Mdc1 modulates the interaction between TopBP1 and the MRN complex during DNA damage checkpoint responses

MRN-dependent and independent pathways for recruitment of TOPBP1 to DNA double-strand breaks

Ataxia Telangiectasia mutated and RAD3-related (ATR) kinase is activated by DNA replication stress and also by various forms of DNA damage, including DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Recruitment to sites of damage is insufficient for ATR activation as one of two known ATR activators, either topoisomerase II-binding protein (TOPBP1) or Ewing’s tumor-associated antigen 1, must also be present for signaling to initiate. Here, we employ our recently established DSB-mediated ATR activation in Xenopus egg extract (DMAX) system to examine how TOPBP1 is recruited to DSBs, so that it may activate ATR. We report that TOPBP1 is only transiently present at DSBs, with a half-life of less than 10 minutes. We also examined the relationship between TOPBP1 and the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN), CtBP interacting protein (CtIP), and Ataxia Telangiectasia mutated (ATM) network of proteins. Loss of MRN prevents CtIP recruitment to DSBs, and partially inhibits TOPBP1 recruitment. Loss of CtIP has no impact on either MRN or TOPBP1 recruitment. Loss of ATM kinase activity prevents CtIP recruitment and enhances MRN and TOPBP1 recruitment. These findings demonstrate that there are MRN-dependent and independent pathways that recruit TOPBP1 to DSBs for ATR activation. Lastly, we find that both the 9-1-1 complex and MDC1 are dispensable for TOPBP1 recruitment to DSBs.

Delineation of a minimal topoisomerase II binding protein 1 (TOPBP1) for regulated activation of ATR at DNA double-strand breaks

Topoisomerase II Binding Protein 1 (TOPBP1) is an important activator of the DNA damage response kinase Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR), although the mechanism by which this activation occurs is not yet known. TOPBP1 contains nine copies of the BRCA1 C-terminal repeat (BRCT) motif, which allows protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions. TOPBP1 also contains an ATR activation domain (AAD), which physically interacts with ATR and its partner ATR-interacting protein (ATRIP) in a manner that stimulates ATR kinase activity. It is unclear which of TOPBP1’s nine BRCT domains participate in the reaction, as well as the individual roles played by these relevant BRCT domains. To address this knowledge gap, here, we delineated a minimal TOPBP1 that can activate ATR at DNA double-strand breaks in a regulated manner. We named this minimal TOPBP1 “Junior” and we show that Junior is composed of just three regions: BRCT0-2, the AAD, and BRCT7&8. We further defined the individual functions of these three regions by showing that BRCT0-2 is required for recruitment to DNA double-strand breaks and is dispensable thereafter, and that BRCT7&8 is dispensable for recruitment but essential to allow the AAD to multimerize and activate ATR. The delineation of TOPBP1 Junior creates a leaner, simplified, and better understood TOPBP1 and provides insight into the mechanism of ATR activation.

Proline-serine-threonine-repeat region of MDC1 mediates Chk1 phosphorylation and the DNA double-strand break repair

MDC1, a mediator of DNA damage response, recruits other repair proteins on double-strand break (DSB) sites. MDC1 is necessary for activating checkpoint kinases Chk1 and Chk2. It is unclear whether Chk1 interacts with MDC1. MDC1 also comprises many discrete domains. The role of the proline-serine-threonine (PST)-repeat domain of MDC1 in the DNA damage response is unclear. Here, we showed that MDC1 directly binds Chk1 through this PST-repeat region. Phosphorylation of Chk1 by ionizing radiation (IR) also required this PST-repeat domain. Degradation of intact MDC1 was accelerated depending on the PST-repeat domain after IR exposure. In the IR damage response, the PST-repeat-deleted MDC1 levels remained elevated with slow degradation. This abnormal regulation of MDC1 was F-box- and WD40 repeat-containing 7 (FBXW7)-dependent. The mutation of lysine 1413 within the PST-repeat of MDC1 deregulated MDC1 with or without damage. K1413R mutant and PST-deleted MDC1 displayed reduced ability to repair the damaged genome post-IR exposure. These results provide that the PST domain of MDC1 is involved in Chk1 and DNA repair activation. The findings suggest new insights into how MDC1 connects the checkpoint and DNA repair in the DNA damage response.

Structure-function analysis of TOPBP1's role in ATR signaling using the DSB-mediated ATR activation in Xenopus egg extracts (DMAX) system

The protein kinase ATR is activated at sites of DNA double-strand breaks where it plays important roles in promoting DNA end resection and regulating cell cycle progression. TOPBP1 is a multi BRCT repeat containing protein that activates ATR at DSBs. Here we have developed an experimental tool, the DMAX system, to study the biochemical mechanism for TOPBP1-mediated ATR signalling. DMAX combines simple, linear dsDNA molecules with Xenopus egg extracts and results in a physiologically relevant, DSB-induced activation of ATR. We find that DNAs of 5000 nucleotides, at femtomolar concentration, potently activate ATR in this system. By combining immunodepletion and add-back of TOPBP1 point mutants we use DMAX to determine which of TOPBP1’s nine BRCT domains are required for recruitment of TOPBP1 to DSBs and which domains are needed for ATR-mediated phosphorylation of CHK1. We find that BRCT1 and BRCT7 are important for recruitment and that BRCT5 functions downstream of recruitment to promote ATR-mediated phosphorylation of CHK1. We also show that BRCT7 plays a second role, independent of recruitment, in promoting ATR signalling. These findings supply a new research tool for, and new insights into, ATR biology.

Functions of TopBP1 in preserving genome integrity during mitosis

TopBP1/Rad4/Dpb11 is an essential eukaryotic protein with important roles in DNA replication, DNA repair, DNA damage checkpoint activation, and chromosome segregation. TopBP1 serves as a scaffold to assemble protein complexes in a phosphorylation-dependent manner via its multiple BRCT-repeats. Recently, it has become clear that TopBP1 is repurposed to scaffold different processes dependent on cell cycle regulated changes in phosphorylation of client proteins. Here we review the functions of human TopBP1 in maintaining genome integrity during mitosis.

The Homologous Recombination Repair Pathway is Associated with Resistance to Radiotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Radiotherapy plays a major role in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the radioresistant cells limit its efficiency and drive recurrence inside the irradiated tumor volume leading to poor outcome for patients. To illuminate the signal pathway involved in the radioresistance and evaluate the potential for predicting NPC response to radiotherapy, we established the radioresistant NPC cell line (CNE2-RR) derived from NPC cell line CNE2 by gradually increased the radiation dose (total 60 Gy), and the radioresistance of CNE2-RR cells was evaluated by the colony formation, FCM and comet assays. Furthermore, comparison of established CNE2-RR cell line to parental cell line found the homologous recombination repair (HRR) proteins differences involved in NPC radioresistance. In addition, the differentially expressed proteins were further validated by western blotting, immunofluorescence and IHC in tumor xenografs and radioresistant NPC tissues. Furthermore, the correlation of HRR proteins expression levels with NPC radioresistance were evaluated. The results showed that the upregulation of HRR proteins were significantly correlated with NPC radioresistance. In addition, using the Youden Index cutoff value, a panel of the HRR proteins analyses revealed a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 72%. Furthermore, silencing NFBD1 enhanced the radiosensitivity of CNE2-RR cells by impairing IR-inducing γ-H2AX and HR proteins foci formation. These results suggest that controlling the HRR signaling pathway may hold promise to overcome NPC radioresistance.

MDC1 Interacts with TOPBP1 to Maintain Chromosomal Stability during Mitosis

In mitosis, cells inactivate DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways to preserve genome stability. However, some early signaling events still occur, such as recruitment of the scaffold protein MDC1 to phosphorylated histone H2AX at DSBs. Yet, it remains unclear whether these events are important for maintaining genome stability during mitosis. Here, we identify a highly conserved protein-interaction surface in MDC1 that is phosphorylated by CK2 and recognized by the DNA-damage response mediator protein TOPBP1. Disruption of MDC1-TOPBP1 binding causes a specific loss of TOPBP1 recruitment to DSBs in mitotic but not interphase cells, accompanied by mitotic radiosensitivity, increased micronuclei, and chromosomal instability. Mechanistically, we find that TOPBP1 forms filamentous structures capable of bridging MDC1 foci in mitosis, indicating that MDC1-TOPBP1 complexes tether DSBs until repair is reactivated in the following G1 phase. Thus, we reveal an important, hitherto-unnoticed cooperation between MDC1 and TOPBP1 in maintaining genome stability during cell division.

Crosstalk between Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway with DNA damage response and oxidative stress in cancer

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway is one of the well-characterized and most important signaling pathways activated in response to DNA damage. This review discusses the most recent discoveries on the involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in cancer development, as well as stimulation of some important signaling networks involved in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis upon DNA damage, with an exploration of how PI3K/Akt signaling pathway contributes to the regulation of modulators and effectors underlying DNA damage response, the intricate, protein-based signal transduction network, which decides between cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis, the elimination of irreparably damaged cells to maintain homeostasis. The review continues by looking at the interplay between cell cycle checkpoints, checking the repair of damage inflicted to the DNA before entering DNA replication to facilitate DNA synthesis, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. We then investigate the challenges the cells overcome to ameliorate damages induced by oxidative activities, for example, the recruitment of many pathways and factors to maintain integrity and hemostasis. Finally, the review provides a discussion of how cells use the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to regulate the balance between these networks.

Structural Insight into BLM Recognition by TopBP1

Topoisomerase IIβ binding protein 1 (TopBP1) is a critical protein-protein interaction hub in DNA replication checkpoint control. It was proposed that TopBP1 BRCT5 interacts with Bloom syndrome helicase (BLM) to regulate genome stability through either phospho-Ser304 or phospho-Ser338 of BLM. Here we show that TopBP1 BRCT5 specifically interacts with the BLM region surrounding pSer304, not pSer338. Our crystal structure of TopBP1 BRCT4/5 bound to BLM reveals recognition of pSer304 by a conserved pSer-binding pocket, and interactions between an FVPP motif N-terminal to pSer304 and a hydrophobic groove on BRCT5. This interaction utilizes the same surface of BRCT5 that recognizes the DNA damage mediator, MDC1; however the binding orientations of MDC1 and BLM are reversed. While the MDC1 interactions are largely electrostatic, the interaction with BLM has higher affinity and relies on a mix of electrostatics and hydrophobicity. We suggest that similar evolutionarily conserved interactions may govern interactions between TopBP1 and 53BP1.

A New BRCT Binding Mode in TopBP1-BLM Helicase Interaction

Tandem BRCT domains are phophoprotein binding modules. In this issue of Structure, Sun et al. (2017) show that a single BRCT domain in TopBP1 binds tightly and specifically to phosphorylated Bloom syndrome helicase (BLM). This work reveals a novel BRCT binding mode and suggests a similar mechanism for TopBP1 interaction with 53BP1.