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Keahi DL, Sanders MA, Paul MR, Webster ALH, Fang Y, Wiley TF, Shalaby S, Carroll TS, Chandrasekharappa SC, Sandoval-Garcia C, MacMillan ML, Wagner JE, Hatten ME, Smogorzewska A. G-quadruplexes are a source of vulnerability in BRCA2 deficient granule cell progenitors and medulloblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.20.604431. [PMID: 39091814 PMCID: PMC11291086 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.20.604431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Biallelic pathogenic variants in the essential DNA repair gene BRCA2 causes Fanconi anemia, complementation group FA-D1. Patients in this group are highly prone to develop embryonal tumors, most commonly medulloblastoma arising from the cerebellar granule cell progenitors (GCPs). GCPs undergo high proliferation in the postnatal cerebellum under SHH activation, but the type of DNA lesions that require the function of the BRCA2 to prevent tumorigenesis remains unknown. To identify such lesions, we assessed both GCP neurodevelopment and tumor formation using a mouse model with deletion of exons three and four of Brca2 in the central nervous system, coupled with global Trp53 loss. Brca2 Δex3-4 ;Trp53 -/- animals developed SHH subgroup medulloblastomas with complete penetrance. Whole-genome sequencing of the tumors identified structural variants with breakpoints enriched in areas overlapping G-quadruplexes (G4s). Brca2-deficient GCPs exhibited decreased replication speed in the presence of the G4-stabilizer pyridostatin. Pif1 helicase, which resolves G4s during replication, was highly upregulated in tumors, and Pif1 knockout in primary MB tumor cells resulted in increased genome instability upon pyridostatin treatment. These data suggest that G4s may represent sites prone to replication stalling in highly proliferative GCPs and without BRCA2, G4s become a source of genome instability. Tumor cells upregulate G4-resolving helicases to facilitate rapid proliferation through G4s highlighting PIF1 helicase as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of BRCA2-deficient medulloblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L. Keahi
- Laboratory of Genome Maintenance, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mathijs A. Sanders
- Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation (CASM), Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew R. Paul
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Yin Fang
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tom F. Wiley
- Comparative Bioscience Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samer Shalaby
- Flow Cytometry Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas S. Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Settara C. Chandrasekharappa
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - John E. Wagner
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mary E. Hatten
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Agata Smogorzewska
- Laboratory of Genome Maintenance, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
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Ng RR, Lin Z, Zhang Y, Ti SC, Javed A, Wong JWH, Fang Q, Leung JWC, Tang AHN, Huen MSY. R-loop resolution by ARIP4 helicase promotes androgen-mediated transcription induction. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm9577. [PMID: 39028815 PMCID: PMC11259169 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) at transcription start sites (TSSs) primes target genes for productive elongation. Coincidentally, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) enrich at highly transcribed and Pol II-paused genes, although their interplay remains undefined. Using androgen receptor (AR) signaling as a model, we have uncovered AR-interacting protein 4 (ARIP4) helicase as a driver of androgen-dependent transcription induction. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis revealed that ARIP4 preferentially co-occupies TSSs with paused Pol II. Moreover, we found that ARIP4 complexes with topoisomerase II beta and mediates transient DSB formation upon hormone stimulation. Accordingly, ARIP4 deficiency compromised release of paused Pol II and resulted in R-loop accumulation at a panel of highly transcribed AR target genes. Last, we showed that ARIP4 binds and unwinds R-loops in vitro and that its expression positively correlates with prostate cancer progression. We propose that androgen stimulation triggers ARIP4-mediated unwinding of R-loops at TSSs, enforcing Pol II pause release to effectively drive an androgen-dependent expression program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raissa Regina Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
| | - Zhongyang Lin
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
| | - Shih Chieh Ti
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
| | - Asif Javed
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
| | - Jason Wing Hon Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
| | - Qingming Fang
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology and Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Justin Wai Chung Leung
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alex Hin Ning Tang
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
| | - Michael Shing Yan Huen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R
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3
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Yang BZ, Liu MY, Chiu KL, Chien YL, Cheng CA, Chen YL, Tsui LY, Lin KR, Chu HPC, Wu CSP. DHX9 SUMOylation is required for the suppression of R-loop-associated genome instability. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6009. [PMID: 39019926 PMCID: PMC11255299 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50428-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA helicase DHX9 is essential for genome stability by resolving aberrant R-loops. However, its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that SUMOylation at lysine 120 (K120) is crucial for DHX9 function. Preventing SUMOylation at K120 leads to R-loop dysregulation, increased DNA damage, and cell death. Cells expressing DHX9 K120R mutant which cannot be SUMOylated are more sensitive to genotoxic agents and this sensitivity is mitigated by RNase H overexpression. Unlike the mutant, wild-type DHX9 interacts with R-loop-associated proteins such as PARP1 and DDX21 via SUMO-interacting motifs. Fusion of SUMO2 to the DHX9 K120R mutant enhances its association with these proteins, reduces R-loop accumulation, and alleviates survival defects of DHX9 K120R. Our findings highlight the critical role of DHX9 SUMOylation in maintaining genome stability by regulating protein interactions necessary for R-loop balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Ze Yang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yin Liu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Lin Chiu
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106319, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Ling Chien
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Ching-An Cheng
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Chen
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yu Tsui
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Ru Lin
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan
| | | | - Ching-Shyi Peter Wu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 100233, Taiwan.
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4
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Li X, Zou L. BRCAness, DNA gaps, and gain and loss of PARP inhibitor-induced synthetic lethality. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e181062. [PMID: 39007266 PMCID: PMC11245158 DOI: 10.1172/jci181062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the tumor-suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 resulting in BRCA1/2 deficiency are frequently identified in breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, and other cancers. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPis) selectively kill BRCA1/2-deficient cancer cells by inducing synthetic lethality, providing an effective biomarker-guided strategy for targeted cancer therapy. However, a substantial fraction of cancer patients carrying BRCA1/2 mutations do not respond to PARPis, and most patients develop resistance to PARPis over time, highlighting a major obstacle to PARPi therapy in the clinic. Recent studies have revealed that changes of specific functional defects of BRCA1/2-deficient cells, particularly their defects in suppressing and protecting single-stranded DNA gaps, contribute to the gain or loss of PARPi-induced synthetic lethality. These findings not only shed light on the mechanism of action of PARPis, but also lead to revised models that explain how PARPis selectively kill BRCA-deficient cancer cells. Furthermore, new mechanistic principles of PARPi sensitivity and resistance have emerged from these studies, generating potentially useful guidelines for predicting the PARPi response and design therapies for overcoming PARPi resistance. In this Review, we will discuss these recent studies and put them in context with the classic views of PARPi-induced synthetic lethality, aiming to stimulate the development of new therapeutic strategies to overcome PARPi resistance and improve PARPi therapy.
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Vergara X, Manjón AG, de Haas M, Morris B, Schep R, Leemans C, Friskes A, Beijersbergen RL, Sanders MA, Medema RH, van Steensel B. Widespread chromatin context-dependencies of DNA double-strand break repair proteins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5334. [PMID: 38909016 PMCID: PMC11193718 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49232-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks are repaired by multiple pathways, including non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ). The balance of these pathways is dependent on the local chromatin context, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. By combining knockout screening with a dual MMEJ:NHEJ reporter inserted in 19 different chromatin environments, we identified dozens of DNA repair proteins that modulate pathway balance dependent on the local chromatin state. Proteins that favor NHEJ mostly synergize with euchromatin, while proteins that favor MMEJ generally synergize with distinct types of heterochromatin. Examples of the former are BRCA2 and POLL, and of the latter the FANC complex and ATM. Moreover, in a diversity of human cancer types, loss of several of these proteins alters the distribution of pathway-specific mutations between heterochromatin and euchromatin. Together, these results uncover a complex network of proteins that regulate MMEJ:NHEJ balance in a chromatin context-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xabier Vergara
- Division of Gene Regulation, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Cell Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna G Manjón
- Division of Cell Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel de Haas
- Division of Gene Regulation, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Morris
- NKI Robotics and Screening Center, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben Schep
- Division of Gene Regulation, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christ Leemans
- Division of Gene Regulation, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anoek Friskes
- Division of Cell Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roderick L Beijersbergen
- NKI Robotics and Screening Center, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mathijs A Sanders
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation (CASM), Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | - René H Medema
- Division of Cell Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Bas van Steensel
- Division of Gene Regulation, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Lee JJ, Kim H, Park H, Lee U, Kim C, Lee M, Shin Y, Jung JJ, Lee HB, Han W, Lee H. Disruption of G-quadruplex dynamicity by BRCA2 abrogation instigates phase separation and break-induced replication at telomeres. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5756-5773. [PMID: 38587189 PMCID: PMC11162766 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Dynamic interaction between BRCA2 and telomeric G-quadruplexes (G4) is crucial for maintaining telomere replication homeostasis. Cells lacking BRCA2 display telomeric damage with a subset of these cells bypassing senescence to initiate break-induced replication (BIR) for telomere synthesis. Here we show that the abnormal stabilization of telomeric G4 following BRCA2 depletion leads to telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA)-R-loop accumulation, triggering liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and the assembly of Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT)-associated promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies (APBs). Disruption of R-loops abolishes LLPS and impairs telomere synthesis. Artificial engineering of telomeric LLPS restores telomere synthesis, underscoring the critical role of LLPS in ALT. TERRA-R-loops also recruit Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), leading to tri-methylation of Lys27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) at telomeres. Half of paraffin-embedded tissue sections from human breast cancers exhibit APBs and telomere length heterogeneity, suggesting that BRCA2 mutations can predispose individuals to ALT-type tumorigenesis. Overall, BRCA2 abrogation disrupts the dynamicity of telomeric G4, producing TERRA-R-loops, finally leading to the assembly of telomeric liquid condensates crucial for ALT. We propose that modulating the dynamicity of telomeric G4 and targeting TERRA-R-loops in telomeric LLPS maintenance may represent effective therapeutic strategies for treating ALT-like cancers with APBs, including those with BRCA2 disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences & Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hyungmin Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences & Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Haemin Park
- Department of Biological Sciences & Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - UkJin Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences & Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Chaelim Kim
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Min Lee
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Yongdae Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Ji-Jung Jung
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Han-Byoel Lee
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Wonshik Han
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Hyunsook Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences & Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
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Goehring L, Keegan S, Lahiri S, Xia W, Kong M, Jimenez-Sainz J, Gupta D, Drapkin R, Jensen RB, Smith DJ, Rothenberg E, Fenyö D, Huang TT. Dormant origin firing promotes head-on transcription-replication conflicts at transcription termination sites in response to BRCA2 deficiency. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4716. [PMID: 38830843 PMCID: PMC11148086 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48286-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BRCA2 is a tumor suppressor protein responsible for safeguarding the cellular genome from replication stress and genotoxicity, but the specific mechanism(s) by which this is achieved to prevent early oncogenesis remains unclear. Here, we provide evidence that BRCA2 acts as a critical suppressor of head-on transcription-replication conflicts (HO-TRCs). Using Okazaki-fragment sequencing (Ok-seq) and computational analysis, we identified origins (dormant origins) that are activated near the transcription termination sites (TTS) of highly expressed, long genes in response to replication stress. Dormant origins are a source for HO-TRCs, and drug treatments that inhibit dormant origin firing led to a reduction in HO-TRCs, R-loop formation, and DNA damage. Using super-resolution microscopy, we showed that HO-TRC events track with elongating RNA polymerase II, but not with transcription initiation. Importantly, RNase H2 is recruited to sites of HO-TRCs in a BRCA2-dependent manner to help alleviate toxic R-loops associated with HO-TRCs. Collectively, our results provide a mechanistic basis for how BRCA2 shields against genomic instability by preventing HO-TRCs through both direct and indirect means occurring at predetermined genomic sites based on the pre-cancer transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Goehring
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Keegan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sudipta Lahiri
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wenxin Xia
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Kong
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Dipika Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Basser Center for BRCA, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan B Jensen
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Duncan J Smith
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eli Rothenberg
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Fenyö
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University School of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tony T Huang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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R P, Rakshit S, Shanmugam G, George M, Sarkar K. Wiskott Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp)-deficient Th1 cells promote R-loop-driven transcriptional insufficiency and transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair factor (TC-NER)-driven genome-instability in the pathogenesis of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Immunol 2024; 263:110204. [PMID: 38582251 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.110204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T-ALL is an aggressive hematological tumor that develops as the result of a multi-step oncogenic process which causes expansion of hematopoietic progenitors that are primed for T cell development to undergo malignant transformation and growth. Even though first-line therapy has a significant response rate, 40% of adult patients and 20% of pediatric patients will relapse. Therefore, there is an unmet need for treatment for relapsed/refractory T-ALL to develop potential targeted therapies. METHODS Pediatric T-ALL patient derived T cells were grown under either nonskewingTh0 or Th1-skewing conditions to further process for ChIP-qPCR, RDIP-qPCR and other RT-PCR assays. Endogenous WASp was knocked out using CRISPR-Cas9 and was confirmed using flow cytometry and western blotting. LC-MS/MS was performed to find out proteomic dataset of WASp-interactors generated from Th1-skewed, human primary Th-cells. DNA-damage was assessed by immunofluorescence confocal-imaging and single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Overexpression of RNaseH1 was also done to restore normal Th1-transcription in WASp-deficient Th1-skewed cells. RESULTS We discovered that nuclear-WASp is required for suppressing R-loop production (RNA/DNA-hybrids) at Th1-network genes by ribonucleaseH2 (RNH2) and topoisomerase1. Nuclear-WASp is associated with the factors involved in preventing and dissolving R-loops in Th1 cells. In nuclear- WASp-reduced malignant Th1-cells, R-loops accumulate in vivo and are processed into DNA-breaks by transcription-coupled-nucleotide-excision repair (TC-NER). Several epigenetic modifications were also found to be involved at Th1 gene locus which are responsible for active/repressive marks of particular genes. By demonstrating WASp as a physiologic regulator of programmed versus unprogrammed R-loops, we suggest that the transcriptional role of WASp in vivo extends also to prevent transcription-linked DNA damage during malignancy and through modification of epigenetic dysregulations. CONCLUSION Our findings present a provocative possibility of resetting R-loops as a therapeutic intervention to correct both immune deficiency and malignancy in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and a novel role of WASp in the epigenetic regulation of T helper cell differentiation in T-ALL patients, anticipating WASp's requirement for the suppression of T-ALL progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep R
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Sudeshna Rakshit
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Geetha Shanmugam
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Melvin George
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu 603203, India.
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9
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Xu Y, Jiao Y, Liu C, Miao R, Liu C, Wang Y, Ma C, Liu J. R-loop and diseases: the cell cycle matters. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:84. [PMID: 38678239 PMCID: PMC11055327 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02000-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell cycle is a crucial biological process that is involved in cell growth, development, and reproduction. It can be divided into G1, S, G2, and M phases, and each period is closely regulated to ensure the production of two similar daughter cells with the same genetic material. However, many obstacles influence the cell cycle, including the R-loop that is formed throughout this process. R-loop is a triple-stranded structure, composed of an RNA: DNA hybrid and a single DNA strand, which is ubiquitous in organisms from bacteria to mammals. The existence of the R-loop has important significance for the regulation of various physiological processes. However, aberrant accumulation of R-loop due to its limited resolving ability will be detrimental for cells. For example, DNA damage and genomic instability, caused by the R-loop, can activate checkpoints in the cell cycle, which in turn induce cell cycle arrest and cell death. At present, a growing number of factors have been proven to prevent or eliminate the accumulation of R-loop thereby avoiding DNA damage and mutations. Therefore, we need to gain detailed insight into the R-loop resolution factors at different stages of the cell cycle. In this review, we review the current knowledge of factors that play a role in resolving the R-loop at different stages of the cell cycle, as well as how mutations of these factors lead to the onset and progression of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqin Xu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yue Jiao
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chengbin Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Rui Miao
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yilong Wang
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chunming Ma
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China.
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10
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Valenzisi P, Marabitti V, Pichierri P, Franchitto A. WRNIP1 prevents transcription-associated genomic instability. eLife 2024; 12:RP89981. [PMID: 38488661 PMCID: PMC10942783 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
R-loops are non-canonical DNA structures that form during transcription and play diverse roles in various physiological processes. Disruption of R-loop homeostasis can lead to genomic instability and replication impairment, contributing to several human diseases, including cancer. Although the molecular mechanisms that protect cells against such events are not fully understood, recent research has identified fork protection factors and DNA damage response proteins as regulators of R-loop dynamics. In this study, we identify the Werner helicase-interacting protein 1 (WRNIP1) as a novel factor that counteracts transcription-associated DNA damage upon replication perturbation. Loss of WRNIP1 leads to R-loop accumulation, resulting in collisions between the replisome and transcription machinery. We observe co-localization of WRNIP1 with transcription/replication complexes and R-loops after replication perturbation, suggesting its involvement in resolving transcription-replication conflicts. Moreover, WRNIP1-deficient cells show impaired replication restart from transcription-induced fork stalling. Notably, transcription inhibition and RNase H1 overexpression rescue all the defects caused by loss of WRNIP1. Importantly, our findings highlight the critical role of WRNIP1 ubiquitin-binding zinc finger (UBZ) domain in preventing pathological persistence of R-loops and limiting DNA damage, thereby safeguarding genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Valenzisi
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
| | - Veronica Marabitti
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
| | - Pietro Pichierri
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
| | - Annapaola Franchitto
- Section of Mechanisms Biomarkers and Models, Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di SanitaRomeItaly
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11
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Sengodan SK, Hu X, Peddibhotla V, Balamurugan K, Mitrophanov AY, McKennett L, Kharat SS, Sanawar R, Singh VK, Albaugh ME, Burkett SS, Zhao Y, Tran B, Malys T, Sterneck E, De S, Sharan SK. Mismatch repair protein MLH1 suppresses replicative stress in BRCA2-deficient breast tumors. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e173718. [PMID: 38271119 PMCID: PMC10977984 DOI: 10.1172/jci173718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Loss of BRCA2 (breast cancer 2) is lethal for normal cells. Yet it remains poorly understood how, in BRCA2 mutation carriers, cells undergoing loss of heterozygosity overcome the lethality and undergo tissue-specific neoplastic transformation. Here, we identified mismatch repair gene mutL homolog 1 (MLH1) as a genetic interactor of BRCA2 whose overexpression supports the viability of Brca2-null cells. Mechanistically, we showed that MLH1 interacts with Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) and competes to process the RNA flaps of Okazaki fragments. Together, they restrained the DNA2 nuclease activity on the reversed forks of lagging strands, leading to replication fork (RF) stability in BRCA2-deficient cells. In these cells, MLH1 also attenuated R-loops, allowing the progression of stable RFs, which suppressed genomic instability and supported cell viability. We demonstrated the significance of their genetic interaction by the lethality of Brca2-mutant mice and inhibition of Brca2-deficient tumor growth in mice by Mlh1 loss. Furthermore, we described estrogen as inducing MLH1 expression through estrogen receptor α (ERα), which might explain why the majority of BRCA2 mutation carriers develop ER-positive breast cancer. Taken together, our findings reveal a role of MLH1 in relieving replicative stress and show how it may contribute to the establishment of BRCA2-deficient breast tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satheesh K. Sengodan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland USA
| | - Xiaoju Hu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Peddibhotla
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland USA
| | - Kuppusamy Balamurugan
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexander Y. Mitrophanov
- Statistical Consulting and Scientific Programming, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Lois McKennett
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Suhas S. Kharat
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland USA
| | - Rahul Sanawar
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Vinod Kumar Singh
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Mary E. Albaugh
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland USA
- Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Sandra S. Burkett
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland USA
| | - Yongmei Zhao
- NCI Advanced Technology Research Facility, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Bao Tran
- NCI Advanced Technology Research Facility, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Tyler Malys
- Statistical Consulting and Scientific Programming, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, NIH, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Esta Sterneck
- Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Signaling, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Subhajyoti De
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shyam K. Sharan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland USA
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12
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Liu MY, Lin KR, Chien YL, Yang BZ, Tsui LY, Chu HP, Wu CSP. ATR phosphorylates DHX9 at serine 321 to suppress R-loop accumulation upon genotoxic stress. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:204-222. [PMID: 37930853 PMCID: PMC10783509 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA/RNA hybrids (R-loops) formed during transcription and replication disturbances pose threats to genome stability. DHX9 is an RNA helicase involved in R-loop resolution, but how DHX9 is regulated in response to genotoxic stress remains unclear. Here we report that DHX9 is phosphorylated at S321 and S688, with S321 phosphorylation primarily induced by ATR after DNA damage. Phosphorylation of DHX9 at S321 promotes its interaction with γH2AX, BRCA1 and RPA, and is required for its association with R-loops under genotoxic stress. Inhibition of ATR or expression of the non-phosphorylatable DHX9S321A prevents DHX9 from interacting with RPA and R-loops, leading to the accumulation of stress-induced R-loops. Furthermore, depletion of RPA reduces the association between DHX9 and γH2AX, and in vitro binding analysis confirms a direct interaction between DHX9 and RPA. Notably, cells with the non-phosphorylatable DHX9S321A variant exhibit hypersensitivity to genotoxic stress, while those expressing the phosphomimetic DHX9S321D variant prevent R-loop accumulation and display resistance to DNA damage agents. In summary, we uncover a new mechanism by which ATR directly regulates DHX9 through phosphorylation to eliminate stress-induced R-loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Yin Liu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Ru Lin
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Ling Chien
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Ze Yang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yu Tsui
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
| | | | - Ching-Shyi Peter Wu
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
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13
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Milano L, Gautam A, Caldecott KW. DNA damage and transcription stress. Mol Cell 2024; 84:70-79. [PMID: 38103560 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Genome damage and transcription are intimately linked. Tens to hundreds of thousands of DNA lesions arise in each cell each day, many of which can directly or indirectly impede transcription. Conversely, the process of gene expression is itself a source of endogenous DNA lesions as a result of the susceptibility of single-stranded DNA to damage, conflicts with the DNA replication machinery, and engagement by cells of topoisomerases and base excision repair enzymes to regulate the initiation and progression of gene transcription. Although such processes are tightly regulated and normally accurate, on occasion, they can become abortive and leave behind DNA breaks that can drive genome rearrangements, instability, or cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Milano
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
| | - Amit Gautam
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
| | - Keith W Caldecott
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
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14
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Kumar C, Remus D. Looping out of control: R-loops in transcription-replication conflict. Chromosoma 2024; 133:37-56. [PMID: 37419963 PMCID: PMC10771546 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-023-00804-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Transcription-replication conflict is a major cause of replication stress that arises when replication forks collide with the transcription machinery. Replication fork stalling at sites of transcription compromises chromosome replication fidelity and can induce DNA damage with potentially deleterious consequences for genome stability and organismal health. The block to DNA replication by the transcription machinery is complex and can involve stalled or elongating RNA polymerases, promoter-bound transcription factor complexes, or DNA topology constraints. In addition, studies over the past two decades have identified co-transcriptional R-loops as a major source for impairment of DNA replication forks at active genes. However, how R-loops impede DNA replication at the molecular level is incompletely understood. Current evidence suggests that RNA:DNA hybrids, DNA secondary structures, stalled RNA polymerases, and condensed chromatin states associated with R-loops contribute to the of fork progression. Moreover, since both R-loops and replication forks are intrinsically asymmetric structures, the outcome of R-loop-replisome collisions is influenced by collision orientation. Collectively, the data suggest that the impact of R-loops on DNA replication is highly dependent on their specific structural composition. Here, we will summarize our current understanding of the molecular basis for R-loop-induced replication fork progression defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charanya Kumar
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065, USA
| | - Dirk Remus
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065, USA.
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15
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Melnick AF, Mullin C, Lin K, McCarter AC, Liang S, Liu YE, Wang Q, Jerome NA, Choe E, Kunnath N, Bodanapu G, Akter F, Magnuson B, Kumar S, Lombard DB, Muntean AG, Ljungman M, Sekiguchi J, Ryan RJH, Chiang MY. Cdc73 protects Notch-induced T-cell leukemia cells from DNA damage and mitochondrial stress. Blood 2023; 142:2159-2174. [PMID: 37616559 PMCID: PMC10733839 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Activated Notch signaling is highly prevalent in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), but pan-Notch inhibitors showed excessive toxicity in clinical trials. To find alternative ways to target Notch signals, we investigated cell division cycle 73 (Cdc73), which is a Notch cofactor and key component of the RNA polymerase-associated transcriptional machinery, an emerging target in T-ALL. Although we confirmed previous work that CDC73 interacts with NOTCH1, we also found that the interaction in T-ALL was context-dependent and facilitated by the transcription factor ETS1. Using mouse models, we showed that Cdc73 is important for Notch-induced T-cell development and T-ALL maintenance. Mechanistically, chromatin and nascent gene expression profiling showed that Cdc73 intersects with Ets1 and Notch at chromatin within enhancers to activate expression of known T-ALL oncogenes through its enhancer functions. Cdc73 also intersects with these factors within promoters to activate transcription of genes that are important for DNA repair and oxidative phosphorylation through its gene body functions. Consistently, Cdc73 deletion induced DNA damage and apoptosis and impaired mitochondrial function. The CDC73-induced DNA repair expression program co-opted by NOTCH1 is more highly expressed in T-ALL than in any other cancer. These data suggest that Cdc73 might induce a gene expression program that was eventually intersected and hijacked by oncogenic Notch to augment proliferation and mitigate the genotoxic and metabolic stresses of elevated Notch signaling. Our report supports studying factors such as CDC73 that intersect with Notch to derive a basic scientific understanding on how to combat Notch-dependent cancers without directly targeting the Notch complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley F. Melnick
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Carea Mullin
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Karena Lin
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Anna C. McCarter
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Shannon Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Yiran E. Liu
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Qing Wang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicole A. Jerome
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Elizabeth Choe
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicholas Kunnath
- Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Geethika Bodanapu
- School of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Fatema Akter
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Brian Magnuson
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Surinder Kumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - David B. Lombard
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Andrew G. Muntean
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mats Ljungman
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Radiology Oncology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - JoAnn Sekiguchi
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Russell J. H. Ryan
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Mark Y. Chiang
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
- Cancer Biology Program, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
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16
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Abstract
Transcription and replication both require large macromolecular complexes to act on a DNA template, yet these machineries cannot simultaneously act on the same DNA sequence. Conflicts between the replication and transcription machineries (transcription-replication conflicts, or TRCs) are widespread in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and have the capacity to both cause DNA damage and compromise complete, faithful replication of the genome. This review will highlight recent studies investigating the genomic locations of TRCs and the mechanisms by which they may be prevented, mitigated, or resolved. We address work from both model organisms and mammalian systems but predominantly focus on multicellular eukaryotes owing to the additional complexities inherent in the coordination of replication and transcription in the context of cell type-specific gene expression and higher-order chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Goehring
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA;
| | - Tony T Huang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA;
| | - Duncan J Smith
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA;
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17
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Duardo RC, Guerra F, Pepe S, Capranico G. Non-B DNA structures as a booster of genome instability. Biochimie 2023; 214:176-192. [PMID: 37429410 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Non-canonical secondary structures (NCSs) are alternative nucleic acid structures that differ from the canonical B-DNA conformation. NCSs often occur in repetitive DNA sequences and can adopt different conformations depending on the sequence. The majority of these structures form in the context of physiological processes, such as transcription-associated R-loops, G4s, as well as hairpins and slipped-strand DNA, whose formation can be dependent on DNA replication. It is therefore not surprising that NCSs play important roles in the regulation of key biological processes. In the last years, increasing published data have supported their biological role thanks to genome-wide studies and the development of bioinformatic prediction tools. Data have also highlighted the pathological role of these secondary structures. Indeed, the alteration or stabilization of NCSs can cause the impairment of transcription and DNA replication, modification in chromatin structure and DNA damage. These events lead to a wide range of recombination events, deletions, mutations and chromosomal aberrations, well-known hallmarks of genome instability which are strongly associated with human diseases. In this review, we summarize molecular processes through which NCSs trigger genome instability, with a focus on G-quadruplex, i-motif, R-loop, Z-DNA, hairpin, cruciform and multi-stranded structures known as triplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée C Duardo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Guerra
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Pepe
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
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18
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de Vivo A, Song H, Lee Y, Tirado-Class N, Sanchez A, Westerheide S, Dungrawala H, Kee Y. OTUD5 limits replication fork instability by organizing chromatin remodelers. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10467-10483. [PMID: 37713620 PMCID: PMC10602872 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper regulation of replication fork progression is important for genomic maintenance. Subverting the transcription-induced conflicts is crucial in preserving the integrity of replication forks. Various chromatin remodelers, such as histone chaperone and histone deacetylases are known to modulate replication stress, but how these factors are organized or collaborate are not well understood. Here we found a new role of the OTUD5 deubiquitinase in limiting replication stress. We found that OTUD5 is recruited to replication forks, and its depletion causes replication fork stress. Through its C-terminal disordered tail, OTUD5 assembles a complex containing FACT, HDAC1 and HDAC2 at replication forks. A cell line engineered to specifically uncouple FACT interaction with OTUD5 exhibits increases in FACT loading onto chromatin, R-loop formation, and replication fork stress. OTUD5 mediates these processes by recruiting and stabilizing HDAC1 and HDAC2, which decreases H4K16 acetylation and FACT recruitment. Finally, proteomic analysis revealed that the cells with deficient OTUD5-FACT interaction activates the Fanconi Anemia pathway for survival. Altogether, this study identified a new interaction network among OTUD5-FACT-HDAC1/2 that limits transcription-induced replication stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo de Vivo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33647, USA
| | - Hongseon Song
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno-Joongang-daero, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Lee
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno-Joongang-daero, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Neysha Tirado-Class
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33647, USA
| | - Anthony Sanchez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33647, USA
| | - Sandy Westerheide
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33647, USA
| | - Huzefa Dungrawala
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33647, USA
| | - Younghoon Kee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33647, USA
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno-Joongang-daero, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
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19
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Li F, Zafar A, Luo L, Denning AM, Gu J, Bennett A, Yuan F, Zhang Y. R-Loops in Genome Instability and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4986. [PMID: 37894353 PMCID: PMC10605827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15204986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are unique, three-stranded nucleic acid structures that primarily form when an RNA molecule displaces one DNA strand and anneals to the complementary DNA strand in a double-stranded DNA molecule. R-loop formation can occur during natural processes, such as transcription, in which the nascent RNA molecule remains hybridized with the template DNA strand, while the non-template DNA strand is displaced. However, R-loops can also arise due to many non-natural processes, including DNA damage, dysregulation of RNA degradation pathways, and defects in RNA processing. Despite their prevalence throughout the whole genome, R-loops are predominantly found in actively transcribed gene regions, enabling R-loops to serve seemingly controversial roles. On one hand, the pathological accumulation of R-loops contributes to genome instability, a hallmark of cancer development that plays a role in tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and therapeutic resistance. On the other hand, R-loops play critical roles in regulating essential processes, such as gene expression, chromatin organization, class-switch recombination, mitochondrial DNA replication, and DNA repair. In this review, we summarize discoveries related to the formation, suppression, and removal of R-loops and their influence on genome instability, DNA repair, and oncogenic events. We have also discussed therapeutical opportunities by targeting pathological R-loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Li
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Alyan Zafar
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Liang Luo
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ariana Maria Denning
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jun Gu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ansley Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Fenghua Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yanbin Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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20
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Liu J, Zheng T, Chen D, Huang J, Zhao Y, Ma W, Liu H. RBMX involves in telomere stability maintenance by regulating TERRA expression. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010937. [PMID: 37756323 PMCID: PMC10529574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) is a class of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are transcribed from subtelomeric to telomeric region of chromosome ends. TERRA is prone to form R-loop structures at telomeres by invading into telomeric DNA. Excessive telomere R-loops result in telomere instability, so the TERRA level needs to be delicately modulated. However, the molecular mechanisms and factors controlling TERRA level are still largely unknown. In this study, we report that the RNA binding protein RBMX is a novel regulator of TERRA level and telomere integrity. The expression level of TERRA is significantly elevated in RBMX depleted cells, leading to enhanced telomere R-loop formation, replication stress, and telomere instability. We also found that RBMX binds to TERRA and the nuclear exosome targeting protein ZCCHC8 simultaneously, and that TERRA degradation slows down upon RBMX depletion, implying that RBMX promotes TERRA degradation by regulating its transportation to the nuclear exosome, which decays nuclear RNAs. Altogether, these findings uncover a new role of RBMX in TERRA expression regulation and telomere integrity maintenance, and raising RBMX as a potential target of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfan Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tian Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dandan Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junjiu Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenbin Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiying Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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21
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Li L, Wu Y, Dai K, Wang Q, Ye S, Shi Q, Chen Z, Huang YC, Zhao W, Li L. The CHCHD2/Sirt1 corepressors involve in G9a-mediated regulation of RNase H1 expression to control R-loop. CELL INSIGHT 2023; 2:100112. [PMID: 37388553 PMCID: PMC10300302 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2023.100112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
R-loops are regulators of many cellular processes and are threats to genome integrity. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying the regulation of R-loops is important. Inspired by the findings on RNase H1-mediated R-loop degradation or accumulation, we focused our interest on the regulation of RNase H1 expression. In the present study, we report that G9a positively regulates RNase H1 expression to boost R-loop degradation. CHCHD2 acts as a repressive transcription factor that inhibits the expression of RNase H1 to promote R-loop accumulation. Sirt1 interacts with CHCHD2 and deacetylates it, which functions as a corepressor that suppresses the expression of downstream target gene RNase H1. We also found that G9a methylated the promoter of RNase H1, inhibiting the binding of CHCHD2 and Sirt1. In contrast, when G9a was knocked down, recruitment of CHCHD2 and Sirt1 to the RNase H1 promoter increased, which co-inhibited RNase H1 transcription. Furthermore, knockdown of Sirt1 led to binding of G9a to the RNase H1 promoter. In summary, we demonstrated that G9a regulates RNase H1 expression to maintain the steady-state balance of R-loops by suppressing the recruitment of CHCHD2/Sirt1 corepressors to the target gene promoter.
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22
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Zhang X, Duan J, Li Y, Jin X, Wu C, Yang X, Lu W, Ge W. NKAP acts with HDAC3 to prevent R-loop associated genome instability. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1811-1828. [PMID: 37322264 PMCID: PMC10307950 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01182-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent R-loop accumulation can cause DNA damage and lead to genome instability, which contributes to various human diseases. Identification of molecules and signaling pathways in controlling R-loop homeostasis provide important clues about their physiological and pathological roles in cells. Here, we show that NKAP (NF-κB activating protein) is essential for preventing R-loop accumulation and maintaining genome integrity through forming a protein complex with HDAC3. NKAP depletion causes DNA damage and genome instability. Aberrant accumulation of R-loops is present in NKAP-deficient cells and leads to DNA damage and DNA replication fork progression defects. Moreover, NKAP depletion induced R-loops and DNA damage are dependent on transcription. Consistently, the NKAP interacting protein HDAC3 exhibits a similar role in suppressing R-loop associated DNA damage and replication stress. Further analysis uncovers that HDAC3 functions to stabilize NKAP protein, independent of its deacetylase activity. In addition, NKAP prevents R-loop formation by maintaining RNA polymerase II pausing. Importantly, R-loops induced by NKAP or HDAC3 depletion are processed into DNA double-strand breaks by XPF and XPG endonucleases. These findings indicate that both NKAP and HDAC3 are novel key regulators of R-loop homeostasis, and their dysregulation might drive tumorigenesis by causing R-loop associated genome instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingwei Duan
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yang Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoye Jin
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cheng Wu
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaohang Yang
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiguo Lu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Wanzhong Ge
- Division of Human Reproduction and Developmental Genetics, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Genetics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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23
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Gatti V, De Domenico S, Melino G, Peschiaroli A. Senataxin and R-loops homeostasis: multifaced implications in carcinogenesis. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:145. [PMID: 37147318 PMCID: PMC10163015 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01441-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are inherent byproducts of transcription consisting of an RNA:DNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA. These structures are of key importance in controlling numerous physiological processes and their homeostasis is tightly controlled by the activities of several enzymes deputed to process R-loops and prevent their unproper accumulation. Senataxin (SETX) is an RNA/DNA helicase which catalyzes the unwinding of RNA:DNA hybrid portion of the R-loops, promoting thus their resolution. The key importance of SETX in R-loops homeostasis and its relevance with pathophysiological events is highlighted by the evidence that gain or loss of function SETX mutations underlie the pathogenesis of two distinct neurological disorders. Here, we aim to describe the potential impact of SETX on tumor onset and progression, trying to emphasize how dysregulation of this enzyme observed in human tumors might impact tumorigenesis. To this aim, we will describe the functional relevance of SETX in regulating gene expression, genome integrity, and inflammation response and discuss how cancer-associated SETX mutations might affect these pathways, contributing thus to tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Gatti
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara De Domenico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Peschiaroli
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Rome, Italy.
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24
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Elsakrmy N, Cui H. R-Loops and R-Loop-Binding Proteins in Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087064. [PMID: 37108225 PMCID: PMC10138518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded DNA/RNA hybrids that form by the annealing of the mRNA transcript to its coding template while displacing the non-coding strand. While R-loop formation regulates physiological genomic and mitochondrial transcription and DNA damage response, imbalanced R-loop formation can be a threat to the genomic integrity of the cell. As such, R-loop formation is a double-edged sword in cancer progression, and perturbed R-loop homeostasis is observed across various malignancies. Here, we discuss the interplay between R-loops and tumor suppressors and oncogenes, with a focus on BRCA1/2 and ATR. R-loop imbalances contribute to cancer propagation and the development of chemotherapy drug resistance. We explore how R-loop formation can cause cancer cell death in response to chemotherapeutics and be used to circumvent drug resistance. As R-loop formation is tightly linked to mRNA transcription, their formation is unavoidable in cancer cells and can thus be explored in novel cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha Elsakrmy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Haissi Cui
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada
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25
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Lee SY, Miller KM, Kim JJ. Clinical and Mechanistic Implications of R-Loops in Human Leukemias. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065966. [PMID: 36983041 PMCID: PMC10052022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065966] [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: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations or environmental agents are major contributors to leukemia and are associated with genomic instability. R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures consisting of an RNA-DNA hybrid and a non-template single-stranded DNA. These structures regulate various cellular processes, including transcription, replication, and DSB repair. However, unregulated R-loop formation can cause DNA damage and genomic instability, which are potential drivers of cancer including leukemia. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of aberrant R-loop formation and how it influences genomic instability and leukemia development. We also consider the possibility of R-loops as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Yun Lee
- Department of Life Science and Multidisciplinary, Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyle M Miller
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Jae-Jin Kim
- Department of Life Science and Multidisciplinary, Genome Institute, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
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26
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Saha S, Pommier Y. R-loops, type I topoisomerases and cancer. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad013. [PMID: 37600974 PMCID: PMC9984992 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are abundant and dynamic structures ubiquitously present in human cells both in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. They form in cis in the wake of transcription complexes and in trans apart from transcription complexes. In this review, we focus on the relationship between R-loops and topoisomerases, and cancer genomics and therapies. We summarize the topological parameters associated with the formation and resolution of R-loops, which absorb and release high levels of genomic negative supercoiling (Sc-). We review the deleterious consequences of excessive R-loops and rationalize how human type IA (TOP3B) and type IB (TOP1) topoisomerases regulate and resolve R-loops in coordination with helicase and RNase H enzymes. We also review the drugs (topoisomerase inhibitors, splicing inhibitors, G4 stabilizing ligands) and cancer predisposing genes (BRCA1/2, transcription, and splicing genes) known to induce R-loops, and whether stabilizing R-loops and thereby inducing genomic damage can be viewed as a strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Saha
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch & Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch & Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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27
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Rauth S, Ganguly K, Atri P, Parte S, Nimmakayala RK, Varadharaj V, Nallasamy P, Vengoji R, Ogunleye AO, Lakshmanan I, Chirravuri R, Bessho M, Cox JL, Foster JM, Talmon GA, Bessho T, Ganti AK, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Elevated PAF1-RAD52 axis confers chemoresistance to human cancers. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112043. [PMID: 36709426 PMCID: PMC10374878 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin- and gemcitabine-based chemotherapeutics represent a mainstay of cancer therapy for most solid tumors; however, resistance limits their curative potential. Here, we identify RNA polymerase II-associated factor 1 (PAF1) as a common driver of cisplatin and gemcitabine resistance in human cancers (ovarian, lung, and pancreas). Mechanistically, cisplatin- and gemcitabine-resistant cells show enhanced DNA repair, which is inhibited by PAF1 silencing. We demonstrate an increased interaction of PAF1 with RAD52 in resistant cells. Targeting the PAF1 and RAD52 axis combined with cisplatin or gemcitabine strongly diminishes the survival potential of resistant cells. Overall, this study shows clinical evidence that the expression of PAF1 contributes to chemotherapy resistance and worse clinical outcome for lethal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchita Rauth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Koelina Ganguly
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Pranita Atri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Venkatesh Varadharaj
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Raghupathy Vengoji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ayoola O Ogunleye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Imayavaramban Lakshmanan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ramakanth Chirravuri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mika Bessho
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jesse L Cox
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jason M Foster
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Talmon
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Tadayoshi Bessho
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Apar Kishor Ganti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA; Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA.
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28
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Tang J, Wang X, Xiao D, Liu S, Tao Y. The chromatin-associated RNAs in gene regulation and cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:27. [PMID: 36750826 PMCID: PMC9903551 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01724-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are prevalently transcribed into many types of RNAs that translate into proteins or execute gene regulatory functions. Many RNAs associate with chromatin directly or indirectly and are called chromatin-associated RNAs (caRNAs). To date, caRNAs have been found to be involved in gene and transcriptional regulation through multiple mechanisms and have important roles in different types of cancers. In this review, we first present different categories of caRNAs and the modes of interaction between caRNAs and chromatin. We then detail the mechanisms of chromatin-associated nascent RNAs, chromatin-associated noncoding RNAs and emerging m6A on caRNAs in transcription and gene regulation. Finally, we discuss the roles of caRNAs in cancer as well as epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms contributing to cancer, which could provide insights into the relationship between different caRNAs and cancer, as well as tumor treatment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Tang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University), Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078 Hunan China
| | - Xiang Wang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precision Therapy in Lung Cancer, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011 China
| | - Desheng Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medical Sciences, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Yongguang Tao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis (Central South University), Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China. .,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precision Therapy in Lung Cancer, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China. .,Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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29
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Melnick A, Liang S, Liu Y, Wang Q, Dean N, Choe E, Kunnath N, Bodanapu G, Mullin C, Akter F, Lin K, Magnuson B, Kumar S, Lombard DB, Muntean AG, Ljungman M, Sekiguchi J, Ryan RJH, Chiang MY. Cdc73 protects Notch-induced T-cell leukemia cells from DNA damage and mitochondrial stress. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.22.525059. [PMID: 36711472 PMCID: PMC9882378 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.22.525059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Activated Notch signaling is highly prevalent in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) but pan-Notch inhibitors were toxic in clinical trials. To find alternative ways to target Notch signals, we investigated Cell division cycle 73 (Cdc73), which is a Notch cofactor and component of transcriptional machinery, a potential target in T-ALL. While we confirmed previous work that CDC73 interacts with NOTCH1, we also found that the interaction in T-ALL was context-dependent and facilitated by the lymphoid transcription factor ETS1. Using mouse models, we showed that Cdc73 is important for Notch-induced T-cell development and T-ALL maintenance. Mechanistically, Cdc73, Ets1, and Notch intersect chromatin at promoters and enhancers to activate oncogenes and genes that are important for DNA repair and oxidative phosphorylation. Consistently, Cdc73 deletion in T-ALL cells induced DNA damage and impaired mitochondrial function. Our data suggests that Cdc73 might promote a gene expression program that was eventually intersected by Notch to mitigate the genotoxic and metabolic stresses of elevated Notch signaling. We also provide mechanistic support for testing inhibitors of DNA repair, oxidative phosphorylation, and transcriptional machinery. Inhibiting pathways like Cdc73 that intersect with Notch at chromatin might constitute a strategy to weaken Notch signals without directly targeting the Notch complex.
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30
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Lu H, Yang M, Zhou Q. Reprogramming transcription after DNA damage: recognition, response, repair, and restart. Trends Cell Biol 2022:S0962-8924(22)00261-6. [PMID: 36513571 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Genome integrity is constantly challenged by endogenous and exogenous insults that cause DNA damage. To cope with these threats, cells have a surveillance mechanism, known as the DNA damage response (DDR), to repair any lesions. Although transcription has long been implicated in DNA repair, how transcriptional reprogramming is coordinated with the DDR is just beginning to be understood. In this review, we highlight recent advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying major transcriptional events, including RNA polymerase (Pol) II stalling and transcriptional silencing and recovery, which occur in response to DNA damage. Furthermore, we discuss how such transcriptional adaptation contributes to sensing and eliminating damaged DNA and how it can jeopardize genome integrity when it goes awry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huasong Lu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
| | - Min Yang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Qiang Zhou
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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31
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Koyanagi E, Kakimoto Y, Minamisawa T, Yoshifuji F, Natsume T, Higashitani A, Ogi T, Carr AM, Kanemaki MT, Daigaku Y. Global landscape of replicative DNA polymerase usage in the human genome. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7221. [PMID: 36434012 PMCID: PMC9700718 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34929-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The division of labour among DNA polymerase underlies the accuracy and efficiency of replication. However, the roles of replicative polymerases have not been directly established in human cells. We developed polymerase usage sequencing (Pu-seq) in HCT116 cells and mapped Polε and Polα usage genome wide. The polymerase usage profiles show Polε synthesises the leading strand and Polα contributes mainly to lagging strand synthesis. Combining the Polε and Polα profiles, we accurately predict the genome-wide pattern of fork directionality plus zones of replication initiation and termination. We confirm that transcriptional activity contributes to the pattern of initiation and termination and, by separately analysing the effect of transcription on co-directional and converging forks, demonstrate that coupled DNA synthesis of leading and lagging strands is compromised by transcription in both co-directional and convergent forks. Polymerase uncoupling is particularly evident in the vicinity of large genes, including the two most unstable common fragile sites, FRA3B and FRA3D, thus linking transcription-induced polymerase uncoupling to chromosomal instability. Together, our result demonstrated that Pu-seq in human cells provides a powerful and straightforward methodology to explore DNA polymerase usage and replication fork dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eri Koyanagi
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoko Kakimoto
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tamiko Minamisawa
- grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Cancer Genome Dynamics project, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiya Yoshifuji
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Toyoaki Natsume
- grid.418987.b0000 0004 1764 2181National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Mishima, Japan ,grid.275033.00000 0004 1763 208XDepartment of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Mishima, Japan ,grid.272456.00000 0000 9343 3630Present Address: Research Center for Genome & Medical Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Higashitani
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tomoo Ogi
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XResearch Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Antony M. Carr
- grid.12082.390000 0004 1936 7590Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9RQ UK
| | - Masato T. Kanemaki
- grid.418987.b0000 0004 1764 2181National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Mishima, Japan ,grid.275033.00000 0004 1763 208XDepartment of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Mishima, Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasukazu Daigaku
- grid.69566.3a0000 0001 2248 6943Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan ,grid.410807.a0000 0001 0037 4131Cancer Genome Dynamics project, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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Thada V, Greenberg RA. Unpaved roads: How the DNA damage response navigates endogenous genotoxins. DNA Repair (Amst) 2022; 118:103383. [PMID: 35939975 PMCID: PMC9703833 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2022.103383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Accurate DNA repair is essential for cellular and organismal homeostasis, and DNA repair defects result in genetic diseases and cancer predisposition. Several environmental factors, such as ultraviolet light, damage DNA, but many other molecules with DNA damaging potential are byproducts of normal cellular processes. In this review, we highlight some of the prominent sources of endogenous DNA damage as well as their mechanisms of repair, with a special focus on repair by the homologous recombination and Fanconi anemia pathways. We also discuss how modulating DNA damage caused by endogenous factors may augment current approaches used to treat BRCA-deficient cancers. Finally, we describe how synthetic lethal interactions may be exploited to exacerbate DNA repair deficiencies and cause selective toxicity in additional types of cancers.
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Miglietta G, Marinello J, Russo M, Capranico G. Ligands stimulating antitumour immunity as the next G-quadruplex challenge. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:180. [PMID: 36114513 PMCID: PMC9482198 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01649-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractG-quadruplex (G4) binders have been investigated to discover new anticancer drugs worldwide in past decades. As these ligands are generally not highly cytotoxic, the discovery rational was mainly based on increasing the cell-killing potency. Nevertheless, no G4 binder has been shown yet to be effective in cancer patients. Here, G4 binder activity at low dosages will be discussed as a critical feature to discover ligands with therapeutic effects in cancer patients. Specific effects of G4 binders al low doses have been reported to occur in cancer and normal cells. Among them, genome instability and the stimulation of cytoplasmic processes related to autophagy and innate immune response open to the use of G4 binders as immune-stimulating agents. Thus, we propose a new rational of drug discovery, which is not based on cytotoxic potency but rather on immune gene activation at non-cytotoxic dosage.
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Groelly FJ, Dagg RA, Petropoulos M, Rossetti GG, Prasad B, Panagopoulos A, Paulsen T, Karamichali A, Jones SE, Ochs F, Dionellis VS, Puig Lombardi E, Miossec MJ, Lockstone H, Legube G, Blackford AN, Altmeyer M, Halazonetis TD, Tarsounas M. Mitotic DNA synthesis is caused by transcription-replication conflicts in BRCA2-deficient cells. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3382-3397.e7. [PMID: 36002001 PMCID: PMC9631240 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant replication causes cells lacking BRCA2 to enter mitosis with under-replicated DNA, which activates a repair mechanism known as mitotic DNA synthesis (MiDAS). Here, we identify genome-wide the sites where MiDAS reactions occur when BRCA2 is abrogated. High-resolution profiling revealed that these sites are different from MiDAS at aphidicolin-induced common fragile sites in that they map to genomic regions replicating in the early S-phase, which are close to early-firing replication origins, are highly transcribed, and display R-loop-forming potential. Both transcription inhibition in early S-phase and RNaseH1 overexpression reduced MiDAS in BRCA2-deficient cells, indicating that transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs) and R-loops are the source of MiDAS. Importantly, the MiDAS sites identified in BRCA2-deficient cells also represent hotspots for genomic rearrangements in BRCA2-mutated breast tumors. Thus, our work provides a mechanism for how tumor-predisposing BRCA2 inactivation links transcription-induced DNA damage with mitotic DNA repair to fuel the genomic instability characteristic of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian J Groelly
- Genome Stability and Tumourigenesis Group, Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Rebecca A Dagg
- Genome Stability and Tumourigenesis Group, Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Giacomo G Rossetti
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Birbal Prasad
- Genome Stability and Tumourigenesis Group, Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Andreas Panagopoulos
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Teressa Paulsen
- Genome Stability and Tumourigenesis Group, Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Samuel E Jones
- Department of Oncology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Fena Ochs
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Vasilis S Dionellis
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Emilia Puig Lombardi
- Genome Stability and Tumourigenesis Group, Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Matthieu J Miossec
- Bioinformatics and Statistical Genetics Core, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Helen Lockstone
- Bioinformatics and Statistical Genetics Core, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Gaëlle Legube
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), CNRS, Université de Toulouse, UT3, Toulouse 31062, France
| | - Andrew N Blackford
- Department of Oncology, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Matthias Altmeyer
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thanos D Halazonetis
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Madalena Tarsounas
- Genome Stability and Tumourigenesis Group, Department of Oncology, Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
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35
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DNA Damage Regulates the Functions of the RNA Binding Protein Sam68 through ATM-Dependent Phosphorylation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14163847. [PMID: 36010841 PMCID: PMC9405969 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14163847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Alterations of the complex network of interactions between the DNA damage response pathway and RNA metabolism have been described in several tumors, and increasing efforts are devoted to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in this network. Previous large-scale proteomic studies identified the RNA binding protein Sam68 as a putative target of the ATM kinase. Herein, we demonstrate that ATM phosphorylates Sam68 upon DNA damage induction, and this post-translational modification regulates both the signaling function of Sam68 in the initial phase of the DNA damage response and its RNA processing activity. Thus, our study uncovers anew crosstalk between ATM and Sam68, which may represent a paradigm for the functional interaction between the DDR pathway and RNA binding proteins, and a possible actionabletarget in human cancers. Abstract Cancer cells frequently exhibit dysregulation of the DNA damage response (DDR), genomic instability, and altered RNA metabolism. Recent genome-wide studies have strongly suggested an interaction between the pathways involved in the cellular response to DDR and in the regulation of RNA metabolism, but the molecular mechanism(s) involved in this crosstalk are largely unknown. Herein, we found that activation of the DDR kinase ATM promotes its interaction with Sam68, leading to phosphorylation of this multifunctional RNA binding protein (RBP) on three residues: threonine 61, serine 388 and serine 390. Moreover, we demonstrate that ATM-dependent phosphorylation of threonine 61 promotes the function of Sam68 in the DDR pathway and enhances its RNA processing activity. Importantly, ATM-mediated phosphorylation of Sam68 in prostate cancer cells modulates alternative polyadenylation of transcripts that are targets of Sam68, supporting the notion that the ATM–Sam68 axis exerts a multifaceted role in the response to DNA damage. Thus, our work validates Sam68 as an ATM kinase substrate and uncovers an unexpected bidirectional interplay between ATM and Sam68, which couples the DDR pathway to modulation of RNA metabolism in response to genotoxic stress.
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Petermann E, Lan L, Zou L. Sources, resolution and physiological relevance of R-loops and RNA-DNA hybrids. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:521-540. [PMID: 35459910 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00474-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RNA-DNA hybrids are generated during transcription, DNA replication and DNA repair and are crucial intermediates in these processes. When RNA-DNA hybrids are stably formed in double-stranded DNA, they displace one of the DNA strands and give rise to a three-stranded structure called an R-loop. R-loops are widespread in the genome and are enriched at active genes. R-loops have important roles in regulating gene expression and chromatin structure, but they also pose a threat to genomic stability, especially during DNA replication. To keep the genome stable, cells have evolved a slew of mechanisms to prevent aberrant R-loop accumulation. Although R-loops can cause DNA damage, they are also induced by DNA damage and act as key intermediates in DNA repair such as in transcription-coupled repair and RNA-templated DNA break repair. When the regulation of R-loops goes awry, pathological R-loops accumulate, which contributes to diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. In this Review, we discuss the current understanding of the sources of R-loops and RNA-DNA hybrids, mechanisms that suppress and resolve these structures, the impact of these structures on DNA repair and genome stability, and opportunities to therapeutically target pathological R-loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Petermann
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Li Lan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lee Zou
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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37
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Li C, Chen B, Yu H. Splicing-mediated activation of SHAGGY-like kinases underpinning carbon partitioning in Arabidopsis seeds. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2730-2746. [PMID: 35435232 PMCID: PMC9252489 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) family members serve as signaling hubs for plant development and stress responses, yet the underlying mechanism of their transcriptional regulation remains a long-standing mystery. Here we show that the transcription of SHAGGY-like kinase 11/12 (SK11/12), two members of the GSK3 gene family, is promoted by the splicing factor SmD1b, which is essential for distributing carbon sources into storage and protective components in Arabidopsis seeds. The chromatin recruitment of SmD1b at the SK11/12 loci promotes their transcription associated with co-transcriptional splicing of the first introns in the 5'-untranslated region of SK11/12. The loss of SmD1b function generates transcripts with unspliced introns that create disruptive R-loops to hamper the transcriptional elongation of SK11/12, in addition to compromising the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the SK11/12 genomic regions. These effects imposed by SmD1b determine the transcription of SK11/12 to confer a key switch of carbon flow among metabolic pathways in zygotic and maternal tissues in seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiang Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Bin Chen
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Hao Yu
- Author for correspondence:
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Wang Y, Ma B, Liu X, Gao G, Che Z, Fan M, Meng S, Zhao X, Sugimura R, Cao H, Zhou Z, Xie J, Lin C, Luo Z. ZFP281-BRCA2 prevents R-loop accumulation during DNA replication. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3493. [PMID: 35715464 PMCID: PMC9205938 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31211-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops are prevalent in mammalian genomes and involved in many fundamental cellular processes. Depletion of BRCA2 leads to aberrant R-loop accumulation, contributing to genome instability. Here, we show that ZFP281 cooperates with BRCA2 in preventing R-loop accumulation to facilitate DNA replication in embryonic stem cells. ZFP281 depletion reduces PCNA levels on chromatin and impairs DNA replication. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that ZFP281 can interact with BRCA2, and that BRCA2 is enriched at G/C-rich promoters and requires both ZFP281 and PRC2 for its proper recruitment to the bivalent chromatin at the genome-wide scale. Furthermore, depletion of ZFP281 or BRCA2 leads to accumulation of R-loops over the bivalent regions, and compromises activation of the developmental genes by retinoic acid during stem cell differentiation. In summary, our results reveal that ZFP281 recruits BRCA2 to the bivalent chromatin regions to ensure proper progression of DNA replication through preventing persistent R-loops. R-loops are prevalent in mammalian genomes and involved in many fundamental cellular processes. Here, Wang et al. report that ZFP281 cooperates with BRCA2 in preventing R-loop accumulation to facilitate DNA replication in embryonic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Binbin Ma
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaoxu Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Ge Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Zhuanzhuan Che
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Menghan Fan
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Siyan Meng
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Xiru Zhao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Rio Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Hua Cao
- Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation of Non-human primate, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China
| | - Zhongjun Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Chengqi Lin
- Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation of Non-human primate, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, China. .,Jiangsu Province Hi-Tech Key Laboratory for Biomedical Research, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China. .,Shenzhen Research Institute, Southeast University, 19 Gaoxin South 4th Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518063, China.
| | - Zhuojuan Luo
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China. .,Shenzhen Research Institute, Southeast University, 19 Gaoxin South 4th Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518063, China.
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39
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Brickner JR, Garzon JL, Cimprich KA. Walking a tightrope: The complex balancing act of R-loops in genome stability. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2267-2297. [PMID: 35508167 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although transcription is an essential cellular process, it is paradoxically also a well-recognized cause of genomic instability. R-loops, non-B DNA structures formed when nascent RNA hybridizes to DNA to displace the non-template strand as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), are partially responsible for this instability. Yet, recent work has begun to elucidate regulatory roles for R-loops in maintaining the genome. In this review, we discuss the cellular contexts in which R-loops contribute to genomic instability, particularly during DNA replication and double-strand break (DSB) repair. We also summarize the evidence that R-loops participate as an intermediate during repair and may influence pathway choice to preserve genomic integrity. Finally, we discuss the immunogenic potential of R-loops and highlight their links to disease should they become pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Brickner
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jada L Garzon
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karlene A Cimprich
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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40
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Khan MA, Siddiqui MQ, Kuligina E, Varma AK. Evaluation of conformational transitions of h-BRCA2 functional domain and unclassified variant Arg2502Cys using multimodal approach. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 209:716-724. [PMID: 35413318 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer type 2 susceptibility (BRCA2) protein plays an essential role in the repair mechanism of DNA double-strand breaks and interstrand cross-links by Homologous recombination. Germline mutations identified in the BRCA2 gene confer an increased risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Missense mutations are identified all over the gene, including the DNA binding region of BRCA2 that interacts with FANCD2. However, the majority of these missense mutations are classified as 'Variants of Uncertain Significance' due to a lack of structural, functional and clinical correlations. Therefore, multi-disciplinary in-silico, in-vitro and biophysical approaches have been explored to characterize an unclassified missense mutation, BRCA2 Arg2502Cys, identified from a case-control study. Circular-dichroism and Fluorescence spectroscopy show that the Arg2502Cys mutation in hBRCA2 (residues 2350-2545) decreases the α-helical/β-sheet propensity of the wild-type protein and perturb the tertiary structure conformation. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed alteration in the intramolecular H-bonds, overall compactness and stability of the hydrophobic core were observed in the mutant protein. Principle component analysis indicated that Arg2502Cys mutant exhibited comparatively large conformational transitions and periodic fluctuation. Therefore, to our conclusion, BRCA2 Arg2502Cys mutant perturbed the structural integrity and conformational dynamics of BRCA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudassar Ali Khan
- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 410210, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India
| | - M Quadir Siddiqui
- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 410210, India; Present address: Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Ekaterina Kuligina
- N.N. Petrov Institute of Oncology, Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, RU-197758, Pesochny-2, St.-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ashok K Varma
- Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 410210, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, India.
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41
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Abstract
DNA repair and DNA damage signaling pathways are critical for the maintenance of genomic stability. Defects of DNA repair and damage signaling contribute to tumorigenesis, but also render cancer cells vulnerable to DNA damage and reliant on remaining repair and signaling activities. Here, we review the major classes of DNA repair and damage signaling defects in cancer, the genomic instability that they give rise to, and therapeutic strategies to exploit the resulting vulnerabilities. Furthermore, we discuss the impacts of DNA repair defects on both targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and highlight emerging principles for targeting DNA repair defects in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Hopkins
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
| | - Li Lan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Lee Zou
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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42
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Badra Fajardo N, Taraviras S, Lygerou Z. Fanconi anemia proteins and genome fragility: unraveling replication defects for cancer therapy. Trends Cancer 2022; 8:467-481. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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43
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Zardoni L, Nardini E, Brambati A, Lucca C, Choudhary R, Loperfido F, Sabbioneda S, Liberi G. Elongating RNA polymerase II and RNA:DNA hybrids hinder fork progression and gene expression at sites of head-on replication-transcription collisions. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:12769-12784. [PMID: 34878142 PMCID: PMC8682787 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Uncoordinated clashes between replication forks and transcription cause replication stress and genome instability, which are hallmarks of cancer and neurodegeneration. Here, we investigate the outcomes of head-on replication-transcription collisions, using as a model system budding yeast mutants for the helicase Sen1, the ortholog of human Senataxin. We found that RNA Polymerase II accumulates together with RNA:DNA hybrids at sites of head-on collisions. The replication fork and RNA Polymerase II are both arrested during the clash, leading to DNA damage and, in the long run, the inhibition of gene expression. The inactivation of RNA Polymerase II elongation factors, such as the HMG-like protein Spt2 and the DISF and PAF complexes, but not alterations in chromatin structure, allows replication fork progression through transcribed regions. Attenuation of RNA Polymerase II elongation rescues RNA:DNA hybrid accumulation and DNA damage sensitivity caused by the absence of Sen1, but not of RNase H proteins, suggesting that such enzymes counteract toxic RNA:DNA hybrids at different stages of the cell cycle with Sen1 mainly acting in replication. We suggest that the main obstacle to replication fork progression is the elongating RNA Polymerase II engaged in an R-loop, rather than RNA:DNA hybrids per se or hybrid-associated chromatin modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Zardoni
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", CNR, 27100 Pavia, Italy.,Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Nardini
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", CNR, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Brambati
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", CNR, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | | | | | - Federica Loperfido
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", CNR, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Simone Sabbioneda
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", CNR, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giordano Liberi
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", CNR, 27100 Pavia, Italy.,IFOM Foundation, 20139 Milan, Italy
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44
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Linking circular intronic RNA degradation and function in transcription by RNase H1. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 64:1795-1809. [PMID: 34453665 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-1993-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Circular intronic RNAs (ciRNAs) escaping from DBR1 debranching of intron lariats are co-transcriptionally produced from pre-mRNA splicing, but their turnover and mechanism of action have remained elusive. We report that RNase H1 degrades a subgroup of ciRNAs in human cells. Many ciRNAs contain high GC% and tend to form DNA:RNA hybrids (R-loops) for RNase H1 cleavage, a process that appears to promote Pol II transcriptional elongation at ciRNA-producing loci. One ciRNA, ciankrd52, shows a stronger ability of R-loop formation than that of its cognate pre-mRNA by maintaining a locally open RNA structure in vitro. This allows the release of pre-mRNA from R-loops by ci-ankrd52 replacement and subsequent ciRNA removal via RNase H1 for efficient transcriptional elongation. We propose that such an R-loop dependent ciRNA degradation likely represents a mechanism that on one hand limits ciRNA accumulation by recruiting RNase H1 and on the other hand resolves R-loops for transcriptional elongation at some GC-rich ciRNA-producing loci.
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45
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Uruci S, Lo CSY, Wheeler D, Taneja N. R-Loops and Its Chro-Mates: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168850. [PMID: 34445553 PMCID: PMC8396322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery, R-loops have been associated with both physiological and pathological functions that are conserved across species. R-loops are a source of replication stress and genome instability, as seen in neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. In response, cells have evolved pathways to prevent R-loop accumulation as well as to resolve them. A growing body of evidence correlates R-loop accumulation with changes in the epigenetic landscape. However, the role of chromatin modification and remodeling in R-loops homeostasis remains unclear. This review covers various mechanisms precluding R-loop accumulation and highlights the role of chromatin modifiers and remodelers in facilitating timely R-loop resolution. We also discuss the enigmatic role of RNA:DNA hybrids in facilitating DNA repair, epigenetic landscape and the potential role of replication fork preservation pathways, active fork stability and stalled fork protection pathways, in avoiding replication-transcription conflicts. Finally, we discuss the potential role of several Chro-Mates (chromatin modifiers and remodelers) in the likely differentiation between persistent/detrimental R-loops and transient/benign R-loops that assist in various physiological processes relevant for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidrit Uruci
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.); (C.S.Y.L.)
| | - Calvin Shun Yu Lo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.); (C.S.Y.L.)
| | - David Wheeler
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Nitika Taneja
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.); (C.S.Y.L.)
- Correspondence:
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Tang M, Pei G, Su D, Wang C, Feng X, Srivastava M, Chen Z, Zhao Z, Chen J. Genome-wide CRISPR screens reveal cyclin C as synthetic survival target of BRCA2. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:7476-7491. [PMID: 34197614 PMCID: PMC8287926 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi)-based therapies initially reduce tumor burden but eventually lead to acquired resistance in cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. To understand the potential PARPi resistance mechanisms, we performed whole-genome CRISPR screens to discover genetic alterations that change the gene essentiality in cells with inducible depletion of BRCA2. We identified that several RNA Polymerase II transcription Mediator complex components, especially Cyclin C (CCNC) as synthetic survival targets upon BRCA2 loss. Total mRNA sequencing demonstrated that loss of CCNC could activate the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling pathway and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway, however the inhibition of these pathways could not reverse cell survival in BRCA2 depleted CCNC-knockout cells, indicating that the activation of these pathways is not required for the resistance. Moreover, we showed that the improved survival is not due to restoration of homologous recombination repair although decreased DNA damage signaling was observed. Interestingly, loss of CCNC could restore replication fork stability in BRCA2 deficient cells, which may contribute to PARPi resistance. Taken together, our data reveal CCNC as a critical genetic determinant upon BRCA2 loss of function, which may help the development of novel therapeutic strategies that overcome PARPi resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfan Tang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Unit 1052, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Guangsheng Pei
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dan Su
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Unit 1052, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Unit 1052, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xu Feng
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Unit 1052, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mrinal Srivastava
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Unit 1052, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Unit 1052, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Unit 1052, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Renaudin X, Lee M, Shehata M, Surmann EM, Venkitaraman AR. BRCA2 deficiency reveals that oxidative stress impairs RNaseH1 function to cripple mitochondrial DNA maintenance. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109478. [PMID: 34348152 PMCID: PMC8356021 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a ubiquitous cellular challenge implicated in aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer. By studying pathogenic mutations in the tumor suppressor BRCA2, we identify a general mechanism by which oxidative stress restricts mitochondrial (mt)DNA replication. BRCA2 inactivation induces R-loop accumulation in the mtDNA regulatory region and diminishes mtDNA replication initiation. In BRCA2-deficient cells, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are elevated, and ROS scavengers suppress the mtDNA defects. Conversely, wild-type cells exposed to oxidative stress by pharmacologic or genetic manipulation phenocopy these defects. Mechanistically, we find that 8-oxoguanine accumulation in mtDNA caused by oxidative stress suffices to impair recruitment of the mitochondrial enzyme RNaseH1 to sites of R-loop accrual, restricting mtDNA replication initiation. Thus, oxidative stress impairs RNaseH1 function to cripple mtDNA maintenance. Our findings highlight a molecular mechanism that links oxidative stress to mitochondrial dysfunction and is elicited by the inactivation of genes implicated in neurodegeneration and cancer. BRCA2-deficient cells accumulate mtDNA R-loops due to oxidative stress This stress creates 8-oxoguanine lesions impairing RNaseH1 recruitment to mtDNA RNaseH1 impairment triggers R-loop formation and restricts mtDNA replication Other sources of oxidative stress also cripple mtDNA maintenance via this mechanism
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Renaudin
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Miyoung Lee
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Mona Shehata
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Eva-Maria Surmann
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Ashok R Venkitaraman
- Medical Research Council Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK.
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Yuan W, Al-Hadid Q, Wang Z, Shen L, Cho H, Wu X, Yang Y. TDRD3 promotes DHX9 chromatin recruitment and R-loop resolution. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8573-8591. [PMID: 34329467 PMCID: PMC8421139 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops, which consist of a DNA/RNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of chromatin biology. R-loops are particularly enriched at gene promoters, where they play important roles in regulating gene expression. However, the molecular mechanisms that control promoter-associated R-loops remain unclear. The epigenetic ‘reader’ Tudor domain-containing protein 3 (TDRD3), which recognizes methylarginine marks on histones and on the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, was previously shown to recruit DNA topoisomerase 3B (TOP3B) to relax negatively supercoiled DNA and prevent R-loop formation. Here, we further characterize the function of TDRD3 in R-loop metabolism and introduce the DExH-box helicase 9 (DHX9) as a novel interaction partner of the TDRD3/TOP3B complex. TDRD3 directly interacts with DHX9 via its Tudor domain. This interaction is important for recruiting DHX9 to target gene promoters, where it resolves R-loops in a helicase activity-dependent manner to facilitate gene expression. Additionally, TDRD3 also stimulates the helicase activity of DHX9. This stimulation relies on the OB-fold of TDRD3, which likely binds the ssDNA in the R-loop structure. Thus, DHX9 functions together with TOP3B to suppress promoter-associated R-loops. Collectively, these findings reveal new functions of TDRD3 and provide important mechanistic insights into the regulation of R-loop metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yuan
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Qais Al-Hadid
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Zhihao Wang
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lei Shen
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hyejin Cho
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Yanzhong Yang
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Barabino SML, Citterio E, Ronchi AE. Transcription Factors, R-Loops and Deubiquitinating Enzymes: Emerging Targets in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153753. [PMID: 34359655 PMCID: PMC8345071 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The advent of DNA massive sequencing technologies has allowed for the first time an extensive look into the heterogeneous spectrum of genes and mutations underpinning myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this review, we wish to explore the most recent advances and the rationale for the potential therapeutic interest of three main actors in myelo-leukemic transformation: transcription factors that govern myeloid differentiation; RNA splicing factors, which ensure proper mRNA maturation and whose mutations increase R-loops formation; and deubiquitinating enzymes, which contribute to genome stability in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Abstract Myeloid neoplasms encompass a very heterogeneous family of diseases characterized by the failure of the molecular mechanisms that ensure a balanced equilibrium between hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) self-renewal and the proper production of differentiated cells. The origin of the driver mutations leading to preleukemia can be traced back to HSC/progenitor cells. Many properties typical to normal HSCs are exploited by leukemic stem cells (LSCs) to their advantage, leading to the emergence of a clonal population that can eventually progress to leukemia with variable latency and evolution. In fact, different subclones might in turn develop from the original malignant clone through accumulation of additional mutations, increasing their competitive fitness. This process ultimately leads to a complex cancer architecture where a mosaic of cellular clones—each carrying a unique set of mutations—coexists. The repertoire of genes whose mutations contribute to the progression toward leukemogenesis is broad. It encompasses genes involved in different cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, epigenetics (DNA and histones modifications), DNA damage signaling and repair, chromosome segregation and replication (cohesin complex), RNA splicing, and signal transduction. Among these many players, transcription factors, RNA splicing proteins, and deubiquitinating enzymes are emerging as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Francette AM, Tripplehorn SA, Arndt KM. The Paf1 Complex: A Keystone of Nuclear Regulation Operating at the Interface of Transcription and Chromatin. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166979. [PMID: 33811920 PMCID: PMC8184591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II is closely intertwined with the regulation of chromatin structure. A host of proteins required for the disassembly, reassembly, and modification of nucleosomes interacts with Pol II to aid its movement and counteract its disruptive effects on chromatin. The highly conserved Polymerase Associated Factor 1 Complex, Paf1C, travels with Pol II and exerts control over transcription elongation and chromatin structure, while broadly impacting the transcriptome in both single cell and multicellular eukaryotes. Recent studies have yielded exciting new insights into the mechanisms by which Paf1C regulates transcription elongation, epigenetic modifications, and post-transcriptional steps in eukaryotic gene expression. Importantly, these functional studies are now supported by an extensive foundation of high-resolution structural information, providing intimate views of Paf1C and its integration into the larger Pol II elongation complex. As a global regulatory factor operating at the interface between chromatin and transcription, the impact of Paf1C is broad and its influence reverberates into other domains of nuclear regulation, including genome stability, telomere maintenance, and DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex M Francette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Sarah A Tripplehorn
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
| | - Karen M Arndt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States.
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