1
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Takai H, Aria V, Borges P, Yeeles JTP, de Lange T. CST-polymerase α-primase solves a second telomere end-replication problem. Nature 2024; 627:664-670. [PMID: 38418884 PMCID: PMC11160940 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07137-1] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase adds G-rich telomeric repeats to the 3' ends of telomeres1, counteracting telomere shortening caused by loss of telomeric 3' overhangs during leading-strand DNA synthesis ('the end-replication problem'2). Here we report a second end-replication problem that originates from the incomplete duplication of the C-rich telomeric repeat strand (C-strand) by lagging-strand DNA synthesis. This problem is resolved by fill-in synthesis mediated by polymerase α-primase bound to Ctc1-Stn1-Ten1 (CST-Polα-primase). In vitro, priming for lagging-strand DNA replication does not occur on the 3' overhang and lagging-strand synthesis stops in a zone of approximately 150 nucleotides (nt) more than 26 nt from the end of the template. Consistent with the in vitro data, lagging-end telomeres of cells lacking CST-Polα-primase lost 50-60 nt of telomeric CCCTAA repeats per population doubling. The C-strands of leading-end telomeres shortened by around 100 nt per population doubling, reflecting the generation of 3' overhangs through resection. The measured overall C-strand shortening in the absence of CST-Polα-primase fill-in is consistent with the combined effects of incomplete lagging-strand synthesis and 5' resection at the leading ends. We conclude that canonical DNA replication creates two telomere end-replication problems that require telomerase to maintain the G-rich strand and CST-Polα-primase to maintain the C-strand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Takai
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Valentina Aria
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pamela Borges
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph T P Yeeles
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Titia de Lange
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Takai H, Aria V, Borges P, Yeeles JTP, de Lange T. CST-Polymeraseα-primase solves a second telomere end-replication problem. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.26.564248. [PMID: 37961611 PMCID: PMC10634868 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.26.564248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase adds G-rich telomeric repeats to the 3' ends of telomeres1, counteracting telomere shortening caused by loss of telomeric 3' overhangs during leading-strand DNA synthesis ("the end-replication problem"2). We report a second end-replication problem that originates from the incomplete duplication of the C-rich telomeric repeat strand by lagging-strand synthesis. This problem is solved by CST-Polymeraseα(Polα)-primase fill-in synthesis. In vitro, priming for lagging-strand DNA replication does not occur on the 3' overhang and lagging-strand synthesis stops in an ~150-nt zone more than 26 nt from the end of the template. Consistent with the in vitro data, lagging-end telomeres of cells lacking CST-Polα-primase lost ~50-60 nt of CCCTAA repeats per population doubling (PD). The C-strands of leading-end telomeres shortened by ~100 nt/PD, reflecting the generation of 3' overhangs through resection. The measured overall C-strand shortening in absence of CST-Polα-primase fill-in is consistent with the combined effects of incomplete lagging-strand synthesis and 5' resection at the leading-ends. We conclude that canonical DNA replication creates two telomere end-replication problems that require telomerase to maintain the G-strand and CST-Polα-primase to maintain the C-strand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Takai
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, Rockefeller University, New York, USA
| | - Valentina Aria
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, CB2, 0QH
| | - Pamela Borges
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, Rockefeller University, New York, USA
| | - Joseph T. P. Yeeles
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, CB2, 0QH
| | - Titia de Lange
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, Rockefeller University, New York, USA
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3
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Abstract
It has been known for decades that telomerase extends the 3' end of linear eukaryotic chromosomes and dictates the telomeric repeat sequence based on the template in its RNA. However, telomerase does not mitigate sequence loss at the 5' ends of chromosomes, which results from lagging strand DNA synthesis and nucleolytic processing. Therefore, a second enzyme is needed to keep telomeres intact: DNA polymerase α/Primase bound to Ctc1-Stn1-Ten1 (CST). CST-Polα/Primase maintains telomeres through a fill-in reaction that replenishes the lost sequences at the 5' ends. CST not only serves to maintain telomeres but also determines their length by keeping telomerase from overelongating telomeres. Here we discuss recent data on the evolution, structure, function, and recruitment of mammalian CST-Polα/Primase, highlighting the role of this complex and telomere length control in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W Cai
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Titia de Lange
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA
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4
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Lue NF, Autexier C. Orchestrating nucleic acid-protein interactions at chromosome ends: telomerase mechanisms come into focus. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:878-890. [PMID: 37400652 PMCID: PMC10539978 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase is a special reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein dedicated to the synthesis of telomere repeats that protect chromosome ends. Among reverse transcriptases, telomerase is unique in using a stably associated RNA with an embedded template to synthesize a specified sequence. Moreover, it is capable of iteratively copying the same template region (repeat addition processivity) through multiple rounds of RNA-DNA unpairing and reannealing, that is, the translocation reaction. Biochemical analyses of telomerase over the past 3 decades in protozoa, fungi and mammals have identified structural elements that underpin telomerase mechanisms and have led to models that account for the special attributes of telomerase. Notably, these findings and models can now be interpreted and adjudicated through recent cryo-EM structures of Tetrahymena and human telomerase holoenzyme complexes in association with substrates and regulatory proteins. Collectively, these structures reveal the intricate protein-nucleic acid interactions that potentiate telomerase's unique translocation reaction and clarify how this enzyme reconfigures the basic reverse transcriptase scaffold to craft a polymerase dedicated to the synthesis of telomere DNA. Among the many new insights is the resolution of the telomerase 'anchor site' proposed more than 3 decades ago. The structures also highlight the nearly universal conservation of a protein-protein interface between an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB)-fold regulatory protein and the telomerase catalytic subunit, which enables spatial and temporal regulation of telomerase function in vivo. In this Review, we discuss key features of the structures in combination with relevant functional analyses. We also examine conserved and divergent aspects of telomerase mechanisms as gleaned from studies in different model organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal F Lue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Chantal Autexier
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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5
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Wu P, Gan Q, Zhang X, Yang Y, Xiao Y, She Q, Ni J, Huang Q, Shen Y. The archaeal KEOPS complex possesses a functional Gon7 homolog and has an essential function independent of the cellular t 6A modification level. MLIFE 2023; 2:11-27. [PMID: 38818338 PMCID: PMC10989989 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Kinase, putative Endopeptidase, and Other Proteins of Small size (KEOPS) is a multisubunit protein complex conserved in eukaryotes and archaea. It is composed of Pcc1, Kae1, Bud32, Cgi121, and Gon7 in eukaryotes and is primarily involved in N6-threonylcarbamoyl adenosine (t6A) modification of transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Recently, it was reported that KEOPS participates in homologous recombination (HR) repair in yeast. To characterize the KEOPS in archaea (aKEOPS), we conducted genetic and biochemical analyses of its encoding genes in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Saccharolobus islandicus. We show that aKEOPS also possesses five subunits, Pcc1, Kae1, Bud32, Cgi121, and Pcc1-like (or Gon7-like), just like eukaryotic KEOPS. Pcc1-like has physical interactions with Kae1 and Pcc1 and can mediate the monomerization of the dimeric subcomplex (Kae1-Pcc1-Pcc1-Kae1), suggesting that Pcc1-like is a functional homolog of the eukaryotic Gon7 subunit. Strikingly, none of the genes encoding aKEOPS subunits, including Pcc1 and Pcc1-like, can be deleted in the wild type and in a t6A modification complementary strain named TsaKI, implying that the aKEOPS complex is essential for an additional cellular process in this archaeon. Knock-down of the Cgi121 subunit leads to severe growth retardance in the wild type that is partially rescued in TsaKI. These results suggest that aKEOPS plays an essential role independent of the cellular t6A modification level. In addition, archaeal Cgi121 possesses dsDNA-binding activity that relies on its tRNA 3' CCA tail binding module. Our study clarifies the subunit organization of archaeal KEOPS and suggests an origin of eukaryotic Gon7. The study also reveals a possible link between the function in t6A modification and the additional function, presumably HR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengju Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Qi Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Yunfeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Yuanxi Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Qunxin She
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Jinfeng Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Qihong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Yulong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, CRISPR and Archaea Biology Research Center, Microbial Technology InstituteShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
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6
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Mirman Z, Cai S, de Lange T. CST/Polα/primase-mediated fill-in synthesis at DSBs. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:379-389. [PMID: 36205622 PMCID: PMC9879193 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2123886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) pose a major threat to the genome, so the efficient repair of such breaks is essential. DSB processing and repair is affected by 53BP1, which has been proposed to determine repair pathway choice and/or promote repair fidelity. 53BP1 and its downstream effectors, RIF1 and shieldin, control 3' overhang length, and the mechanism has been a topic of intensive research. Here, we highlight recent evidence that 3' overhang control by 53BP1 occurs through fill-in synthesis of resected DSBs by CST/Polα/primase. We focus on the crucial role of fill-in synthesis in BRCA1-deficient cells treated with PARPi and discuss the notion of fill-in synthesis in other specialized settings and in the repair of random DSBs. We argue that - in addition to other determinants - repair pathway choice may be influenced by the DNA sequence at the break which can impact CST binding and therefore the deployment of Polα/primase fill-in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Mirman
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Division of Genetics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, HHMI, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Cai
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory for Molecular Electron Microscopy, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Titia de Lange
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Coloma J, Gonzalez-Rodriguez N, Balaguer FA, Gmurczyk K, Aicart-Ramos C, Nuero ÓM, Luque-Ortega JR, Calugaru K, Lue NF, Moreno-Herrero F, Llorca O. Molecular architecture and oligomerization of Candida glabrata Cdc13 underpin its telomeric DNA-binding and unfolding activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:668-686. [PMID: 36629261 PMCID: PMC9881146 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The CST complex is a key player in telomere replication and stability, which in yeast comprises Cdc13, Stn1 and Ten1. While Stn1 and Ten1 are very well conserved across species, Cdc13 does not resemble its mammalian counterpart CTC1 either in sequence or domain organization, and Cdc13 but not CTC1 displays functions independently of the rest of CST. Whereas the structures of human CTC1 and CST have been determined, the molecular organization of Cdc13 remains poorly understood. Here, we dissect the molecular architecture of Candida glabrata Cdc13 and show how it regulates binding to telomeric sequences. Cdc13 forms dimers through the interaction between OB-fold 2 (OB2) domains. Dimerization stimulates binding of OB3 to telomeric sequences, resulting in the unfolding of ssDNA secondary structure. Once bound to DNA, Cdc13 prevents the refolding of ssDNA by mechanisms involving all domains. OB1 also oligomerizes, inducing higher-order complexes of Cdc13 in vitro. OB1 truncation disrupts these complexes, affects ssDNA unfolding and reduces telomere length in C. glabrata. Together, our results reveal the molecular organization of C. glabrata Cdc13 and how this regulates the binding and the structure of DNA, and suggest that yeast species evolved distinct architectures of Cdc13 that share some common principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Coloma
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Javier Coloma. Tel: +34 91 732 8000 (Ext 3033);
| | | | - Francisco A Balaguer
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karolina Gmurczyk
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Aicart-Ramos
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar M Nuero
- Molecular Interactions Facility, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Román Luque-Ortega
- Molecular Interactions Facility, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Kimberly Calugaru
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neal F Lue
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Oscar Llorca
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +34 91 732 8000 (Ext 3000);
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8
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Zahid S, Aloe S, Sutherland JH, Holloman WK, Lue NF. Ustilago maydis telomere protein Pot1 harbors an extra N-terminal OB fold and regulates homology-directed DNA repair factors in a dichotomous and context-dependent manner. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010182. [PMID: 35587917 PMCID: PMC9119445 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The telomere G-strand binding protein Pot1 plays multifaceted roles in telomere maintenance and protection. We examined the structure and activities of Pot1 in Ustilago maydis, a fungal model that recapitulates key features of mammalian telomere regulation. Compared to the well-characterized primate and fission yeast Pot1 orthologs, UmPot1 harbors an extra N-terminal OB-fold domain (OB-N), which was recently shown to be present in most metazoans. UmPot1 binds directly to Rad51 and regulates the latter's strand exchange activity. Deleting the OB-N domain, which is implicated in Rad51-binding, caused telomere shortening, suggesting that Pot1-Rad51 interaction facilitates telomere maintenance. Depleting Pot1 through transcriptional repression triggered growth arrest as well as rampant recombination, leading to multiple telomere aberrations. In addition, telomere repeat RNAs transcribed from both the G- and C-strand were dramatically up-regulated, and this was accompanied by elevated levels of telomere RNA-DNA hybrids. Telomere abnormalities of pot1-deficient cells were suppressed, and cell viability was restored by the deletion of genes encoding Rad51 or Brh2 (the BRCA2 ortholog), indicating that homology-directed repair (HDR) proteins are key mediators of telomere aberrations and cellular toxicity. Together, these observations underscore the complex physical and functional interactions between Pot1 and DNA repair factors, leading to context-dependent and dichotomous effects of HDR proteins on telomere maintenance and protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Zahid
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sarah Aloe
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jeanette H. Sutherland
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - William K. Holloman
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Neal F. Lue
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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9
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Cai SW, Zinder JC, Svetlov V, Bush MW, Nudler E, Walz T, de Lange T. Cryo-EM structure of the human CST-Polα/primase complex in a recruitment state. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:813-819. [PMID: 35578024 PMCID: PMC9371972 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00766-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The CST–Polα/primase complex is essential for telomere maintenance and functions to counteract resection at double-strand breaks. We report a 4.6-Å resolution cryo-EM structure of human CST–Polα/primase, captured prior to catalysis in a recruitment state stabilized by chemical cross-linking. Our structure reveals an evolutionarily conserved interaction between the C-terminal domain of the catalytic POLA1 subunit and an N-terminal expansion in metazoan CTC1. Cross-linking mass spectrometry and negative-stain EM analysis provide insight into CST binding by the flexible POLA1 N-terminus. Finally, Coats plus syndrome disease mutations previously characterized to disrupt formation of the CST–Polα/primase complex map to protein–protein interfaces observed in the recruitment state. Together, our results shed light on the architecture and stoichiometry of the metazoan fill-in machinery. Cryo-EM analysis of the human CST–Polα/primase complex reveals a metazoan-specific mode of interaction between CST and DNA polymerase α that is proposed to function in telomeric recruitment of Polα/primase for C-strand maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah W Cai
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.,Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John C Zinder
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vladimir Svetlov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Martin W Bush
- Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evgeny Nudler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Walz
- Laboratory of Molecular Electron Microscopy, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Titia de Lange
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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10
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Genetic and Epigenetic Inheritance at Telomeres. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:epigenomes6010009. [PMID: 35323213 PMCID: PMC8947350 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenerational inheritance can occur at telomeres in distinct contexts. Deficiency for telomerase or telomere-binding proteins in germ cells can result in shortened or lengthened chromosome termini that are transmitted to progeny. In human families, altered telomere lengths can result in stem cell dysfunction or tumor development. Genetic inheritance of altered telomeres as well as mutations that alter telomeres can result in progressive telomere length changes over multiple generations. Telomeres of yeast can modulate the epigenetic state of subtelomeric genes in a manner that is mitotically heritable, and the effects of telomeres on subtelomeric gene expression may be relevant to senescence or other human adult-onset disorders. Recently, two novel epigenetic states were shown to occur at C. elegans telomeres, where very low or high levels of telomeric protein foci can be inherited for multiple generations through a process that is regulated by histone methylation.Together, these observations illustrate that information relevant to telomere biology can be inherited via genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, although the broad impact of epigenetic inheritance to human biology remains unclear.
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11
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Wang L, Ma T, Liu W, Li H, Luo Z, Feng X. Pan-Cancer Analyses Identify the CTC1-STN1-TEN1 Complex as a Protective Factor and Predictive Biomarker for Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer. Front Genet 2022; 13:859617. [PMID: 35368664 PMCID: PMC8966541 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.859617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The CTC1-STN1-TEN1 (CST) complex plays a crucial role in telomere replication and genome stability. However, the detailed mechanisms of CST regulation in cancer remain largely unknown. Here, we perform a comprehensive analysis of CST across 33 cancer types using multi-omic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. In the genomic landscape, we identify CTC1/STN1 deletion and mutation and TEN1 amplification as the dominant alteration events. Expressions of CTC1 and STN1 are decreased in tumors compared to those in adjacent normal tissues. Clustering analysis based on CST expression reveals three cancer clusters displaying differences in survival, telomerase activity, cell proliferation, and genome stability. Interestingly, we find that CTC1 and STN1, but not TEN1, are co-expressed and associated with better survival. CTC1-STN1 is positively correlated with CD8 T cells and B cells and predicts a better response to immune checkpoint blockade in external datasets of cancer immunotherapy. Pathway analysis shows that MYC targets are negatively correlated with CTC1-STN1. We experimentally validated that knockout of CTC1 increased the mRNA level of c-MYC. Furthermore, CTC1 and STN1 are repressed by miRNAs and lncRNAs. Finally, by mining the connective map database, we discover a number of potential drugs that may target CST. In sum, this study illustrates CTC1-STN1 as a protective factor and provides broad molecular signatures for further functional and therapeutic studies of CST in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishuai Wang
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijin Liu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Heping Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Heping Li, ; Zhenhua Luo, ; Xuyang Feng,
| | - Zhenhua Luo
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Heping Li, ; Zhenhua Luo, ; Xuyang Feng,
| | - Xuyang Feng
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Heping Li, ; Zhenhua Luo, ; Xuyang Feng,
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12
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Rabbani MAG, Tonini ML, Afrin M, Li B. POLIE suppresses telomerase-mediated telomere G-strand extension and helps ensure proper telomere C-strand synthesis in trypanosomes. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:2036-2050. [PMID: 35061898 PMCID: PMC8887473 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei causes human African trypanosomiasis and sequentially expresses distinct VSGs, its major surface antigen, to achieve host immune evasion. VSGs are monoallelically expressed from subtelomeric loci, and telomere proteins regulate VSG monoallelic expression and VSG switching. T. brucei telomerase is essential for telomere maintenance, but no regulators of telomerase have been identified. T. brucei appears to lack OB fold-containing telomere-specific ssDNA binding factors that are critical for coordinating telomere G- and C-strand syntheses in higher eukaryotes. We identify POLIE as a telomere protein essential for telomere integrity. POLIE-depleted cells have more frequent VSG gene conversion-mediated VSG switching and an increased amount of telomeric circles (T-circles), indicating that POLIE suppresses DNA recombination at the telomere/subtelomere. POLIE-depletion elongates telomere 3' overhangs dramatically, indicating that POLIE is essential for coordinating DNA syntheses of the two telomere strands. POLIE depletion increases the level of telomerase-dependent telomere G-strand extension, identifying POLIE as the first T. brucei telomere protein that suppresses telomerase. Furthermore, depletion of POLIE results in an elevated telomeric C-circle level, suggesting that the telomere C-strand experiences replication stress and that POLIE may promote telomere C-strand synthesis. Therefore, T. brucei uses a novel mechanism to coordinate the telomere G- and C-strand DNA syntheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A G Rabbani
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Maiko Luis Tonini
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Marjia Afrin
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Bibo Li
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland OH 44195, USA
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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13
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Myler LR, Kinzig CG, Sasi NK, Zakusilo G, Cai SW, de Lange T. The evolution of metazoan shelterin. Genes Dev 2021; 35:1625-1641. [PMID: 34764137 PMCID: PMC8653790 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348835.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Myler et al. investigated the evolutionary origins of shelterin complex, which is comprised of TRF1, TRF2, Rap1, TIN2, TPP1, and POT1; blocks the DNA damage response at chromosome ends; and interacts with telomerase and the CST complex to regulate telomere length. They describe the evolution of metazoan shelterin, showing that TRF1 emerged in vertebrates upon duplication of a TRF2-like ancestor, and providing insights into the biology of shelterin and its evolution from ancestral telomeric DNA-binding proteins. The mammalian telomeric shelterin complex—comprised of TRF1, TRF2, Rap1, TIN2, TPP1, and POT1—blocks the DNA damage response at chromosome ends and interacts with telomerase and the CST complex to regulate telomere length. The evolutionary origins of shelterin are unclear, partly because unicellular organisms have distinct telomeric proteins. Here, we describe the evolution of metazoan shelterin, showing that TRF1 emerged in vertebrates upon duplication of a TRF2-like ancestor. TRF1 and TRF2 diverged rapidly during vertebrate evolution through the acquisition of new domains and interacting factors. Vertebrate shelterin is also distinguished by the presence of an HJRL domain in the split C-terminal OB fold of POT1, whereas invertebrate POT1s carry inserts of variable nature. Importantly, the data reveal that, apart from the primate and rodent POT1 orthologs, all metazoan POT1s are predicted to have a fourth OB fold at their N termini. Therefore, we propose that POT1 arose from a four-OB-fold ancestor, most likely an RPA70-like protein. This analysis provides insights into the biology of shelterin and its evolution from ancestral telomeric DNA-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan R Myler
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Charles G Kinzig
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Nanda K Sasi
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - George Zakusilo
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Sarah W Cai
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
| | - Titia de Lange
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021, USA
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14
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Lyu X, Sang PB, Chai W. CST in maintaining genome stability: Beyond telomeres. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 102:103104. [PMID: 33780718 PMCID: PMC8081025 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The human CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) complex is an RPA-like single-stranded DNA binding protein complex. While its telomeric functions have been well investigated, numerous studies have revealed that hCST also plays important roles in maintaining genome stability beyond telomeres. Here, we review and discuss recent discoveries on CST in various global genome maintenance pathways, including findings on the CST supercomplex structure, its functions in unperturbed DNA replication, stalled replication, double-strand break repair, and the ATR-CHK1 activation pathway. By summarizing these recent discoveries, we hope to offer new insights into genome maintenance mechanisms and the pathogenesis of CST mutation-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxing Lyu
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, 250062, China; Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States
| | - Pau Biak Sang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States
| | - Weihang Chai
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, United States.
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15
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Choudhury A, Mohammad T, Samarth N, Hussain A, Rehman MT, Islam A, Alajmi MF, Singh S, Hassan MI. Structural genomics approach to investigate deleterious impact of nsSNPs in conserved telomere maintenance component 1. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10202. [PMID: 33986331 PMCID: PMC8119478 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89450-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Conserved telomere maintenance component 1 (CTC1) is an important component of the CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) complex, involved in maintaining the stability of telomeric DNA. Several non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in CTC1 have been reported to cause Coats plus syndrome and Dyskeratosis congenital diseases. Here, we have performed sequence and structure analyses of nsSNPs of CTC1 using state-of-the-art computational methods. The structure-based study focuses on the C-terminal OB-fold region of CTC1. There are 11 pathogenic mutations identified, and detailed structural analyses were performed. These mutations cause a significant disruption of noncovalent interactions, which may be a possible reason for CTC1 instability and consequent diseases. To see the impact of such mutations on the protein conformation, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of CTC1-wild-type (WT) and two of the selected mutations, R806C and R806L for 200 ns, were carried out. A significant conformational change in the structure of the R806C mutant was observed. This study provides a valuable direction to understand the molecular basis of CTC1 dysfunction in disease progression, including Coats plus syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunabh Choudhury
- Department of Computer Science, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Taj Mohammad
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Nikhil Samarth
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University, Campus, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Afzal Hussain
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Tabish Rehman
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asimul Islam
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Mohamed F Alajmi
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shailza Singh
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Ganeshkhind, SP Pune University, Campus, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Md Imtaiyaz Hassan
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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16
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Bonnell E, Pasquier E, Wellinger RJ. Telomere Replication: Solving Multiple End Replication Problems. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:668171. [PMID: 33869233 PMCID: PMC8047117 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.668171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are highly complex and divided into linear chromosomes that require end protection from unwarranted fusions, recombination, and degradation in order to maintain genomic stability. This is accomplished through the conserved specialized nucleoprotein structure of telomeres. Due to the repetitive nature of telomeric DNA, and the unusual terminal structure, namely a protruding single stranded 3′ DNA end, completing telomeric DNA replication in a timely and efficient manner is a challenge. For example, the end replication problem causes a progressive shortening of telomeric DNA at each round of DNA replication, thus telomeres eventually lose their protective capacity. This phenomenon is counteracted by the recruitment and the activation at telomeres of the specialized reverse transcriptase telomerase. Despite the importance of telomerase in providing a mechanism for complete replication of telomeric ends, the majority of telomere replication is in fact carried out by the conventional DNA replication machinery. There is significant evidence demonstrating that progression of replication forks is hampered at chromosomal ends due to telomeric sequences prone to form secondary structures, tightly DNA-bound proteins, and the heterochromatic nature of telomeres. The telomeric loop (t-loop) formed by invasion of the 3′-end into telomeric duplex sequences may also impede the passage of replication fork. Replication fork stalling can lead to fork collapse and DNA breaks, a major cause of genomic instability triggered notably by unwanted repair events. Moreover, at chromosomal ends, unreplicated DNA distal to a stalled fork cannot be rescued by a fork coming from the opposite direction. This highlights the importance of the multiple mechanisms involved in overcoming fork progression obstacles at telomeres. Consequently, numerous factors participate in efficient telomeric DNA duplication by preventing replication fork stalling or promoting the restart of a stalled replication fork at telomeres. In this review, we will discuss difficulties associated with the passage of the replication fork through telomeres in both fission and budding yeasts as well as mammals, highlighting conserved mechanisms implicated in maintaining telomere integrity during replication, thus preserving a stable genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Bonnell
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cancer Research Pavilion, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Emeline Pasquier
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cancer Research Pavilion, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Raymund J Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cancer Research Pavilion, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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17
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Mizuno T, Hirabayashi K, Miyazawa S, Kobayashi Y, Shoji K, Kobayashi M, Hanaoka F, Imamoto N, Torigoe H. The intrinsically disordered N-terminal region of mouse DNA polymerase alpha mediates its interaction with POT1a/b at telomeres. Genes Cells 2021; 26:360-380. [PMID: 33711210 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mouse telomerase and the DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex elongate the leading and lagging strands of telomeres, respectively. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of lagging strand synthesis, we investigated the interaction between DNA polymerase alpha and two paralogs of the mouse POT1 telomere-binding protein (POT1a and POT1b). Yeast two-hybrid analysis and a glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay indicated that the C-terminal region of POT1a/b binds to the intrinsically disordered N-terminal region of p180, the catalytic subunit of mouse DNA polymerase alpha. Subcellular distribution analyses showed that although POT1a, POT1b, and TPP1 were localized to the cytoplasm, POT1a-TPP1 and POT1b-TPP1 coexpressed with TIN2 localized to the nucleus in a TIN2 dose-dependent manner. Coimmunoprecipitation and cell cycle synchronization experiments indicated that POT1b-TPP1-TIN2 was more strongly associated with p180 than POT1a-TPP1-TIN2, and this complex accumulated during the S phase. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and proximity ligation assays showed that POT1a and POT1b interacted with p180 and TIN2 on telomeric chromatin. Based on the present study and a previous study, we propose a model in which POT1a/b-TPP1-TIN2 translocates into the nucleus in a TIN2 dose-dependent manner to target the telomere, where POT1a/b interacts with DNA polymerase alpha for recruitment at the telomere for lagging strand synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kei Hirabayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sae Miyazawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yurika Kobayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenta Shoji
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masakazu Kobayashi
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Naoko Imamoto
- Cellular Dynamics Laboratory, CPR, RIKEN, Wako, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Torigoe
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Fernandes CAH, Morea EGO, Cano MIN. RPA-1 from Leishmania sp.: Recombinant Protein Expression and Purification, Molecular Modeling, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations Protocols. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2281:169-191. [PMID: 33847958 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1290-3_10] [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] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RPA is a conserved heterotrimeric complex and the major single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein heterotrimeric complex, which in eukaryotes is formed by the RPA-1, RPA-2, and RPA-3 subunits. The main structural feature of RPA is the presence of the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding fold (OB-fold) domains, responsible for ssDNA binding and protein:protein interactions. Among the RPA subunits, RPA-1 bears three of the four OB folds involved with RPA-ssDNA binding, although in some organisms RPA-2 can also bind ssDNA. The OB-fold domains are also present in telomere end-binding proteins (TEBP), essential for chromosome end protection. RPA-1 from Leishmania sp., as well as RPA-1 from trypanosomatids, a group of early-divergent protozoa, shows some structural differences compared to higher eukaryote RPA-1. Also, RPA-1 from Leishmania sp., similar to TEBPs, may exert telomeric protective functions. Remarkably, different pieces of evidence have pointed out that trypanosomatids may not have OB fold-containing TEBPs. Moreover, recent data indicate that trypanosomatid RPA-1 may be considered a TEBP since it shares with TEBPs conserved functional and structural features. However, it is still unknown whether the RPA-1 protective telomeric role is exclusive to trypanosomatids or is also present in other primitive eukaryotes. Here, we describe a protocol to obtain highly purified and biologically active Leishmania amazonensis recombinant RPA-1, and to perform molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations methods which could be probably applied to functional and structural studies of homologous proteins in other primitive eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A H Fernandes
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Edna G O Morea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel N Cano
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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19
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Červenák F, Sepšiová R, Nosek J, Tomáška Ľ. Step-by-Step Evolution of Telomeres: Lessons from Yeasts. Genome Biol Evol 2020; 13:6127219. [PMID: 33537752 PMCID: PMC7857110 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In virtually every eukaryotic species, the ends of nuclear chromosomes are protected by telomeres, nucleoprotein structures counteracting the end-replication problem and suppressing recombination and undue DNA repair. Although in most cases, the primary structure of telomeric DNA is conserved, there are several exceptions to this rule. One is represented by the telomeric repeats of ascomycetous yeasts, which encompass a great variety of sequences, whose evolutionary origin has been puzzling for several decades. At present, the key questions concerning the driving force behind their rapid evolution and the means of co-evolution of telomeric repeats and telomere-binding proteins remain largely unanswered. Previously published studies addressed mostly the general concepts of the evolutionary origin of telomeres, key properties of telomeric proteins as well as the molecular mechanisms of telomere maintenance; however, the evolutionary process itself has not been analyzed thoroughly. Here, we aimed to inspect the evolution of telomeres in ascomycetous yeasts from the subphyla Saccharomycotina and Taphrinomycotina, with special focus on the evolutionary origin of species-specific telomeric repeats. We analyzed the sequences of telomeric repeats from 204 yeast species classified into 20 families and as a result, we propose a step-by-step model, which integrates the diversity of telomeric repeats, telomerase RNAs, telomere-binding protein complexes and explains a propensity of certain species to generate the repeat heterogeneity within a single telomeric array.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Červenák
- Department of Genetics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Regina Sepšiová
- Department of Genetics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Department of Biochemistry, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ľubomír Tomáška
- Department of Genetics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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20
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Caldwell CC, Spies M. Dynamic elements of replication protein A at the crossroads of DNA replication, recombination, and repair. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 55:482-507. [PMID: 32856505 PMCID: PMC7821911 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2020.1813070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The heterotrimeric eukaryotic Replication protein A (RPA) is a master regulator of numerous DNA metabolic processes. For a long time, it has been viewed as an inert protector of ssDNA and a platform for assembly of various genome maintenance and signaling machines. Later, the modular organization of the RPA DNA binding domains suggested a possibility for dynamic interaction with ssDNA. This modular organization has inspired several models for the RPA-ssDNA interaction that aimed to explain how RPA, the high-affinity ssDNA binding protein, is replaced by the downstream players in DNA replication, recombination, and repair that bind ssDNA with much lower affinity. Recent studies, and in particular single-molecule observations of RPA-ssDNA interactions, led to the development of a new model for the ssDNA handoff from RPA to a specific downstream factor where not only stability and structural rearrangements but also RPA conformational dynamics guide the ssDNA handoff. Here we will review the current knowledge of the RPA structure, its dynamic interaction with ssDNA, and how RPA conformational dynamics may be influenced by posttranslational modification and proteins that interact with RPA, as well as how RPA dynamics may be harnessed in cellular decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen C. Caldwell
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Maria Spies
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
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21
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Jurikova K, Gajarsky M, Hajikazemi M, Nosek J, Prochazkova K, Paeschke K, Trantirek L, Tomaska L. Role of folding kinetics of secondary structures in telomeric G-overhangs in the regulation of telomere maintenance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8958-8971. [PMID: 32385108 PMCID: PMC7335780 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The ends of eukaryotic chromosomes typically contain a 3' ssDNA G-rich protrusion (G-overhang). This overhang must be protected against detrimental activities of nucleases and of the DNA damage response machinery and participates in the regulation of telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex that maintains telomere integrity. These functions are mediated by DNA-binding proteins, such as Cdc13 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the propensity of G-rich sequences to form various non-B DNA structures. Using CD and NMR spectroscopies, we show here that G-overhangs of S. cerevisiae form distinct Hoogsteen pairing-based secondary structures, depending on their length. Whereas short telomeric oligonucleotides form a G-hairpin, their longer counterparts form parallel and/or antiparallel G-quadruplexes (G4s). Regardless of their topologies, non-B DNA structures exhibited impaired binding to Cdc13 in vitro as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Importantly, whereas G4 structures formed relatively quickly, G-hairpins folded extremely slowly, indicating that short G-overhangs, which are typical for most of the cell cycle, are present predominantly as single-stranded oligonucleotides and are suitable substrates for Cdc13. Using ChIP, we show that the occurrence of G4 structures peaks at the late S phase, thus correlating with the accumulation of long G-overhangs. We present a model of how time- and length-dependent formation of non-B DNA structures at chromosomal termini participates in telomere maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Jurikova
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Gajarsky
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Mona Hajikazemi
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Prochazkova
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lukas Trantirek
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Biophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Lubomir Tomaska
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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22
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Langston RE, Palazzola D, Bonnell E, Wellinger RJ, Weinert T. Loss of Cdc13 causes genome instability by a deficiency in replication-dependent telomere capping. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008733. [PMID: 32287268 PMCID: PMC7205313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In budding yeast, Cdc13, Stn1, and Ten1 form the telomere-binding heterotrimer CST complex. Here we investigate the role of Cdc13/CST in maintaining genome stability by using a Chr VII disome system that can generate recombinants, chromosome loss, and enigmatic unstable chromosomes. In cells expressing a temperature sensitive CDC13 allele, cdc13F684S, unstable chromosomes frequently arise from problems in or near a telomere. We found that, when Cdc13 is defective, passage through S phase causes Exo1-dependent ssDNA and unstable chromosomes that are then the source for additional chromosome instability events (e.g. recombinants, chromosome truncations, dicentrics, and/or chromosome loss). We observed that genome instability arises from a defect in Cdc13’s function during DNA replication, not Cdc13’s putative post-replication telomere capping function. The molecular nature of the initial unstable chromosomes formed by a Cdc13-defect involves ssDNA and does not involve homologous recombination nor non-homologous end joining; we speculate the original unstable chromosome may be a one-ended double strand break. This system defines a link between Cdc13’s function during DNA replication and genome stability in the form of unstable chromosomes, that then progress to form other chromosome changes. Eukaryotic chromosomes are linear molecules with specialized end structures called telomeres. Telomeres contain both unique repetitive DNA sequences and specialized proteins that solve several biological problems by differentiating chromosomal ends from internal breaks, thus preventing chromosome instability. When telomeres are defective, the entire chromosome can become unstable and change, causing mutations and pathology (cancer, aging, etc.). Here we study how a defect in specific telomere proteins causes chromosomal rearrangements, using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding or brewer’s yeast). We find that when specific telomere proteins are defective, errors in DNA replication generate a type of damage that likely involves extensive single-stranded DNA that forms inherently unstable chromosomes, subject to many subsequent instances of instability (e.g. allelic recombinants, chromosome loss, truncations, dicentrics). The telomere protein Cdc13 is part of a protein complex called CST that is conserved in most organisms including mammalian cells. The technical capacity of studies in budding yeast allow a detailed, real-time examination of how telomere defects compromise chromosome stability in a single cell cycle, generating lessons likely relevant to how human telomeres keep human chromosomes stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Langston
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Dominic Palazzola
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Erin Bonnell
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Raymund J. Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ted Weinert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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23
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Fernandes CAH, Morea EGO, Dos Santos GA, da Silva VL, Vieira MR, Viviescas MA, Chatain J, Vadel A, Saintomé C, Fontes MRM, Cano MIN. A multi-approach analysis highlights the relevance of RPA-1 as a telomere end-binding protein (TEBP) in Leishmania amazonensis. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2020; 1864:129607. [PMID: 32222548 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres are chromosome end structures important in the maintenance of genome homeostasis. They are replenished by the action of telomerase and associated proteins, such as the OB (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding)-fold containing telomere-end binding proteins (TEBP) which plays an essential role in telomere maintenance and protection. The nature of TEBPs is well known in higher and some primitive eukaryotes, but it remains undetermined in trypanosomatids. Previous in silico searches have shown that there are no homologs of the classical TEPBs in trypanosomatids, including Leishmania sp. However, Replication Protein A subunit 1 (RPA-1), an OB-fold containing DNA-binding protein, was found co-localized with trypanosomatids telomeres and showed a high preference for the telomeric G-rich strand. METHODS AND RESULTS We predicted the absence of structural homologs of OB-fold containing TEBPs in the Leishmania sp. genome using structural comparisons. We demonstrated by molecular docking that the ssDNA binding mode of LaRPA-1 shares features with the higher eukaryotes POT1 and RPA-1 crystal structures ssDNA binding mode. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, protein-DNA interaction assays, and FRET, we respectively show that LaRPA-1 shares some telomeric functions with the classical TEBPs since it can bind at least one telomeric repeat, protect the telomeric G-rich DNA from 3'-5' Exonuclease I digestion, and unfold telomeric G-quadruplex. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that RPA-1 emerges as a TEBP in trypanosomatids, and in this context, we present two possible evolutionary landscapes of trypanosomatids RPA-1 that could reflect upon the evolution of OB-fold containing TEBPs from all eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A H Fernandes
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil; Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée, École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay, Cachan, France
| | - Edna Gicela O Morea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel A Dos Santos
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Vitor L da Silva
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina Roveri Vieira
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Alejandra Viviescas
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Jean Chatain
- MNHN CNRS UMR 7196, INSERM U1154, 43 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Vadel
- MNHN CNRS UMR 7196, INSERM U1154, 43 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Carole Saintomé
- MNHN CNRS UMR 7196, INSERM U1154, 43 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, UFR927, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Marcos Roberto M Fontes
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Nogueira Cano
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP) - Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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24
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Hocher A, Taddei A. Subtelomeres as Specialized Chromatin Domains. Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900205. [PMID: 32181520 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Specificities associated with chromosomal linearity are not restricted to telomeres. Here, recent results obtained on fission and budding yeast are summarized and an attempt is made to define subtelomeres using chromatin features extending beyond the heterochromatin emanating from telomeres. Subtelomeres, the chromosome domains adjacent to telomeres, differ from the rest of the genome by their gene content, rapid evolution, and chromatin features that together contribute to organism adaptation. However, current definitions of subtelomeres are generally based on synteny and are largely gene-centered. Taking into consideration both the peculiar gene content and dynamics as well as the chromatin properties of those domains, it is discussed how chromatin features can contribute to subtelomeric properties and functions, and play a pivotal role in the emergence of subtelomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Hocher
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.,Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Angela Taddei
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3664, Paris, F-75005, France.,Sorbonne Université, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, UMR3664, Paris, F-75005, France
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25
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Barbero Barcenilla B, Shippen DE. Back to the future: The intimate and evolving connection between telomere-related factors and genotoxic stress. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:14803-14813. [PMID: 31434740 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.aw119.008145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The conversion of circular genomes to linear chromosomes during molecular evolution required the invention of telomeres. This entailed the acquisition of factors necessary to fulfill two new requirements: the need to fully replicate terminal DNA sequences and the ability to distinguish chromosome ends from damaged DNA. Here we consider the multifaceted functions of factors recruited to perpetuate and stabilize telomeres. We discuss recent theories for how telomere factors evolved from existing cellular machineries and examine their engagement in nontelomeric functions such as DNA repair, replication, and transcriptional regulation. We highlight the remarkable versatility of protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) proteins that was fueled by gene duplication and divergence events that occurred independently across several eukaryotic lineages. Finally, we consider the relationship between oxidative stress and telomeres and the enigmatic role of telomere-associated proteins in mitochondria. These findings point to an evolving and intimate connection between telomeres and cellular physiology and the strong drive to maintain chromosome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borja Barbero Barcenilla
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2128
| | - Dorothy E Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2128
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26
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Červenák F, Juríková K, Devillers H, Kaffe B, Khatib A, Bonnell E, Sopkovičová M, Wellinger RJ, Nosek J, Tzfati Y, Neuvéglise C, Tomáška Ľ. Identification of telomerase RNAs in species of the Yarrowia clade provides insights into the co-evolution of telomerase, telomeric repeats and telomere-binding proteins. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13365. [PMID: 31527614 PMCID: PMC6746865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49628-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeric repeats in fungi of the subphylum Saccharomycotina exhibit great inter- and intra-species variability in length and sequence. Such variations challenged telomeric DNA-binding proteins that co-evolved to maintain their functions at telomeres. Here, we compare the extent of co-variations in telomeric repeats, encoded in the telomerase RNAs (TERs), and the repeat-binding proteins from 13 species belonging to the Yarrowia clade. We identified putative TER loci, analyzed their sequence and secondary structure conservation, and predicted functional elements. Moreover, in vivo complementation assays with mutant TERs showed the functional importance of four novel TER substructures. The TER-derived telomeric repeat unit of all species, except for one, is 10 bp long and can be represented as 5′-TTNNNNAGGG-3′, with repeat sequence variations occuring primarily outside the vertebrate telomeric motif 5′-TTAGGG-3′. All species possess a homologue of the Yarrowia lipolytica Tay1 protein, YlTay1p. In vitro, YlTay1p displays comparable DNA-binding affinity to all repeat variants, suggesting a conserved role among these species. Taken together, these results add significant insights into the co-evolution of TERs, telomeric repeats and telomere-binding proteins in yeasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Červenák
- Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarína Juríková
- Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Hugo Devillers
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Binyamin Kaffe
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Safra Campus, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Areej Khatib
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Safra Campus, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Erin Bonnell
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, RNA Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Martina Sopkovičová
- Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Raymund J Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, RNA Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Yehuda Tzfati
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Safra Campus, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel.
| | - Cécile Neuvéglise
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | - Ľubomír Tomáška
- Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry, Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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27
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Tomaska L, Nosek J, Kar A, Willcox S, Griffith JD. A New View of the T-Loop Junction: Implications for Self-Primed Telomere Extension, Expansion of Disease-Related Nucleotide Repeat Blocks, and Telomere Evolution. Front Genet 2019; 10:792. [PMID: 31475042 PMCID: PMC6702307 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere loops (t-loops) are formed at the ends of chromosomes in species ranging from humans to worms, plants, and with genetic manipulation, some yeast. Recent in vitro studies demonstrated that transcription of telomeric DNA leads to highly efficient t-loop formation. It was also shown that both DNA termini are inserted into the preceding DNA to generate a highly stable t-loop junction. Furthermore, some telomeric RNA remains present at the junction, potentially acting as a plug to further protect and stabilize the t-loop. Modeling the loop junction reveals two mechanisms by which the canonical chromosomal replication factors could extend the telomere in the absence of telomerase. One mechanism would utilize the annealed 3’ terminus as a de novo replication origin. In vitro evidence for the ability of the t-loop to prime telomere extension using the T7 replication factors is presented. A second mechanism would involve resolution of the Holliday junction present in the t-loop bubble by factors such as GEN1 to generate a rolling circle template at the extreme terminus of the telomere. This could lead to large expansions of the telomeric tract. Here, we propose that telomeres evolved as terminal elements containing long arrays of short nucleotide repeats due to the ability of such arrays to fold back into loops and self-prime their replicative extension. In this view, telomerase may have evolved later to provide a more precise mechanism of telomere maintenance. Both pathways have direct relevance to the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. This view also provides a possible mechanism for the very large repeat expansions observed in nucleotide repeat diseases such as Fragile X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The evolution of telomeres is discussed in the framework of these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubomir Tomaska
- Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Departments of Genetics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Anirban Kar
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Smaranda Willcox
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jack D Griffith
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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28
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Structural and functional impact of non-synonymous SNPs in the CST complex subunit TEN1: structural genomics approach. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20190312. [PMID: 31028137 PMCID: PMC6522806 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
TEN1 protein is a key component of CST complex, implicated in maintaining the telomere homeostasis, and provides stability to the eukaryotic genome. Mutations in TEN1 gene have higher chances of deleterious impact; thus, interpreting the number of mutations and their consequential impact on the structure, stability, and function is essentially important. Here, we have investigated the structural and functional consequences of nsSNPs in the TEN1 gene. A wide array of sequence- and structure-based computational prediction tools were employed to identify the effects of 78 nsSNPs on the structure and function of TEN1 protein and to identify the deleterious nsSNPs. These deleterious or destabilizing nsSNPs are scattered throughout the structure of TEN1. However, major mutations were observed in the α1-helix (12–16 residues) and β5-strand (88–96 residues). We further observed that mutations at the C-terminal region were having higher tendency to form aggregate. In-depth structural analysis of these mutations reveals that the pathogenicity of these mutations are driven mainly through larger structural changes because of alterations in non-covalent interactions. This work provides a blueprint to pinpoint the possible consequences of pathogenic mutations in the CST complex subunit TEN1.
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29
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Shishkin SS, Kovalev LI, Pashintseva NV, Kovaleva MA, Lisitskaya K. Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins Involved in the Functioning of Telomeres in Malignant Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E745. [PMID: 30744200 PMCID: PMC6387250 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are structurally and functionally distinct proteins containing specific domains and motifs that enable the proteins to bind certain nucleotide sequences, particularly those found in human telomeres. In human malignant cells (HMCs), hnRNP-A1-the most studied hnRNP-is an abundant multifunctional protein that interacts with telomeric DNA and affects telomerase function. In addition, it is believed that other hnRNPs in HMCs may also be involved in the maintenance of telomere length. Accordingly, these proteins are considered possible participants in the processes associated with HMC immortalization. In our review, we discuss the results of studies on different hnRNPs that may be crucial to solving molecular oncological problems and relevant to further investigations of these proteins in HMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey S Shishkin
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Leonid I Kovalev
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Natalya V Pashintseva
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Marina A Kovaleva
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Ksenia Lisitskaya
- Laboratory of Biomedical Research, Bach Institute of Biochemistry, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospekt, 33, bld. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia.
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30
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Mersaoui SY, Wellinger RJ. Fine tuning the level of the Cdc13 telomere-capping protein for maximal chromosome stability performance. Curr Genet 2018; 65:109-118. [PMID: 30066139 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-018-0871-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome stability relies on an adequate length and complete replication of telomeres, the physical ends of chromosomes. Telomeres are composed of short direct repeat DNA and the associated nucleoprotein complex is essential for providing end-stability. In addition, the so-called end-replication problem of the conventional replication requires that telomeres be elongated by a special mechanism which, in virtually all organisms, is based by a reverse transcriptase, called telomerase. Although, at the conceptual level, telomere functions are highly similar in most organisms, the telomeric nucleoprotein composition appears to diverge significantly, in particular if it is compared between mammalian and budding yeast cells. However, over the last years, the CST complex has emerged as a central hub for telomere replication in most systems. Composed of three proteins, it is related to the highly conserved replication protein A complex, and in all systems studied, it coordinates telomerase-based telomere elongation with lagging-strand DNA synthesis. In budding yeast, the Cdc13 protein of this complex also is essential for telomerase recruitment and this specialisation is accompanied by additional regulatory adaptations. Based on recent results obtained in yeast, here, we review these issues and present an updated telomere replication hypothesis. We speculate that the similarities between systems far outweigh the differences, once we detach ourselves from the historic descriptions of the mechanisms in the various organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiane Y Mersaoui
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 Rue Jean Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Raymund J Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3201 Rue Jean Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada.
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