Striking similarity of the distribution patterns of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and DNA polymerase beta among various mouse organs

The PARP family: insights into functional aspects of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in cell growth and survival

PARP family members can be found spread across all domains and continue to be essential molecules from lower to higher eukaryotes. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), newly termed ADP-ribosyltransferase D-type 1 (ARTD1), is a ubiquitously expressed ADP-ribosyltransferase (ART) enzyme involved in key cellular processes such as DNA repair and cell death. This review assesses current developments in PARP-1 biology and activation signals for PARP-1, other than conventional DNA damage activation. Moreover, many essential functions of PARP-1 still remain elusive. PARP-1 is found to be involved in a myriad of cellular events via conservation of genomic integrity, chromatin dynamics and transcriptional regulation. This article briefly focuses on its other equally important overlooked functions during growth, metabolic regulation, spermatogenesis, embryogenesis, epigenetics and differentiation. Understanding the role of PARP-1, its multidimensional regulatory mechanisms in the cell and its dysregulation resulting in diseased states, will help in harnessing its true therapeutic potential.

Mutagenic effects of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 deficiency in transgenic mice

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (Parp1) plays a central role in the maintenance of genomic integrity and has been unequivocally associated to DNA base excision repair (BER) but its involvement in double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways remains unclear. In this work, using transgenic Parp1-deficient mice harbouring the lacZ reporter gene, we provide in vivo evidence that Parp1 contributes to the prevention of deletions/insertions in testis following an alkylation insult. In response to N-Methyl-N-Nitrosurea (MNU) treatment no significant difference in the mutant frequency (MF) in the liver and testis could be attributed to Parp1 status, given that both Parp1(+/+) and Parp1(-/-) mice showed a similar significant increase in the overall MF. However, restriction analysis of MNU-induced mutants evidenced a shift in the distribution of mutations between deletions/insertions and point mutations in testis, but not in the liver, dependent on the Parp1 status. A significant higher frequency of deletions/insertions was observed in testis from Parp1(-/-) in comparison to Parp1(+/+) mice, whereas point mutations were not significantly affected. Overall, our findings show that Parp1 participates in the prevention of deletions/insertions induced by methylating agents and that organ-specific factors may influence its capacity to protect against genotoxic damage.

Spatial and functional relationship between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase in the brain

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are members of a family of enzymes that utilize nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) as substrate to form large ADP-ribose polymers (PAR) in the nucleus. PAR has a very short half-life due to its rapid degradation by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG). PARP-1 mediates acute neuronal cell death induced by a variety of insults including cerebral ischemia, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinsonism, and CNS trauma. While PARP-1 is localized to the nucleus, PARG resides in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Surprisingly, there appears to be only one gene encoding PARG activity, which has been characterized in vitro to generate different splice variants, in contrast to the growing family of PARPs. Little is known regarding the spatial and functional relationships of PARG and PARP-1. Here we evaluate PARG expression in the brain and its cellular and subcellular distribution in relation to PARP-1. Anti-PARG (alpha-PARG) antibodies raised in rabbits using a purified 30 kDa C-terminal fragment of murine PARG recognize a single band at 111 kDa in the brain. Western blot analysis also shows that PARG and PARP-1 are evenly distributed throughout the brain. Immunohistochemical studies using alpha-PARG antibodies reveal punctate cytosolic staining, whereas anti-PARP-1 (alpha-PARP-1) antibodies demonstrate nuclear staining. PARG is enriched in the mitochondrial fraction together with manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and cytochrome C (Cyt C) following whole brain subcellular fractionation and Western blot analysis. Confocal microscopy confirms the co-localization of PARG and Cyt C. Finally, PARG translocation to the nucleus is triggered by NMDA-induced PARP-1 activation. Therefore, the subcellular segregation of PARG in the mitochondria and PARP-1 in the nucleus suggests that PARG translocation is necessary for their functional interaction. This translocation is PARP-1 dependent, further demonstrating a functional interaction of PARP-1 and PARG in the brain.

Base excision repair and the central nervous system

Reactive oxygen species generated during normal cellular metabolism react with lipids, proteins, and nucleic acid. Evidence indicates that the accumulation of oxidative damage results in cellular dysfunction or deterioration. In particular, oxidative DNA damage can induce mutagenic replicative outcomes, leading to altered cellular function and/or cellular transformation. Additionally, oxidative DNA modifications can block essential biological processes, namely replication and transcription, triggering cell death responses. The major pathway responsible for removing oxidative DNA damage and restoring the integrity of the genome is base excision repair (BER). We highlight herein what is known about BER protein function(s) in the CNS, which in cooperation with the peripheral nervous system operates to control physical responses, motor coordination, and brain operation. Moreover, we describe evidence indicating that defective BER processing can promote post-mitotic (i.e. non-dividing) neuronal cell death and neurodegenerative disease. The focus of the review is on the core mammalian BER participants, i.e. the DNA glycosylases, AP endonuclease 1, DNA polymerase beta, X-ray cross-complementing 1, and the DNA ligases.

Effect of 3-aminobenzamide, PARP inhibitor, on matrix metalloproteinase-9 level in plasma and brain of ischemic stroke model

We investigated the effect of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor on the levels of plasma and brain matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) during experimental focal cerebral ischemia. The 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), a PARP inhibitor, and saline were administered to 80 Sprague-Dawley rats [3-AB group; 5 rats for plasma sampling, 35 for brain sampling, and 40 for TTC staining] and to 85 rats (10, 35, and 40, respectively), respectively, 10 min before the occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCAo) for 2 h. Infarct volume was measured by TTC staining, the serial levels of plasma and brain MMP-9 were measured by zymography just before and 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 h after MCAo, brain NF-kappaB activity was determined by Western blotting, and neutrophil infiltration was evaluated by assessing myeloperoxidase activity. Compared with control group, the levels of plasma and brain MMP-9, brain NF-kappaB, and MPO activities were significantly reduced in 3-AB group at each time point (p<0.05). Plasma MMP-9 increased maximally at 4h and then decreased rapidly, brain MMP-9 increased maximally at 24 h and persisted until 72 h, and NF-kappaB increased maximally at 24h and then decreased slowly in both groups. Therefore, the PARP inhibitor reduces the expression of MMP-9 and NF-kappaB and the infiltration of neutrophils in ischemic stroke.

Involvement of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 inERBB2expression in rheumatoid synovial cells

Hyperplasia of synovial lining cells is one of the main features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We previously reported that ERBB2 is highly expressed in RA synovial cells and that it plays an important role in their hyperproliferative growth. Recent findings have suggested that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is involved in the transactivation of NF-κB-dependent genes such as ERBB2. In the present study, we investigated the role of PARP-1 in ERBB2 transcription in RA synovial cells. The expression level of PARP-1 was significantly high in synovial cells derived from three patients with RA, compared with three patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Luciferase assays revealed that PARP-1 augments the transcription of the ERBB2 gene and that a region between −404 and −368 is responsible for this activation. A protein with an apparent molecular mass of 115 kDa was isolated mainly from nuclear extracts of RA synovial cells with an affinity matrix harboring a DNA fragment identical to the above region. Mass spectrometric analysis demonstrated this protein to be PARP-1. Southwestern blot analysis showed that PARP-1 binds to this region, but not to adjacent regions. PARP-1 associates directly with NF-κB, and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay indicated that these proteins interact with this enhancer region in the ERBB2 gene. Treatment of RA synovial cells with PARP-1 small interfering RNA attenuated their ERBB2 expression, while an inhibitor of the polymerase activity of PARP-1 had no effect. PARP-1 DNA binding is not required for transcriptional activation. These findings suggest that PARP-1 is involved in the expression of ERBB2 in concert with NF-κB, which might be associated with the proliferation of RA synovial cells.

The effect of PARP inhibitor on ischaemic cell death, its related inflammation and survival signals

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) plays an important role in ischaemic cell death, and 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), one of the PARP inhibitors, has a protective effect on ischaemic stroke. We investigated the neuroprotective mechanisms of 3-AB in ischaemic stroke. The occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCA) was made in 170 Sprague-Dawley rats, and reperfusion was performed 2 h after the occlusion. Another 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were used for sham operation. 3-AB was administered to 85 rats 10 min before the occlusion [3-AB group (n = 85) vs. control group without 3-AB (n = 85)]. Infarct volume and water content were measured, brain magnetic resonance imaging, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and Cresyl violet staining were performed, and immunoreactivities (IRs) of poly(ADP-ribose) polymer (PAR), cleaved caspase-3, CD11b, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), phospho-Akt (pAkt) and phospho-glycogen synthase kinase-3 (pGSK-3) were compared in the peri-infarcted region of the 3-AB group and its corresponding ischaemic region of the control group at 2, 8, 24 and 72 h after the occlusion. In the 3-AB group, the infarct volume and the water content were decreased (about 45% and 3.6%, respectively, at 24 h), the number of TUNEL-positive cells was decreased (about 36% at 24 h), and the IRs of PAR, cleaved caspase-3, CD11b, ICAM-1 and COX-2 were significantly reduced, while the IRs of pAkt and pGSK-3 were increased. These results suggest that 3-AB treatment could reduce the infarct volume by reducing ischaemic cell death, its related inflammation and increasing survival signals. The inhibition of PARP could be another potential neuroprotective strategy in ischaemic stroke.

A conserved initiator element on the mammalian poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 promoters, in combination with flanking core elements, is necessary to obtain high transcriptional activity

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a conserved nuclear protein present in nearly all eukaryotes. In mammalian cells, its abundant expression and its ability to specifically bind to DNA strand breaks make it an important enzyme in the rapid cellular response to DNA damage. Although the promoter regions of the three known mammalian PARP-1 genes, from human, rat and mouse, are different, they share common features, such as multiple GC-rich regions, lack of a functional TATA box, and presence of a putative initiator element. In this study, we analyzed the core promoter region of the rat PARP-1 gene, and show that it contains a functional initiator element surrounding the transcription start site. This core element lies within an approximately 40-base-pair region that is highly conserved in all three mammalian PARP-1 promoters. Furthermore, we show that other core elements located upstream and downstream of the PARP-1 initiator, including a functional Sp1 target site, synergize to regulate rat PARP-1 transcription. As the initiator region of all three PARP-1 gene promoters is highly conserved, their transcriptional regulation is likely achieved through similar mechanisms.

Increased expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 contributes to caspase-independent myocyte cell death during heart failure

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) plays a pivotal role in regulating genome stability, cell cycle progression, and cell survival. However, overactivation of PARP has been shown to contribute to cell death and organ failure in various stress-related disease conditions. In this study, we examined the role of PARP in the development and progression of cardiac hypertrophy. We measured the expression of PARP in mouse hearts with physiological (swimming exercise) and pathological (aortic banding) cardiac hypertrophy as well as in human heart samples taken at the time of transplantation. PARP levels were elevated both in swimming and banded mice hearts and demonstrated a linear positive correlation with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. A dramatic increase (4-fold) of PARP occurred in 6-wk banded mice, accompanied by apparent signs of ventricular dilation and myocyte cell death. PARP levels were also elevated (2- to 3-fold) in human hearts with end-stage heart failure compared with controls. However, we found no evidence of caspase-mediated PARP cleavage in either mouse or human failing hearts. Overexpression of PARP in primary cultures of cardiac myocytes led to suppression of gene expression and robust myocyte cell death. Furthermore, data obtained from the analysis of PARP knockout mice revealed that these hearts produce an attenuated hypertrophic response to aortic banding compared with controls. Together, these results demonstrate a role for PARP in the onset and progression of cardiac hypertrophy and suggest that some events related to cardiac hypertrophy growth and progression to heart failure are mediated by a PARP-dependent mechanism.

Loss of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase causes progressive neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation has been suggested to be involved in regulation of DNA repair, transcription, centrosome duplication, and chromosome stability. However, the regulation of degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) and its significance are not well understood. Here we report a loss-of-function mutant Drosophila with regard to poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, a major hydrolyzing enzyme of poly(ADP-ribose). The mutant lacks the conserved catalytic domain of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, and exhibits lethality in the larval stages at the normal development temperature of 25 degrees C. However, one-fourth of the mutants progress to the adult stage at 29 degrees C but showed progressive neurodegeneration with reduced locomotor activity and a short lifespan. In association with this, extensive accumulation of poly(ADP-ribose) could be detected in the central nervous system. These results suggest that poly(ADP-ribose) metabolism is required for maintenance of the normal function of neuronal cells. The phenotypes observed in the parg mutant might be useful to understand neurodegenerative conditions such as the Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases that are caused by abnormal accumulation of substances in nervous tissue.

Nuclear factor 1 interferes with Sp1 binding through a composite element on the rat poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase promoter to modulate its activity in vitro

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) catalyzes the rapid and extensive poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins in response to DNA strand breaks, and its expression, although ubiquitous, is modulated from tissue to tissue and during cellular differentiation. PARP-1 gene promoters from human, rat, and mouse have been cloned, and they share a structure common to housekeeping genes, as they lack a functional TATA box and contain multiple GC boxes, which bind the transcriptional activator Sp1. We have previously shown that, although Sp1 is important for rat PARP1 (rPARP) promoter activity, its finely tuned modulation is likely dependent on other transcription factors that bind the rPARP proximal promoter in vitro. In this study, we identified one such factor as NF1-L, a rat liver isoform of the nuclear factor 1 family of transcription factors. The NF1-L site on the rPARP promoter overlaps one of the Sp1 binding sites previously identified, and we demonstrated that binding of both factors to this composite element is mutually exclusive. Furthermore, we provide evidence that NF1-L has no effect by itself on rPARP promoter activity, but rather down-regulates the Sp1 activity by interfering with its ability to bind the rPARP promoter in order to modulate transcription of the rPARP gene.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase binds with transcription enhancer factor 1 to MCAT1 elements to regulate muscle-specific transcription

Striated muscle-specific expression of the cardiac troponin T (cTNT) gene is mediated through two MCAT elements that act via binding of transcription enhancer factor 1 (TEF-1) to the MCAT core motifs and binding of an auxiliary protein to nucleotides flanking the 5' side of the core motif. Using DNA-protein and protein-protein binding experiments, we identified a 140-kDa polypeptide that bound both the muscle-specific flanking sequences of the most distal MCAT1 element and TEF-1. Screening of an expression library with the MCAT1 element yielded a cDNA encoding a truncated form of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Endogenous PARP from embryonic tissue nuclear extracts migrated as a 140-kDa protein. Recombinant full-length PARP preferentially bound the wild-type MCAT1 element and was shown to physically interact with TEF-1. In addition, endogenous TEF-1 could be coimmunoprecipitated with PARP from extracts of primary skeletal muscle cells. Recombinant PARP was able to ADP-ribosylate TEF-1 in vitro. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of PARP repressed expression of an MCAT1-dependent reporter in transiently transfected primary muscle cells. Together, these data implicate PARP as the auxiliary protein that binds with TEF-1 to the MCAT1 element to provide muscle-specific gene transcription.

Suppression of anti-microtubule agent-induced apoptosis by nitric oxide: possible mechanism of a new drug resistance

The propensity of a cell to undergo apoptosis has been proposed to be a determinant of sensitivity to anti-microtubule agents. The anti-microtubule agents vincristine and paclitaxel induce key features of apoptosis, such as intranucleosomal DNA fragmentation and changes in nuclear morphology in the human neuroblastoma cell line, NB-39-nu. Nitric oxide (NO) generated from NO-releasing drugs prevented anti-microtubule agent-induced apoptosis in this cell line. The mechanism of suppression of apoptosis by NO appears to be via the inhibition of an interleukin-1beta converting enzyme-like protease cascade. This finding reveals a new biological function of NO, as well as a new molecular insight into resistance to chemotherapy with anti-microtubule agents.

Cloning and characterization of the promoter of baboon XRCC1, a gene involved in DNA strand-break repair

The DNA repair gene XRCC1 was the first cloned human DNA repair gene involved in resistance to ionizing radiation. Previous studies have shown that rodent and baboon homologs of XRCC1 are expressed in all tested tissues with significantly higher levels in testis. Furthermore, expression of murine XRCC1 is most abundant in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. To begin to study regulation of XRCC1 expression, the 5' region of baboon XRCC1 was cloned and characterized. 400 bp of 5'-flanking region showed the greatest promoter activity, while -194 to -8 bp of the 5'-flanking region displayed core promoter activity in transient transfection assays. A comparison between baboon and human 5'-flanking sequences in the core promoter region revealed a potential CAAT-box, an imperfect CREB-binding site and two putative Sp1-binding sites. Results from transient transfection assays in which each putative binding site was individually mutated, indicated that the distal Sp1-binding site has a functional role in transcription. In comparison, both putative Sp1-binding sites bound protein(s) from HeLa cell nuclear extracts in vitro. In vitro binding was lost when mutated Sp1 sites were used in gel mobility shift assays. Finally, anti-Sp1 antibodies produced mobility supershifts, thereby indicating Sp1 or an Sp1-like protein bound to the DNA fragment in vitro.

Transcriptional regulation of the rat poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase gene by Sp1

Expression of the gene encoding poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), although ubiquitous, nevertheless varies substantially between tissues. We have recently shown that Sp1 binds five distinct target sequences (US-1 and F1-F4) in the rat PARP (rPARP) gene promoter. Here we used deletion analyses and site-directed mutagenesis to address the regulatory function played by these Sp1 sites on the basal transcriptional activity directed by the rPARP promoter. Transfection experiments revealed that the most proximal Sp1 site is insufficient by itself to direct any promoter activity. In addition, a weak negative regulatory element was identified between positions -101 and -60. The rPARP promoter directed high levels of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity in Jurkat T-lymphoblastoid and Ltk- fibroblast cells but only moderate levels in pituitary GH4C1 and liver HTC cells, correlating with the amounts of PARP detected in these cells by western blot analysis. However, the reduced promoter efficiency in HTC and GH4C1 cells did not result from the lack of Sp1 activity in these cells but suggested that yet uncharacterized regulatory proteins might turn off PARP gene expression by binding negative regulatory elements from the rPARP promoter. Similarly, site-directed mutagenesis on the three most proximal Sp1 elements suggested the influence exerted by Sp1 on the rPARP promoter activity to vary substantially between cell types. It also provided evidence for a basal rPARP promoter activity driven through the recognition of unidentified cis-acting elements by transcription factors other than Sp1.

Neuroprotective effects of inhibiting poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase on focal cerebral ischemia in rats

Poly(adenosine 5'-diphosphoribose) synthetase (PARS) has been described as an important candidate for mediation of neurotoxicity by nitric oxide. In the current study, we demonstrate for the first time that in vivo administration of a potent PARS inhibitor, 3,4-dihydro 5-[4-1(1-piperidinyl) butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone, leads to a significant reduction of infarct volume in a focal cerebral ischemia model in the rat. Focal cerebral ischemia was produced by cauterization of the right distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) with bilateral temporary common carotid artery occlusion for 90 minutes. 3,4-Dihydro 5[4-(1-piperidinyl) butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and injected intraperitoneally. Animals were treated 2 hours before MCA occlusion (control, n = 14; 5 mg/kg, n = 7; 10 mg/kg, n = 7; 20 mg/kg, n = 7; 40 mg/kg, n = 7), and 2 hours after MCA occlusion (same doses as before treatment). Twenty-four hours after MCA occlusion, the total infarct volume was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Inhibition of PARS leads to a significant decrease in the damaged volume in the 5 mg/kg-treated group (106.7 +/- 23.2 mm3; mean +/- SD, P < 0.002), the 10 mg/kg-treated group (76.4 +/- 16.8 mm3, P < 0.001), and the 20 mg/kg-treated group (110.2 +/- 42.0 mm3, P < 0.02) compared with the control group (165.2 +/- 34.0 mm3). The substantial reduction in infarct volume indicates that the activation of PARS may play an important role in the pathogenesis of brain damage in cerebral ischemia through intracellular energy depletion.

Multiple nuclear regulatory proteins bind a single cis-acting promoter element to control basal transcription of the human alpha 4 integrin gene in corneal epithelial cells

Expression of the fibronectin-binding integrin alpha 4 beta 1 has been postulated to be an important event in the process of corneal epithelial wound healing. In a previous study, we identified upstream positive and negative cis-acting regulatory elements that are needed to modulate the transcriptional activity of the human alpha 4 integrin subunit gene promoter in primary cultures of rabbit corneal epithelial cells. We have shown that most of the basal activity directed by this promoter was dependent on the presence of a cis-acting DNA sequence designated the alpha 4.1 element, centered at position -45 relative to the human alpha 4 mRNA start site. Here, we demonstrate that five distinct nuclear regulatory proteins (designated Bp1 to Bp5) from rabbit corneal epithelial cells possess the ability to bind the alpha 4.1 element in a specific manner in vitro. However, when they are combined together, only two of them (Bp2 and Bp5) retained their ability to interact with their specific target sequence in in vitro assays. The apparent molecular masses of the Bp1 to Bp5 proteins were determined and found to be of 91, 74, 59, 45, and 39 kD, respectively. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSAs) indicated that only Bp2 also possesses the ability to bind the alpha 4.2 element, a site homologous to alpha 4.1 which plays a minor role in alpha 4 gene expression. Despite the presence of three Ets binding sites in the immediate vicinity of alpha 4.1, competition experiments in EMSA clearly indicate that Bp1, Bp2, Bp4, and Bp5 do not belong to the Ets family of transcription factors. Insertion of both alpha 4.1 and alpha 4.2 upstream from the basal promoter of the mouse p12 gene provided evidence that both elements have the ability to modulate basal expression driven from a heterologous promoter. alpha 4.1 was shown to function as an activator, whereas alpha 4.2 acted as a repressor in a manner that is dependent on its orientation, further stressing the critical regulatory function played by these two elements on alpha 4 gene basal expression.

Targeted gene disruption of Hsp70-2 results in failed meiosis, germ cell apoptosis, and male infertility

In addition to the five 70-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70) common to germ cells and somatic tissues of mammals, spermatogenic cells synthesize HSP70-2 during meiosis. To determine if this unique stress protein has a critical role in meiosis, we used gene-targeting techniques to disrupt Hsp70-2 in mice. Male mice homozygous for the mutant allele (Hsp70-2 -/-) did not synthesize HSP70-2, lacked postmeiotic spermatids and mature sperm, and were infertile. However, neither meiosis nor fertility was affected in female Hsp70-2 -/- mice. We previously found that HSP70-2 is associated with synaptonemal complexes in the nucleus of meiotic spermatocytes from mice and hamsters. While synaptonemal complexes assembled in Hsp70-2 -/- spermatocytes, structural abnormalities became apparent in these cells by late prophase, and development rarely progressed to the meiotic divisions. Furthermore, analysis of nuclei and genomic DNA indicated that the failure of meiosis in Hsp70-2 -/- mice was coincident with a dramatic increase in spermatocyte apoptosis. These results suggest that HSP70-2 participates in synaptonemal complex function during meiosis in male germ cells and is linked to mechanisms that inhibit apoptosis.

Targeted gene disruption of Hsp70-2 results in failed meiosis, germ cell apoptosis, and male infertility

In addition to the five 70-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70) common to germ cells and somatic tissues of mammals, spermatogenic cells synthesize HSP70-2 during meiosis. To determine if this unique stress protein has a critical role in meiosis, we used gene-targeting techniques to disrupt Hsp70-2 in mice. Male mice homozygous for the mutant allele (Hsp70-2 -/-) did not synthesize HSP70-2, lacked postmeiotic spermatids and mature sperm, and were infertile. However, neither meiosis nor fertility was affected in female Hsp70-2 -/- mice. We previously found that HSP70-2 is associated with synaptonemal complexes in the nucleus of meiotic spermatocytes from mice and hamsters. While synaptonemal complexes assembled in Hsp70-2 -/- spermatocytes, structural abnormalities became apparent in these cells by late prophase, and development rarely progressed to the meiotic divisions. Furthermore, analysis of nuclei and genomic DNA indicated that the failure of meiosis in Hsp70-2 -/- mice was coincident with a dramatic increase in spermatocyte apoptosis. These results suggest that HSP70-2 participates in synaptonemal complex function during meiosis in male germ cells and is linked to mechanisms that inhibit apoptosis.

Mice lacking ADPRT and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation develop normally but are susceptible to skin disease

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is catalyzed by NAD+: protein(ADP-ribosyl) transferase (ADPRT), a chromatin-associated enzyme which, in the presence of DNA breaks, transfers ADP-ribose from NAD+ to nuclear proteins. This post-translational modification has been implicated in many fundamental processes, like DNA repair, chromatin stability, cell proliferation, and cell death. To elucidate the biological function of ADPRT and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in vivo the gene was inactivated in the mouse germ line. Mice homozygous for the ADPRT mutation are healthy and fertile. Analysis of mutant tissues and fibroblasts isolated from mutant fetuses revealed the absence of ADPRT enzymatic activity and poly(ADP-ribose), implying that no poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated proteins are present. Mutant embryonic fibroblasts were able to efficiently repair DNA damaged by UV and alkylating agents. However, proliferation of mutant primary fibroblasts as well as thymocytes following gamma-radiation in vivo was impaired. Moreover, mutant mice are susceptible to the spontaneous development of skin disease as approximately 30% of older mice develop epidermal hyperplasia. The generation of viable ADPRT-/-mice negates an essential role for this enzyme in normal chromatin function, but the impaired proliferation and the onset of skin lesions in older mice suggest a function for ADPRT in response to environmental stress.

Mechanism of caffeine modulation of the antitumor activity of adriamycin

We examined the effects of a combination of adriamycin (ADR) and caffeine on DNA and protein biosynthesis and on the activities of DNA polymerase alpha and beta in normal and tumor tissue. The decrease in DNA and protein biosynthesis in tumor produced by caffeine combined with ADR were 2.5 and 2.4 times greater, respectively, compared with ADR alone. The combination of caffeine and ADR enhanced the decrease in DNA polymerases activities in the tumor which was induced by ADR, the decreases being 1.8 and 1.6 times greater, respectively, than that of ADR alone. In contrast, these ADR-induced changes in normal tissues were not enhanced by the combination with caffeine. The combination with caffeine had no effect on ADR concentration in normal tissues, but in the tumor, it increased the ADR concentration to 2.1 times that of ADR alone. In vitro, ADR efflux from Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells was significantly inhibited by exposure to caffeine. These findings indicate that the effect of caffeine on ADR concentration in the cell plays an important role in the mechanism by which caffeine enhances ADR antitumor activity.

Activity gel and activity blotting methods for detecting DNA-modifying (repair) enzymes

Zymographical methods (activity gel, overlay gel, activity blot and activity blotting) for detecting DNA-modifying (repair) enzymes are reviewed. Emphasis is put on the novel activity blotting method in which DNA repair enzymes electrophoresed on a gel are blotted and detected on a damaged DNA-fixed nylon membrane. Its practical procedures, including a non-radioactive detection procedure, and representative results are also described.

The US-1 element from the gene encoding rat poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase binds the transcription factor Sp1

By comparing the upstream DNA sequence of the rat and human genes encoding poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), we have defined a 16-bp conserved region and designated it as US-1 for 'upstream sequence 1'. This element is homologous to the recently described binding site for the transcription factor Sp1 in the promoter sequence of the mouse p12 gene which encodes a protease inhibitor. Analyses in gel mobility shift assays revealed that a nuclear protein, produced by all tissue-culture cells tested, specifically binds the US-1 element. The pattern of shifted DNA protein complexes obtained was strikingly similar to that for Sp1, which is supported by the positive displacement of these complexes by an oligomer containing the Sp1 binding site in gel shift competition experiments. Replacement of the Sp1 binding site from the basal promoter of the mouse p12 gene by the rPARP US-1 element did not result in any significant variations in the level of expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene upon transient transfection of tissue-culture cells. However, when point mutations are introduced in the US-1 element in a similar substitution experiment, a significant reduction in CAT gene expression could be observed. These data are consistent with Sp1 interacting with the US1 element. Results from DNase I footprinting experiments clearly indicated that purified Sp1 not only binds to the US-1 element but also to four other closely located cis-acting sites scattered in the promoter of the rat PARP gene, therefore suggesting that Sp1 is likely to modulate strongly the expression of that gene in different tissues.

Evolutionary consequences of nonrandom damage and repair of chromatin domains

Some evolutionary consequences of different rates and trends in DNA damage and repair are explained. Different types of DNA damaging agents cause nonrandom lesions along the DNA. The type of DNA sequence motifs to be preferentially attacked depends upon the chemical or physical nature of the assaulting agent and the DNA base composition. Higher-order chromatin structure, the nonrandom nucleosome positioning along the DNA, the absence of nucleosomes from the promoter regions of active genes, curved DNA, the presence of sequence-specific binding proteins, and the torsional strain on the DNA induced by an increased transcriptional activity all are expected to affect rates of damage of individual genes. Furthermore, potential Z-DNA, H-DNA, slippage, and cruciform structures in the regulatory region of some genes or in other genomic loci induced by torsional strain on the DNA are more prone to modification by genotoxic agents. A specific actively transcribed gene may be preferentially damaged over nontranscribed genes only in specific cell types that maintain this gene in active chromatin fractions because of (1) its decondensed chromatin structure, (2) torsional strain in its DNA, (3) absence of nucleosomes from its regulatory region, and (4) altered nucleosome structure in its coding sequence due to the presence of modified histones and HMG proteins. The situation in this regard of germ cell lineages is, of course, the only one to intervene in evolution. Most lesions in DNA such as those caused by UV or DNA alkylating agents tend to diminish the GC content of genomes. Thus, DNA sequences not bound by selective constraints, such as pseudogenes, will show an increase in their AT content during evolution as evidenced by experimental observations. On the other hand, transcriptionally active parts may be repaired at rates higher than inactive parts of the genome, and proliferating cells may display higher repair activities than quiescent cells. This might arise from a tight coupling of the repair process with both transcription and replication, all these processes taking place on the nuclear matrix. Repair activities differ greatly among species, and there is a good correlation between life span and repair among mammals. It is predicted that genes that are transcriptionally active in germ-cell lineages have a lower mutation rate than bulk DNA, a circumstance that is expected to be reflected in evolution. Exception to this rule might be genes containing potential Z-DNA, H-DNA, or cruciform structures in their coding or regulatory regions that appear to be refractory to repair.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Alterations in expression and structure of the DNA repair gene XRCC1

The repair-associated gene XRCC1 was previously cloned by complementing the hamster mutant EM9, which has a high rate of spontaneous SCE and hypersensitivity to DNA damaging agents. In analyzing XRCC1 gene expression, similar levels of steady-state mRNA were found in normal cells, Bloom's syndrome cells with altered SCE, and in squamous carcinoma cells with differential X-ray sensitivity. An EcoRI restriction fragment-length polymorphism previously identified in XRCC1 did not correlate with the repair phenotypes of these cells. The mRNA of XRCC1 decreased to 20-40% after treatment of cells with a DNA damaging agent. XRCC1 also showed tissue specific expression in rats. The mRNA levels were high in testis (7-8 fold), ovary (3-4 fold) and brain (4-5 fold), when compared with those in intestine, liver and spleen (1-2 fold). These data and the high levels of XRCC1 protein detected in testis indicate that XRCC1 may play an important role in DNA processing during meiogenesis and recombination in germ cells.

Differential expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and DNA polymerase beta in rat tissues

The activities of two DNA repair-related enzymes, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and DNA polymerase beta, and their mRNA levels were measured in 17 tissues of Wistar rats. A large variety in enzyme activity values could be detected in the tissues examined; the highest levels of activity for both enzymes were found in the testis. A good correlation between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and the level of the transcript of the gene coding for the enzyme was observed in many tissues. A less satisfactory correlation could be evidenced for DNA polymerase beta. The almost parallel amounts of the mRNAs for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and DNA polymerase beta in the tissues examined suggest a possible coexpression of the genes coding for these enzymes. Additional studies have been carried out in testis and liver by immunohistochemical techniques and by in situ hybridization analyses. While in the testis the spermatocytes were shown to contain both enzymes and their transcripts, in other types of cells this could not be observed. In the liver mRNAs and enzymes were only found in 20% of the hepatocytes. This may in part explain both the low levels of the mRNAs and the modest activities of the two enzymes in that tissue.

Effects of 3-aminobenzamide on induction of multiorgan carcinogenesis by N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine in hamsters

The effects of an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase, 3-aminobenzamide (ABA), on N-nitrosobis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP)-induced pancreas, liver, gallbladder and lung carcinogenesis in Syrian golden hamsters were investigated. Animals were given either BHP alone, by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, or in combination with an intraperitoneal injection of ABA 30 min after the BHP at a dose of 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight once a week for 5 weeks, and then killed 35 weeks after the commencement of the experiment. ABA exerted inhibitory effects on pancreas and lung carcinogenesis induced by BHP, with mean numbers of lesions (including hyperplasias and carcinomas) being significantly decreased compared with the BHP-alone group values, while no significant effect was observed on liver or gallbladder carcinogenesis. These results suggest that the effects of ABA on carcinogenesis depend on the target organ as well as the chemical carcinogen examined.