wild type RecA, the selected RecA variants exhibited faster rates of ATP hydrolysis, more rapid displacement of SSB, decreased inhibition by the RecX regulator protein, and in general displayed a greater persistence on DNA. The enhancement in conjugational function comes at the price of a measurable RecA-mediated cellular growth deficiency. Persistent DNA binding represents a barrier to other processes of DNA metabolism in vivo. The growth deficiency is alleviated by expression of the functionally robust RecX protein from Neisseria gonorrhoeae. RecA filaments can be a barrier to processes like replication and transcription. RecA regulation by RecX protein is important in maintaining an optimal balance between recombination and other aspects of DNA metabolism.

The genetic recombination systems of bacteria have not evolved for optimal enzymatic function. As recombination and recombination systems can have deleterious effects, these systems have evolved sufficient function to repair a level of DNA double strand breaks typically encountered during replication and cell division. However, maintenance of genome stability requires a proper balance between all aspects of DNA metabolism. A substantial increase in recombinase function is possible, but it comes with a cellular cost. Here, we use a kind of directed evolution to generate variants of the Escherichia coli RecA protein with an enhanced capacity to promote conjugational recombination. The mutations all occur within a targeted 59 amino acid segment of the protein, encompassing a significant part of the subunit-subunit interface. The RecA variants exhibit a range of altered activities. In general, the mutations appear to increase RecA protein persistence as filaments formed on DNA creating barriers to DNA replication and/or transcription. The barriers can be eliminated via expression of more robust forms of a RecA regulator, the RecX protein. The results elucidate an evolutionary compromise between the beneficial and deleterious effects of recombination.

Structure of the catalytic domain of Mre11 from Chaetomium thermophilum

Together with the Rad50 ATPase, the Mre11 nuclease forms an evolutionarily conserved protein complex that plays a central role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mre11-Rad50 detects and processes DNA ends, and has functions in the tethering as well as the signalling of DSBs. The Mre11 dimer can bind one or two DNA ends or hairpins, and processes DNA endonucleolytically as well as exonucleolytically in the 3'-to-5' direction. Here, the crystal structure of the Mre11 catalytic domain dimer from Chaetomium thermophilum (CtMre11(CD)) is reported. CtMre11(CD) crystals diffracted to 2.8 Å resolution and revealed previously undefined features within the dimer interface, in particular fully ordered eukaryote-specific insertion loops that considerably expand the dimer interface. Furthermore, comparison with other eukaryotic Mre11 structures reveals differences in the conformations of the dimer and the capping domain. In summary, the results reported here provide new insights into the architecture of the eukaryotic Mre11 dimer.

Snaps and mends: DNA breaks and chromosomal translocations

Integrity in entirety is the preferred state of any organism. The temporal and spatial integrity of the genome ensures continued survival of a cell. DNA breakage is the first step towards creation of chromosomal translocations. In this review, we highlight the factors contributing towards the breakage of chromosomal DNA. It has been well-established that the structure and sequence of DNA play a critical role in selective fragility of the genome. Several non-B-DNA structures such as Z-DNA, cruciform DNA, G-quadruplexes, R loops and triplexes have been implicated in generation of genomic fragility leading to translocations. Similarly, specific sequences targeted by proteins such as Recombination Activating Genes and Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase are involved in translocations. Processes that ensure the integrity of the genome through repair may lead to persistence of breakage and eventually translocations if their actions are anomalous. An insufficient supply of nucleotides and chromatin architecture may also play a critical role. This review focuses on a range of events with the potential to threaten the genomic integrity of a cell, leading to cancer.

A Synthetic Lethal Screen Identifies DNA Repair Pathways that Sensitize Cancer Cells to Combined ATR Inhibition and Cisplatin Treatments

The DNA damage response kinase ATR may be a useful cancer therapeutic target. ATR inhibition synergizes with loss of ERCC1, ATM, XRCC1 and DNA damaging chemotherapy agents. Clinical trials have begun using ATR inhibitors in combination with cisplatin. Here we report the first synthetic lethality screen with a combination treatment of an ATR inhibitor (ATRi) and cisplatin. Combination treatment with ATRi/cisplatin is synthetically lethal with loss of the TLS polymerase ζ and 53BP1. Other DNA repair pathways including homologous recombination and mismatch repair do not exhibit synthetic lethal interactions with ATRi/cisplatin, even though loss of some of these repair pathways sensitizes cells to cisplatin as a single-agent. We also report that ATRi strongly synergizes with PARP inhibition, even in homologous recombination-proficient backgrounds. Lastly, ATR inhibitors were able to resensitize cisplatin-resistant cell lines to cisplatin. These data provide a comprehensive analysis of DNA repair pathways that exhibit synthetic lethality with ATR inhibitors when combined with cisplatin chemotherapy, and will help guide patient selection strategies as ATR inhibitors progress into the cancer clinic.

Leveraging DNA damage response signaling to identify yeast genes controlling genome stability

Oncogenesis frequently is accompanied by rampant genome instability, which fuels genetic heterogeneity and resistance to targeted cancer therapy. We have developed an approach that allows precise, quantitative measurement of genome instability in high-throughput format in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model system. Our approach takes advantage of the strongly DNA damage-inducible gene RNR3, in conjunction with the reporter synthetic genetic array methodology, to infer mutants exhibiting genome instability by assaying for increased Rnr3 abundance. We screen for genome instability across a set of ~1000 essential and ~4200 nonessential mutant yeast alleles in untreated conditions and in the presence of the DNA-damaging agent methylmethane sulfonate. Our results provide broad insights into the cellular processes and pathways required for genome maintenance. Through comparison with existing genome instability screens, we isolated 130 genes that had not previously been linked to genome maintenance, 51% of which have human homologs. Several of these homologs are associated with a genome instability phenotype in human cells or are causally mutated in cancer. A comprehensive understanding of the processes required to prevent genome instability will facilitate a better understanding of its sources in oncogenesis.

Archaeal replicative primases can perform translesion DNA synthesis

DNA replicases routinely stall at lesions encountered on the template strand, and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is used to rescue progression of stalled replisomes. This process requires specialized polymerases that perform translesion DNA synthesis. Although prokaryotes and eukaryotes possess canonical TLS polymerases (Y-family Pols) capable of traversing blocking DNA lesions, most archaea lack these enzymes. Here, we report that archaeal replicative primases (Pri S, primase small subunit) can also perform TLS. Archaeal Pri S can bypass common oxidative DNA lesions, such as 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosines and UV light-induced DNA damage, faithfully bypassing cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Although it is well documented that archaeal replicases specifically arrest at deoxyuracils (dUs) due to recognition and binding to the lesions, a replication restart mechanism has not been identified. Here, we report that Pri S efficiently replicates past dUs, even in the presence of stalled replicase complexes, thus providing a mechanism for maintaining replication bypass of these DNA lesions. Together, these findings establish that some replicative primases, previously considered to be solely involved in priming replication, are also TLS proficient and therefore may play important roles in damage tolerance at replication forks.

Recombination products suggest the frequent occurrence of aberrant gene replacement in the moss Physcomitrella patens

In gene replacement, a variant of gene targeting, transformed DNA integrates into the genome by homologous recombination (HR) to replace resident sequences. Gene replacement in the moss Physcomitrella patens is extremely efficient, but often large amounts of additional DNA are integrated at the target locus. A detailed analysis of recombination junctions of PpCOL2 gene knockout mutants shows that the integrated DNA can be highly rearranged. Our data suggest that the replaced sequences were excised by HR and became integrated back into the genome by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). RAD51-mediated strand-invasion and subsequent strand-exchange is central to the two-end invasion pathway, the major gene replacement pathway in yeast. In this pathway, integration is initiated by the free ends of a single replacement vector-derived donor molecule which then integrates as an entity. Gene replacement in P. patens is entirely RAD51-dependent suggesting the existence of a pathway mechanistically similar to two-end invasion. However, invasion of the two ends does not seem to be stringently coordinated in P. patens. Actually, often only one fragment end became integrated by HR, or one-sided integration of two independent donor fragments occurred simultaneously leading to a double-strand break that is subsequently sealed by NHEJ and thus causes the observed rearrangements.

Molecular regulation of UV-induced DNA repair

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight is a major etiologic factor for skin cancer, the most prevalent cancer in the United States, as well as premature skin aging. In particular, UVB radiation causes formation of specific DNA damage photoproducts between pyrimidine bases. These DNA damage photoproducts are repaired by a process called nucleotide excision repair, also known as UV-induced DNA repair. When left unrepaired, UVB-induced DNA damage leads to accumulation of mutations, predisposing people to carcinogenesis as well as to premature aging. Genetic loss of nucleotide excision repair leads to severe disorders, namely, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), trichothiodystrophy (TTD) and Cockayne syndrome (CS), which are associated with predisposition to skin carcinogenesis at a young age as well as developmental and neurological conditions. Regulation of nucleotide excision repair is an attractive avenue to preventing or reversing these detrimental consequences of impaired nucleotide excision repair. Here, we review recent studies on molecular mechanisms regulating nucleotide excision repair by extracellular cues and intracellular signaling pathways, with a special focus on the molecular regulation of individual repair factors.

The genome as a developmental organ

This paper applies the conceptual toolkit of Evolutionary Developmental Biology (evo-devo) to the evolution of the genome and the role of the genome in organism development. This challenges both the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis, the dominant view in evolutionary theory for much of the 20th century, and the typically unreflective analysis of heredity by evo-devo. First, the history of the marginalization of applying system-thinking to the genome is described. Next, the suggested framework is presented. Finally, its application to the evolution of genome modularity, the evolution of induced mutations, the junk DNA versus ENCODE debate, the role of drift in genome evolution, and the relationship between genome dynamics and symbiosis with microorganisms are briefly discussed.

Neddylation inhibits CtIP-mediated resection and regulates DNA double strand break repair pathway choice

DNA double strand breaks are the most cytotoxic lesions that can occur on the DNA. They can be repaired by different mechanisms and optimal survival requires a tight control between them. Here we uncover protein deneddylation as a major controller of repair pathway choice. Neddylation inhibition changes the normal repair profile toward an increase on homologous recombination. Indeed, RNF111/UBE2M-mediated neddylation acts as an inhibitor of BRCA1 and CtIP-mediated DNA end resection, a key process in repair pathway choice. By controlling the length of ssDNA produced during DNA resection, protein neddylation not only affects the choice between NHEJ and homologous recombination but also controls the balance between different recombination subpathways. Thus, protein neddylation status has a great impact in the way cells respond to DNA breaks.

Impaired mitochondrial Fe-S cluster biogenesis activates the DNA damage response through different signaling mediators

Fe-S cluster biogenesis machinery is required for multiple DNA metabolism processes. In this work we show that defects at different stages of the mitochondrial Fe-S cluster assembly machinery (ISC) result in increased spontaneous mutation rate and hyperrecombination, accompanied by an increment in Rad52-associated DNA repair foci and a higher phosphorylated state of γH2A histone, altogether supporting the presence of constitutive DNA lesions. Furthermore, ISC assembly machinery deficiency elicits a DNA damage response that upregulates ribonucleotide reductase activity by promoting the reduction of Sml1 levels and the cytosolic redistribution of Rnr2/4 enzyme subunits. Depending on the impaired stage of the ISC machinery, different signaling pathway mediators contribute to such response, converging in Dun1. Thus, cells lacking Grx5 glutaredoxin, which are compromised at the core ISC system, show Mec1/Rad53-independent Dun1 activation, whereas both Mec1 and Chk1 are required when the non-core ISC member Iba57 is absent. Grx5-less cells exhibit a strong dependence on the error-free post-replication repair and the homologous recombination pathways, demonstrating that a DNA damage response is required to be activated upon ISC impairment to preserve cell viability.

Chromosome rearrangements via template switching between diverged repeated sequences

Anand et al. examined break-induced replication (BIR) and template switching between highly diverged sequences in S. cerevisiae, induced during repair of a site-specific double-strand break (DSB). Template switches between highly divergent sequences appear to be mechanistically distinct from the initial strand invasions that establish BIR. BIR traversing repeated DNA sequences frequently results in complex translocations analogous to those seen in mammalian cells. These results suggest that template switching among repeated genes is a potent driver of genome instability and evolution.

Recent high-resolution genome analyses of cancer and other diseases have revealed the occurrence of microhomology-mediated chromosome rearrangements and copy number changes. Although some of these rearrangements appear to involve nonhomologous end-joining, many must have involved mechanisms requiring new DNA synthesis. Models such as microhomology-mediated break-induced replication (MM-BIR) have been invoked to explain these rearrangements. We examined BIR and template switching between highly diverged sequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, induced during repair of a site-specific double-strand break (DSB). Our data show that such template switches are robust mechanisms that give rise to complex rearrangements. Template switches between highly divergent sequences appear to be mechanistically distinct from the initial strand invasions that establish BIR. In particular, such jumps are less constrained by sequence divergence and exhibit a different pattern of microhomology junctions. BIR traversing repeated DNA sequences frequently results in complex translocations analogous to those seen in mammalian cells. These results suggest that template switching among repeated genes is a potent driver of genome instability and evolution.

Human PrimPol is a highly error-prone polymerase regulated by single-stranded DNA binding proteins

PrimPol is a recently identified polymerase involved in eukaryotic DNA damage tolerance, employed in both re-priming and translesion synthesis mechanisms to bypass nuclear and mitochondrial DNA lesions. In this report, we investigate how the enzymatic activities of human PrimPol are regulated. We show that, unlike other TLS polymerases, PrimPol is not stimulated by PCNA and does not interact with it in vivo. We identify that PrimPol interacts with both of the major single-strand binding proteins, RPA and mtSSB in vivo. Using NMR spectroscopy, we characterize the domains responsible for the PrimPol-RPA interaction, revealing that PrimPol binds directly to the N-terminal domain of RPA70. In contrast to the established role of SSBs in stimulating replicative polymerases, we find that SSBs significantly limit the primase and polymerase activities of PrimPol. To identify the requirement for this regulation, we employed two forward mutation assays to characterize PrimPol's replication fidelity. We find that PrimPol is a mutagenic polymerase, with a unique error specificity that is highly biased towards insertion-deletion errors. Given the error-prone disposition of PrimPol, we propose a mechanism whereby SSBs greatly restrict the contribution of this enzyme to DNA replication at stalled forks, thus reducing the mutagenic potential of PrimPol during genome replication.

RNA polymerase II contributes to preventing transcription-mediated replication fork stalls

Transcription is a major contributor to genome instability. A main cause of transcription-associated instability relies on the capacity of transcription to stall replication. However, we know little of the possible role, if any, of the RNA polymerase (RNAP) in this process. Here, we analyzed 4 specific yeast RNAPII mutants that show different phenotypes of genetic instability including hyper-recombination, DNA damage sensitivity and/or a strong dependency on double-strand break repair functions for viability. Three specific alleles of the RNAPII core, rpb1-1, rpb1-S751F and rpb9∆, cause a defect in replication fork progression, compensated for by additional origin firing, as the main action responsible for instability. The transcription elongation defects of rpb1-S751F and rpb9∆ plus our observation that rpb1-1 causes RNAPII retention on chromatin suggest that RNAPII could participate in facilitating fork progression upon a transcription-replication encounter. Our results imply that the RNAPII or ancillary factors actively help prevent transcription-associated genome instability.

Efficient processing of abasic sites by bacterial nonhomologous end-joining Ku proteins

Intracellular reactive oxygen species as well as the exposure to harsh environmental conditions can cause, in the single chromosome of Bacillus subtilis spores, the formation of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites and strand breaks whose repair during outgrowth is crucial to guarantee cell viability. Whereas double-stranded breaks are mended by the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) system composed of an ATP-dependent DNA Ligase D (LigD) and the DNA-end-binding protein Ku, repair of AP sites would rely on an AP endonuclease or an AP-lyase, a polymerase and a ligase. Here we show that B. subtilis Ku (BsuKu), along with its pivotal role in allowing joining of two broken ends by B. subtilis LigD (BsuLigD), is endowed with an AP/deoxyribose 5'-phosphate (5'-dRP)-lyase activity that can act on ssDNA, nicked molecules and DNA molecules without ends, suggesting a potential role in BER during spore outgrowth. Coordination with BsuLigD makes possible the efficient joining of DNA ends with near terminal abasic sites. The role of this new enzymatic activity of Ku and its potential importance in the NHEJ pathway is discussed. The presence of an AP-lyase activity also in the homolog protein from the distantly related bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa allows us to expand our results to other bacterial Ku proteins.

Crosstalk between translesion synthesis, Fanconi anemia network, and homologous recombination repair pathways in interstrand DNA crosslink repair and development of chemoresistance

Bifunctional alkylating and platinum based drugs are chemotherapeutic agents used to treat cancer. These agents induce DNA adducts via formation of intrastrand or interstrand (ICL) DNA crosslinks, and DNA lesions of the ICL type are particularly toxic as they block DNA replication and/or DNA transcription. However, the therapeutic efficacies of these drugs are frequently limited due to the cancer cell's enhanced ability to repair and tolerate these toxic DNA lesions. This ability to tolerate and survive the DNA damage is accomplished by a set of specialized low fidelity DNA polymerases called translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerases since high fidelity DNA polymerases are unable to replicate the damaged DNA template. TLS is a crucial initial step in ICL repair as it synthesizes DNA across the lesion thus preparing the damaged DNA template for repair by the homologous recombination (HR) pathway and Fanconi anemia (FA) network, processes critical for ICL repair. Here we review the molecular features and functional roles of TLS polymerases, discuss the collaborative interactions and cross-regulation of the TLS DNA damage tolerance pathway, the FA network and the BRCA-dependent HRR pathway, and the impact of TLS hyperactivation on development of chemoresistance. Finally, since TLS hyperactivation results from overexpression of Rad6/Rad18 ubiquitinating enzymes (fundamental components of the TLS pathway), increased PCNA ubiquitination, and/or increased recruitment of TLS polymerases, the potential benefits of selectively targeting critical components of the TLS pathway for enhancing anti-cancer therapeutic efficacy and curtailing chemotherapy-induced mutagenesis are also discussed.

Chromosomal instability (CIN): what it is and why it is crucial to cancer evolution

Results of various cancer genome sequencing projects have "unexpectedly" challenged the framework of the current somatic gene mutation theory of cancer. The prevalence of diverse genetic heterogeneity observed in cancer questions the strategy of focusing on contributions of individual gene mutations. Much of the genetic heterogeneity in tumors is due to chromosomal instability (CIN), a predominant hallmark of cancer. Multiple molecular mechanisms have been attributed to CIN but unifying these often conflicting mechanisms into one general mechanism has been challenging. In this review, we discuss multiple aspects of CIN including its definitions, methods of measuring, and some common misconceptions. We then apply the genome-based evolutionary theory to propose a general mechanism for CIN to unify the diverse molecular causes. In this new evolutionary framework, CIN represents a system behavior of a stress response with adaptive advantages but also serves as a new potential cause of further destabilization of the genome. Following a brief review about the newly realized functions of chromosomes that defines system inheritance and creates new genomes, we discuss the ultimate importance of CIN in cancer evolution. Finally, a number of confusing issues regarding CIN are explained in light of the evolutionary function of CIN.

PrimPol-A new polymerase on the block

The DNA-directed primase-polymerase PrimPol of the archaeo-eukaryotic primase superfamily represents an ancient solution to the many problems faced during genome duplication. This versatile enzyme is capable of initiating de novo DNA/RNA synthesis, DNA chain elongation, and has the capacity to bypass modifications that stall the replisome by trans-lesion synthesis or origin-independent re-priming, thus allowing discontinuous synthesis of the leading strand. Recent studies have shown that PrimPol is an important new player in replication fork progression in eukaryotic cells; this review summarizes our current understanding of PrimPol and highlights important questions that remain to be addressed.

Tumor heterogeneity and personalized cancer medicine: are we being outnumbered?

Tumor heterogeneity is regarded as a major obstacle to successful personalized cancer medicine. The lack of reliable response assays reflective of in vivo tumor heterogeneity and associated resistance mechanisms hampers identification of reliable biomarkers. By contrast, oncogene addiction and paracrine signaling enable systemic responses despite tumor heterogeneity. This strengthens researchers in their efforts towards personalized cancer medicine. Given the fact that tumor heterogeneity is an integral part of cancer evolution, diagnostic tools need to be developed in order to better understand the dynamics within a tumor. Ultra-deep sequencing may reveal future resistant clones within a (liquid) tumor biopsy. On-treatment biopsies may provide insight into intrinsic or acquired drug resistance. Subsequently, upfront combinatorial treatment or sequential therapy strategies may forestall drug resistance and improve patient outcome. Finally, innovative response assays, such as organoid cultures or patient-derived tumor xenografts, provide an extra dimension to correlate molecular profiles with drug efficacy and control cancer growth.

Recombination and replication

The links between recombination and replication have been appreciated for decades and it is now generally accepted that these two fundamental aspects of DNA metabolism are inseparable: Homologous recombination is essential for completion of DNA replication and vice versa. This review focuses on the roles that recombination enzymes play in underpinning genome duplication, aiding replication fork movement in the face of the many replisome barriers that challenge genome stability. These links have many conserved features across all domains of life, reflecting the conserved nature of the substrate for these reactions, DNA.

DNA repair deficiency in peripheral blood lymphocytes of endometrial cancer patients with a family history of cancer

BACKGROUND

Individual susceptibility to endogenous and/or exogenous DNA damage depends on DNA repair efficiency and can be evaluated using the comet assay with bleomycin as genotoxic agent. The aim of the study was to evaluate baseline and bleomycin-induced DNA damage and DNA repair capacity in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of endometrial cancer (EC) patients considering a family history of cancer.

METHODS

DNA damage was analyzed in PBLs of 45 EC patients compared to a control group of 10 healthy women, using the comet assay. The level of DNA damage was determined by the% tail DNA.

RESULTS

The level of baseline DNA damage in PBLs of EC patients was significantly higher (% DNA in tail 9.31 ± 15.32) than in healthy women (% DNA in tail 3.41 ± 4.71) (P <0.01). PBLs of EC patients repaired less bleomycin-induced DNA damage (removed% DNA in tail 63.94 ± 20.92) than PBLs of healthy individuals (removed% DNA in tail 80.24 ± 3.03) (P <0.001). Efficiency of DNA repair in PBLs of EC patients depended on the family history of cancer. The amount of restored damaged DNA was significantly lower (removed% DNA in tail 36.24 ± 14.05%) in EC patients with a family history of cancer compared to patients with sporadic EC (removed% DNA in tail 64.91 ± 19.36%) (P <0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphocytes of EC patients are characterized by an increased basal level of DNA damage as well as deficiency in DNA repair. DNA repair is less efficient in PBLs of EC patients with a family history of cancer compared to patients with sporadic cancer.