Structural basis of allosteric regulation of Tel1/ATM kinase

Making PI3K superfamily enzymes run faster

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) superfamily includes lipid kinases (PI3Ks and type III PI4Ks) and a group of PI3K-like Ser/Thr protein kinases (PIKKs: mTOR, ATM, ATR, DNA-PKcs, SMG1 and TRRAP) that have a conserved C-terminal kinase domain. A common feature of the superfamily is that they have very low basal activity that can be greatly increased by a range of regulatory factors. Activators reconfigure the active site, causing a subtle realignment of the N-lobe of the kinase domain relative to the C-lobe. This realignment brings the ATP-binding loop in the N-lobe closer to the catalytic residues in the C-lobe. In addition, a conserved C-lobe feature known as the PIKK regulatory domain (PRD) also can change conformation, and PI3K activators can alter an analogous PRD-like region. Recent structures have shown that diverse activating influences can trigger these conformational changes, and a helical region clamping onto the kinase domain transmits regulatory interactions to bring about the active site realignment for more efficient catalysis. A recent report of a small-molecule activator of PI3Kα for application in nerve regeneration suggests that flexibility of these regulatory elements might be exploited to develop specific activators of all PI3K superfamily members. These activators could have roles in wound healing, anti-stroke therapy and treating neurodegeneration. We review common structural features of the PI3K superfamily that may make them amenable to activation.

Diffusion of activated ATM explains γH2AX and MDC1 spread beyond the DNA damage site

During DNA repair, ATM-induced H2AX histone phosphorylation and MDC1 recruitment spread megabases beyond the damage site. While loop extrusion has been suggested to drive this spread, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, we provide two lines of evidence that loop extrusion is not the only driver of damage-induced γH2AX spread. First, cohesin loader NIPBL and cohesin subunit RAD21 accumulate considerably later than the phosphorylation of H2AX and MDC1 recruitment at micro-IR-induced damage. Second, auxin-induced RAD21 depletion does not affect γH2AX/MDC1 spread following micro-irradiation or DSB induction by zeocin. To determine if diffusion of activated ATM could account for the observed behavior, we measured the exchange rate and diffusion constants of ATM and MDC1 within damaged and unperturbed chromatin. Using these measurements, we introduced a quantitative model in which the freely diffusing activated ATM phosphorylates H2AX. This model faithfully describes the dynamics of ATM and subsequent γH2AX/MDC1 spread at complex DNA lesions.

Small Molecular Inhibitors That Target ATM for Drug Discovery: Current Research and Potential Prospective

The protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a constituent of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family, exerting a pivotal influence on diverse cellular processes, notably the signaling of double-strand DNA breaks (DSB) and stress response. The dysregulation of ATM is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer and other diseases such as neurodegeneration. Hence, ATM is deemed a promising candidate for potential therapeutic interventions across a spectrum of diseases. Presently, while ATM small molecule inhibitors are not commercially available, various selective inhibitors have progressed to the clinical research phase. Specifically, AZD1390, WSD0628, SYH2051, and ZN-B-2262 are under investigation in clinical studies pertaining to glioblastoma multiforme and advanced solid tumors, respectively. In this Perspective, we encapsulate the structure, biological functions, and disease relevance of ATM. Subsequently, we concentrate on the design concepts and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of ATM inhibitors, delineating potential avenues for the development of more efficacious ATM-targeted inhibitors.

Oxidative stress and the multifaceted roles of ATM in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis

The ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein kinase is best known as a master regulator of the DNA damage response. However, accumulating evidence has unveiled an equally vital function for ATM in sensing oxidative stress and orchestrating cellular antioxidant defenses to maintain redox homeostasis. ATM can be activated through a non-canonical pathway involving intermolecular disulfide crosslinking of the kinase dimers, distinct from its canonical activation by DNA double-strand breaks. Structural studies have elucidated the conformational changes that allow ATM to switch into an active redox-sensing state upon oxidation. Notably, loss of ATM function results in elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, altered antioxidant profiles, and mitochondrial dysfunction across multiple cell types and tissues. This oxidative stress arising from ATM deficiency has been implicated as a central driver of the neurodegenerative phenotypes in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patients, potentially through mechanisms involving oxidative DNA damage, PARP hyperactivation, and widespread protein aggregation. Moreover, defective ATM oxidation sensing disrupts transcriptional programs and RNA metabolism, with detrimental impacts on neuronal homeostasis. Significantly, antioxidant therapy can ameliorate cellular and organismal abnormalities in various ATM-deficient models. This review synthesizes recent advances illuminating the multifaceted roles of ATM in preserving redox balance and mitigating oxidative insults, providing a unifying paradigm for understanding the complex pathogenesis of A-T disease.

Structure and function of the apical PIKKs in double-strand break repair

Members of the phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase (PI3K)-related kinases (PIKKs) family, including DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related (ATR), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), suppressor with morphological effect on genitalia 1 (SMG1), and transformation/transcription domain-associated protein 1 (TRRAP/Tra1), participate in a variety of physiological processes, such as cell-cycle control, metabolism, transcription, replication, and the DNA damage response. In eukaryotic cells, DNA-PKcs, ATM, and ATR-ATRIP are the main sensors and regulators of DNA double-strand break repair. The purpose of this review is to describe recent structures of DNA-PKcs, ATM, and ATR, as well as their functions in activation and phosphorylation in different DNA repair pathways.

Structural insights into the activation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated by oxidative stress

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a master kinase regulating DNA damage response that is activated by DNA double-strand breaks. However, ATM is also directly activated by reactive oxygen species, but how oxidative activation is achieved remains unknown. We determined the cryo-EM structure of an H2O2-activated ATM and showed that under oxidizing conditions, ATM formed an intramolecular disulfide bridge between two protomers that are rotated relative to each other when compared to the basal state. This rotation is accompanied by release of the substrate-blocking PRD region and twisting of the N-lobe relative to the C-lobe, which greatly optimizes catalysis. This active site remodeling enabled us to capture a substrate (p53) bound to the enzyme. This provides the first structural insights into how ATM is activated during oxidative stress.

Recent advances in ATM inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents

ATM, a member of the PIKK-like protein family, plays a central role in responding to DNA double-strand breaks and other lesions to protect the genome against DNA damage. Loss of ATM's kinase function has been shown to increase the sensitivity of most cells to ionizing radiation. Therefore, ATM is thought to be a promising target for chemotherapy as a radiotherapy sensitizer. The mechanism of ATM in cancer treatment and the development of its inhibitors have become research hotspots. Here we present an overview of research concerning ATM protein domains, functions and inhibitors, as well as perspectives and insights for future development of ATM-targeting agents.

Minigene-based splicing analysis and ACMG/AMP-based tentative classification of 56 ATM variants

The ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) protein is a major coordinator of the DNA damage response pathway. ATM loss-of-function variants are associated with 2-fold increased breast cancer risk. We aimed at identifying and classifying spliceogenic ATM variants detected in subjects of the large-scale sequencing project BRIDGES. A total of 381 variants at the intron-exon boundaries were identified, 128 of which were predicted to be spliceogenic. After further filtering, we ended up selecting 56 variants for splicing analysis. Four functional minigenes (mgATM) spanning exons 4-9, 11-17, 25-29, and 49-52 were constructed in the splicing plasmid pSAD. Selected variants were genetically engineered into the four constructs and assayed in MCF-7/HeLa cells. Forty-eight variants (85.7%) impaired splicing, 32 of which did not show any trace of the full-length (FL) transcript. A total of 43 transcripts were identified where the most prevalent event was exon/multi-exon skipping. Twenty-seven transcripts were predicted to truncate the ATM protein. A tentative ACMG/AMP (American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology)-based classification scheme that integrates mgATM data allowed us to classify 29 ATM variants as pathogenic/likely pathogenic and seven variants as likely benign. Interestingly, the likely pathogenic variant c.1898+2T>G generated 13% of the minigene FL-transcript due to the use of a noncanonical GG-5'-splice-site (0.014% of human donor sites). Circumstantial evidence in three ATM variants (leakiness uncovered by our mgATM analysis together with clinical data) provides some support for a dosage-sensitive expression model in which variants producing ≥30% of FL-transcripts would be predicted benign, while variants producing ≤13% of FL-transcripts might be pathogenic. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Single-stranded RNA viruses activate and hijack host apical DNA damage response kinases for efficient viral replication

The ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM-Rad3-related (ATR) are apical kinases that orchestrate the multifaceted DNA damage response (DDR) to a variety of genotoxic insults and regulate genomic stability. Whether RNA virus also manipulates the host’s DDR machine to facilitate replication is largely unknown. In this study, we revealed that single-stranded RNA virus replication specifically elicits host ATM- and ATR-mediated pathway activation and boosts their expression. The activated ATM and ATR are hijacked to the virus replication factory in the cytoplasm and facilitate viral gene expression and replication. Specific inhibitors targeting ATM and ATR strikingly block the viral proliferation and replication and inhibit expression of virus proteins. Our results reveal a novel, or otherwise noncanonical, conserved function of ATM/ATR outside DDR in promoting the replication of single-stranded RNA virus and provide an important mechanism of host–pathogen interactions.

Structure of the human ATM kinase and mechanism of Nbs1 binding

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can lead to mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, genome instability, and cancer. Central to the sensing of DSBs is the ATM (Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) kinase, which belongs to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinase (PIKK) family. In response to DSBs, ATM is activated by the MRN (Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1) protein complex through a poorly understood process that also requires double-stranded DNA. Previous studies indicate that the FxF/Y motif of Nbs1 directly binds to ATM, and is required to retain active ATM at sites of DNA damage. Here, we report the 2.5 Å resolution cryo-EM structures of human ATM and its complex with the Nbs1 FxF/Y motif. In keeping with previous structures of ATM and its yeast homolog Tel1, the dimeric human ATM kinase adopts a symmetric, butterfly-shaped structure. The conformation of the ATM kinase domain is most similar to the inactive states of other PIKKs, suggesting that activation may involve an analogous realigning of the N and C lobes along with relieving the blockage of the substrate-binding site. We also show that the Nbs1 FxF/Y motif binds to a conserved hydrophobic cleft within the Spiral domain of ATM, suggesting an allosteric mechanism of activation. We evaluate the importance of these structural findings with mutagenesis and biochemical assays.

Molecular basis of human ATM kinase inhibition

Human checkpoint kinase ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) plays a key role in initiation of the DNA damage response following DNA double-strand breaks. ATM inhibition is a promising approach in cancer therapy, but, so far, detailed insights into the binding modes of known ATM inhibitors have been hampered due to the lack of high-resolution ATM structures. Using cryo-EM, we have determined the structure of human ATM to an overall resolution sufficient to build a near-complete atomic model and identify two hitherto unknown zinc-binding motifs. We determined the structure of the kinase domain bound to ATPγS and to the ATM inhibitors KU-55933 and M4076 at 2.8 Å, 2.8 Å and 3.0 Å resolution, respectively. The mode of action and selectivity of the ATM inhibitors can be explained by structural comparison and provide a framework for structure-based drug design.

Cellular functions of the protein kinase ATM and their relevance to human disease

The protein kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a master regulator of double-strand DNA break (DSB) signalling and stress responses. For three decades, ATM has been investigated extensively to elucidate its roles in the DNA damage response (DDR) and in the pathogenesis of ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), a human neurodegenerative disease caused by loss of ATM. Although hundreds of proteins have been identified as ATM phosphorylation targets and many important roles for this kinase have been identified, it is still unclear how ATM deficiency leads to the early-onset cerebellar degeneration that is common in all individuals with A-T. Recent studies suggest the existence of links between ATM deficiency and other cerebellum-specific neurological disorders, as well as the existence of broader similarities with more common neurodegenerative disorders. In this Review, we discuss recent structural insights into ATM regulation, and possible aetiologies of A-T phenotypes, including reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial dysfunction, alterations in transcription, R-loop metabolism and alternative splicing, defects in cellular proteostasis and metabolism, and potential pathogenic roles for hyper-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation.

Novel insights into the mechanism of cell cycle kinases Mec1(ATR) and Tel1(ATM)

DNA replication is a highly precise process which usually functions in a perfect rhythm with cell cycle progression. However, cells are constantly faced with various kinds of obstacles such as blocks in DNA replication, lack of availability of precursors and improper chromosome alignment. When these problems are not addressed, they may lead to chromosome instability and the accumulation of mutations, and even cell death. Therefore, the cell has developed response mechanisms to keep most of these situations under control. Of the many factors that participate in this DNA damage response, members of the family of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinases (PIKKs) orchestrate the response landscape. Our understanding of two members of the PIKK family, human ATR (yeast Mec1) and ATM (yeast Tel1), and their associated partner proteins, has shown substantial progress through recent biochemical and structural studies. Emerging structural information of these unique kinases show common features that reveal the mechanism of kinase activity.

Roles of ATM and ATR in DNA double strand breaks and replication stress

The maintenance of genome integrity is critical for the faithful replication of the genome during cell division and for protecting cells from accumulation of DNA damage, which if left unrepaired leads to a loss of genetic information, a breakdown in cell function and ultimately cell death and cancer. ATM and ATR are master kinases that are integral to homologous recombination-mediated repair of double strand breaks and preventing accumulation of dangerous DNA structures and genome instability during replication stress. While the roles of ATM and ATR are heavily intertwined in response to double strand breaks, their roles diverge in the response to replication stress. This review summarises our understanding of the players and their mode of actions in recruitment, activation and activity of ATM and ATR in response to DNA damage and replication stress and discusses how controlling localisation of these kinases and their activators allows them to orchestrate a stress-specific response.

The Cancer-Associated ATM R3008H Mutation Reveals the Link between ATM Activation and Its Exchange

ATM kinase is a tumor suppressor and a master regulator of the DNA damage response. Most cancer-associated alterations to ATM are missense mutations at the PI3-kinase regulatory domain (PRD) or the kinase domain. Expression of kinase-dead (KD) ATM protein solely accelerates lymphomagenesis beyond ATM loss. To understand how PRD suppresses lymphomagenesis, we introduced the cancer-associated PRD mutation R3008H (R3016 in mouse) into mice. R3008H abrogated DNA damage- and oxidative stress-induced activation of ATM without consistently affecting ATM protein stability and recruitment. In contrast to the early embryonic lethality of AtmKD/KD mice, AtmR3016H (AtmR/R ) mice were viable, immunodeficient, and displayed spontaneous craniofacial abnormalities and delayed lymphomagenesis compared with Atm-/- controls. Mechanistically, R3008H rescued the tardy exchange of ATM-KD at DNA damage foci, indicating that PRD coordinates ATM activation with its exchange at DNA-breaks. Taken together, our results reveal a unique tumorigenesis profile for PRD mutations that is distinct from null or KD mutations. SIGNIFICANT: This study functionally characterizes the most common ATM missense mutation R3008H in cancer and identifies a unique role of PI3-kinase regulatory domain in ATM activation.

ATM-Deficient Cancers Provide New Opportunities for Precision Oncology

Poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are currently used in the treatment of several cancers carrying mutations in the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, with many more potential applications under study and in clinical trials. Here, we discuss the potential for extending PARP inhibitor therapies to tumours with deficiencies in the DNA damage-activated protein kinase, Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM). We highlight our recent findings that PARP inhibition alone is cytostatic but not cytotoxic in ATM-deficient cancer cells and that the combination of a PARP inhibitor with an ATR (ATM, Rad3-related) inhibitor is required to induce cell death.

Structures and regulations of ATM and ATR, master kinases in genome integrity

Homologous recombination (HR) is a faithful repair mechanism for double stranded DNA breaks. Two highly homologous master kinases, the tumour suppressors ATM and ATR (Tel1 and Mec1 in yeast), coordinate cell cycle progression with repair during HR. Despite their importance, our molecular understanding of these apical coordinators has been limited, in part due to their large sizes. With the recent development in cryo-electron microscopy, significant advances have been made in structural characterisation of these proteins in the last two years. These structures, combined with new biochemical studies, now provide a more detailed understanding of how a low basal activity is maintained and how activation may occur. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the structural and molecular understanding of these key components in HR, compare the common and distinct features of these kinases and suggest aspects of structural components that are likely to be involved in regulating its activity.

Inhibition of MELK produces potential anti-tumour effects in bladder cancer by inducing G1/S cell cycle arrest via the ATM/CHK2/p53 pathway

We aimed to investigate the biological function of MELK and the therapeutic potential of OTSSP167 in human bladder cancer (BCa). First, we observed overexpression of MELK in BCa cell lines and tissues and found that it was associated with higher tumour stage and tumour grade, which was consistent with transcriptome analysis. High expression of MELK was significantly correlated with poor prognosis in BCa patients, and MELK was found to have a role in the cell cycle, the G1/S transition in mitosis, and DNA repair and replication. Furthermore, BCa cells presented significantly decreased proliferation capacity following silencing of MELK or treatment with OTSSP167 in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, reduction in MELK or treatment of cells with OTSSP167 could induce cell cycle arrest and could suppress migration. In addition, these treatments could activate phosphorylation of ATM and CHK2, which would be accompanied by down‐regulated MDMX, cyclin D1, CDK2 and E2F1; however, p53 and p21 would be activated. Opposite results were observed when MELK expression was induced. Overall, MELK was found to be a novel oncogene in BCa that induces cell cycle arrest via the ATM/CHK2/p53 pathway. OTSSP167 displays potent anti‐tumour activities, which may provide a new molecule‐based strategy for BCa treatment.

Near-Complete Structure and Model of Tel1ATM from Chaetomium thermophilum Reveals a Robust Autoinhibited ATP State

Tel1 (ATM in humans) is a large kinase that resides in the cell in an autoinhibited dimeric state and upon activation orchestrates the cellular response to DNA damage. We report the structure of an endogenous Tel1 dimer from Chaetomium thermophilum. Major parts are at 2.8 Å resolution, including the kinase active site with ATPγS bound, and two different N-terminal solenoid conformations are at 3.4 Å and 3.6 Å, providing a side-chain model for 90% of the Tel1 polypeptide. We show that the N-terminal solenoid has DNA binding activity, but that its movements are not coupled to kinase activation. Although ATPγS and catalytic residues are poised for catalysis, the kinase resides in an autoinhibited state. The PIKK regulatory domain acts as a pseudo-substrate, blocking direct access to the site of catalysis. The structure allows mapping of human cancer mutations and defines mechanisms of autoinhibition at near-atomic resolution.

Cryo-EM Structure of Nucleotide-Bound Tel1ATM Unravels the Molecular Basis of Inhibition and Structural Rationale for Disease-Associated Mutations

Yeast Tel1 and its highly conserved human ortholog ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) are large protein kinases central to the maintenance of genome integrity. Mutations in ATM are found in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patients and ATM is one of the most frequently mutated genes in many cancers. Using cryoelectron microscopy, we present the structure of Tel1 in a nucleotide-bound state. Our structure reveals molecular details of key residues surrounding the nucleotide binding site and provides a structural and molecular basis for its intrinsically low basal activity. We show that the catalytic residues are in a productive conformation for catalysis, but the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) regulatory domain insert restricts peptide substrate access and the N-lobe is in an open conformation, thus explaining the requirement for Tel1 activation. Structural comparisons with other PIKKs suggest a conserved and common allosteric activation mechanism. Our work also provides a structural rationale for many mutations found in A-T and cancer.