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Djos A, Thombare K, Vaid R, Gaarder J, Umapathy G, Reinsbach SE, Georgantzi K, Stenman J, Carén H, Ek T, Mondal T, Kogner P, Martinsson T, Fransson S. Telomere Maintenance Mechanisms in a Cohort of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Tumors and Its Relation to Genomic Variants in the TERT and ATRX Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5732. [PMID: 38136279 PMCID: PMC10741428 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells are hallmarked by their capacity to undergo unlimited cell divisions, commonly accomplished either by mechanisms that activate TERT or through the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway. Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous pediatric cancer, and the aim of this study was to characterize telomere maintenance mechanisms in a high-risk neuroblastoma cohort. All tumor samples were profiled with SNP microarrays and, when material was available, subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Telomere length was estimated from WGS data, samples were assayed for the ALT biomarker c-circles, and selected samples were subjected to methylation array analysis. Samples with ATRX aberration in this study were positive for c-circles, whereas samples with either MYCN amplification or TERT re-arrangement were negative for c-circles. Both ATRX aberrations and TERT re-arrangement were enriched in 11q-deleted samples. An association between older age at diagnosis and 1q-deletion was found in the ALT-positive group. TERT was frequently placed in juxtaposition to a previously established gene in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis or cancer in general. Given the importance of high-risk neuroblastoma, means for mitigating active telomere maintenance must be therapeutically explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Djos
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Ketan Thombare
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Roshan Vaid
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Jennie Gaarder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Susanne E. Reinsbach
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Kleopatra Georgantzi
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.); (J.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Jakob Stenman
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.); (J.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Helena Carén
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Torben Ek
- Children’s Cancer Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41650 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Tanmoy Mondal
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Kogner
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (K.G.); (J.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Tommy Martinsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Susanne Fransson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; (A.D.); (K.T.); (R.V.); (J.G.); (G.U.); (T.M.); (T.M.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Casari E, Gnugnoli M, Rinaldi C, Pizzul P, Colombo CV, Bonetti D, Longhese MP. To Fix or Not to Fix: Maintenance of Chromosome Ends Versus Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203224. [PMID: 36291091 PMCID: PMC9601279 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Early work by Muller and McClintock discovered that the physical ends of linear chromosomes, named telomeres, possess an inherent ability to escape unwarranted fusions. Since then, extensive research has shown that this special feature relies on specialized proteins and structural properties that confer identity to the chromosome ends, thus allowing cells to distinguish them from intrachromosomal DNA double-strand breaks. Due to the inability of conventional DNA replication to fully replicate the chromosome ends and the downregulation of telomerase in most somatic human tissues, telomeres shorten as cells divide and lose this protective capacity. Telomere attrition causes the activation of the DNA damage checkpoint that leads to a cell-cycle arrest and the entering of cells into a nondividing state, called replicative senescence, that acts as a barrier against tumorigenesis. However, downregulation of the checkpoint overcomes this barrier and leads to further genomic instability that, if coupled with re-stabilization of telomeres, can drive tumorigenesis. This review focuses on the key experiments that have been performed in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae to uncover the mechanisms that protect the chromosome ends from eliciting a DNA damage response, the conservation of these pathways in mammals, as well as the consequences of their loss in human cancer.
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Spivakovsky-Gonzalez E, Polleys EJ, Masnovo C, Cebrian J, Molina-Vargas AM, Freudenreich CH, Mirkin SM. Rad9-mediated checkpoint activation is responsible for elevated expansions of GAA repeats in CST-deficient yeast. Genetics 2021; 219:6343461. [PMID: 34849883 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale expansion of (GAA)n repeats in the first intron of the FXN gene is responsible for the severe neurodegenerative disease, Friedreich's ataxia in humans. We have previously conducted an unbiased genetic screen for GAA repeat instability in a yeast experimental system. The majority of genes that came from this screen encoded the components of DNA replication machinery, strongly implying that replication irregularities are at the heart of GAA repeat expansions. This screen, however, also produced two unexpected hits: members of the CST complex, CDC13 and TEN1 genes, which are required for telomere maintenance. To understand how the CST complex could affect intra-chromosomal GAA repeats, we studied the well-characterized temperature-sensitive cdc13-1 mutation and its effects on GAA repeat instability in yeast. We found that in-line with the screen results, this mutation leads to ∼10-fold increase in the rate of large-scale expansions of the (GAA)100 repeat at semi-permissive temperature. Unexpectedly, the hyper-expansion phenotype of the cdc13-1 mutant largely depends on activation of the G2/M checkpoint, as deletions of individual genes RAD9, MEC1, RAD53, and EXO1 belonging to this pathway rescued the increased GAA expansions. Furthermore, the hyper-expansion phenotype of the cdc13-1 mutant depended on the subunit of DNA polymerase δ, Pol32. We hypothesize, therefore, that increased repeat expansions in the cdc13-1 mutant happen during post-replicative repair of nicks or small gaps within repetitive tracts during the G2 phase of the cell cycle upon activation of the G2/M checkpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erica J Polleys
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Chiara Masnovo
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Jorge Cebrian
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, CIBERCV, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Adrian M Molina-Vargas
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | | | - Sergei M Mirkin
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
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Bonnell E, Pasquier E, Wellinger RJ. Telomere Replication: Solving Multiple End Replication Problems. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668171. [PMID: 33869233 PMCID: PMC8047117 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are highly complex and divided into linear chromosomes that require end protection from unwarranted fusions, recombination, and degradation in order to maintain genomic stability. This is accomplished through the conserved specialized nucleoprotein structure of telomeres. Due to the repetitive nature of telomeric DNA, and the unusual terminal structure, namely a protruding single stranded 3' DNA end, completing telomeric DNA replication in a timely and efficient manner is a challenge. For example, the end replication problem causes a progressive shortening of telomeric DNA at each round of DNA replication, thus telomeres eventually lose their protective capacity. This phenomenon is counteracted by the recruitment and the activation at telomeres of the specialized reverse transcriptase telomerase. Despite the importance of telomerase in providing a mechanism for complete replication of telomeric ends, the majority of telomere replication is in fact carried out by the conventional DNA replication machinery. There is significant evidence demonstrating that progression of replication forks is hampered at chromosomal ends due to telomeric sequences prone to form secondary structures, tightly DNA-bound proteins, and the heterochromatic nature of telomeres. The telomeric loop (t-loop) formed by invasion of the 3'-end into telomeric duplex sequences may also impede the passage of replication fork. Replication fork stalling can lead to fork collapse and DNA breaks, a major cause of genomic instability triggered notably by unwanted repair events. Moreover, at chromosomal ends, unreplicated DNA distal to a stalled fork cannot be rescued by a fork coming from the opposite direction. This highlights the importance of the multiple mechanisms involved in overcoming fork progression obstacles at telomeres. Consequently, numerous factors participate in efficient telomeric DNA duplication by preventing replication fork stalling or promoting the restart of a stalled replication fork at telomeres. In this review, we will discuss difficulties associated with the passage of the replication fork through telomeres in both fission and budding yeasts as well as mammals, highlighting conserved mechanisms implicated in maintaining telomere integrity during replication, thus preserving a stable genome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Raymund J. Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cancer Research Pavilion, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mus81-Mms4 prevents accelerated senescence in telomerase-deficient cells. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008816. [PMID: 32469862 PMCID: PMC7286520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) in human cells is a conserved process that is often activated in telomerase-deficient human cancers. This process exploits components of the recombination machinery to extend telomere ends, thus allowing for increased proliferative potential. Human MUS81 (Mus81 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is the catalytic subunit of structure-selective endonucleases involved in recombination and has been implicated in the ALT mechanism. However, it is unclear whether MUS81 activity at the telomere is specific to ALT cells or if it is required for more general aspects of telomere stability. In this study, we use S. cerevisiae to evaluate the contribution of the conserved Mus81-Mms4 endonuclease in telomerase-deficient yeast cells that maintain their telomeres by mechanisms akin to human ALT. Similar to human cells, we find that yeast Mus81 readily localizes to telomeres and its activity is important for viability after initial loss of telomerase. Interestingly, our analysis reveals that yeast Mus81 is not required for the survival of cells undergoing recombination-mediated telomere lengthening, i.e. for ALT itself. Rather we infer from genetic analysis that Mus81-Mms4 facilitates telomere replication during times of telomere instability. Furthermore, combining mus81 mutants with mutants of a yeast telomere replication factor, Rrm3, reveals that the two proteins function in parallel to promote normal growth during times of telomere stress. Combined with previous reports, our data can be interpreted in a consistent model in which both yeast and human MUS81-dependent nucleases participate in the recovery of stalled replication forks within telomeric DNA. Furthermore, this process becomes crucial under conditions of additional replication stress, such as telomere replication in telomerase-deficient cells. Cancer cell divisions require active chromosome lengthening through extension of their highly repetitive ends, called telomeres. This process is accomplished through two main mechanisms: the activity of an RNA-protein complex, telomerase, or through a telomerase-independent process termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Human MUS81, the catalytic subunit of a set of structure-selective endonucleases, was found to be essential in human cells undergoing ALT and proposed to be directly involved in telomere lengthening. Using telomerase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells as a model for ALT, we tested the hypothesis that Mus81-Mms4, the budding yeast homolog of human MUS81-dependent nucleases, is essential for telomere lengthening as proposed for human cells. Using genetic and molecular assays we confirm that Mus81-Mms4 is involved in telomere metabolism in yeast. However, to our surprise, we find that Mus81-Mms4 is not directly involved in recombination-based mechanisms of telomere lengthening. Rather it appears that Mus81-Mms4 is involved in resolving replication stress at telomeres, which is augmented in cells undergoing telomere instability. This model is consistent with observations in mammalian cells and suggest that cells undergoing telomere shortening experience replication stress at telomeres.
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Functional interplay between the oxidative stress response and DNA damage checkpoint signaling for genome maintenance in aerobic organisms. J Microbiol 2019; 58:81-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s12275-020-9520-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Xu Z, Teixeira MT. The many types of heterogeneity in replicative senescence. Yeast 2019; 36:637-648. [PMID: 31306505 PMCID: PMC6900063 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Replicative senescence, which is induced by telomere shortening, underlies the loss of regeneration capacity of organs and is ultimately detrimental to the organism. At the same time, it is required to protect organisms from unlimited cell proliferation that may arise from numerous stimuli or deregulations. One important feature of replicative senescence is its high level of heterogeneity and asynchrony, which promote genome instability and senescence escape. Characterizing this heterogeneity and investigating its sources are thus critical to understanding the robustness of replicative senescence. Here we review the different aspects of senescence driven by telomere attrition that are subject to variation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the current understanding of the molecular processes at play, and the consequences of heterogeneity in replicative senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Xu
- CNRS, UMR7238, Institut de Biologie Paris‐Seine, Laboratory of Computational and Quantitative BiologySorbonne UniversitéParisFrance
| | - Maria Teresa Teixeira
- CNRS, UMR8226, Institut de Biologie Physico‐Chimique, Laboratory of Molecular and Cell Biology of EukaryotesSorbonne Université, PSL Research UniversityParisFrance
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Kyriakou D, Stavrou E, Demosthenous P, Angelidou G, San Luis BJ, Boone C, Promponas VJ, Kirmizis A. Functional characterisation of long intergenic non-coding RNAs through genetic interaction profiling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. BMC Biol 2016; 14:106. [PMID: 27927215 PMCID: PMC5142380 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-016-0325-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcriptome studies have revealed that many eukaryotic genomes are pervasively transcribed producing numerous long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, only a few lncRNAs have been ascribed a cellular role thus far, with most regulating the expression of adjacent genes. Even less lncRNAs have been annotated as essential hence implying that the majority may be functionally redundant. Therefore, the function of lncRNAs could be illuminated through systematic analysis of their synthetic genetic interactions (GIs). RESULTS Here, we employ synthetic genetic array (SGA) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify GIs between long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) and protein-coding genes. We first validate this approach by demonstrating that the telomerase RNA TLC1 displays a GI network that corresponds to its well-described function in telomere length maintenance. We subsequently performed SGA screens on a set of uncharacterised lincRNAs and uncover their connection to diverse cellular processes. One of these lincRNAs, SUT457, exhibits a GI profile associating it to telomere organisation and we consistently demonstrate that SUT457 is required for telomeric overhang homeostasis through an Exo1-dependent pathway. Furthermore, the GI profile of SUT457 is distinct from that of its neighbouring genes suggesting a function independent to its genomic location. Accordingly, we show that ectopic expression of this lincRNA suppresses telomeric overhang accumulation in sut457Δ cells assigning a trans-acting role for SUT457 in telomere biology. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our work proposes that systematic application of this genetic approach could determine the functional significance of individual lncRNAs in yeast and other complex organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Kyriakou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, CY-1678, Cyprus
| | - Emmanouil Stavrou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, CY-1678, Cyprus
| | | | - Georgia Angelidou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, CY-1678, Cyprus
| | - Bryan-Joseph San Luis
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Charles Boone
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Vasilis J Promponas
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, CY-1678, Cyprus
| | - Antonis Kirmizis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, CY-1678, Cyprus.
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Simon MN, Churikov D, Géli V. Replication stress as a source of telomere recombination during replicative senescence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. FEMS Yeast Res 2016; 16:fow085. [PMID: 27683094 DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/fow085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Replicative senescence is triggered by short unprotected telomeres that arise in the absence of telomerase. In addition, telomeres are known as difficult regions to replicate due to their repetitive G-rich sequence prone to secondary structures and tightly bound non-histone proteins. Here we review accumulating evidence that telomerase inactivation in yeast immediately unmasks the problems associated with replication stress at telomeres. Early after telomerase inactivation, yeast cells undergo successive rounds of stochastic DNA damages and become dependent on recombination for viability long before the bulk of telomeres are getting critically short. The switch from telomerase to recombination to repair replication stress-induced damage at telomeres creates telomere instability, which may drive further genomic alterations and prepare the ground for telomerase-independent immortalization observed in yeast survivors and in 15% of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Noëlle Simon
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, 'Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer', Inserm U1068, Marseille F-13009, France; CNRS, UMR7258, Marseille F-13009; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille F-13009, France; Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, Marseille F-13284, France
| | - Dmitri Churikov
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, 'Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer', Inserm U1068, Marseille F-13009, France; CNRS, UMR7258, Marseille F-13009; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille F-13009, France; Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, Marseille F-13284, France
| | - Vincent Géli
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, 'Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer', Inserm U1068, Marseille F-13009, France; CNRS, UMR7258, Marseille F-13009; Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille F-13009, France; Aix-Marseille University, UM 105, Marseille F-13284, France
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Goto GH, Zencir S, Hirano Y, Ogi H, Ivessa A, Sugimoto K. Binding of Multiple Rap1 Proteins Stimulates Chromosome Breakage Induction during DNA Replication. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005283. [PMID: 26263073 PMCID: PMC4532487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres, the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes, have a specialized chromatin structure that provides a stable chromosomal terminus. In budding yeast Rap1 protein binds to telomeric TG repeat and negatively regulates telomere length. Here we show that binding of multiple Rap1 proteins stimulates DNA double-stranded break (DSB) induction at both telomeric and non-telomeric regions. Consistent with the role of DSB induction, Rap1 stimulates nearby recombination events in a dosage-dependent manner. Rap1 recruits Rif1 and Rif2 to telomeres, but neither Rif1 nor Rif2 is required for DSB induction. Rap1-mediated DSB induction involves replication fork progression but inactivation of checkpoint kinase Mec1 does not affect DSB induction. Rap1 tethering shortens artificially elongated telomeres in parallel with telomerase inhibition, and this telomere shortening does not require homologous recombination. These results suggest that Rap1 contributes to telomere homeostasis by promoting chromosome breakage. Telomere length is maintained primarily through equilibrium between telomerase-mediated lengthening and the loss of telomeric sequence through the end-replication problem. In budding yeast Rap1 protein binds to telomeric TG repeat and negatively regulates telomerase recruitment in a dosage-dependent manner. In this paper we provide evidence suggesting an alternative Rap1-dependent telomere shortening mechanism in which binding of multiple Rap1 proteins mediates DNA break induction during DNA replication. This process does not involve recombination events; therefore, it is distinct from loop-mediated telomere trimming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greicy H. Goto
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Sevil Zencir
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Yukinori Hirano
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Hiroo Ogi
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Andreas Ivessa
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Katsunori Sugimoto
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Fallet E, Jolivet P, Soudet J, Lisby M, Gilson E, Teixeira MT. Length-dependent processing of telomeres in the absence of telomerase. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:3648-65. [PMID: 24393774 PMCID: PMC3973311 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In the absence of telomerase, telomeres progressively shorten with every round of DNA replication, leading to replicative senescence. In telomerase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the shortest telomere triggers the onset of senescence by activating the DNA damage checkpoint and recruiting homologous recombination (HR) factors. Yet, the molecular structures that trigger this checkpoint and the mechanisms of repair have remained elusive. By tracking individual telomeres, we show that telomeres are subjected to different pathways depending on their length. We first demonstrate a progressive accumulation of subtelomeric single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) through 5'-3' resection as telomeres shorten. Thus, exposure of subtelomeric ssDNA could be the signal for cell cycle arrest in senescence. Strikingly, early after loss of telomerase, HR counteracts subtelomeric ssDNA accumulation rather than elongates telomeres. We then asked whether replication repair pathways contribute to this mechanism. We uncovered that Rad5, a DNA helicase/Ubiquitin ligase of the error-free branch of the DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathway, associates with native telomeres and cooperates with HR in senescent cells. We propose that DDT acts in a length-independent manner, whereas an HR-based repair using the sister chromatid as a template buffers precocious 5'-3' resection at the shortest telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Fallet
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire des Eucaryotes, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, FRE3354, 75005 Paris, France, Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire de la Cellule, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université de Lyon 1, UMR5239, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN), University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, CNRS UMR7284/INSERM U1081, Faculty of Medicine, Nice F-06107, France and Department of Medical Genetics, CHU Nice, 06202 Nice cedex 3, France
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Teixeira MT. Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a Model to Study Replicative Senescence Triggered by Telomere Shortening. Front Oncol 2013; 3:101. [PMID: 23638436 PMCID: PMC3636481 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In many somatic human tissues, telomeres shorten progressively because of the DNA-end replication problem. Consequently, cells cease to proliferate and are maintained in a metabolically viable state called replicative senescence. These cells are characterized by an activation of DNA damage checkpoints stemming from eroded telomeres, which are bypassed in many cancer cells. Hence, replicative senescence has been considered one of the most potent tumor suppressor pathways. However, the mechanism through which short telomeres trigger this cellular response is far from being understood. When telomerase is removed experimentally in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, telomere shortening also results in a gradual arrest of population growth, suggesting that replicative senescence also occurs in this unicellular eukaryote. In this review, we present the key steps that have contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the establishment of replicative senescence in budding yeast. As in mammals, signals stemming from short telomeres activate the DNA damage checkpoints, suggesting that the early cellular response to the shortest telomere(s) is conserved in evolution. Yet closer analysis reveals a complex picture in which the apparent single checkpoint response may result from a variety of telomeric alterations expressed in the absence of telomerase. Accordingly, the DNA replication of eroding telomeres appears as a critical challenge for senescing budding yeast cells and the easy manipulation of S. cerevisiae is providing insights into the way short telomeres are integrated into their chromatin and nuclear environments. Finally, the loss of telomerase in budding yeast triggers a more general metabolic alteration that remains largely unexplored. Thus, telomerase-deficient S. cerevisiae cells may have more common points than anticipated with somatic cells, in which telomerase depletion is naturally programed, thus potentially inspiring investigations in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Teresa Teixeira
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire des Eucaryotes, FRE3354 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique Paris, France
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13
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Abstract
The eukaryotic cell replicates its chromosomal DNA with almost absolute fidelity in the course of every cell cycle. This accomplishment is remarkable considering that the conditions for DNA replication are rarely ideal. The replication machinery encounters a variety of obstacles on the chromosome, including damaged template DNA. In addition, a number of chromosome regions are considered to be difficult to replicate owing to DNA secondary structures and DNA binding proteins required for various transactions on the chromosome. Under these conditions, replication forks stall or break, posing grave threats to genomic integrity. How does the cell combat such stressful conditions during DNA replication? The replication fork protection complex (FPC) may help answer this question. Recent studies have demonstrated that the FPC is required for the smooth passage of replication forks at difficult-to-replicate genomic regions and plays a critical role in coordinating multiple genome maintenance processes at the replication fork.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam R. Leman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Eishi Noguchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA USA
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14
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Zhang Y, Shishkin AA, Nishida Y, Marcinkowski-Desmond D, Saini N, Volkov KV, Mirkin SM, Lobachev KS. Genome-wide screen identifies pathways that govern GAA/TTC repeat fragility and expansions in dividing and nondividing yeast cells. Mol Cell 2012; 48:254-65. [PMID: 22959270 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Revised: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Triplex structure-forming GAA/TTC repeats pose a dual threat to the eukaryotic genome integrity. Their potential to expand can lead to gene inactivation, the cause of Friedreich's ataxia disease in humans. In model systems, long GAA/TTC tracts also act as chromosomal fragile sites that can trigger gross chromosomal rearrangements. The mechanisms that regulate the metabolism of GAA/TTC repeats are poorly understood. We have developed an experimental system in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that allows us to systematically identify genes crucial for maintaining the repeat stability. Two major groups of mutants defective in DNA replication or transcription initiation are found to be prone to fragility and large-scale expansions. We demonstrate that problems imposed by the repeats during DNA replication in actively dividing cells and during transcription initiation in nondividing cells can culminate in genome instability. We propose that similar mechanisms can mediate detrimental metabolism of GAA/TTC tracts in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- School of Biology and Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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15
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Leman AR, Dheekollu J, Deng Z, Lee SW, Das MM, Lieberman PM, Noguchi E. Timeless preserves telomere length by promoting efficient DNA replication through human telomeres. Cell Cycle 2012; 11:2337-47. [PMID: 22672906 PMCID: PMC3383593 DOI: 10.4161/cc.20810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of telomere protection programs are utilized to preserve telomere structure. However, the complex nature of telomere maintenance remains elusive. The Timeless protein associates with the replication fork and is thought to support efficient progression of the replication fork through natural impediments, including replication fork block sites. However, the mechanism by which Timeless regulates such genomic regions is not understood. Here, we report the role of Timeless in telomere length maintenance. We demonstrate that Timeless depletion leads to telomere shortening in human cells. This length maintenance is independent of telomerase, and Timeless depletion causes increased levels of DNA damage, leading to telomere aberrations. We also show that Timeless is associated with Shelterin components TRF1 and TRF2. Timeless depletion slows telomere replication in vitro, and Timeless-depleted cells fail to maintain TRF1-mediated accumulation of replisome components at telomeric regions. Furthermore, telomere replication undergoes a dramatic delay in Timeless-depleted cells. These results suggest that Timeless functions together with TRF1 to prevent fork collapse at telomere repeat DNA and ensure stable maintenance of telomere length and integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam R. Leman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | | | - Zhong Deng
- The Wistar Institute; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Seung Woo Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Mukund M. Das
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | | | - Eishi Noguchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Drexel University College of Medicine; Philadelphia, PA USA
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16
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Recombination can either help maintain very short telomeres or generate longer telomeres in yeast cells with weak telomerase activity. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2011; 10:1131-42. [PMID: 21666075 DOI: 10.1128/ec.05079-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Yeast mutants lacking telomerase are able to elongate their telomeres through processes involving homologous recombination. In this study, we investigated telomeric recombination in several mutants that normally maintain very short telomeres due to the presence of a partially functional telomerase. The abnormal colony morphology present in some mutants was correlated with especially short average telomere length and with a requirement for RAD52 for indefinite growth. Better-growing derivatives of some of the mutants were occasionally observed and were found to have substantially elongated telomeres. These telomeres were composed of alternating patterns of mutationally tagged telomeric repeats and wild-type repeats, an outcome consistent with amplification occurring via recombination rather than telomerase. Our results suggest that recombination at telomeres can produce two distinct outcomes in the mutants we studied. In occasional cells, recombination generates substantially longer telomeres, apparently through the roll-and-spread mechanism. However, in most cells, recombination appears limited to helping to maintain very short telomeres. The latter outcome likely represents a simplified form of recombinational telomere maintenance that is independent of the generation and copying of telomeric circles.
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17
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Locovei AM, Yin L, D'Urso G. A genetic screen for replication initiation defective (rid) mutants in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Cell Div 2010; 5:20. [PMID: 20799962 PMCID: PMC2940899 DOI: 10.1186/1747-1028-5-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In fission yeast the intra-S phase and DNA damage checkpoints are activated in response to inhibition of DNA replication or DNA damage, respectively. The intra-S phase checkpoint responds to stalled replication forks leading to the activation of the Cds1 kinase that both delays cell cycle progression and stabilizes DNA replication forks. The DNA damage checkpoint, that operates during the G2 phase of the cell cycle delays mitotic progression through activation of the checkpoint kinase, Chk1. Delay of the cell cycle is believed to be essential to allow time for either replication restart (in S phase) or DNA damage repair (in G2). Previously, our laboratory showed that fission yeast cells deleted for the N-terminal half of DNA polymerase ε (Cdc20) are delayed in S phase, but surprisingly require Chk1 rather than Cds1 to maintain cell viability. Several additional DNA replication mutants were then tested for their dependency on Chk1 or Cds1 when grown under semi-permissive temperatures. We discovered that mutants defective in DNA replication initiation are sensitive only to loss of Chk1, whilst mutations that inhibit DNA replication elongation are sensitive to loss of both Cds1 and Chk1. To confirm that the Chk1-sensitive, Cds1-insensitive phenotype (rid phenotype) is specific to mutants defective in DNA replication initiation, we completed a genetic screen for cell cycle mutants that require Chk1, but not Cds1 to maintain cell viability when grown at semi-permissive temperatures. Our screen identified two mutants, rid1-1 and rid2-1, that are defective in Orc1 and Mcm4, respectively. Both mutants show defects in DNA replication initiation consistent with our hypothesis that the rid phenotype is replication initiation specific. In the case of Mcm4, the mutation has been mapped to a highly conserved region of the protein that appears to be required for DNA replication initiation, but not elongation. Therefore, we conclude that the cellular response to inhibition of DNA replication initiation is distinct from blocking DNA replication elongation, and this difference can be exploited to identify mutants specifically defective in DNA replication initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Locovei
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Phamacology, University of Miami School of Medicine PO Box 016189, Miami, FL 33140, USA.
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18
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Discovery of candidate genes and pathways that may help explain fertility cycle stage dependent post-resection breast cancer outcome. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2008; 118:345-59. [PMID: 19051007 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-008-0253-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer relapse and death occur more often and sooner among young pre-menopausal women. Breast cancer resected during luteal phase cures about a quarter more women than if the operation is performed during follicular phase. We have identified candidate breast cancer gene signatures that may point to the potential mechanisms of cycle stage-dependent surgical cure. We performed whole murine genome microarrays on mammary tumors resected during pre-ovulatory (diestrus, follicular) and post-ovulatory (estrus, luteal) phases of the estrous cycle with known post-surgical cure or relapse (pulmonary metastasis) outcome. A set of genes whose expressions are differentially modulated by fertility cycle stage of tumor resection and also associate with prognosis were identified. These identified genes were validated by qRT-PCR. From two independent microarray studies, we identified 90 genes in mammary tumors whose expressions change significantly (up to 100-fold) across the estrous cycle, 69 genes that are associated with cure/relapse independent of cycle stage at resection, and 24 genes that change significantly (up to 12-fold) across the estrous cycle and also associate with the outcome. The mRNA expression patterns of these 24 identified genes were 100% validated by qRT-PCR in the same samples. We have identified candidate breast cancer genes and pathways that may point to the potential mechanisms by which the post-resection breast cancer outcome is influenced by the menstrual cycle phase of cancer resection. Since human breast cancer outcome is influenced by the menstrual cycle phase of breast cancer resection, we consider this study in a mouse breast cancer model to be a proof of principle that such signatures may well exist in human premenopausal breast cancer. It remains to be determined in human breast cancer whether woman to woman and/or tumor to tumor variability will mask cycle phase dependent and outcome predictive genomic signatures in human premenopausal breast cancer. The pathways identified by these studies are potential targets for the development of peri-surgical neoadjuvant therapies, which may delay or prevent relapse by preventing dormant micrometastatic tumor cells from escaping that dormant state post-operatively.
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19
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Abstract
The ends of eukaryotic chromosomes have long been defined as structures that must avoid being detected as DNA breaks. They are protected from checkpoints, homologous recombination, end-to-end fusions, or other events that normally promote repair of intrachromosomal DNA breaks. This differentiation is thought to be the consequence of a unique organization of chromosomal ends into specialized nucleoprotein complexes called telomeres. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that proteins governing the DNA damage response are intimately involved in the regulation of telomeres, which undergo processing and structural changes that elicit a transient DNA damage response. This suggests that functional telomeres can be recognized as DNA breaks during a temporally limited window, indicating that the difference between a break and a telomere is less defined than previously assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Longhese
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
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20
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Grandin N, Charbonneau M. Protection against chromosome degradation at the telomeres. Biochimie 2008; 90:41-59. [PMID: 17764802 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2007] [Accepted: 07/17/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres, the ends of linear chromosomes, contain repeated TG-rich sequences which, in dividing cells, must be constantly replenished in order to avoid chromosome erosion and, hence, genomic instability. Moreover, unprotected telomeres are prone to end-to-end fusions. Telomerase, a specialized reverse transcriptase with a built-in RNA template, or, in the absence of telomerase, alternative pathways of telomere maintenance are required for continuous cell proliferation in actively dividing cells as well as in cancerous cells emerging in deregulated somatic tissues. The challenge is to keep these free DNA ends masked from the nucleolytic attacks that will readily operate on any DNA double-strand break in the cell, while also allowing the recruitment of telomerase at intervals. Specialized telomeric proteins, as well as DNA repair and checkpoint proteins with a dual role in telomere maintenance and DNA damage signaling/repair, protect the telomere ends from degradation and some of them also function in telomerase recruitment or other aspects of telomere length homeostasis. Phosphorylation of some telomeric proteins by checkpoint protein kinases appears to represent a mode of regulation of telomeric mechanisms. Finally, recent studies have allowed starting to understand the coupling between progression of the replication forks through telomeric regions and the subsequent telomere replication by telomerase, as well as retroaction of telomerase in cis on the firing of nearby replication origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Grandin
- UMR CNRS no. 5239, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, IFR128 BioSciences Gerland-Lyon Sud, 46, allée d'Italie, 69364 Lyon, France
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Hodgson B, Calzada A, Labib K. Mrc1 and Tof1 regulate DNA replication forks in different ways during normal S phase. Mol Biol Cell 2007; 18:3894-902. [PMID: 17652453 PMCID: PMC1995724 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e07-05-0500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mrc1 and Tof1 proteins are conserved throughout evolution, and in budding yeast they are known to associate with the MCM helicase and regulate the progression of DNA replication forks. Previous work has shown that Mrc1 is important for the activation of checkpoint kinases in responses to defects in S phase, but both Mrc1 and Tof1 also regulate the normal process of chromosome replication. Here, we show that these two important factors control the normal progression of DNA replication forks in distinct ways. The rate of progression of DNA replication forks is greatly reduced in the absence of Mrc1 but much less affected by loss of Tof1. In contrast, Tof1 is critical for DNA replication forks to pause at diverse chromosomal sites where nonnucleosomal proteins bind very tightly to DNA, and this role is not shared with Mrc1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Hodgson
- *Cancer Research U.K., Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and
| | - Arturo Calzada
- Cancer Research Institute, Fundación Investigación del Cáncer-Universidad de Salamanca/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Karim Labib
- *Cancer Research U.K., Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, United Kingdom; and
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Tsolou A, Lydall D. Mrc1 protects uncapped budding yeast telomeres from exonuclease EXO1. DNA Repair (Amst) 2007; 6:1607-17. [PMID: 17618841 PMCID: PMC2077361 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2007.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2007] [Revised: 05/18/2007] [Accepted: 05/22/2007] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mrc1 (Mediator of Replication Checkpoint 1) is a component of the DNA replication fork machinery and is necessary for checkpoint activation after replication stress. In this study, we addressed the role of Mrc1 at uncapped telomeres. Our experiments show that Mrc1 contributes to the vitality of both cdc13-1 and yku70Δ telomere capping mutants. Cells with telomere capping defects containing MRC1 or mrc1AQ, a checkpoint defective allele, exhibit similar growth, suggesting growth defects of cdc13-1 mrc1Δ are not due to checkpoint defects. This is in accordance with Mrc1-independent Rad53 activation after telomere uncapping. Poor growth of cdc13-1 mutants in the absence of Mrc1 is a result of enhanced single stranded DNA accumulation at uncapped telomeres. Consistent with this, deletion of EXO1, encoding a nuclease that contributes to single stranded DNA accumulation after telomere uncapping, improves growth of cdc13-1 mrc1Δ strains and decreases ssDNA production. Our observations show that Mrc1, a core component of the replication fork, plays an important role in telomere capping, protecting from nucleases and checkpoint pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Lydall
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 191 256 3449; fax: +44 191 256 3445.
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