1
|
Otarbayev D, Myung K. Exploring factors influencing choice of DNA double-strand break repair pathways. DNA Repair (Amst) 2024; 140:103696. [PMID: 38820807 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103696] [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: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent one of the most severe threats to genomic integrity, demanding intricate repair mechanisms within eukaryotic cells. A diverse array of factors orchestrates the complex choreography of DSB signaling and repair, encompassing repair pathways, such as non-homologous end-joining, homologous recombination, and polymerase-θ-mediated end-joining. This review looks into the intricate decision-making processes guiding eukaryotic cells towards a particular repair pathway, particularly emphasizing the processing of two-ended DSBs. Furthermore, we elucidate the transformative role of Cas9, a site-specific endonuclease, in revolutionizing our comprehension of DNA DSB repair dynamics. Additionally, we explore the burgeoning potential of Cas9's remarkable ability to induce sequence-specific DSBs, offering a promising avenue for precise targeting of tumor cells. Through this comprehensive exploration, we unravel the intricate molecular mechanisms of cellular responses to DSBs, shedding light on both fundamental repair processes and cutting-edge therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniyar Otarbayev
- Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan 44919, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Kyungjae Myung
- Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan 44919, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 44919, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Joo SY, Sung K, Lee H. Balancing act: BRCA2's elaborate management of telomere replication through control of G-quadruplex dynamicity. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300229. [PMID: 38922965 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300229] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
In billion years of evolution, eukaryotes preserved the chromosome ends with arrays of guanine repeats surrounded by thymines and adenines, which can form stacks of four-stranded planar structure known as G-quadruplex (G4). The rationale behind the evolutionary conservation of the G4 structure at the telomere remained elusive. Our recent study has shed light on this matter by revealing that telomere G4 undergoes oscillation between at least two distinct folded conformations. Additionally, tumor suppressor BRCA2 exhibits a unique mode of interaction with telomere G4. To elaborate, BRCA2 directly interacts with G-triplex (G3)-derived intermediates that form during the interconversion of the two different G4 states. In doing so, BRCA2 remodels the G4, facilitating the restart of stalled replication forks. In this review, we succinctly summarize the findings regarding the dynamicity of telomeric G4, emphasize its importance in maintaining telomere replication homeostasis, and the physiological consequences of losing G4 dynamicity at the telomere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- So Young Joo
- Department of Biological Sciences & Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Keewon Sung
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunsook Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences & Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics (IMBG), Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Izumi R, Warita H, Niihori T, Furusawa Y, Nakano M, Oya Y, Kato K, Shiga T, Ikeda K, Suzuki N, Nishino I, Aoki Y, Aoki M. Comprehensive Analysis of a Japanese Pedigree with Biallelic ACAGG Expansions in RFC1 Manifesting Motor Neuronopathy with Painful Muscle Cramps. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:1498-1508. [PMID: 38324175 PMCID: PMC11269323 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-024-01666-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is an autosomal recessive multisystem neurologic disorder caused by biallelic intronic repeats in RFC1. Although the phenotype of CANVAS has been expanding via diagnostic case accumulation, there are scant pedigree analyses to reveal disease penetrance, intergenerational fluctuations in repeat length, or clinical phenomena (including heterozygous carriers). We identified biallelic RFC1 ACAGG expansions of 1000 ~ repeats in three affected siblings having sensorimotor neuronopathy with spinocerebellar atrophy initially presenting with painful muscle cramps and paroxysmal dry cough. They exhibit almost homogeneous clinical and histopathological features, indicating motor neuronopathy. Over 10 years of follow-up, painful intractable muscle cramps ascended from legs to trunks and hands, followed by amyotrophy and subsequent leg pyramidal signs. The disease course combined with the electrophysical and imagery data suggest initial and prolonged hyperexcitability and the ensuing spinal motor neuron loss, which may progress from the lumbar to the rostral anterior horns and later expand to the corticospinal tract. Genetically, heterozygous ACAGG expansions of similar length were transmitted in unaffected family members of three successive generations, and some of them experienced muscle cramps. Leukocyte telomere length assays revealed comparatively shorter telomeres in affected individuals. This comprehensive pedigree analysis demonstrated a non-anticipating ACAGG transmission and high penetrance of manifestations with a biallelic state, especially motor neuronopathy in which muscle cramps serve as a prodromal and disease progress marker. CANVAS and RFC1 spectrum disorder should be considered when diagnosing lower dominant motor neuron disease, idiopathic muscle cramps, or neuromuscular hyperexcitability syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rumiko Izumi
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Warita
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Niihori
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Furusawa
- Department of Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Misa Nakano
- Department of Neurology, Suita Municipal Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Oya
- Department of Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kato
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
- Department of Neurology, South Miyagi Medical Center, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Takuro Shiga
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Kensuke Ikeda
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Naoki Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan
| | - Ichizo Nishino
- Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Aoki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-Machi, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8574, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Al-Dulaimi S, Matta S, Slijepcevic P, Roberts T. 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine induces telomere dysfunction in breast cancer cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117173. [PMID: 39059352 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117173] [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: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Azacitidine, a drug that epigenetically modifies DNA, is widely used to treat haematological malignancies. However, at low doses, it demethylates DNA, and as a result, can alter gene expression. In our previous publication, we showed that low doses of azacitidine induce telomere length elongation in breast cancer cells. In this study, we aim to identify the mechanisms which lead to telomere length increases. METHODS Breast cancer cell lines representing different molecular sub-types were exposed to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza) in 2 and 3D cultures, followed by DNA, RNA, and protein extractions. Samples were then analysed for telomere length, DNA damage, telomerase, and ALT activity. RESULTS We show that treatment of the cell lines with 5-aza for 72 h induced DNA damage at the telomeres and increased ALT activity 3-fold. We also identified a gene, POLD3, which may be involved in the ALT activity seen after treatment. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that while 5-aza is a useful drug for treating haematological cancers, surviving cancer cells that have been exposed to lower doses of the drug may activate mechanisms such as ALT. This could lead to cancer cell survival and possible resistance to 5-aza clinically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Al-Dulaimi
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Sheila Matta
- Royal Brompton Hospital, Respiratory Clinical Research Facility, Fulham Road, London SW3 6HP, UK
| | - Predrag Slijepcevic
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Terry Roberts
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang C, Huang Y, Yang Y, Li R, Li Y, Qiu H, Wu J, Shi G, Ma W, Songyang Z. ILF3 safeguards telomeres from aberrant homologous recombination as a telomeric R-loop reader. Protein Cell 2024; 15:493-511. [PMID: 37991243 PMCID: PMC11214836 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad054] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are specialized structures at the ends of linear chromosomes that protect genome stability. The telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) that is transcribed from subtelomeric regions can invade into double-stranded DNA regions and form RNA:DNA hybrid-containing structure called R-loop. In tumor cells, R-loop formation is closely linked to gene expression and the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Dysregulated R-loops can cause stalled replication forks and telomere instability. However, how R-loops are recognized and regulated, particularly at telomeres, is not well understood. We discovered that ILF3 selectively associates with telomeric R-loops and safeguards telomeres from abnormal homologous recombination. Knocking out ILF3 results in excessive R-loops at telomeres and triggers telomeric DNA damage responses. In addition, ILF3 deficiency disrupts telomere homeostasis and causes abnormalities in the ALT pathway. Using the proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) technology, we mapped the ILF3 interactome and discovered that ILF3 could interact with several DNA/RNA helicases, including DHX9. Importantly, ILF3 may aid in the resolution of telomeric R-loops through its interaction with DHX9. Our findings suggest that ILF3 may function as a reader of telomeric R-loops, helping to prevent abnormal homologous recombination and maintain telomere homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanle Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yan Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yue Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ruofei Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yingying Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Hongxin Qiu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jiali Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Guang Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wenbin Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhou Songyang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging, School of Lifesciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gaela VM, Hsia HY, Joseph NA, Tzeng WY, Ting PC, Shen YL, Tsai CT, Boudier T, Chen LY. Orphan nuclear receptors-induced ALT-associated PML bodies are targets for ALT inhibition. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6472-6489. [PMID: 38752489 PMCID: PMC11194075 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae389] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Orphan nuclear receptors (NRs), such as COUP-TF1, COUP-TF2, EAR2, TR2 and TR4, are implicated in telomerase-negative cancers that maintain their telomeres through the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. However, how telomere association of orphan NRs is involved in ALT activation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that telomeric tethering of orphan NRs in human fibroblasts initiates formation of ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs) and features of ALT activity, including ALT telomere DNA synthesis, telomere sister chromatid exchange, and telomeric C-circle generation, suggesting de novo ALT induction. Overexpression of orphan NRs exacerbates ALT phenotypes in ALT cells, while their depletion limits ALT. Orphan NRs initiate ALT via the zinc finger protein 827, suggesting the involvement of chromatin structure alterations for ALT activation. Furthermore, we found that orphan NRs and deficiency of the ALT suppressor ATRX-DAXX complex operate in concert to promote ALT activation. Moreover, PML depletion by gene knockout or arsenic trioxide treatment inhibited ALT induction in fibroblasts and ALT cancer cells, suggesting that APB formation underlies the orphan NR-induced ALT activation. Importantly, arsenic trioxide administration abolished APB formation and features of ALT activity in ALT cancer cell line-derived mouse xenografts, suggesting its potential for further therapeutic development to treat ALT cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venus Marie Gaela
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan-Yu Hsia
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Nithila A Joseph
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Yi Tzeng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Insitute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106319, Taiwan
| | - Pin-Chao Ting
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Shen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Tsen Tsai
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Thomas Boudier
- CENTURI multi-engineering platform, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13288, France
| | - Liuh-Yow Chen
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Waitkus MS, Erman EN, Reitman ZJ, Ashley DM. Mechanisms of telomere maintenance and associated therapeutic vulnerabilities in malignant gliomas. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:1012-1024. [PMID: 38285162 PMCID: PMC11145458 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noae016] [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: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
A majority of cancers (~85%) activate the enzyme telomerase to maintain telomere length over multiple rounds of cellular division. Telomerase-negative cancers activate a distinct, telomerase-independent mechanism of telomere maintenance termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT uses homologous recombination to maintain telomere length and exhibits features of break-induced DNA replication. In malignant gliomas, the activation of either telomerase or ALT is nearly ubiquitous in pediatric and adult tumors, and the frequency with which these distinct telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) is activated varies according to genetically defined glioma subtypes. In this review, we summarize the current state of the field of TMMs and their relevance to glioma biology and therapy. We review the genetic alterations and molecular mechanisms leading to telomerase activation or ALT induction in pediatric and adult gliomas. With this background, we review emerging evidence on strategies for targeting TMMs for glioma therapy. Finally, we comment on critical gaps and issues for moving the field forward to translate our improved understanding of glioma telomere maintenance into better therapeutic strategies for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Waitkus
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Elise N Erman
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zachary J Reitman
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Ashley
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Maggiorani D, Santin Y, Formoso K, Drapé E, Martini H, Brun S, Cousin G, Lairez O, Lezoualc'h F, Parini A, Douin-Echinard V, Mialet-Perez J. Identification of Prominin-2 as a new player of cardiomyocyte senescence in the aging heart. Aging Cell 2024:e14204. [PMID: 38757782 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14204] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The aging heart is characterized by a number of structural changes leading to ventricular stiffness, impaired resistance to stress and increased risk of developing heart failure (HF). Genetic or pharmacological removal of senescent cells has recently demonstrated the possibility to relieve some cardiac aging features such as hypertrophy and fibrosis. However, the contribution of the different cell types in cardiac aging remains fragmentary due to a lack of cell-specific markers. Cardiomyocytes undergo post-mitotic senescence in response to telomere damage, characterized by persistent DNA damage response and expression of the classical senescence markers p21 and p16, which are shared by many other cell types. In the present study, we used transcriptomic approaches to discover new markers specific for cardiomyocyte senescence. We identified Prominin2 (Prom2), encoding a transmembrane glycoprotein, as the most upregulated gene in cardiomyocytes of aged mice compared to young mice. We showed that Prom2 was upregulated by a p53-dependent pathway in stress-induced premature senescence. Prom2 expression correlated with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in the hearts of aged mice and was increased in atrial samples of patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction. Consistently, Prom2 overexpression was sufficient to drive senescence, hypertrophy and resistance to cytotoxic stress while Prom2 shRNA silencing inhibited these features in doxorubicin-treated cardiac cells. In conclusion, we identified Prom2 as a new player of cardiac aging, linking cardiomyocyte hypertrophy to senescence. These results could provide a better understanding and targeting of cell-type specific senescence in age-associated cardiac diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Maggiorani
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Y Santin
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - K Formoso
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - E Drapé
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - H Martini
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Rangueil Hospital, CHU, Toulouse, France
| | - S Brun
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Rangueil Hospital, CHU, Toulouse, France
| | - G Cousin
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Rangueil Hospital, CHU, Toulouse, France
| | - O Lairez
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Rangueil Hospital, CHU, Toulouse, France
| | - F Lezoualc'h
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - A Parini
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - V Douin-Echinard
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- RESTORE Research Center, UMR-1301, INSERM, CNRS, EFS, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - J Mialet-Perez
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), UMR-1297 INSERM, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Univ Angers, INSERM, CNRS, MITOVASC, Equipe MitoLab, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lee J, Lee J, Sohn EJ, Taglialatela A, O’Sullivan RJ, Ciccia A, Min J. Extrachromosomal telomere DNA derived from excessive strand displacements. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2318438121. [PMID: 38696464 PMCID: PMC11087782 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318438121] [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: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a telomere maintenance mechanism mediated by break-induced replication, evident in approximately 15% of human cancers. A characteristic feature of ALT cancers is the presence of C-circles, circular single-stranded telomeric DNAs composed of C-rich sequences. Despite the fact that extrachromosomal C-rich single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs), including C-circles, are unique to ALT cells, their generation process remains undefined. Here, we introduce a method to detect single-stranded telomeric DNA, called 4SET (Strand-Specific Southern-blot for Single-stranded Extrachromosomal Telomeres) assay. Utilizing 4SET, we are able to capture C-rich single-stranded DNAs that are near 200 to 1500 nucleotides in size. Both linear C-rich ssDNAs and C-circles are abundant in the fractions of cytoplasm and nucleoplasm, which supports the idea that linear and circular C-rich ssDNAs are generated concurrently. We also found that C-rich ssDNAs originate during Okazaki fragment processing during lagging strand DNA synthesis. The generation of C-rich ssDNA requires CST-PP (CTC1/STN1/TEN1-PRIMASE-Polymerase alpha) complex-mediated priming of the C-strand DNA synthesis and subsequent excessive strand displacement of the C-rich strand mediated by the DNA Polymerase delta and the BLM helicase. Our work proposes a model for the generation of C-rich ssDNAs and C-circles during ALT-mediated telomere elongation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyeop Lee
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
| | - Jina Lee
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
| | - Eric J. Sohn
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
| | - Angelo Taglialatela
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
| | - Roderick J. O’Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | - Alberto Ciccia
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
| | - Jaewon Min
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY10032
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jiang H, Zhang T, Kaur H, Shi T, Krishnan A, Kwon Y, Sung P, Greenberg RA. BLM helicase unwinds lagging strand substrates to assemble the ALT telomere damage response. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1684-1698.e9. [PMID: 38593805 PMCID: PMC11069441 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.03.011] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The Bloom syndrome (BLM) helicase is critical for alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), a homology-directed repair (HDR)-mediated telomere maintenance mechanism that is prevalent in cancers of mesenchymal origin. The DNA substrates that BLM engages to direct telomere recombination during ALT remain unknown. Here, we determine that BLM helicase acts on lagging strand telomere intermediates that occur specifically in ALT-positive cells to assemble a replication-associated DNA damage response. Loss of ATRX was permissive for BLM localization to ALT telomeres in S and G2, commensurate with the appearance of telomere C-strand-specific single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). DNA2 nuclease deficiency increased 5'-flap formation in a BLM-dependent manner, while telomere C-strand, but not G-strand, nicks promoted ALT. These findings define the seminal events in the ALT DNA damage response, linking aberrant telomeric lagging strand DNA replication with a BLM-directed HDR mechanism that sustains telomere length in a subset of human cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Tianpeng Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Hardeep Kaur
- 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 78229, USA
| | - Tao Shi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Aravind Krishnan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Youngho Kwon
- 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 78229, USA
| | - Patrick Sung
- 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 78229, USA
| | - Roger A Greenberg
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Krishnamoorthy V, Foglizzo M, Dilley RL, Wu A, Datta A, Dutta P, Campbell LJ, Degtjarik O, Musgrove LJ, Calabrese AN, Zeqiraj E, Greenberg RA. The SPATA5-SPATA5L1 ATPase complex directs replisome proteostasis to ensure genome integrity. Cell 2024; 187:2250-2268.e31. [PMID: 38554706 PMCID: PMC11055677 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.03.002] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Ubiquitin-dependent unfolding of the CMG helicase by VCP/p97 is required to terminate DNA replication. Other replisome components are not processed in the same fashion, suggesting that additional mechanisms underlie replication protein turnover. Here, we identify replisome factor interactions with a protein complex composed of AAA+ ATPases SPATA5-SPATA5L1 together with heterodimeric partners C1orf109-CINP (55LCC). An integrative structural biology approach revealed a molecular architecture of SPATA5-SPATA5L1 N-terminal domains interacting with C1orf109-CINP to form a funnel-like structure above a cylindrically shaped ATPase motor. Deficiency in the 55LCC complex elicited ubiquitin-independent proteotoxicity, replication stress, and severe chromosome instability. 55LCC showed ATPase activity that was specifically enhanced by replication fork DNA and was coupled to cysteine protease-dependent cleavage of replisome substrates in response to replication fork damage. These findings define 55LCC-mediated proteostasis as critical for replication fork progression and genome stability and provide a rationale for pathogenic variants seen in associated human neurodevelopmental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vidhya Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Martina Foglizzo
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Robert L Dilley
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA.
| | - Angela Wu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Arindam Datta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Parul Dutta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA
| | - Lisa J Campbell
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Oksana Degtjarik
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Laura J Musgrove
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Antonio N Calabrese
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Elton Zeqiraj
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Roger A Greenberg
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6160, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Elango R, Nilavar N, Li AG, Duffey EE, Jiang Y, Nguyen D, Abakir A, Willis NA, Houseley J, Scully R. Two-ended recombination at a Flp-nickase-broken replication fork. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.10.588130. [PMID: 38645103 PMCID: PMC11030319 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Collision of a replication fork with a DNA nick is thought to generate a one-ended break, fostering genomic instability. Collision of the opposing converging fork with the nick could, in principle, form a second DNA end, enabling conservative repair by homologous recombination (HR). To study mechanisms of nickase-induced HR, we developed the Flp recombinase "step arrest" nickase in mammalian cells. Flp-nickase-induced HR entails two-ended, BRCA2/RAD51-dependent short tract gene conversion (STGC), BRCA2/RAD51-independent long tract gene conversion, and discoordinated two-ended invasions. HR induced by a replication-independent break and by the Flp-nickase differ in their dependence on BRCA1 . To determine the origin of the second DNA end during Flp-nickase-induced STGC, we blocked the opposing fork using a site-specific Tus/ Ter replication fork barrier. Flp-nickase-induced STGC remained robust and two-ended. Thus, collision of a single replication fork with a Flp-nick can trigger two-ended HR, possibly reflecting replicative bypass of lagging strand nicks. This response may limit genomic instability during replication of a nicked DNA template.
Collapse
|
14
|
Muoio D, Laspata N, Dannenberg RL, Curry C, Darkoa-Larbi S, Hedglin M, Uttam S, Fouquerel E. PARP2 promotes Break Induced Replication-mediated telomere fragility in response to replication stress. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2857. [PMID: 38565848 PMCID: PMC10987537 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47222-7] [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: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
PARP2 is a DNA-dependent ADP-ribosyl transferase (ARTs) enzyme with Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity that is triggered by DNA breaks. It plays a role in the Base Excision Repair pathway, where it has overlapping functions with PARP1. However, additional roles for PARP2 have emerged in the response of cells to replication stress. In this study, we demonstrate that PARP2 promotes replication stress-induced telomere fragility and prevents telomere loss following chronic induction of oxidative DNA lesions and BLM helicase depletion. Telomere fragility results from the activity of the break-induced replication pathway (BIR). During this process, PARP2 promotes DNA end resection, strand invasion and BIR-dependent mitotic DNA synthesis by orchestrating POLD3 recruitment and activity. Our study has identified a role for PARP2 in the response to replication stress. This finding may lead to the development of therapeutic approaches that target DNA-dependent ART enzymes, particularly in cancer cells with high levels of replication stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Muoio
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Natalie Laspata
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233S. 10th street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Rachel L Dannenberg
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University park, State College, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Caroline Curry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233S. 10th street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Simone Darkoa-Larbi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233S. 10th street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Mark Hedglin
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University park, State College, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Shikhar Uttam
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Elise Fouquerel
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chen S, Pan C, Huang J, Liu T. ATR limits Rad18-mediated PCNA monoubiquitination to preserve replication fork and telomerase-independent telomere stability. EMBO J 2024; 43:1301-1324. [PMID: 38467834 PMCID: PMC10987609 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00066-9] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Upon replication fork stalling, the RPA-coated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) formed behind the fork activates the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase, concomitantly initiating Rad18-dependent monoubiquitination of PCNA. However, whether crosstalk exists between these two events and the underlying physiological implications of this interplay remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that during replication stress, ATR phosphorylates human Rad18 at Ser403, an adjacent residue to a previously unidentified PIP motif (PCNA-interacting peptide) within Rad18. This phosphorylation event disrupts the interaction between Rad18 and PCNA, thereby restricting the extent of Rad18-mediated PCNA monoubiquitination. Consequently, excessive accumulation of the tumor suppressor protein SLX4, now characterized as a novel reader of ubiquitinated PCNA, at stalled forks is prevented, contributing to the prevention of stalled fork collapse. We further establish that ATR preserves telomere stability in alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) cells by restricting Rad18-mediated PCNA monoubiquitination and excessive SLX4 accumulation at telomeres. These findings shed light on the complex interplay between ATR activation, Rad18-dependent PCNA monoubiquitination, and SLX4-associated stalled fork processing, emphasizing the critical role of ATR in preserving replication fork stability and facilitating telomerase-independent telomere maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics and Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Pan
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics and Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
- Center for Life Sciences, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, 321000, Shaoxing, China.
| | - Ting Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geriatrics and Geriatrics Institute of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Zhejiang Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Cell Biology, and Department of General Surgery of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yin L, Jiang N, Li T, Zhang Y, Yuan S. Telomeric function and regulation during male meiosis in mice and humans. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38511802 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13631] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres are unique structures situated at the ends of chromosomes. Preserving the structure and function of telomeres is essential for maintaining genomic stability and promoting genetic diversity during male meiosis in mammals. MATERIAL-METHODS This review compiled recent literature on the function and regulation of telomeres during male meiosis in both mice and humans, and also highlighted the critical roles of telomeres in reproductive biology and medicine. RESULTS-DISCUSSION Various structures, consisting of the LINC complex (SUN-KASH), SPDYA-CDK2, TTM trimer (TERB1-TERB2-MAJIN), and shelterin, are critical in controlling telomeric activities, such as nuclear envelope attachment and bouquet formation. Other than telomere-related proteins, cohesins and genes responsible for regulating telomere function are also highlighted, though the exact mechanism remains unclear. The gene-mutant mouse models with meiotic defects directly reveal the essential roles of telomeres in male meiosis. Recently reported mutant genes associated with telomere activity in clinical practice have also been illustrated in detail. CONCLUSIONS Proper regulation of telomere activities is essential for male meiosis progression in mice and humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Yin
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Youzhi Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology; Hubei Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine of South Hubei Province, Xianning, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Laboratory of Animal Center, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Azzalin CM. TERRA and the alternative lengthening of telomeres: a dangerous affair. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38445359 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14844] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic telomeres are transcribed into the long noncoding RNA TERRA. A fraction of TERRA remains associated with telomeres by forming RNA:DNA hybrids dubbed telR-loops. TERRA and telR-loops are essential to promote telomere elongation in human cancer cells that maintain telomeres through a homology-directed repair pathway known as alternative lengthening of telomeres or ALT. However, TERRA and telR-loops compromise telomere integrity and cell viability if their levels are not finely tuned. The study of telomere transcription in ALT cells will enormously expand our understanding of the ALT mechanism and of how genome integrity is maintained. Moreover, telomere transcription, TERRA and telR-loops are likely to become exceptionally suited targets for the development of novel anti-cancer therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claus M Azzalin
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhao R, Xu M, Wondisford AR, Lackner RM, Salsman J, Dellaire G, Chenoweth DM, O’Sullivan RJ, Zhao X, Zhang H. SUMO Promotes DNA Repair Protein Collaboration to Support Alterative Telomere Lengthening in the Absence of PML. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.29.582813. [PMID: 38463993 PMCID: PMC10925274 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.29.582813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway maintains telomeres in a significant fraction of cancers associated with poor clinical outcomes. A better understanding of ALT mechanisms can provide a basis for developing new treatment strategies for ALT cancers. SUMO modification of telomere proteins plays a critical role in the formation of ALT telomere-associated PML bodies (APBs), where telomeres are clustered and DNA repair proteins are enriched to promote homology-directed telomere DNA synthesis in ALT. However, whether and how SUMO contributes to ALT beyond APB formation remains elusive. Here, we report that SUMO promotes collaboration among DNA repair proteins to achieve APB-independent telomere maintenance. By using ALT cancer cells with PML protein knocked out and thus devoid of APBs, we show that sumoylation is required for manifesting ALT features, including telomere clustering and telomeric DNA synthesis, independent of PML and APBs. Further, small molecule-induced telomere targeting of SUMO produces signatures of phase separation and ALT features in PML null cells in a manner depending on both sumoylation and SUMO interaction with SUMO interaction motifs (SIMs). Mechanistically, SUMO-induced effects are linked to the enrichment of DNA repair proteins, including Rad52, Rad51AP1, and BLM, to the SUMO-containing telomere foci. Finally, we find that Rad52 can undergo phase separation, enrich SUMO on telomeres, and promote telomere DNA synthesis in collaboration with the BLM helicase in a SUMO-dependent manner. Collectively, our findings suggest that, in addition to forming APBs, SUMO also promotes collaboration among DNA repair proteins to support telomere maintenance in ALT cells. Given the promising effects of sumoylation inhibitors in cancer treatment, our findings suggest their potential use in perturbing telomere maintenance in ALT cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rongwei Zhao
- Department of Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Meng Xu
- Department of Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Anne R. Wondisford
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Rachel M. Lackner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014 , USA
| | - Jayme Salsman
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Graham Dellaire
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - David M. Chenoweth
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014 , USA
| | - Roderick J. O’Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Xiaolan Zhao
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Huaiying Zhang
- Department of Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Collin V, Biquand É, Tremblay V, Lavoie ÉG, Blondeau A, Gravel A, Galloy M, Lashgari A, Dessapt J, Côté J, Flamand L, Fradet-Turcotte A. The immediate-early protein 1 of human herpesvirus 6B interacts with NBS1 and inhibits ATM signaling. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:725-744. [PMID: 38177923 PMCID: PMC10897193 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-023-00035-z] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral infection often trigger an ATM serine/threonine kinase (ATM)-dependent DNA damage response in host cells that suppresses viral replication. Viruses evolved different strategies to counteract this antiviral surveillance system. Here, we report that human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) infection causes genomic instability by suppressing ATM signaling in host cells. Expression of immediate-early protein 1 (IE1) phenocopies this phenotype and blocks homology-directed double-strand break repair. Mechanistically, IE1 interacts with NBS1, and inhibits ATM signaling through two distinct domains. HHV-6B seems to efficiently inhibit ATM signaling as further depletion of either NBS1 or ATM do not significantly boost viral replication in infected cells. Interestingly, viral integration of HHV-6B into the host's telomeres is not strictly dependent on NBS1, challenging current models where integration occurs through homology-directed repair. Given that spontaneous IE1 expression has been detected in cells of subjects with inherited chromosomally-integrated form of HHV-6B (iciHHV-6B), a condition associated with several health conditions, our results raise the possibility of a link between genomic instability and the development of iciHHV-6-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Collin
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Élise Biquand
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
- INSERM, Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR 1100, Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Vincent Tremblay
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Élise G Lavoie
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Andréanne Blondeau
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Annie Gravel
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Maxime Galloy
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Anahita Lashgari
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Julien Dessapt
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Jacques Côté
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada
- Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada
| | - Louis Flamand
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Amélie Fradet-Turcotte
- Oncology Division, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC, G1R 2J6, Canada.
- Department of Molecular biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
- Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, G1R 3S3, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bournaka S, Badra-Fajardo N, Arbi M, Taraviras S, Lygerou Z. The cell cycle revisited: DNA replication past S phase preserves genome integrity. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 99:45-55. [PMID: 38346544 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.02.002] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Accurate and complete DNA duplication is critical for maintaining genome integrity. Multiple mechanisms regulate when and where DNA replication takes place, to ensure that the entire genome is duplicated once and only once per cell cycle. Although the bulk of the genome is copied during the S phase of the cell cycle, increasing evidence suggests that parts of the genome are replicated in G2 or mitosis, in a last attempt to secure that daughter cells inherit an accurate copy of parental DNA. Remaining unreplicated gaps may be passed down to progeny and replicated in the next G1 or S phase. These findings challenge the long-established view that genome duplication occurs strictly during the S phase, bridging DNA replication to DNA repair and providing novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spyridoula Bournaka
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Nibal Badra-Fajardo
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Marina Arbi
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Stavros Taraviras
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Zoi Lygerou
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Thosar SA, Barnes RP, Detwiler A, Bhargava R, Wondisford A, O'Sullivan RJ, Opresko PL. Oxidative guanine base damage plays a dual role in regulating productive ALT-associated homology-directed repair. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113656. [PMID: 38194346 PMCID: PMC10851105 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113656] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells maintain telomeres by upregulating telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) via homology-directed repair at telomeric DNA breaks. 8-Oxoguanine (8oxoG) is a highly prevalent endogenous DNA lesion in telomeric sequences, altering telomere structure and telomerase activity, but its impact on ALT is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that targeted 8oxoG formation at telomeres stimulates ALT activity and homologous recombination specifically in ALT cancer cells. Mechanistically, an acute 8oxoG induction increases replication stress, as evidenced by increased telomere fragility and ATR kinase activation at ALT telomeres. Furthermore, ALT cells are more sensitive to chronic telomeric 8oxoG damage than telomerase-positive cancer cells, consistent with increased 8oxoG-induced replication stress. However, telomeric 8oxoG production in G2 phase, when ALT telomere elongation occurs, impairs telomeric DNA synthesis. Our study demonstrates that a common oxidative base lesion has a dual role in regulating ALT depending on when the damage arises in the cell cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana A Thosar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ryan P Barnes
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ariana Detwiler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ragini Bhargava
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anne Wondisford
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Roderick J O'Sullivan
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Patricia L Opresko
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mórocz M, Qorri E, Pekker E, Tick G, Haracska L. Exploring RAD18-dependent replication of damaged DNA and discontinuities: A collection of advanced tools. J Biotechnol 2024; 380:1-19. [PMID: 38072328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.12.001] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathways mitigate the effects of DNA damage during replication by rescuing the replication fork stalled at a DNA lesion or other barriers and also repair discontinuities left in the newly replicated DNA. From yeast to mammalian cells, RAD18-regulated translesion synthesis (TLS) and template switching (TS) represent the dominant pathways of DDT. Monoubiquitylation of the polymerase sliding clamp PCNA by HRAD6A-B/RAD18, an E2/E3 protein pair, enables the recruitment of specialized TLS polymerases that can insert nucleotides opposite damaged template bases. Alternatively, the subsequent polyubiquitylation of monoubiquitin-PCNA by Ubc13-Mms2 (E2) and HLTF or SHPRH (E3) can lead to the switching of the synthesis from the damaged template to the undamaged newly synthesized sister strand to facilitate synthesis past the lesion. When immediate TLS or TS cannot occur, gaps may remain in the newly synthesized strand, partly due to the repriming activity of the PRIMPOL primase, which can be filled during the later phases of the cell cycle. The first part of this review will summarize the current knowledge about RAD18-dependent DDT pathways, while the second part will offer a molecular toolkit for the identification and characterization of the cellular functions of a DDT protein. In particular, we will focus on advanced techniques that can reveal single-stranded and double-stranded DNA gaps and their repair at the single-cell level as well as monitor the progression of single replication forks, such as the specific versions of the DNA fiber and comet assays. This collection of methods may serve as a powerful molecular toolkit to monitor the metabolism of gaps, detect the contribution of relevant pathways and molecular players, as well as characterize the effectiveness of potential inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Mórocz
- HCEMM-HUN-REN BRC Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis Research Group, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged H-6726, Hungary.
| | - Erda Qorri
- HCEMM-HUN-REN BRC Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis Research Group, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged H-6726, Hungary; Faculty of Science and Informatics, Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary.
| | - Emese Pekker
- HCEMM-HUN-REN BRC Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis Research Group, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged H-6726, Hungary; Doctoral School of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor 10, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Gabriella Tick
- Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis Research Group, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged H-6726, Hungary.
| | - Lajos Haracska
- HCEMM-HUN-REN BRC Mutagenesis and Carcinogenesis Research Group, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged H-6726, Hungary; National Laboratory for Drug Research and Development, Magyar tudósok krt. 2. H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lu R, Nelson CB, Rogers S, Cesare AJ, Sobinoff AP, Pickett HA. Distinct modes of telomere synthesis and extension contribute to Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres. iScience 2024; 27:108655. [PMID: 38213617 PMCID: PMC10783591 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a homology-directed repair mechanism that becomes activated in a subset of cancers to maintain telomere length. One of the defining features of ALT cells is the prevalence of extrachromosomal telomeric repeat (ECTR) DNA. Here, we identify that ALT cells engage in two modes of telomere synthesis. Non-productive telomere synthesis occurs during the G2 phase of the cell cycle and is characterized by newly synthesized internal telomeric regions that are not retained in the subsequent G1, coinciding with an induction of ECTR DNA. Productive telomere synthesis occurs specifically during the transition from G2 to mitosis and is defined as the extension of the telomere termini. While many proteins associated with break-induced telomere synthesis function in both non-productive and productive telomere synthesis, POLH specifically promotes productive telomere lengthening and suppresses non-productive telomere synthesis. These findings delineate the mechanism and cell cycle regulation of ALT-mediated telomere synthesis and extension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lu
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher B. Nelson
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Samuel Rogers
- Genome Integrity Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Anthony J. Cesare
- Genome Integrity Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexander P. Sobinoff
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Hilda A. Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mori JO, Keegan J, Flynn RL, Heaphy CM. Alternative lengthening of telomeres: mechanism and the pathogenesis of cancer. J Clin Pathol 2024; 77:82-86. [PMID: 37890990 DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2023-209005] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Telomere maintenance and elongation allows cells to gain replicative immortality and evade cellular senescence during cancer development. While most cancers use telomerase to maintain telomere lengths, a subset of cancers engage the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway for telomere maintenance. ALT is present in 5%-10% of all cancers, although the prevalence is dramatically higher in certain cancer types, including complex karyotype sarcomas, isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant astrocytoma (WHO grade II-IV), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, neuroblastoma and chromophobe hepatocellular carcinomas. ALT is maintained through a homology-directed DNA repair mechanism. Resembling break-induced replication, this aberrant process results in dramatic cell-to-cell telomere length heterogeneity, widespread chromosomal instability and chronic replication stress. Additionally, ALT-positive cancers frequently harbour inactivating mutations in either chromatin remodelling proteins (ATRX, DAXX and H3F3A) or DNA damage repair factors (SMARCAL1 and SLX4IP). ALT can readily be detected in tissue by assessing the presence of unique molecular characteristics, such as large ultrabright nuclear telomeric foci or partially single-stranded telomeric DNA circles (C-circles). Importantly, ALT has been validated as a robust diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for certain cancer types and may even be exploited as a therapeutic target via small molecular inhibitors and/or synthetic lethality approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joakin O Mori
- Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joshua Keegan
- Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel L Flynn
- Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christopher M Heaphy
- Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Spegg V, Altmeyer M. Genome maintenance meets mechanobiology. Chromosoma 2024; 133:15-36. [PMID: 37581649 PMCID: PMC10904543 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-023-00807-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Genome stability is key for healthy cells in healthy organisms, and deregulated maintenance of genome integrity is a hallmark of aging and of age-associated diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. To maintain a stable genome, genome surveillance and repair pathways are closely intertwined with cell cycle regulation and with DNA transactions that occur during transcription and DNA replication. Coordination of these processes across different time and length scales involves dynamic changes of chromatin topology, clustering of fragile genomic regions and repair factors into nuclear repair centers, mobilization of the nuclear cytoskeleton, and activation of cell cycle checkpoints. Here, we provide a general overview of cell cycle regulation and of the processes involved in genome duplication in human cells, followed by an introduction to replication stress and to the cellular responses elicited by perturbed DNA synthesis. We discuss fragile genomic regions that experience high levels of replication stress, with a particular focus on telomere fragility caused by replication stress at the ends of linear chromosomes. Using alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) in cancer cells and ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs) as examples of replication stress-associated clustered DNA damage, we discuss compartmentalization of DNA repair reactions and the role of protein properties implicated in phase separation. Finally, we highlight emerging connections between DNA repair and mechanobiology and discuss how biomolecular condensates, components of the nuclear cytoskeleton, and interfaces between membrane-bound organelles and membraneless macromolecular condensates may cooperate to coordinate genome maintenance in space and time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Spegg
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Altmeyer
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wang Y, Zhu W, Jang Y, Sommers JA, Yi G, Puligilla C, Croteau DL, Yang Y, Kai M, Liu Y. The RNA-binding motif protein 14 regulates telomere integrity at the interface of TERRA and telomeric R-loops. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:12242-12260. [PMID: 37930826 PMCID: PMC10711441 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad967] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) and its formation of RNA:DNA hybrids (or TERRA R-loops), influence telomere maintenance, particularly in human cancer cells that use homologous recombination-mediated alternative lengthening of telomeres. Here, we report that the RNA-binding motif protein 14 (RBM14) is associated with telomeres in human cancer cells. RBM14 negatively regulates TERRA expression. It also binds to TERRA and inhibits it from forming TERRA R-loops at telomeres. RBM14 depletion has several effects, including elevated TERRA levels, telomeric R-loops, telomere dysfunction-induced DNA damage foci formation, particularly in the presence of DNA replication stress, pRPA32 accumulation at telomeres and telomere signal-free ends. Thus, RBM14 protects telomere integrity via modulating TERRA levels and its R-loop formation at telomeres.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, 251 Bayview Blvd, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Wei Zhu
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, 251 Bayview Blvd, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yumi Jang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Joshua A Sommers
- Translational Gerontology Branch, 251 Bayview Blvd, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Gong Yi
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, 251 Bayview Blvd, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Chandrakala Puligilla
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, 251 Bayview Blvd, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Deborah L Croteau
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, 251 Bayview Blvd, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Yibin Yang
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Mihoko Kai
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Yie Liu
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, 251 Bayview Blvd, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dai D, Xie C, Zhou Y, Bo D, Zhang S, Mao S, Liao Y, Cui S, Zhu Z, Wang X, Li F, Peng D, Zheng J, Sun M. Unzipped chromosome-level genomes reveal allopolyploid nematode origin pattern as unreduced gamete hybridization. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7156. [PMID: 37935661 PMCID: PMC10630426 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42700-w] [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: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation and consequences of polyploidization in animals with clonal reproduction remain largely unknown. Clade I root-knot nematodes (RKNs), characterized by parthenogenesis and allopolyploidy, show a widespread geographical distribution and extensive agricultural destruction. Here, we generated 4 unzipped polyploid RKN genomes and identified a putative novel alternative telomeric element. Then we reconstructed 4 chromosome-level assemblies and resolved their genome structures as AAB for triploid and AABB for tetraploid. The phylogeny of subgenomes revealed polyploid RKN origin patterns as hybridization between haploid and unreduced gametes. We also observed extensive chromosomal fusions and homologous gene expression decrease after polyploidization, which might offset the disadvantages of clonal reproduction and increase fitness in polyploid RKNs. Our results reveal a rare pathway of polyploidization in parthenogenic polyploid animals and provide a large number of high-precision genetic resources that could be used for RKN prevention and control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dadong Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chuanshuai Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yayi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dexin Bo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shurong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shengqiang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yucheng Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Simeng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhaolu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xueyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fanling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Donghai Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Jinshui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Ming Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Rosso I, Jones-Weinert C, Rossiello F, Cabrini M, Brambillasca S, Munoz-Sagredo L, Lavagnino Z, Martini E, Tedone E, Garre' M, Aguado J, Parazzoli D, Mione M, Shay JW, Mercurio C, d'Adda di Fagagna F. Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) cells viability is dependent on C-rich telomeric RNAs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7086. [PMID: 37925537 PMCID: PMC10625592 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42831-0] [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: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) is a telomere maintenance mechanism activated in ~10-15% of cancers, characterized by telomeric damage. Telomeric damage-induced long non-coding RNAs (dilncRNAs) are transcribed at dysfunctional telomeres and contribute to telomeric DNA damage response (DDR) activation and repair. Here we observed that telomeric dilncRNAs are preferentially elevated in ALT cells. Inhibition of C-rich (teloC) dilncRNAs with antisense oligonucleotides leads to DNA replication stress responses, increased genomic instability, and apoptosis induction selectively in ALT cells. Cell death is dependent on DNA replication and is increased by DNA replication stress. Mechanistically, teloC dilncRNA inhibition reduces RAD51 and 53BP1 recruitment to telomeres, boosts the engagement of BIR machinery, and increases C-circles and telomeric sister chromatid exchanges, without increasing telomeric non-S phase synthesis. These results indicate that teloC dilncRNA is necessary for a coordinated recruitment of DDR factors to ALT telomeres and it is essential for ALT cancer cells survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Rosso
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Corey Jones-Weinert
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Matteo Cabrini
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Brambillasca
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (Experimental Therapeutics Program), Milan, Italy
| | - Leonel Munoz-Sagredo
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Zeno Lavagnino
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Martini
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Oncologia ed Emato-Oncologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Enzo Tedone
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Massimiliano Garre'
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
- RCSI, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Department of Chemistry, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julio Aguado
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Dario Parazzoli
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Mione
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Jerry W Shay
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ciro Mercurio
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (Experimental Therapeutics Program), Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna
- IFOM ETS - The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
- Institute of Molecular Genetics IGM-CNR "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Pavia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Loe TK, Lazzerini Denchi E, Tricola GM, Azeroglu B. ALTercations at telomeres: stress, recombination and extrachromosomal affairs. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1935-1946. [PMID: 37767563 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230265] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 15% of human cancers depend on the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway to maintain telomeres and proliferate. Telomeres that are elongated using ALT display unique features raising the exciting prospect of tailored cancer therapies. ALT-mediated telomere elongation shares several features with recombination-based DNA repair. Strikingly, cells that use the ALT pathway display abnormal levels of replication stress at telomeres and accumulate abundant extrachromosomal telomeric DNA. In this review, we examine recent findings that shed light on the ALT mechanisms and the strategies currently available to suppress this telomere elongation mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor K Loe
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, U.S.A
| | - Eros Lazzerini Denchi
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A
| | - Gianna M Tricola
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A
| | - Benura Azeroglu
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lee J, Lee J, Sohn EJ, Taglialatela A, O’Sullivan RJ, Ciccia A, Min J. Extrachromosomal Telomeres Derived from Excessive Strand Displacements. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.31.551186. [PMID: 37577643 PMCID: PMC10418088 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.31.551186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) is a telomere maintenance mechanism mediated by break-induced replication (BIR), evident in approximately 15% of human cancers. A characteristic feature of ALT cancers is the presence of C-circles, circular single-stranded telomeric DNAs composed of C-rich sequences. Despite the fact that extrachromosomal C-rich single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs), unique to ALT cells, are considered potential precursors of C-circles, their generation process remains undefined. Here, we introduce a highly sensitive method to detect single stranded telomeric DNA, called 4SET (Strand-Specific Southern-blot for Single-stranded Extrachromosomal Telomeres) assay. Utilizing 4SET, we are able to capture C-rich single stranded DNAs that are near 200 to 1500 nucleotides in size. Both linear C-rich ssDNAs and C-circles are abundant in the fractions of cytoplasm and nucleoplasm, which supports the idea that linear C-rich ssDNA accumulation may indeed precede C-circle formation. We also found that C-rich ssDNAs originate during Okazaki fragment processing during lagging strand DNA synthesis. The generation of C-rich ssDNA requires CST-PP (CTC1/STN1/TEN1-PRIMASE-Polymerase alpha) complex-mediated priming of the C-strand DNA synthesis and subsequent excessive strand displacement of the C-rich strand mediated by the DNA Polymerase delta and the BLM helicase. Our work proposes a new model for the generation of C-rich ssDNAs and C-circles during ALT-mediated telomere elongation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyeop Lee
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jina Lee
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric J. Sohn
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angelo Taglialatela
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roderick J. O’Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alberto Ciccia
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jaewon Min
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bhowmick R, Hickson ID, Liu Y. Completing genome replication outside of S phase. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3596-3607. [PMID: 37716351 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.023] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Mitotic DNA synthesis (MiDAS) is an unusual form of DNA replication that occurs during mitosis. Initially, MiDAS was characterized as a process associated with intrinsically unstable loci known as common fragile sites that occurs after cells experience DNA replication stress (RS). However, it is now believed to be a more widespread "salvage" mechanism that is called upon to complete the duplication of any under-replicated genomic region. Emerging data suggest that MiDAS is a DNA repair process potentially involving two or more pathways working in parallel or sequentially. In this review, we introduce the causes of RS, regions of the human genome known to be especially vulnerable to RS, and the strategies used to complete DNA replication outside of S phase. Additionally, because MiDAS is a prominent feature of aneuploid cancer cells, we will discuss how targeting MiDAS might potentially lead to improvements in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Bhowmick
- Center for Chromosome Stability and Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Ian D Hickson
- Center for Chromosome Stability and Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| | - Ying Liu
- Center for Chromosome Stability and Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Panum Institute, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Hirano M, Kuwahara M, Yamagishi Y, Samukawa M, Fujii K, Yamashita S, Ando M, Oka N, Nagano M, Matsui T, Takeuchi T, Saigoh K, Kusunoki S, Takashima H, Nagai Y. CANVAS-related RFC1 mutations in patients with immune-mediated neuropathy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17801. [PMID: 37853169 PMCID: PMC10584897 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45011-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) has recently been attributed to biallelic repeat expansions in RFC1. More recently, the disease entity has expanded to atypical phenotypes, including chronic neuropathy without cerebellar ataxia or vestibular areflexia. Very recently, RFC1 expansions were found in patients with Sjögren syndrome who had neuropathy that did not respond to immunotherapy. In this study RFC1 was examined in 240 patients with acute or chronic neuropathies, including 105 with Guillain-Barré syndrome or Miller Fisher syndrome, 76 with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and 59 with other types of chronic neuropathy. Biallelic RFC1 mutations were found in three patients with immune-mediated neuropathies, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, idiopathic sensory ataxic neuropathy, or anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy, who responded to immunotherapies. In addition, a patient with chronic sensory autonomic neuropathy had biallelic mutations, and subclinical changes in Schwann cells on nerve biopsy. In summary, we found CANVAS-related RFC1 mutations in patients with treatable immune-mediated neuropathy or demyelinating neuropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Makito Hirano
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan.
| | - Motoi Kuwahara
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Yuko Yamagishi
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Makoto Samukawa
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Kanako Fujii
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Shoko Yamashita
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ando
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Oka
- Department of Neurology, NHO Minami-Kyoto Hospital, Joyo, Japan
| | - Mamoru Nagano
- Department of Anatomy, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Japan
| | - Taro Matsui
- Division of Neurology, Anti-Aging, and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Toshihide Takeuchi
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Saigoh
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Susumu Kusunoki
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Takashima
- Department of Neurology and Geriatrics, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Hu X, Zhou S, Li H, Wu Z, Wang Y, Meng L, Chen Z, Wei Z, Pang Q, Xu A. FOXA1/MND1/TKT axis regulates gastric cancer progression and oxaliplatin sensitivity via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:234. [PMID: 37817120 PMCID: PMC10566187 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03077-4] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug resistance is a main factor affecting the chemotherapy efficacy of gastric cancer (GC), in which meiosis plays an important role. Therefore, it is urgent to explore the effect of meiosis related genes on chemotherapy resistance. METHODS The expression of meiotic nuclear divisions 1 (MND1) in GC was detected by using TCGA and clinical specimens. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to investigate the effects of MND1. The molecular mechanism was determined using luciferase reporter assay, CO-IP and mass spectrometry (MS). RESULTS Through bioinformatics, we found that MND1 was highly expressed in platinum-resistant samples. In vitro experiments showed that interference of MND1 significantly inhibited the progression of GC and increased the sensitivity to oxaliplatin. MND1 was significantly higher in 159 GC tissues in comparison with the matched adjacent normal tissues. In addition, overexpression of MND1 was associated with worse survival, advanced TNM stage, and lower pathological grade in patients with GC. Further investigation revealed that forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) directly binds to the promoter of MND1 to inhibit its transcription. CO-IP and MS assays showed that MND1 was coexpressed with transketolase (TKT). In addition,TKT activated the PI3K/AKT signaling axis and enhanced the glucose uptake and lactate production in GC cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that FOXA1 inhibits the expression of MND1, which can directly bind to TKT to promote GC progression and reduce oxaliplatin sensitivity through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosi Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, 230041, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, 230041, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Haohao Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Department of General Surgery of Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zehui Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Meng
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangming Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijian Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Pang
- Department of General Surgery, Anhui No.2 Provincial People's Hospital, Hefei, 230041, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
| | - Aman Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230001, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sung S, Kim E, Niida H, Kim C, Lee J. Distinct characteristics of two types of alternative lengthening of telomeres in mouse embryonic stem cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:9122-9143. [PMID: 37496110 PMCID: PMC10516625 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad617] [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: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length must be maintained in actively dividing cells to avoid cellular arrest or death. In the absence of telomerase activity, activation of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) allows the maintenance of telomeric length and prolongs the cellular lifespan. Our previous studies have established two types of ALT survivors from mouse embryonic stem cells. The key differences between these ALT survivors are telomere-constituting sequences: non-telomeric sequences and canonical telomeric repeats, with each type of ALT survivors being referred to as type I and type II, respectively. We explored how the characteristics of the two types of ALT lines reflect their fates using multi-omics approaches. The most notable gene expression signatures of type I and type II ALT cell lines were chromatin remodelling and DNA repair, respectively. Compared with type II cells, type I ALT cells accumulated more mutations and demonstrated persistent telomere instability. These findings indicate that cells of the same origin have separate routes for survival, thus providing insights into the plasticity of crisis-suffering cells and cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanghyun Sung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Eunkyeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hiroyuki Niida
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Chuna Kim
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro 125, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Bioinformatics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Liu H, Xu C, Diplas BH, Brown A, Strickland LM, Yao H, Ling J, McLendon RE, Keir ST, Ashley DM, He Y, Waitkus MS. Cancer-associated SMARCAL1 loss-of-function mutations promote alternative lengthening of telomeres and tumorigenesis in telomerase-negative glioblastoma cells. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1563-1575. [PMID: 36689342 PMCID: PMC10484176 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad022] [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: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomere maintenance mechanisms are required to enable the replicative immortality of malignant cells. While most cancers activate the enzyme telomerase, a subset of cancers uses telomerase-independent mechanisms termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). ALT occurs via homology-directed-repair mechanisms and is frequently associated with ATRX mutations. We previously showed that a subset of adult glioblastoma (GBM) patients with ATRX-expressing ALT-positive tumors harbored loss-of-function mutations in the SMARCAL1 gene, which encodes an annealing helicase involved in replication fork remodeling and the resolution of replication stress. However, the causative relationship between SMARCAL1 deficiency, tumorigenesis, and de novo telomere synthesis is not understood. METHODS We used a patient-derived ALT-positive GBM cell line with native SMARCAL1 deficiency to investigate the role of SMARCAL1 in ALT-mediated de novo telomere synthesis, replication stress, and gliomagenesis in vivo. RESULTS Inducible rescue of SMARCAL1 expression suppresses ALT indicators and inhibits de novo telomere synthesis in GBM and osteosarcoma cells, suggesting that SMARCAL1 deficiency plays a functional role in ALT induction in cancers that natively lack SMARCAL1 function. SMARCAL1-deficient ALT-positive cells can be serially propagated in vivo in the absence of detectable telomerase activity, demonstrating that the SMARCAL1-deficient ALT phenotype maintains telomeres in a manner that promotes tumorigenesis. CONCLUSIONS SMARCAL1 deficiency is permissive to ALT and promotes gliomagenesis. Inducible rescue of SMARCAL1 in ALT-positive cell lines permits the dynamic modulation of ALT activity, which will be valuable for future studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms of ALT and identifying novel anticancer therapeutics that target the ALT phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Liu
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cheng Xu
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bill H Diplas
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexandrea Brown
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Laura M Strickland
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Haipei Yao
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jinjie Ling
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Roger E McLendon
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephen T Keir
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Ashley
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yiping He
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew S Waitkus
- The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Chojak R, Fares J, Petrosyan E, Lesniak MS. Cellular senescence in glioma. J Neurooncol 2023; 164:11-29. [PMID: 37458855 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04387-3] [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: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glioma is the most common primary brain tumor and is often associated with treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Standard treatment typically involves radiotherapy and temozolomide-based chemotherapy, both of which induce cellular senescence-a tumor suppression mechanism. DISCUSSION Gliomas employ various mechanisms to bypass or escape senescence and remain in a proliferative state. Importantly, senescent cells remain viable and secrete a large number of factors collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that, paradoxically, also have pro-tumorigenic effects. Furthermore, senescent cells may represent one form of tumor dormancy and play a role in glioma recurrence and progression. CONCLUSION In this article, we delineate an overview of senescence in the context of gliomas, including the mechanisms that lead to senescence induction, bypass, and escape. Furthermore, we examine the role of senescent cells in the tumor microenvironment and their role in tumor progression and recurrence. Additionally, we highlight potential therapeutic opportunities for targeting senescence in glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Chojak
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jawad Fares
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Edgar Petrosyan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St Clair Street, Suite 2210, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Rose AM, Goncalves T, Cunniffe S, Geiller HEB, Kent T, Shepherd S, Ratnaweera M, O’Sullivan R, Gibbons R, Clynes D. Induction of the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway by trapping of proteins on DNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6509-6527. [PMID: 36940725 PMCID: PMC10359465 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere maintenance is a hallmark of malignant cells and allows cancers to divide indefinitely. In some cancers, this is achieved through the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Whilst loss of ATRX is a near universal feature of ALT-cancers, it is insufficient in isolation. As such, other cellular events must be necessary - but the exact nature of the secondary events has remained elusive. Here, we report that trapping of proteins (such as TOP1, TOP2A and PARP1) on DNA leads to ALT induction in cells lacking ATRX. We demonstrate that protein-trapping chemotherapeutic agents, such as etoposide, camptothecin and talazoparib, induce ALT markers specifically in ATRX-null cells. Further, we show that treatment with G4-stabilising drugs cause an increase in trapped TOP2A levels which leads to ALT induction in ATRX-null cells. This process is MUS81-endonuclease and break-induced replication dependent, suggesting that protein trapping leads to replication fork stalling, with these forks being aberrantly processed in the absence of ATRX. Finally, we show ALT-positive cells harbour a higher load of genome-wide trapped proteins, such as TOP1, and knockdown of TOP1 reduced ALT activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that protein trapping is a fundamental driving force behind ALT-biology in ATRX-deficient malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Rose
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Tomas Goncalves
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Siobhan Cunniffe
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Thomas Kent
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Sam Shepherd
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Roderick J O’Sullivan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Richard J Gibbons
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - David Clynes
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Min J, Zhao J, Zagelbaum J, Lee J, Takahashi S, Cummings P, Schooley A, Dekker J, Gottesman ME, Rabadan R, Gautier J. Mechanisms of insertions at a DNA double-strand break. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2434-2448.e7. [PMID: 37402370 PMCID: PMC10527084 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Insertions and deletions (indels) are common sources of structural variation, and insertions originating from spontaneous DNA lesions are frequent in cancer. We developed a highly sensitive assay called insertion and deletion sequencing (Indel-seq) to monitor rearrangements in human cells at the TRIM37 acceptor locus that reports indels stemming from experimentally induced and spontaneous genome instability. Templated insertions, which derive from sequences genome wide, require contact between donor and acceptor loci, require homologous recombination, and are stimulated by DNA end-processing. Insertions are facilitated by transcription and involve a DNA/RNA hybrid intermediate. Indel-seq reveals that insertions are generated via multiple pathways. The broken acceptor site anneals with a resected DNA break or invades the displaced strand of a transcription bubble or R-loop, followed by DNA synthesis, displacement, and then ligation by non-homologous end joining. Our studies identify transcription-coupled insertions as a critical source of spontaneous genome instability that is distinct from cut-and-paste events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaewon Min
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Junfei Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Zagelbaum
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jina Lee
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sho Takahashi
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Portia Cummings
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Allana Schooley
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Job Dekker
- Department of Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Max E Gottesman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raul Rabadan
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jean Gautier
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA; Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Richards F, Llorca-Cardenosa MJ, Langton J, Buch-Larsen SC, Shamkhi NF, Sharma AB, Nielsen ML, Lakin ND. Regulation of Rad52-dependent replication fork recovery through serine ADP-ribosylation of PolD3. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4310. [PMID: 37463936 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40071-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although Poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerases (PARPs) are key regulators of genome stability, how site-specific ADP-ribosylation regulates DNA repair is unclear. Here, we describe a novel role for PARP1 and PARP2 in regulating Rad52-dependent replication fork repair to maintain cell viability when homologous recombination is dysfunctional, suppress replication-associated DNA damage, and maintain genome stability. Mechanistically, Mre11 and ATM are required for induction of PARP activity in response to replication stress that in turn promotes break-induced replication (BIR) through assembly of Rad52 at stalled/damaged replication forks. Further, by mapping ADP-ribosylation sites induced upon replication stress, we identify that PolD3 is a target for PARP1/PARP2 and that its site-specific ADP-ribosylation is required for BIR activity, replication fork recovery and genome stability. Overall, these data identify a critical role for Mre11-dependent PARP activation and site-specific ADP-ribosylation in regulating BIR to maintain genome integrity during DNA synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Richards
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Jamie Langton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Sara C Buch-Larsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Noor F Shamkhi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Michael L Nielsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicholas D Lakin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Reiss M, Keegan J, Aldrich A, Lyons SM, Flynn RL. The exoribonuclease XRN2 mediates degradation of the long non-coding telomeric RNA TERRA. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:1818-1836. [PMID: 37191774 PMCID: PMC10524182 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14639] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The telomeric repeat-containing RNA, TERRA, associates with both telomeric DNA and telomeric proteins, often forming RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops). TERRA is most abundant in cancer cells utilizing the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway for telomere maintenance, suggesting that persistent TERRA R-loops may contribute to activation of the ALT mechanism. Therefore, we sought to identify the enzyme(s) that regulate TERRA metabolism in mammalian cells. Here, we identify that the 5'-3' exoribonuclease XRN2 regulates the stability of TERRA RNA. Moreover, while stabilization of TERRA alone was insufficient to drive ALT, depletion of XRN2 in ALT-positive cells led to a significant increase in TERRA R-loops and exacerbated ALT activity. Together, our findings highlight XRN2 as a key determinant of TERRA metabolism and telomere stability in cancer cells that rely on the ALT pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Reiss
- Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Joshua Keegan
- Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Anne Aldrich
- Departments of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Shawn M. Lyons
- Departments of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Rachel Litman Flynn
- Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhang T, Rawal Y, Jiang H, Kwon Y, Sung P, Greenberg RA. Break-induced replication orchestrates resection-dependent template switching. Nature 2023; 619:201-208. [PMID: 37316655 PMCID: PMC10937050 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06177-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Break-induced telomere synthesis (BITS) is a RAD51-independent form of break-induced replication that contributes to alternative lengthening of telomeres1,2. This homology-directed repair mechanism utilizes a minimal replisome comprising proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and DNA polymerase-δ to execute conservative DNA repair synthesis over many kilobases. How this long-tract homologous recombination repair synthesis responds to complex secondary DNA structures that elicit replication stress remains unclear3-5. Moreover, whether the break-induced replisome orchestrates additional DNA repair events to ensure processivity is also unclear. Here we combine synchronous double-strand break induction with proteomics of isolated chromatin segments (PICh) to capture the telomeric DNA damage response proteome during BITS1,6. This approach revealed a replication stress-dominated response, highlighted by repair synthesis-driven DNA damage tolerance signalling through RAD18-dependent PCNA ubiquitination. Furthermore, the SNM1A nuclease was identified as the major effector of ubiquitinated PCNA-dependent DNA damage tolerance. SNM1A recognizes the ubiquitin-modified break-induced replisome at damaged telomeres, and this directs its nuclease activity to promote resection. These findings show that break-induced replication orchestrates resection-dependent lesion bypass, with SNM1A nuclease activity serving as a critical effector of ubiquitinated PCNA-directed recombination in mammalian cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianpeng Zhang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yashpal Rawal
- 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
| | - Haoyang Jiang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Youngho Kwon
- 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
| | - Patrick Sung
- 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
| | - Roger A Greenberg
- Department of Cancer Biology, Penn Center for Genome Integrity, Basser Center for BRCA, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Raseley K, Jinwala Z, Zhang D, Xiao M. Single-Molecule Telomere Assay via Optical Mapping (SMTA-OM) Can Potentially Define the ALT Positivity of Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1278. [PMID: 37372458 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061278] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres play an essential role in protecting the ends of linear chromosomes and maintaining the integrity of the human genome. One of the key hallmarks of cancers is their replicative immortality. As many as 85-90% of cancers activate the expression of telomerase (TEL+) as the telomere maintenance mechanism (TMM), and 10-15% of cancers utilize the homology-dependent repair (HDR)-based Alternative Lengthening of Telomere (ALT+) pathway. Here, we performed statistical analysis of our previously reported telomere profiling results from Single Molecule Telomere Assay via Optical Mapping (SMTA-OM), which is capable of quantifying individual telomeres from single molecules across all chromosomes. By comparing the telomeric features from SMTA-OM in TEL+ and ALT+ cancer cells, we demonstrated that ALT+ cancer cells display certain unique telomeric profiles, including increased fusions/internal telomere-like sequence (ITS+), fusions/internal telomere-like sequence loss (ITS-), telomere-free ends (TFE), super-long telomeres, and telomere length heterogeneity, compared to TEL+ cancer cells. Therefore, we propose that ALT+ cancer cells can be differentiated from TEL+ cancer cells using the SMTA-OM readouts as biomarkers. In addition, we observed variations in SMTA-OM readouts between different ALT+ cell lines that may potentially be used as biomarkers for discerning subtypes of ALT+ cancer and monitoring the response to cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Raseley
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zeal Jinwala
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dong Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
| | - Ming Xiao
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences and Center for Advanced Microbial Processing, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Carson LM, Flynn RL. Highlighting vulnerabilities in the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 70:102380. [PMID: 37149932 PMCID: PMC10247456 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway is a telomere elongation mechanism found in a small but often aggressive subset of cancers. Dependent on break-induced replication, telomere extension in ALT-positive cells relies on a baseline level of DNA replication stress to initiate elongation events. This results in an elevated level of DNA damage and presents a possible vulnerability to be exploited in the development of ALT-targeted cancer therapies. Currently, there are no treatment options that target the ALT mechanism or that are specific for ALT-positive tumors. Here, we review recent developments and promising directions in the development of ALT-targeted therapeutics, many of which involve tipping the balance towards inhibition or exacerbation of ALT activity to selectively target these cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Carson
- Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Rachel L Flynn
- Departments of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Medicine, Cancer Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Wang X, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Mazloum NA, Lee EYC, Lee MYW. The DHX9 helicase interacts with human DNA polymerase δ4 and stimulates its activity in D-loop extension synthesis. DNA Repair (Amst) 2023; 128:103513. [PMID: 37285751 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103513] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The extension of the invading strand within a displacement loop (D-loop) is a key step in homology directed repair (HDR) of doubled stranded DNA breaks. The primary goal of these studies was to test the hypotheses that 1) D-loop extension by human DNA polymerase δ4 (Pol δ4) is facilitated by DHX9, a 3' to 5' motor helicase, which acts to unwind the leading edge of the D-loop, and 2) the recruitment of DHX9 is mediated by direct protein-protein interactions between DHX9 and Pol δ4 and/or PCNA. DNA synthesis by Pol δ4 was analyzed in a reconstitution assay by the extension of a 93mer oligonucleotide inserted into a plasmid to form a D-loop. Product formation by Pol δ4 was monitored by incorporation of [α-32P]dNTPs into the 93mer primer followed by denaturing gel electrophoresis. The results showed that DHX9 strongly stimulated Pol δ4 mediated D-loop extension. Direct interactions of DHX9 with PCNA, the p125 and the p12 subunits of Pol δ4 were demonstrated by pull-down assays with purified proteins. These data support the hypothesis that DHX9 helicase is recruited by Pol δ4/PCNA to facilitate D-loop synthesis in HDR, and is a participant in cellular HDR. The involvement of DHX9 in HDR represents an important addition to its multiple cellular roles. Such helicase-polymerase interactions may represent an important aspect of the mechanisms involved in D-loop primer extension synthesis in HDR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Sufang Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Zhongtao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Nayef A Mazloum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Ernest Y C Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Marietta Y W Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Zelceski A, Francica P, Lingg L, Mutlu M, Stok C, Liptay M, Alexander J, Baxter JS, Brough R, Gulati A, Haider S, Raghunandan M, Song F, Sridhar S, Forment JV, O'Connor MJ, Davies BR, van Vugt MATM, Krastev DB, Pettitt SJ, Tutt ANJ, Rottenberg S, Lord CJ. MND1 and PSMC3IP control PARP inhibitor sensitivity in mitotic cells. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112484. [PMID: 37163373 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112484] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The PSMC3IP-MND1 heterodimer promotes meiotic D loop formation before DNA strand exchange. In genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis and interference screens in mitotic cells, depletion of PSMC3IP or MND1 causes sensitivity to poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) used in cancer treatment. PSMC3IP or MND1 depletion also causes ionizing radiation sensitivity. These effects are independent of PSMC3IP/MND1's role in mitotic alternative lengthening of telomeres. PSMC3IP- or MND1-depleted cells accumulate toxic RAD51 foci in response to DNA damage, show impaired homology-directed DNA repair, and become PARPi sensitive, even in cells lacking both BRCA1 and TP53BP1. Epistasis between PSMC3IP-MND1 and BRCA1/BRCA2 defects suggest that abrogated D loop formation is the cause of PARPi sensitivity. Wild-type PSMC3IP reverses PARPi sensitivity, whereas a PSMC3IP p.Glu201del mutant associated with D loop defects and ovarian dysgenesis does not. These observations suggest that meiotic proteins such as MND1 and PSMC3IP have a greater role in mitotic DNA repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anabel Zelceski
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Paola Francica
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Departement of Biomedical Research (DBMR), Cancer Therapy Resistance Cluster, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lea Lingg
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Departement of Biomedical Research (DBMR), Cancer Therapy Resistance Cluster, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Merve Mutlu
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Colin Stok
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713GZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Liptay
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - John Alexander
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Joseph S Baxter
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Rachel Brough
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Aditi Gulati
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Syed Haider
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Maya Raghunandan
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Feifei Song
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Sandhya Sridhar
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Dragomir B Krastev
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Stephen J Pettitt
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK.
| | - Andrew N J Tutt
- Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK.
| | - Sven Rottenberg
- Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Departement of Biomedical Research (DBMR), Cancer Therapy Resistance Cluster, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Pathology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Bern Center for Precision Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Christopher J Lord
- The CRUK Gene Function Laboratory, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK; Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Jones CY, Williams CL, Moreno SP, Morris DK, Mondello C, Karlseder J, Bertuch AA. Hyperextended telomeres promote formation of C-circle DNA in telomerase positive human cells. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104665. [PMID: 37003504 PMCID: PMC10235436 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104665] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length maintenance is crucial to cancer cell immortality. Up to 15% of cancers utilize a telomerase-independent, recombination-based mechanism termed alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Currently, the primary ALT biomarker is the C-circle, a type of circular DNA with extrachromosomal telomere repeats (cECTRs). How C-circles form is not well characterized. We investigated C-circle formation in the human cen3tel cell line, a long-telomere, telomerase+ (LTT+) cell line with progressively hyper-elongated telomeres (up to ∼100 kb). cECTR signal was observed in 2D gels and C-circle assays but not t-circle assays, which also detect circular DNA with extrachromosomal telomere repeats. Telomerase activity and C-circle signal were not separable in the analysis of clonal populations, consistent with C-circle production occurring within telomerase+ cells. We observed similar cECTR results in two other LTT+ cell lines, HeLa1.3 (∼23 kb telomeres) and HeLaE1 (∼50 kb telomeres). In LTT+ cells, telomerase activity did not directly impact C-circle signal; instead, C-circle signal correlated with telomere length. LTT+ cell lines were less sensitive to hydroxyurea than ALT+ cell lines, suggesting that ALT status is a stronger contributor to replication stress levels than telomere length. Additionally, the DNA repair-associated protein FANCM did not suppress C-circles in LTT+ cells as it does in ALT+ cells. Thus, C-circle formation may be driven by telomere length, independently of telomerase and replication stress, highlighting limitations of C-circles as a stand-alone ALT biomarker.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celina Y Jones
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Christopher L Williams
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sara Priego Moreno
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Danna K Morris
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Chiara Mondello
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza, National Research Council, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jan Karlseder
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Alison A Bertuch
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Broderick R, Cherdyntseva V, Nieminuszczy J, Dragona E, Kyriakaki M, Evmorfopoulou T, Gagos S, Niedzwiedz W. Pathway choice in the alternative telomere lengthening in neoplasia is dictated by replication fork processing mediated by EXD2's nuclease activity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2428. [PMID: 37105990 PMCID: PMC10140042 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38029-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase-independent cancer proliferation via the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) relies upon two distinct, largely uncharacterized, break-induced-replication (BIR) processes. How cancer cells initiate and regulate these terminal repair mechanisms is unknown. Here, we establish that the EXD2 nuclease is recruited to ALT telomeres to direct their maintenance. We demonstrate that EXD2 loss leads to telomere shortening, elevated telomeric sister chromatid exchanges, C-circle formation as well as BIR-mediated telomeric replication. We discover that EXD2 fork-processing activity triggers a switch between RAD52-dependent and -independent ALT-associated BIR. The latter is suppressed by EXD2 but depends specifically on the fork remodeler SMARCAL1 and the MUS81 nuclease. Thus, our findings suggest that processing of stalled replication forks orchestrates elongation pathway choice at ALT telomeres. Finally, we show that co-depletion of EXD2 with BLM, DNA2 or POLD3 confers synthetic lethality in ALT cells, identifying EXD2 as a potential druggable target for ALT-reliant cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Veronica Cherdyntseva
- Laboratory of Genetics, Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Dragona
- Laboratory of Genetics, Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kyriakaki
- Laboratory of Genetics, Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Athens, Greece
| | - Theodora Evmorfopoulou
- Laboratory of Genetics, Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Athens, Greece
| | - Sarantis Gagos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Center of Clinical Research, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens (BRFAA), Athens, Greece.
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Moreno SP, Fusté JM, Kaiser M, Li JSZ, Nassour J, Haggblom C, Denchi EL, Karlseder J. TZAP overexpression induces telomere dysfunction and ALT-like activity in ATRX/DAXX-deficient cells. iScience 2023; 26:106405. [PMID: 37013192 PMCID: PMC10066556 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106405] [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: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The appropriate regulation of telomere length homeostasis is crucial for the maintenance of genome integrity. The telomere-binding protein TZAP has been suggested to regulate telomere length by promoting t-circle and c-circle excisions through telomere trimming, yet the molecular mechanisms by which TZAP functions at telomeres are not understood. Using a system based on TZAP overexpression, we show that efficient TZAP recruitment to telomeres occurs in the context of open telomeric chromatin caused by loss of ATRX/DAXX independently of H3.3 deposition. Moreover, our data indicate that TZAP binding to telomeres induces telomere dysfunction and ALT-like activity, resulting in the generation of t-circles and c-circles in a Bloom-Topoisomerase IIIα-RMI1-RMI2 (BTR)-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Priego Moreno
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, 10010 N. Torrey pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Javier Miralles Fusté
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, 10010 N. Torrey pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Melanie Kaiser
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, 10010 N. Torrey pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Julia Su Zhou Li
- The Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joe Nassour
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, 10010 N. Torrey pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Candy Haggblom
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, 10010 N. Torrey pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Eros Lazzerini Denchi
- Laboratory for Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, Building 37, Room 2144B, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jan Karlseder
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, 10010 N. Torrey pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Rai R, Biju K, Sun W, Sodeinde T, Al-Hiyasat A, Morgan J, Ye X, Li X, Chen Y, Chang S. Homology directed telomere clustering, ultrabright telomere formation and nuclear envelope rupture in cells lacking TRF2 B and RAP1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2144. [PMID: 37059728 PMCID: PMC10104862 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37761-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-strand breaks (DSBs) due to genotoxic stress represent potential threats to genome stability. Dysfunctional telomeres are recognized as DSBs and are repaired by distinct DNA repair mechanisms. RAP1 and TRF2 are telomere binding proteins essential to protect telomeres from engaging in homology directed repair (HDR), but how this occurs remains unclear. In this study, we examined how the basic domain of TRF2 (TRF2B) and RAP1 cooperate to repress HDR at telomeres. Telomeres lacking TRF2B and RAP1 cluster into structures termed ultrabright telomeres (UTs). HDR factors localize to UTs, and UT formation is abolished by RNaseH1, DDX21 and ADAR1p110, suggesting that they contain DNA-RNA hybrids. Interaction between the BRCT domain of RAP1 and KU70/KU80 is also required to repress UT formation. Expressing TRF2∆B in Rap1-/- cells resulted in aberrant lamin A localization in the nuclear envelope and dramatically increased UT formation. Expressing lamin A phosphomimetic mutants induced nuclear envelope rupturing and aberrant HDR-mediated UT formation. Our results highlight the importance of shelterin and proteins in the nuclear envelope in repressing aberrant telomere-telomere recombination to maintain telomere homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rekha Rai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 330 Cedar Street, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Kevin Biju
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 330 Cedar Street, CT, 06520, USA
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Wenqi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Tori Sodeinde
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 330 Cedar Street, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Amer Al-Hiyasat
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 330 Cedar Street, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Jaida Morgan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 330 Cedar Street, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Xianwen Ye
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Xueqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Sandy Chang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, 330 Cedar Street, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, 330 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, 330 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kusuma FK, Prabhu A, Tieo G, Ahmed SM, Dakle P, Yong WK, Pathak E, Madan V, Jiang YY, Tam WL, Kappei D, Dröge P, Koeffler HP, Jeitany M. Signalling inhibition by ponatinib disrupts productive alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Nat Commun 2023; 14:1919. [PMID: 37024489 PMCID: PMC10079688 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) supports telomere maintenance in 10-15% of cancers, thus representing a compelling target for therapy. By performing anti-cancer compound library screen on isogenic cell lines and using extrachromosomal telomeric C-circles, as a bona fide marker of ALT activity, we identify a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor ponatinib that deregulates ALT mechanisms, induces telomeric dysfunction, reduced ALT-associated telomere synthesis, and targets, in vivo, ALT-positive cells. Using RNA-sequencing and quantitative phosphoproteomic analyses, combined with C-circle level assessment, we find an ABL1-JNK-JUN signalling circuit to be inhibited by ponatinib and to have a role in suppressing telomeric C-circles. Furthermore, transcriptome and interactome analyses suggest a role of JUN in DNA damage repair. These results are corroborated by synergistic drug interactions between ponatinib and either DNA synthesis or repair inhibitors, such as triciribine. Taken together, we describe here a signalling pathway impacting ALT which can be targeted by a clinically approved drug.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frances Karla Kusuma
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Aishvaryaa Prabhu
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Galen Tieo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Syed Moiz Ahmed
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pushkar Dakle
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wai Khang Yong
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Elina Pathak
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vikas Madan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yan Yi Jiang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dennis Kappei
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter Dröge
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute of Singapore (NCIS), National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maya Jeitany
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|