Co-recessive inheritance: A model for DNA repair and other surveillance genes in higher eukaryotes

Development of effective skin cancer treatment and prevention in xeroderma pigmentosum

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, recessively transmitted genetic disease characterized by increasingly marked dyspigmentation and xerosis (dryness) of sun-exposed tissues, especially skin. Skin cancers characteristically develop in sun-exposed sites at very much earlier ages than in the general population; these are often multiple and hundreds or even thousands may develop. Eight complementation groups have been identified. Seven groups, XP-A…G, are associated with defective genes encoding proteins involved in the nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) pathway that recognizes and excises mutagenic changes induced in DNA by sunlight; the eighth group, XP-V, is associated with defective translesion synthesis (TLS) bypassing such alterations. The dyspigmentation, xerosis and eventually carcinogenesis in XP patients appear to be due to their cells' failure to respond properly to these mutagenic DNA alterations, leading to mutations in skin cells. A subset of cases, especially those in some complementation groups, may develop neurological degeneration, which may be severe. However, in most XP patients, in the past the multiple skin cancers have led to death at an early age due to either metastases or sepsis. Using either topical 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod, we have developed a protocol that effectively prevents most skin cancer development in XP patients.

Identification and characterization of a new gene physically linked to the ATM gene

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive disease of unknown etiology associated with cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, immunodeficiency, and hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation. Although AT has been divided into four complementation groups by its radioresistant-DNA synthesis phenotype, the ATM gene has been isolated as the candidate gene responsible for all AT groups. We identified a new gene, designated NPAT, from the major AT locus on human chromosome 11q22-q23. The gene encoded a 1421-amino-acid protein containing nuclear localization signals and phosphorylation target sites by cyclin-dependent protein kinases associated with E2F. The messenger RNA of NPAT was detected in all human tissues examined, and its genomic sequence was strongly conserved through eukaryotes, suggesting that the NPAT gene may be essential for cell maintenance and may be a member of the housekeeping genes. Analysis of the genomic region of NPAT surprisingly revealed that the gene existed only 0.5 kb apart from the 5' end of the ATM transcript with opposite transcriptional direction. It may be possible to propose the idea that the promoter region could be shared by both housekeeping genes and that each gene could influence the expression of the other.

Xeroderma pigmentosum and related disorders: examining the linkage between defective DNA repair and cancer

Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, the xeroderma pigmentosum-Cockayne syndrome complex, and trichothiodystrophy cells have defects in DNA repair and are associated with clinical and cellular hypersensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UV). Familial dysplastic nevus syndrome cells have UV hypermutability. Although xeroderma pigmentosum and dysplastic nevus syndrome have markedly increased cancer risk. Cockayne syndrome and trichothiodystrophy do not. At the molecular level, these disorders are associated with several different genetic defects as evidenced by the existence of multiple overlapping complementation groups. Recent progress has been made in identifying the chromosomal location and cloning the defective genes in these disorders. Using plasmid shuttle vectors we have shown abnormal repair and mutagenesis of DNA damaged by 254-nm (UVC) or 295-nm (UVB) radiation or the chemical carcinogen aflatoxin in cells from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum. Although xeroderma pigmentosum cells are defective in repair of all photoproducts, Cockayne syndrome cells appear to be defective in repair of cyclobutane dimers and have normal repair of nondimer photoproducts. DNS cells have post UV plasmid hypermutability. These diseases may serve as models for examining molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis in humans.

A damage-recognition protein which binds to DNA containing interstrand cross-links is absent or defective in Fanconi anemia, complementation group A, cells

A DNA binding protein with specificity for DNA containing interstrand cross-links induced by 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) plus long wavelength ultraviolet (UVA) light has been identified in normal human chromatin. Protein binding to DNA was determined using a gel mobility shift assay and an oligonucleotide containing a hot spot for formation of psoralen interstrand cross-links. Specificity of the damage-recognition protein for cross-links was demonstrated both by a positive correlation between level of cross-link formation in DNA and extent of protein binding and by effective competition by treated but not undamaged DNA for the binding protein. Chromatin protein extracts from cells from individuals with the genetic disorder, Fanconi anemia, complementation group A (FA-A), which have decreased ability to repair damage produced by TMP plus UVA light, failed to show any protein binding to TMP plus UVA treated DNA. We have previously shown that these chromatin protein extracts contain a DNA endonuclease complex, pI 4.6, which specifically recognizes and incises DNA containing interstrand cross-links and which in FA-A cells is defective in its ability to incise this damaged DNA (Lambert et al. (1992) Mutation Res., 273, 57-71). Together, these findings suggest that the DNA binding protein identified is involved in recognition and repair of DNA interstrand cross-links.

Isolation of a DNA endonuclease complex in XPD cells which is defective in ability to incise nucleosomal DNA containing pyrimidine dimers

A DNA endonuclease complex which recognizes predominantly pyrimidine dimers in UVC irradiated DNA has been isolated from the chromatin of normal human and xeroderma pigmentosum, complementation group D (XPD) lymphoblastoid cells. The activity of the normal complex on UVC irradiated DNA was increased approximately 2.5 and 1.5 fold over activity on damaged naked DNA, when core (histones H2A, H2B, H3, H4) and total (core+histone H1) nucleosomal DNA, respectively, was used. In contrast, the XPD complex showed no increase in activity on UVC irradiated total and only a 1.4 fold increase on UVC irradiated core nucleosomal DNA, indicating that the XPD complex is defective in its ability to incise UVC irradiated nucleosomal DNA. The normal complex was able to correct this defect in the XPD complex at the nucleosomal level.