BLAP18/RMI2, a novel OB-fold-containing protein, is an essential component of the Bloom helicase-double Holliday junction dissolvasome

TFIP11 promotes replication fork reversal to preserve genome stability

Replication fork reversal, a critical protective mechanism against replication stress in higher eukaryotic cells, is orchestrated via a series of coordinated enzymatic reactions. The Bloom syndrome gene product, BLM, a member of the highly conserved RecQ helicase family, is implicated in this process, yet its precise regulation and role remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the GCFC domain-containing protein TFIP11 forms a complex with the BLM helicase. TFIP11 exhibits a preference for binding to DNA substrates that mimic the structure generated at stalled replication forks. Loss of either TFIP11 or BLM leads to the accumulation of the other protein at stalled forks. This abnormal accumulation, in turn, impairs RAD51-mediated fork reversal and slowing, sensitizes cells to replication stress-inducing agents, and enhances chromosomal instability. These findings reveal a previously unidentified regulatory mechanism that modulates the activities of BLM and RAD51 at stalled forks, thereby impacting genome integrity.

ALTercations at telomeres: stress, recombination and extrachromosomal affairs

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.

A combined bioinformatics and experimental approach identifies RMI2 as a Wnt/β-catenin signaling target gene related to hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. In human cancer, abnormal activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway induces overexpressed of downstream genes, and initiate oncogene. There are several target genes known to be key players in tumorigenesis, such as c-myc, cyclin D1, MMPs or survivin. Therefore, identifying the target genes of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is important to understanding Wnt/β-catenin-mediated carcinogenesis. In this study, we developed a combined bioinformatics and experimental approach to find potential target genes.

METHODS

Luciferase reporter assay was used to analyze the promoter activity of RMI2. WST1 cell proliferation assays and transwell assays were performed to determine the proliferation and migration capacities of RMI2 overexpressing or knockdown stable hepatic cells. Finally, xenograft experiments were performed to measure the tumor formation capacity in vivo.

RESULTS

The results showed that RMI2 mRNA was upregulated after LiCl treatment and Wnt3a-conditioned medium in a culture of SK-hep-1 cell lines. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that the β-catenin/T cell-specific factor (TCF) complex binds to the putative TCF binding site of the RMI2 promoter. We then found a TCF binding site at - 333/- 326 of the RMI2 promoter, which is crucial for β-catenin responsiveness in liver cell lines. RMI2 was overexpressed in hepatoma tissue and cell lines, and it promoted the migration and invasion of HCC cells. Moreover, RMI2 upregulated the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and the Wnt3a/β-catenin-related genes, but silencing RMI2 had the opposite effects. Notably, the expression of RMI2 was positively correlated with the clinical data of HCC patients who had significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (Both: P < 0.05). In addition, a total of 373 HCC patients' data from the Caner Genome Atlas project (TCGA) were used to validate our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Taking all these findings together, we determined that RMI2 was a new target gene of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We also found that RMI2 promotes EMT markers, HCC cell invasion, and metastasis, which indicated that RMI2 is a potential target for preventing or at least mitigating the progression of HCC.

Pathological variants in TOP3A cause distinct disorders of mitochondrial and nuclear genome stability

Topoisomerase 3α (TOP3A) is an enzyme that removes torsional strain and interlinks between DNA molecules. TOP3A localises to both the nucleus and mitochondria, with the two isoforms playing specialised roles in DNA recombination and replication respectively. Pathogenic variants in TOP3A can cause a disorder similar to Bloom syndrome, which results from bi-allelic pathogenic variants in BLM, encoding a nuclear-binding partner of TOP3A. In this work, we describe 11 individuals from 9 families with an adult-onset mitochondrial disease resulting from bi-allelic TOP3A gene variants. The majority of patients have a consistent clinical phenotype characterised by bilateral ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, myopathy and axonal sensory-motor neuropathy. We present a comprehensive characterisation of the effect of TOP3A variants, from individuals with mitochondrial disease and Bloom-like syndrome, upon mtDNA maintenance and different aspects of enzyme function. Based on these results, we suggest a model whereby the overall severity of the TOP3A catalytic defect determines the clinical outcome, with milder variants causing adult-onset mitochondrial disease and more severe variants causing a Bloom-like syndrome with mitochondrial dysfunction in childhood.

RIF1 suppresses the formation of single-stranded ultrafine anaphase bridges via protein phosphatase 1

Resolution of ultrafine anaphase bridges (UFBs) must be completed before cytokinesis to ensure sister-chromatid disjunction. RIF1 is involved in UFB resolution by a mechanism that is not yet clear. Here, we show that RIF1 functions in mitosis to inhibit the formation of 53BP1 nuclear bodies and micronuclei. Meanwhile, RIF1 localizes on PICH-coated double-stranded UFBs but not on RPA-coated single-stranded UFBs. Depletion of RIF1 leads to an elevated level of RPA-coated UFBs, in a BLM-dependent manner. RIF1 interacts with all three isoforms of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) at its CI domain in anaphase when CDK1 activity declines. CDK1 negatively regulates RIF1-PP1 interaction via the CIII domain of RIF1. Importantly, depletion of PP1 phenocopies RIF1 depletion, and phosphorylation-resistant mutant of PICH shows reduced interaction with the BTR complex and bypasses the need of RIF1 in preventing the formation of single-stranded UFBs. Overall, our data show that PP1 is the effector of RIF1 in UFB resolution.

The MRN complex and topoisomerase IIIa-RMI1/2 synchronize DNA resection motor proteins

DNA resection-the nucleolytic processing of broken DNA ends-is the first step of homologous recombination. Resection is catalyzed by the resectosome, a multienzyme complex that includes bloom syndrome helicase (BLM), DNA2 or exonuclease 1 nucleases, and additional DNA-binding proteins. Although the molecular players have been known for over a decade, how the individual proteins work together to regulate DNA resection remains unknown. Using single-molecule imaging, we characterized the roles of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex (MRN) and topoisomerase IIIa (TOP3A)-RMI1/2 during long-range DNA resection. BLM partners with TOP3A-RMI1/2 to form the BTRR (BLM-TOP3A-RMI1/2) complex (or BLM dissolvasome). We determined that TOP3A-RMI1/2 aids BLM in initiating DNA unwinding, and along with MRN, stimulates DNA2-mediated resection. Furthermore, we found that MRN promotes the association between BTRR and DNA and synchronizes BLM and DNA2 translocation to prevent BLM from pausing during resection. Together, this work provides direct observation of how MRN and DNA2 harness the BTRR complex to resect DNA efficiently and how TOP3A-RMI1/2 regulates the helicase activity of BLM to promote efficient DNA repair.

Intellectual disability and abnormal cortical neuron phenotypes in patients with Bloom syndrome

Bloom syndrome (BS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by genomic instability that leads to various complications, including cancer. Given the low prevalence of BS in Japan, we conducted a nationwide survey. We recruited eight patients with BS, three of whom exhibited intellectual disability. The 631delCAA mutation in the BLM gene was detected in 9 out of 16 alleles. To investigate neuronal development in patients with BS, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells derived from one of these patients (BS-iPSCs). We examined the phenotypes of the induced cortical neurons derived from the generated BS-iPSCs using a previously reported protocol; the generated BS-iPSCs showed an approximately 10-times higher frequency of sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) than the control iPSCs. Immunocytochemistry revealed shorter axons and higher proliferative potential in BS-iPSC-derived cortical neurons compared with control iPSCs. To our knowledge, our study is the first to clarify the abnormality of the cortical neuron phenotypes derived from patients with BS. Our findings may help identify the pathogenesis of neuronal differentiation in BS and aid in the development of novel therapeutic agents.

RMI2 is a novel prognostic and predictive biomarker for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

RecQ-mediated genome instability 2 (RMI2) maintains genome stability by promoting DNA damage repair. It has been reported to accelerate the progression of several tumors. However, the functional mechanism of RMI2 in breast cancer remains unclear.

METHODS

Gene expression profiles were obtained from TCGA, GTEx, and GEO databases. The expression of RMI2 and its prognostic value in breast cancer was explored. In addition, we calculated pooled standardized mean deviation (SMD) and performed a summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curve analysis to further determine RMI2 expression status and diagnostic significance. The functions and related signaling pathways were investigated based on GO and KEGG analyses. The PPI network was constructed by combining the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Subsequently, in vitro assays were conducted to detect the effect of RMI2 on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.

RESULTS

The expression of RMI2 was markedly upregulated in breast cancer tissues relative to that in normal tissues. Moreover, pooled SMD further confirmed the overexpression of RMI2 in breast cancer (SMD = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-1.41, p = 0.000). The sROC curve analysis result suggested that RMI2 had a relatively high diagnostic ability in breast cancer (AUC = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.84-0.90). High RMI2 expression was associated with poor prognosis. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that RMI2 was closely related to cell adhesion, various enzyme activities, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. PPI analysis showed that RMI2 had interactions with proteins involved in DNA damage repair. knockdown of RMI2 remarkably inhibited the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells, while overexpression of RMI2 exerted the opposite effects. Furthermore, we identified that RMI2 accelerates the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that RMI2 is a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker associated with cell proliferation and migration, and may be used as a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer in the future.

DNA damage-induced nuclear import of HSP90α is promoted by Aha1

The interplay between yHSP90α (Hsp82) and Rad51 has been implicated in the DNA double-strand break repair (DSB) pathway in yeast. Here we report that nuclear translocation of yHSP90α and its recruitment to the DSB end are essential for homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA repair in yeast. The HsHSP90α possesses an amino-terminal extension which is phosphorylated upon DNA damage. We find that the absence of the amino-terminal extension in yHSP90α does not compromise its nuclear import, and the nonphosphorylatable-mutant HsHSP90α^T7A could be imported to the yeast nucleus upon DNA damage. Interestingly, the flexible charged-linker (CL) domains of both yHSP90α and HsHSP90α play a critical role during their nuclear translocation. The conformational restricted CL mutant yHSP90α^∆(211-259), but not a shorter deletion version yHSP90α^∆(211-242), fails to reach the nucleus. As the CL domain of yHSP90α is critical for its interaction with Aha1, we investigated whether Aha1 promotes the nuclear import of yHSP90α. We found that the nuclear import of yHSP90α is severely affected in ∆aha1 strain. Moreover, Aha1 is accumulated in the nucleus during DNA damage. Hence Aha1 may serve as a potential target for inhibiting nuclear function of yHSP90α. The increased sensitivity of ∆aha1 strain to genotoxic agents strengthens this notion.

DNA Holliday Junction: History, Regulation and Bioactivity

DNA Holliday junction (HJ) is a four-way stranded DNA intermediate that formed in replication fork regression, homology-dependent repair and mitosis, performing a significant role in genomic stability. Failure to remove HJ can induce an acceptable replication fork stalling and DNA damage in normal cells, leading to a serious chromosomal aberration and even cell death in HJ nuclease-deficient tumor cells. Thus, HJ is becoming an attractive target in cancer therapy. However, the development of HJ-targeting ligand faces great challenges because of flexile cavities on the center of HJs. This review introduces the discovery history of HJ, elucidates the formation and dissociation procedures of HJ in corresponding bio-events, emphasizes the importance of prompt HJ-removing in genome stability, and summarizes recent advances in HJ-based ligand discovery. Our review indicate that target HJ is a promising approach in oncotherapy.

RecQ Helicase Somatic Alterations in Cancer

Named the “caretakers” of the genome, RecQ helicases function in several pathways to maintain genomic stability and repair DNA. This highly conserved family of enzymes consist of five different proteins in humans: RECQL1, BLM, WRN, RECQL4, and RECQL5. Biallelic germline mutations in BLM, WRN, and RECQL4 have been linked to rare cancer-predisposing syndromes. Emerging research has also implicated somatic alterations in RecQ helicases in a variety of cancers, including hematological malignancies, breast cancer, osteosarcoma, amongst others. These alterations in RecQ helicases, particularly overexpression, may lead to increased resistance of cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy. Downregulation of these proteins may allow for increased sensitivity to chemotherapy, and, therefore, may be important therapeutic targets. Here we provide a comprehensive review of our current understanding of the role of RecQ DNA helicases in cancer and discuss the potential therapeutic opportunities in targeting these helicases.

Generation of double Holliday junction DNAs and their dissolution/resolution within a chromatin context

Four-way DNA intermediates, also known as Holliday junctions (HJs), are formed during homologous recombination and DNA repair, and their resolution is necessary for proper chromosome segregation. To facilitate the biochemical analysis of HJ processing, we developed a method involving DNAzyme self-cleavage to generate 1.8-kb DNA molecules containing either single (sHJ) or double Holliday junctions (dHJs). We show that dHJ DNAs (referred to as HoJo DNAs) are dissolved by the human BLM–TopIIIα–RMI1–RMI2 complex to form two noncrossover products. However, structure-selective endonucleases (human GEN1 and SMX complex) resolve DNA containing single or double HJs to yield a mixture of crossover and noncrossover products. Finally, we demonstrate that chromatin inhibits the resolution of the double HJ by GEN or SMX while allowing BTRR-mediated dissolution.

PICH Supports Embryonic Hematopoiesis by Suppressing a cGAS-STING-Mediated Interferon Response

The Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH) protein localizes to ultrafine anaphase DNA bridges in mitosis along with a complex of DNA repair proteins. Previous studies show PICH deficiency-induced embryonic lethality in mice. However, the function of PICH that is required to suppress embryonic lethality in PICH-deficient mammals remains to be determined. Previous clinical studies suggest a link between PICH deficiency and the onset of acquired aplastic anemia. Here, using Pich knock-out (KO) mouse models, the authors provide evidence for a mechanistic link between PICH deficiency and defective hematopoiesis. Fetal livers from Pich-KO embryos exhibit a significantly elevated number of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs); however, these HSCs display a higher level of apoptosis and a much-reduced ability to reconstitute a functional hematopoietic system when transplanted into lethally irradiated recipients. Moreover, these HSCs show an elevated cytoplasmic dsDNA expression and an activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, resulting in excessive production of type I interferons (IFN). Importantly, deletion of Ifnar1 or cGAS reverses the defective hematopoiesis. The authors conclude that loss of PICH results in defective hematopoiesis via cGAS-STING-mediated type I IFN production.

Phenotypic spectrum of BLM- and RMI1-related Bloom syndrome

Bloom syndrome (BS) is an autosomal recessive disorder with characteristic clinical features of primary microcephaly, growth deficiency, cancer predisposition, and immunodeficiency. Here, we report the clinical and molecular findings of eight patients from six families diagnosed with BS. We identified causative pathogenic variants in all families including three different variants in BLM and one variant in RMI1. The homozygous c.581_582delTT;p.Phe194* and c.3164G>C;p.Cys1055Ser variants in BLM have already been reported in BS patients, while the c.572_573delGA;p.Arg191Lysfs*4 variant is novel. Additionally, we present the detailed clinical characteristics of two cases with BS in which we previously identified the biallelic loss-of-function variant c.1255_1259delAAGAA;p.Lys419Leufs*5 in RMI1. All BS patients had primary microcephaly, intrauterine growth delay, and short stature, presenting the phenotypic hallmarks of BS. However, skin lesions and upper airway infections were observed only in some of the patients. Overall, patients with pathogenic BLM variants had a more severe BS phenotype compared to patients carrying the pathogenic variants in RMI1, especially in terms of immunodeficiency which should be considered as one of the most important phenotypic characteristics of BS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Mechanism of Bloom syndrome complex assembly required for double Holliday junction dissolution and genome stability

The RecQ-like helicase BLM cooperates with topoisomerase IIIα, RMI1, and RMI2 in a heterotetrameric complex (the "Bloom syndrome complex") for dissolution of double Holliday junctions, key intermediates in homologous recombination. Mutations in any component of the Bloom syndrome complex can cause genome instability and a highly cancer-prone disorder called Bloom syndrome. Some heterozygous carriers are also predisposed to breast cancer. To understand how the activities of BLM helicase and topoisomerase IIIα are coupled, we purified the active four-subunit complex. Chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometry revealed a unique architecture that links the helicase and topoisomerase domains. Using biochemical experiments, we demonstrated dimerization mediated by the N terminus of BLM with a 2:2:2:2 stoichiometry within the Bloom syndrome complex. We identified mutations that independently abrogate dimerization or association of BLM with RMI1, and we show that both are dysfunctional for dissolution using in vitro assays and cause genome instability and synthetic lethal interactions with GEN1/MUS81 in cells. Truncated BLM can also inhibit the activity of full-length BLM in mixed dimers, suggesting a putative mechanism of dominant-negative action in carriers of BLM truncation alleles. Our results identify critical molecular determinants of Bloom syndrome complex assembly required for double Holliday junction dissolution and maintenance of genome stability.

OUP accepted manuscript

Bloom syndrome (BS) is an autosomal recessive disease clinically characterized by primary microcephaly, growth deficiency, immunodeficiency and predisposition to cancer. It is mainly caused by biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the BLM gene, which encodes the BLM helicase, acting in DNA replication and repair processes. Here, we describe the gene expression profiles of three BS fibroblast cell lines harboring causative, biallelic truncating mutations obtained by single-cell (sc) transcriptome analysis. We compared the scRNA transcription profiles from three BS patient cell lines to two age-matched wild-type controls and observed specific deregulation of gene sets related to the molecular processes characteristically affected in BS, such as mitosis, chromosome segregation, cell cycle regulation and genomic instability. We also found specific upregulation of genes of the Fanconi anemia pathway, in particular FANCM, FANCD2 and FANCI, which encode known interaction partners of BLM. The significant deregulation of genes associated with inherited forms of primary microcephaly observed in our study might explain in part the molecular pathogenesis of microcephaly in BS, one of the main clinical characteristics in patients. Finally, our data provide first evidence of a novel link between BLM dysfunction and transcriptional changes in condensin complex I and II genes. Overall, our study provides novel insights into gene expression profiles in BS on an sc level, linking specific genes and pathways to BLM dysfunction.

USP37 regulates DNA damage response through stabilizing and deubiquitinating BLM

The human RecQ helicase BLM is involved in the DNA damage response, DNA metabolism, and genetic stability. Loss of function mutations in BLM cause the genetic instability/cancer predisposition syndrome Bloom syndrome. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of BLM in cancers remains largely elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the deubiquitinating enzyme USP37 interacts with BLM and that USP37 deubiquitinates and stabilizes BLM, thereby sustaining the DNA damage response (DDR). Mechanistically, DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) promotes ATM phosphorylation of USP37 and enhances the binding between USP37 and BLM. Moreover, knockdown of USP37 increases BLM polyubiquitination, accelerates its proteolysis, and impairs its function in DNA damage response. This leads to enhanced DNA damage and sensitizes breast cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents in both cell culture and in vivo mouse models. Collectively, our results establish a novel molecular mechanism for the USP37-BLM axis in regulating DSB repair with an important role in chemotherapy and radiotherapy response in human cancers.

Regulation of mitotic chromosome architecture and resolution of ultrafine anaphase bridges by PICH

To ensure genome stability, chromosomes need to undergo proper condensation into two linked sister chromatids from prophase to prometaphase, followed by equal segregation at anaphase. Emerging evidence has shown that persistent DNA entanglements connecting the sister chromatids lead to the formation of ultrafine anaphase bridges (UFBs). If UFBs are not resolved soon after anaphase, they can induce chromosome missegregation. PICH (PLK1-interacting checkpoint helicase) is a DNA translocase that localizes on chromosome arms, centromeres and UFBs. It plays multiple essential roles in mitotic chromosome organization and segregation. PICH also recruits other associated proteins to UFBs, and together they mediate UFB resolution. Here, the proposed mechanism behind PICH's functions in chromosome organization and UFB resolution will be discussed. We summarize the regulation of PICH action at chromosome arms and centromeres, how PICH recognizes UFBs and recruits other UFB-associated factors, and finally how PICH promotes UFB resolution together with other DNA processing enzymes.

Controlling the topology of mammalian mitochondrial DNA

The genome of mitochondria, called mtDNA, is a small circular DNA molecule present at thousands of copies per human cell. MtDNA is packaged into nucleoprotein complexes called nucleoids, and the density of mtDNA packaging affects mitochondrial gene expression. Genetic processes such as transcription, DNA replication and DNA packaging alter DNA topology, and these topological problems are solved by a family of enzymes called topoisomerases. Within mitochondria, topoisomerases are involved firstly in the regulation of mtDNA supercoiling and secondly in disentangling interlinked mtDNA molecules following mtDNA replication. The loss of mitochondrial topoisomerase activity leads to defects in mitochondrial function, and variants in the dual-localized type IA topoisomerase TOP3A have also been reported to cause human mitochondrial disease. We review the current knowledge on processes that alter mtDNA topology, how mtDNA topology is modulated by the action of topoisomerases, and the consequences of altered mtDNA topology for mitochondrial function and human health.

A novel cell-cycle-regulated interaction of the Bloom syndrome helicase BLM with Mcm6 controls replication-linked processes

The Bloom syndrome DNA helicase BLM contributes to chromosome stability through its roles in double-strand break repair by homologous recombination and DNA replication fork restart during the replication stress response. Loss of BLM activity leads to Bloom syndrome, which is characterized by extraordinary cancer risk and small stature. Here, we have analyzed the composition of the BLM complex during unperturbed S-phase and identified a direct physical interaction with the Mcm6 subunit of the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) complex. Using distinct binding sites, BLM interacts with the N-terminal domain of Mcm6 in G1 phase and switches to the C-terminal Cdt1-binding domain of Mcm6 in S-phase, with a third site playing a role for Mcm6 binding after DNA damage. Disruption of Mcm6-binding to BLM in S-phase leads to supra-normal DNA replication speed in unperturbed cells, and the helicase activity of BLM is required for this increased replication speed. Upon disruption of BLM/Mcm6 interaction, repair of replication-dependent DNA double-strand breaks is delayed and cells become hypersensitive to DNA damage and replication stress. Our findings reveal that BLM not only plays a role in the response to DNA damage and replication stress, but that its physical interaction with Mcm6 is required in unperturbed cells, most notably in S-phase as a negative regulator of replication speed.

HSP90 inhibition downregulates DNA replication and repair genes via E2F1 repression

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an especially aggressive and highly heterogeneous mature B-cell lymphoma. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is considered an attractive therapeutic target in a variety of cancers, including MCL, but no HSP90 inhibitors have succeeded in the clinical trials to date. Exploring fine mechanisms of HSP90 inhibition in cancer cells may shed light on novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we found that HSP90 knockdown and continuous inhibition with ganetespib inhibited growth of MCL cells in vitro and in vivo. To our surprise, transient exposure over 12 h was almost as efficient as continuous exposure, and treatment with ganetespib for 12 h efficiently inhibited growth and induced G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of MCL cells. Transcriptome analysis complemented by functional studies was performed to define critical MCL signaling pathways that are exceptionally sensitive to HSP90 inhibition and vital to cell fate. Six genes (cell division cycle 6, cell division cycle 45, minichromosome maintenance 4, minichromosome maintenance 7, RecQ-mediated genome instability 2, and DNA primase polypeptide 1) involved in DNA replication and repair were identified as consistently downregulated in three MCL cell lines after transient ganetespib treatment. E2F1, an important transcription factor essential for cell cycle progression, was identified as a ganetespib target mediating transcriptional downregulation of these six genes, and its stability was also demonstrated to be maintained by HSP90. This study identifies E2F1 as a novel client protein of HSP90 that is very sensitive and worthy of targeting and also finds that HSP90 inhibitors may be useful in combination therapies for MCL.

RMI2 is a prognostic biomarker and promotes tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma

Genomic instability is a hallmark of all cancers. RMI2 is a crucial component of the BLM-TopoIIIa-RMI1-RMI2 complex that maintains genome stability. It has been shown to accelerate tumor progression in lung cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer. However, its expression and function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly defined. In this study, gene expression data and corresponding clinical information of HCC were downloaded from the TCGA, ICGC, and GEO databases. The expression level and clinical significance of RMI2 in HCC were then analyzed. In addition, cellular and molecular biology experiments were conducted to explore the effects of silencing and overexpression of RMI2 on human liver cancer cells and the associated mechanisms. The results showed that RMI2 expression was elevated in HCC tissues. High expression of RMI2 was correlated with shorter survival and poor prognosis of patients. The results of CCK-8, Edu, and clonogenic assays confirmed that RMI2 overexpression promoted the proliferation of HCC cells. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that RMI2 overexpression enhanced G1-S phase transition and decreased apoptosis. Moreover, the protein expression of key effector molecules in the p53 signaling pathway was reduced following RMI2 overexpression. In summary, these results indicate that RMI2 promotes the growth of HCC cells and suppresses their apoptosis by inhibiting the p53 signaling pathway. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms driving HCC tumorigenesis and new therapeutic targets.

Caenorhabditis elegans RMI2 functional homolog-2 (RMIF-2) and RMI1 (RMH-1) have both overlapping and distinct meiotic functions within the BTR complex

Homologous recombination is a high-fidelity repair pathway for DNA double-strand breaks employed during both mitotic and meiotic cell divisions. Such repair can lead to genetic exchange, originating from crossover (CO) generation. In mitosis, COs are suppressed to prevent sister chromatid exchange. Here, the BTR complex, consisting of the Bloom helicase (HIM-6 in worms), topoisomerase 3 (TOP-3), and the RMI1 (RMH-1 and RMH-2) and RMI2 scaffolding proteins, is essential for dismantling joint DNA molecules to form non-crossovers (NCOs) via decatenation. In contrast, in meiosis COs are essential for accurate chromosome segregation and the BTR complex plays distinct roles in CO and NCO generation at different steps in meiotic recombination. RMI2 stabilizes the RMI1 scaffolding protein, and lack of RMI2 in mitosis leads to elevated sister chromatid exchange, as observed upon RMI1 knockdown. However, much less is known about the involvement of RMI2 in meiotic recombination. So far, RMI2 homologs have been found in vertebrates and plants, but not in lower organisms such as Drosophila, yeast, or worms. We report the identification of the Caenorhabditis elegans functional homolog of RMI2, which we named RMIF-2. The protein shows a dynamic localization pattern to recombination foci during meiotic prophase I and concentration into recombination foci is mutually dependent on other BTR complex proteins. Comparative analysis of the rmif-2 and rmh-1 phenotypes revealed numerous commonalities, including in regulating CO formation and directing COs toward chromosome arms. Surprisingly, the prevalence of heterologous recombination was several fold lower in the rmif-2 mutant, suggesting that RMIF-2 may be dispensable or less strictly required for some BTR complex-mediated activities during meiosis.

Bloom syndrome is caused by mutations in proteins of the BTR complex (consisting of the Bloom helicase, topoisomerase 3, and the RMI1 and RMI2 scaffolding proteins) and the clinical characteristics are growth deficiency, short stature, skin photosensitivity, and increased cancer predisposition. At the cellular level, characteristic features are the presence of increased sister chromatid exchange on chromosomes; unresolved DNA recombination intermediates that eventually cause genome instability; and erroneous DNA repair by heterologous recombination (recombination between non-identical sequences, extremely rare in wild type animals), which can trigger translocations and chromosomal rearrangements. Identification of the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of RMI2 (called RMIF-2) allowed us to compare heterologous recombination in the germline of mutants of various BTR complex proteins. The heterologous recombination rate was several fold lower in rmif-2 mutants than in mutants of rmh-1 and him-6 (worm homologs of RMI1 and the Bloom helicase, respectively). Nevertheless, many phenotypic features point at RMIF-2 working together with RMH-1. If these germline functions of RMI2/RMIF-2 are conserved in humans, this might mean that individuals with RMI2 mutations have a lower risk of translocations and genome rearrangements than those with mutations in the other BTR complex genes.

Bloom syndrome and the underlying causes of genetic instability

Autosomal hereditary recessive diseases characterized by genetic instability are often associated with cancer predisposition. Bloom syndrome (BS), a rare genetic disorder, with <300 cases reported worldwide, combines both. Indeed, patients with Bloom's syndrome are 150 to 300 times more likely to develop cancers than normal individuals. The wide spectrum of cancers developed by BS patients suggests that early initial events occur in BS cells which may also be involved in the initiation of carcinogenesis in the general population and these may be common to several cancers. BS is caused by mutations of both copies of the BLM gene, encoding the RecQ BLM helicase. This review discusses the different aspects of BS and the different cellular functions of BLM in genome surveillance and maintenance through its major roles during DNA replication, repair, and transcription. BLM's activities are essential for the stabilization of centromeric, telomeric and ribosomal DNA sequences, and the regulation of innate immunity. One of the key objectives of this work is to establish a link between BLM functions and the main clinical phenotypes observed in BS patients, as well as to shed new light on the correlation between the genetic instability and diseases such as immunodeficiency and cancer. The different potential implications of the BLM helicase in the tumorigenic process and the use of BLM as new potential target in the field of cancer treatment are also debated.

Different functional roles of RTR complex factors in DNA repair and meiosis in Arabidopsis and tomato

The RTR (RecQ/Top3/Rmi1) complex has been elucidated as essential for ensuring genome stability in eukaryotes. Fundamental for the dissolution of Holliday junction (HJ)-like recombination intermediates, the factors have been shown to play further, partly distinct roles in DNA repair and homologous recombination. Across all kingdoms, disruption of this complex results in characteristic phenotypes including hyper-recombination and sensitivity to genotoxins. The type IA topoisomerase TOP3α has been shown as essential for viability in various animals. In contrast, in the model plant species Arabidopsis, the top3α mutant is viable. rmi1 mutants are deficient in the repair of DNA damage. Moreover, as opposed to other eukaryotes, TOP3α and RMI1 were found to be indispensable for proper meiotic progression, with mutants showing severe meiotic defects and sterility. We now established mutants of both TOP3α and RMI1 in tomato using CRISPR/Cas technology. Surprisingly, we found phenotypes that differed dramatically from those of Arabidopsis: the top3α mutants proved to be embryo-lethal, implying an essential role of the topoisomerase in tomato. In contrast, no defect in somatic DNA repair or meiosis was detectable for rmi1 mutants in tomato. This points to a differentiation of function of RTR complex partners between plant species. Our results indicate that there are relevant differences in the roles of basic factors involved in DNA repair and meiosis within dicotyledons, and thus should be taken as a note of caution when generalizing knowledge regarding basic biological processes obtained in the model plant Arabidopsis for the entire plant kingdom.

DNA topoisomerases: Advances in understanding of cellular roles and multi-protein complexes via structure-function analysis

DNA topoisomerases, capable of manipulating DNA topology, are ubiquitous and indispensable for cellular survival due to the numerous roles they play during DNA metabolism. As we review here, current structural approaches have revealed unprecedented insights into the complex DNA-topoisomerase interaction and strand passage mechanism, helping to advance our understanding of their activities in vivo. This has been complemented by single-molecule techniques, which have facilitated the detailed dissection of the various topoisomerase reactions. Recent work has also revealed the importance of topoisomerase interactions with accessory proteins and other DNA-associated proteins, supporting the idea that they often function as part of multi-enzyme assemblies in vivo. In addition, novel topoisomerases have been identified and explored, such as topo VIII and Mini-A. These new findings are advancing our understanding of DNA-related processes and the vital functions topos fulfil, demonstrating their indispensability in virtually every aspect of DNA metabolism.

TIFAB Regulates USP15-Mediated p53 Signaling during Stressed and Malignant Hematopoiesis

TRAF-interacting protein with a forkhead-associated domain B (TIFAB) is implicated in myeloid malignancies with deletion of chromosome 5q. Employing a combination of proteomic and genetic approaches, we find that TIFAB regulates ubiquitin-specific peptidase 15 (USP15) ubiquitin hydrolase activity. Expression of TIFAB in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) permits USP15 signaling to substrates, including MDM2 and KEAP1, and mitigates p53 expression. Consequently, TIFAB-deficient HSPCs exhibit compromised USP15 signaling and are sensitized to hematopoietic stress by derepression of p53. In MLL-AF9 leukemia, deletion of TIFAB increases p53 signaling and correspondingly decreases leukemic cell function and development of leukemia. Restoring USP15 expression partially rescues the function of TIFAB-deficient MLL-AF9 cells. Conversely, elevated TIFAB represses p53, increases leukemic progenitor function, and correlates with MLL gene expression programs in leukemia patients. Our studies uncover a function of TIFAB as an effector of USP15 activity and rheostat of p53 signaling in stressed and malignant HSPCs.

Niederkorn et al. identify TIFAB as a critical node in hematopoietic cells under stressed and oncogenic cell states. Their studies indicate that deregulation of the TIFAB-USP15 complex, as observed in del(5q) myelodysplasia or MLL-rearranged leukemia, modulates p53 activity and has critical functional consequences for stressed and malignant hematopoietic cells.

Functions of BLM Helicase in Cells: Is It Acting Like a Double-Edged Sword?

DNA damage repair response is an important biological process involved in maintaining the fidelity of the genome in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Several proteins that play a key role in this process have been identified. Alterations in these key proteins have been linked to different diseases including cancer. BLM is a 3′−5′ ATP-dependent RecQ DNA helicase that is one of the most essential genome stabilizers involved in the regulation of DNA replication, recombination, and both homologous and non-homologous pathways of double-strand break repair. BLM structure and functions are known to be conserved across many species like yeast, Drosophila, mouse, and human. Genetic mutations in the BLM gene cause a rare, autosomal recessive disorder, Bloom syndrome (BS). BS is a monogenic disease characterized by genomic instability, premature aging, predisposition to cancer, immunodeficiency, and pulmonary diseases. Hence, these characteristics point toward BLM being a tumor suppressor. However, in addition to mutations, BLM gene undergoes various types of alterations including increase in the copy number, transcript, and protein levels in multiple types of cancers. These results, along with the fact that the lack of wild-type BLM in these cancers has been associated with increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, indicate that BLM also has a pro-oncogenic function. While a plethora of studies have reported the effect of BLM gene mutations in various model organisms, there is a dearth in the studies undertaken to investigate the effect of its oncogenic alterations. We propose to rationalize and integrate the dual functions of BLM both as a tumor suppressor and maybe as a proto-oncogene, and enlist the plausible mechanisms of its deregulation in cancers.

Improved Genome Editing through Inhibition of FANCM and Members of the BTR Dissolvase Complex

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have the unique property of being able to perform genomic targeted integration (TI) without inducing a double-strand break (DSB). In order to improve our understanding of the mechanism behind TI mediated by AAV and improve its efficiency, we performed an unbiased genetic screen in human cells using a promoterless AAV-homologous recombination (AAV-HR) vector system. We identified that the inhibition of the Fanconi anemia complementation group M (FANCM) protein enhanced AAV-HR-mediated TI efficiencies in different cultured human cells by ∼6- to 9-fold. The combined knockdown of the FANCM and two proteins also associated with the FANCM complex, RecQ-mediated genome instability 1 (RMI1) and Bloom DNA helicase (BLM) from the BLM-topoisomerase IIIα (TOP3A)-RMI (BTR) dissolvase complex (RMI1, having also been identified in our screen), led to the enhancement of AAV-HR-mediated TI up to ∼17 times. AAV-HR-mediated TI in the presence of a nuclease (CRISPR-Cas9) was also increased by ∼1.5- to 2-fold in FANCM and RMI1 knockout cells, respectively. Furthermore, knockdown of FANCM in human CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) increased AAV-HR-mediated TI by ∼3.5-fold. This study expands our knowledge on the mechanisms related to AAV-mediated TI, and it highlights new pathways that might be manipulated for future improvements in AAV-HR-mediated TI.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller–Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Human RecQ Helicases in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair

RecQ DNA helicases are a conserved protein family found in bacteria, fungus, plants, and animals. These helicases play important roles in multiple cellular functions, including DNA replication, transcription, DNA repair, and telomere maintenance. Humans have five RecQ helicases: RECQL1, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM), Werner syndrome helicase (WRN), RECQL4, and RECQL5. Defects in BLM and WRN cause autosomal disorders: Bloom syndrome (BS) and Werner syndrome (WS), respectively. Mutations in RECQL4 are associated with three genetic disorders, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS), Baller-Gerold syndrome (BGS), and RAPADILINO syndrome. Although no genetic disorders have been reported due to loss of RECQL1 or RECQL5, dysfunction of either gene is associated with tumorigenesis. Multiple genetically independent pathways have evolved that mediate the repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB), and RecQ helicases play pivotal roles in each of them. The importance of DSB repair is supported by the observations that defective DSB repair can cause chromosomal aberrations, genomic instability, senescence, or cell death, which ultimately can lead to premature aging, neurodegeneration, or tumorigenesis. In this review, we will introduce the human RecQ helicase family, describe in detail their roles in DSB repair, and provide relevance between the dysfunction of RecQ helicases and human diseases.

Predominant cellular mitochondrial dysfunction in the TOP3A gene-caused Bloom syndrome-like disorder

TOP3A promotes processing of double Holliday junction dissolution and also plays an important role in decatenation and segregation of human mtDNA. Recently, TOP3A mutations have been reported to cause Bloom syndrome-like disorder. However, whether the two function play equal roles in the disease pathogenesis is unclear. We retrospectively studied the disease progression of two siblings with Bloom-like syndrome caused by two novel mutations of TOP3A, p.Q788* and p.D479G. Beside the common clinical manifestations, our patients exhibited liver lipid storage with hepatomegaly. In cellular and molecular biological studies, TOP3A deficiency moderately increased sister chromatid exchanges and decreased cell proliferation compared with BLM or RMI2 deficiency. These changes were rescued by ectopic expression of either of the wildtype TOP3A or TOP3A-D479G. In contrast, reduced mitochondrial ATP generation and oxygen consumption rates observed in TOP3A defective cells were rescued by over-expression of the wildtype TOP3A, but not TOP3A-D479G. Considering the different impact of the TOP3A-D479G mutation on the genome stability and mitochondrial metabolism, we propose that the impaired mitochondrial metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of TOP3A-deficient Bloom-like disease.

MutSβ Stimulates Holliday Junction Resolution by the SMX Complex

MutSα and MutSβ play important roles in DNA mismatch repair and are linked to inheritable cancers and degenerative disorders. Here, we show that MSH2 and MSH3, the two components of MutSβ, bind SLX4 protein, a scaffold for the assembly of the SLX1-SLX4-MUS81-EME1-XPF-ERCC1 (SMX) trinuclease complex. SMX promotes the resolution of Holliday junctions (HJs), which are intermediates in homologous recombinational repair. We find that MutSβ binds HJs and stimulates their resolution by SLX1-SLX4 or SMX in reactions dependent upon direct interactions between MutSβ and SLX4. In contrast, MutSα does not stimulate HJ resolution. MSH3-depleted cells exhibit reduced sister chromatid exchanges and elevated levels of homologous recombination ultrafine bridges (HR-UFBs) at mitosis, consistent with defects in the processing of recombination intermediates. These results demonstrate a role for MutSβ in addition to its established role in the pathogenic expansion of CAG/CTG trinucleotide repeats, which is causative of myotonic dystrophy and Huntington's disease.

Premature aging disorders: A clinical and genetic compendium

Progeroid disorders make up a heterogeneous group of very rare hereditary diseases characterized by clinical signs that often mimic physiological aging in a premature manner. Apart from Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, one of the best-investigated progeroid disorders, a wide spectrum of other premature aging phenotypes exist, which differ significantly in their clinical presentation and molecular pathogenesis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based approaches have made it feasible to determine the molecular diagnosis in the early stages of a disease. Nevertheless, a broad clinical knowledge on these disorders and their associated symptoms is still fundamental for a comprehensive patient management and for the interpretation of variants of unknown significance from NGS data sets. This review provides a detailed overview on characteristic clinical features and underlying molecular genetics of well-known as well as only recently identified premature aging disorders and also highlights novel findings towards future therapeutic options.

RecQ Family Helicases in Replication Fork Remodeling and Repair: Opening New Avenues towards the Identification of Potential Targets for Cancer Chemotherapy

Replication fork reversal and restart has gained immense interest as a central response mechanism to replication stress following DNA damage. Although the exact mechanism of fork reversal has not been elucidated precisely, the involvement of diverse pathways and different factors has been demonstrated, which are central to this phenomenon. RecQ helicases known for their vital role in DNA repair and maintaining genome stability has recently been implicated in the restart of regressed replication forks. Through interaction with vital proteins like Poly (ADP) ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), these helicases participate in the replication fork reversal and restart phenomenon. Most therapeutic agents used for cancer chemotherapy act by causing DNA damage in replicating cells and subsequent cell death. These DNA damages can be repaired by mechanisms involving fork reversal as the key phenomenon eventually reducing the efficacy of the therapeutic agent. Hence the factors contributing to this repair process can be good selective targets for developing more efficient chemotherapeutic agents. In this review, we have discussed in detail the role of various proteins in replication fork reversal and restart with special emphasis on RecQ helicases. Involvement of other proteins like PARP1, recombinase rad51, SWI/SNF complex has also been discussed. Since RecQ helicases play a central role in the DNA damage response following chemotherapeutic treatment, we propose that targeting these helicases can emerge as an alternative to available intervention strategies. We have also summarized the current research status of available RecQ inhibitors and siRNA based therapeutic approaches that targets RecQ helicases. In summary, our review gives an overview of the DNA damage responses involving replication fork reversal and provides new directions for the development of more efficient and sustainable chemotherapeutic approaches.

The Regulation of Homologous Recombination by Helicases

Homologous recombination is essential for DNA repair, replication and the exchange of genetic material between parental chromosomes during meiosis. The stages of recombination involve complex reorganization of DNA structures, and the successful completion of these steps is dependent on the activities of multiple helicase enzymes. Helicases of many different families coordinate the processing of broken DNA ends, and the subsequent formation and disassembly of the recombination intermediates that are necessary for template-based DNA repair. Loss of recombination-associated helicase activities can therefore lead to genomic instability, cell death and increased risk of tumor formation. The efficiency of recombination is also influenced by the ‘anti-recombinase’ effect of certain helicases, which can direct DNA breaks toward repair by other pathways. Other helicases regulate the crossover versus non-crossover outcomes of repair. The use of recombination is increased when replication forks and the transcription machinery collide, or encounter lesions in the DNA template. Successful completion of recombination in these situations is also regulated by helicases, allowing normal cell growth, and the maintenance of genomic integrity.

The many lives of type IA topoisomerases

The double-helical structure of genomic DNA is both elegant and functional in that it serves both to protect vulnerable DNA bases and to facilitate DNA replication and compaction. However, these design advantages come at the cost of having to evolve and maintain a cellular machinery that can manipulate a long polymeric molecule that readily becomes topologically entangled whenever it has to be opened for translation, replication, or repair. If such a machinery fails to eliminate detrimental topological entanglements, utilization of the information stored in the DNA double helix is compromised. As a consequence, the use of B-form DNA as the carrier of genetic information must have co-evolved with a means to manipulate its complex topology. This duty is performed by DNA topoisomerases, which therefore are, unsurprisingly, ubiquitous in all kingdoms of life. In this review, we focus on how DNA topoisomerases catalyze their impressive range of DNA-conjuring tricks, with a particular emphasis on DNA topoisomerase III (TOP3). Once thought to be the most unremarkable of topoisomerases, the many lives of these type IA topoisomerases are now being progressively revealed. This research interest is driven by a realization that their substrate versatility and their ability to engage in intimate collaborations with translocases and other DNA-processing enzymes are far more extensive and impressive than was thought hitherto. This, coupled with the recent associations of TOP3s with developmental and neurological pathologies in humans, is clearly making us reconsider their undeserved reputation as being unexceptional enzymes.

Role of Rad51 and DNA repair in cancer: A molecular perspective

The maintenance of genome integrity is essential for any organism survival and for the inheritance of traits to offspring. To the purpose, cells have developed a complex DNA repair system to defend the genetic information against both endogenous and exogenous sources of damage. Accordingly, multiple repair pathways can be aroused from the diverse forms of DNA lesions, which can be effective per se or via crosstalk with others to complete the whole DNA repair process. Deficiencies in DNA healing resulting in faulty repair and/or prolonged DNA damage can lead to genes mutations, chromosome rearrangements, genomic instability, and finally carcinogenesis and/or cancer progression. Although it might seem paradoxical, at the same time such defects in DNA repair pathways may have therapeutic implications for potential clinical practice. Here we provide an overview of the main DNA repair pathways, with special focus on the role played by homologous repair and the RAD51 recombinase protein in the cellular DNA damage response. We next discuss the recombinase structure and function per se and in combination with all its principal mediators and regulators. Finally, we conclude with an analysis of the manifold roles that RAD51 plays in carcinogenesis, cancer progression and anticancer drug resistance, and conclude this work with a survey of the most promising therapeutic strategies aimed at targeting RAD51 in experimental oncology.

Proteomic characterization of chromosomal common fragile site (CFS)-associated proteins uncovers ATRX as a regulator of CFS stability

Common fragile sites (CFSs) are conserved genomic regions prone to break under conditions of replication stress (RS). Thus, CFSs are hotspots for rearrangements in cancer and contribute to its chromosomal instability. Here, we have performed a global analysis of proteins that recruit to CFSs upon mild RS to identify novel players in CFS stability. To this end, we performed Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of FANCD2, a protein that localizes specifically to CFSs in G2/M, coupled to mass spectrometry to acquire a CFS interactome. Our strategy was validated by the enrichment of many known regulators of CFS maintenance, including Fanconi Anemia, DNA repair and replication proteins. Among the proteins identified with unknown functions at CFSs was the chromatin remodeler ATRX. Here we demonstrate that ATRX forms foci at a fraction of CFSs upon RS, and that ATRX depletion increases the occurrence of chromosomal breaks, a phenotype further exacerbated under mild RS conditions. Accordingly, ATRX depletion increases the number of 53BP1 bodies and micronuclei, overall indicating that ATRX is required for CFS stability. Overall, our study provides the first proteomic characterization of CFSs as a valuable resource for the identification of novel regulators of CFS stability.

SLX4IP Antagonizes Promiscuous BLM Activity during ALT Maintenance

Cancer cells acquire unlimited proliferative capacity by either re-expressing telomerase or inducing alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), which relies on telomere recombination. Here, we show that ALT recombination requires coordinate regulation of the SMX and BTR complexes to ensure the appropriate balance of resolution and dissolution activities at recombining telomeres. Critical to this control is SLX4IP, which accumulates at ALT telomeres and interacts with SLX4, XPF, and BLM. Loss of SLX4IP increases ALT-related phenotypes, which is incompatible with cell growth following concomitant loss of SLX4. Inactivation of BLM is sufficient to rescue telomere aggregation and the synthetic growth defect in this context, suggesting that SLX4IP favors SMX-dependent resolution by antagonizing promiscuous BLM activity during ALT recombination. Finally, we show that SLX4IP is inactivated in a subset of ALT-positive osteosarcomas. Collectively, our findings uncover an SLX4IP-dependent regulatory mechanism critical for telomere maintenance in ALT cancer cells.