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Hui Z, Deng H, Zhang X, Garrido C, Lirussi F, Ye XY, Xie T, Liu ZQ. Development and therapeutic potential of DNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107608. [PMID: 38981210 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The deployment of DNA damage response (DDR) combats various forms of DNA damage, ensuring genomic stability. Cancer cells' propensity for genomic instability offers therapeutic opportunities to selectively kill cancer cells by suppressing the DDR pathway. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), a nuclear serine/threonine kinase, is crucial for the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Therefore, targeting DNA-PK is a promising cancer treatment strategy. This review elaborates on the structures of DNA-PK and its related large protein, as well as the development process of DNA-PK inhibitors, and recent advancements in their clinical application. We emphasize our analysis of the development process and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of DNA-PK inhibitors based on different scaffolds. We hope this review will provide practical information for researchers seeking to develop novel DNA-PK inhibitors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Hui
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, P. R. China; School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, P.R. China
| | - Haowen Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China
| | - Xuelei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China
| | - Carmen Garrido
- INSERM U1231, Label LipSTIC and Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Dijon, France; Faculté de médecine, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, Centre de lutte contre le cancer Georges François Leclerc, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Frédéric Lirussi
- INSERM U1231, Label LipSTIC and Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Dijon, France; Université de Franche Comté, France, University Hospital of Besançon (CHU), France
| | - Xiang-Yang Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, P.R. China.
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, PR China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, P.R. China.
| | - Zhao-Qian Liu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, P. R. China.
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Zhu Y, Lee BJ, Fujii S, Jonchhe S, Zhang H, Li A, Wang KJ, Rothenberg E, Modesti M, Zha S. The KU70-SAP domain has an overlapping function with DNA-PKcs in limiting the lateral movement of KU along DNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.26.609806. [PMID: 39253422 PMCID: PMC11383278 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.26.609806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
The non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway is critical for DNA double-strand break repair and is essential for lymphocyte development and maturation. The Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer (KU) binds to DNA ends, initiating NHEJ and recruiting additional factors, including DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) that caps the ends and pushes KU inward. The C-terminus of Ku70 in higher eukaryotes includes a flexible linker and a SAP domain, whose physiological role remains poorly understood. To investigate this, we generated a mouse model with knock-in deletion of the SAP domain ( Ku70 ΔSAP/ΔSAP ). Ku70 ΔSAP supports KU stability and its recruitment to DNA damage sites in vivo . In contrast to the growth retardation and immunodeficiency seen in Ku70 -/- mice, Ku70 ΔSAP/ΔSAP mice show no defects in lymphocyte development and maturation. Structural modeling of KU on long dsDNA, but not dsRNA suggests that the SAP domain can bind to an adjacent major groove, where it can limit KU's rotation and lateral movement along the dsDNA. Accordingly, in the absence of DNA-PKcs that caps the ends, Ku70 ΔSAP fails to support stable DNA damage-induced KU foci. In DNA-PKcs -/- mice, Ku70 ΔSAP abrogates the leaky T cell development and reduces both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of residual V(D)J recombination. In the absence of DNA-PKcs, purified Ku70 ΔSAP has reduced affinity for DNA ends and dissociates more readily at lower concentration and accumulated as multimers at high concentration. These findings revealed a physiological role of the SAP domain in NHEJ by restricting KU rotation and lateral movement on DNA that is largely masked by DNA-PKcs. Highlight Ku70 is a conserved non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) factor. Using genetically engineered mouse models and biochemical analyses, our study uncovered a previously unappreciated role of the C-terminal SAP domain of Ku70 in limiting the lateral movement of KU on DNA ends and ensuring end protection. The presence of DNA-PKcs partially masks this role of the SAP domain.
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3
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Cisneros-Aguirre M, Lopezcolorado FW, Ping X, Chen R, Stark JM. Distinct functions of PAXX and MRI during chromosomal end joining. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.21.607864. [PMID: 39229097 PMCID: PMC11370355 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.21.607864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
A key step of Canonical Nonhomologous End Joining (C-NHEJ) is synapsis of DNA double strand break (DSB) ends for ligation. The DNA-PKcs dimer mediates synapsis in a long-range complex with DSB ends remaining apart, whereas the XLF homodimer can mediate synapsis in both long-range and short-range complexes. Recent structural studies found the PAXX homodimer may also facilitate synapsis in long-range complexes with DNA-PKcs via its interactions with Ku70. Thus, we examined the influence of PAXX in C-NHEJ of chromosomal DSBs, which we compared to another Ku-binding factor, MRI. Using EJ of blunt DSBs with Cas9 reporters as a readout for C-NHEJ, we found that PAXX and/or MRI are dispensable. However, when combined with disruption of DNA-PKcs, particularly with DNA-PKcs kinase inhibition, PAXX becomes important for blunt DSB EJ. In contrast, while DNA-PKcs is also important to suppress short deletion mutations with microhomology, this effect is not magnified with PAXX loss. MRI loss had no effect combined with DNA-PKcs disruption, but becomes important for blunt DSB EJ when combined with disruption of XLF, as is PAXX. Finally, XLF loss causes an increase in larger deletions compared to DNA-PKcs inhibition, which is magnified with combined loss of MRI. Altogether, we suggest that PAXX promotes DSB end synapsis during C-NHEJ in a manner that is partially redundant with DNA-PKcs and XLF, whereas MRI appears to be mainly important in the context of XLF disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metztli Cisneros-Aguirre
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 USA
| | - Felicia Wednesday Lopezcolorado
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 USA
| | - Xiaoli Ping
- Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 USA
| | - Ruby Chen
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 USA
| | - Jeremy M Stark
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA 91010 USA
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4
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Mikhova M, Goff NJ, Janovič T, Heyza JR, Meek K, Schmidt JC. Single-molecule imaging reveals the kinetics of non-homologous end-joining in living cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.22.546088. [PMID: 38826211 PMCID: PMC11142080 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.22.546088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is the predominant pathway that repairs DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in vertebrates. However, due to challenges in detecting DSBs in living cells, the repair capacity of the NHEJ pathway is unknown. The DNA termini of many DSBs must be processed to allow ligation while minimizing genetic changes that result from break repair. Emerging models propose that DNA termini are first synapsed ~115Å apart in one of several long-range synaptic complexes before transitioning into a short-range synaptic complex that juxtaposes DNA ends to facilitate ligation. The transition from long-range to short-range synaptic complexes involves both conformational and compositional changes of the NHEJ factors bound to the DNA break. Importantly, it is unclear how NHEJ proceeds in vivo because of the challenges involved in analyzing recruitment of NHEJ factors to DSBs over time in living cells. Here, we develop a new approach to study the temporal and compositional dynamics of NHEJ complexes using live cell single-molecule imaging. Our results provide direct evidence for stepwise maturation of the NHEJ complex, pinpoint key regulatory steps in NHEJ progression, and define the overall repair capacity NHEJ in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariia Mikhova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - Noah J. Goff
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - Tomáš Janovič
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - Joshua R. Heyza
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - Katheryn Meek
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing
- Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing
| | - Jens C. Schmidt
- Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing
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5
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Sonmez C, Toia B, Eickhoff P, Matei AM, El Beyrouthy M, Wallner B, Douglas ME, de Lange T, Lottersberger F. DNA-PK controls Apollo's access to leading-end telomeres. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4313-4327. [PMID: 38407308 PMCID: PMC11077071 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The complex formed by Ku70/80 and DNA-PKcs (DNA-PK) promotes the synapsis and the joining of double strand breaks (DSBs) during canonical non-homologous end joining (c-NHEJ). In c-NHEJ during V(D)J recombination, DNA-PK promotes the processing of the ends and the opening of the DNA hairpins by recruiting and/or activating the nuclease Artemis/DCLRE1C/SNM1C. Paradoxically, DNA-PK is also required to prevent the fusions of newly replicated leading-end telomeres. Here, we describe the role for DNA-PK in controlling Apollo/DCLRE1B/SNM1B, the nuclease that resects leading-end telomeres. We show that the telomeric function of Apollo requires DNA-PKcs's kinase activity and the binding of Apollo to DNA-PK. Furthermore, AlphaFold-Multimer predicts that Apollo's nuclease domain has extensive additional interactions with DNA-PKcs, and comparison to the cryo-EM structure of Artemis bound to DNA-PK phosphorylated on the ABCDE/Thr2609 cluster suggests that DNA-PK can similarly grant Apollo access to the DNA end. In agreement, the telomeric function of DNA-PK requires the ABCDE/Thr2609 cluster. These data reveal that resection of leading-end telomeres is regulated by DNA-PK through its binding to Apollo and its (auto)phosphorylation-dependent positioning of Apollo at the DNA end, analogous but not identical to DNA-PK dependent regulation of Artemis at hairpins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceylan Sonmez
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58 183, Sweden
| | - Beatrice Toia
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58 183, Sweden
| | - Patrik Eickhoff
- Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Andreea Medeea Matei
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58 183, Sweden
| | - Michael El Beyrouthy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58 183, Sweden
| | - Björn Wallner
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping 58 183, Sweden
| | - Max E Douglas
- Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, 237 Fulham Road, London SW3 6JB, UK
| | - Titia de Lange
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, NY, NY 10021, USA
| | - Francisca Lottersberger
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping 58 183, Sweden
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6
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Waters KL, Spratt DE. New Discoveries on Protein Recruitment and Regulation during the Early Stages of the DNA Damage Response Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1676. [PMID: 38338953 PMCID: PMC10855619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Maintaining genomic stability and properly repairing damaged DNA is essential to staying healthy and preserving cellular homeostasis. The five major pathways involved in repairing eukaryotic DNA include base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), mismatch repair (MMR), non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), and homologous recombination (HR). When these pathways do not properly repair damaged DNA, genomic stability is compromised and can contribute to diseases such as cancer. It is essential that the causes of DNA damage and the consequent repair pathways are fully understood, yet the initial recruitment and regulation of DNA damage response proteins remains unclear. In this review, the causes of DNA damage, the various mechanisms of DNA damage repair, and the current research regarding the early steps of each major pathway were investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Donald E. Spratt
- Gustaf H. Carlson School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Clark University, 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610, USA;
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7
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Amin H, Zahid S, Hall C, Chaplin AK. Cold snapshots of DNA repair: Cryo-EM structures of DNA-PKcs and NHEJ machinery. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 186:1-13. [PMID: 38036101 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
The proteins and protein assemblies involved in DNA repair have been the focus of a multitude of structural studies for the past few decades. Historically, the structures of these protein complexes have been resolved by X-ray crystallography. However, more recently with the advancements in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) ranging from optimising the methodology for sample preparation to the development of improved electron detectors, the focus has shifted from X-ray crystallography to cryo-EM. This methodological transition has allowed for the structural determination of larger, more complex protein assemblies involved in DNA repair pathways and has subsequently led to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms utilised by these fascinating molecular machines. Here, we review some of the key structural advancements that have been gained in the study of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) by the use of cryo-EM, with a focus on assemblies composed of DNA-PKcs and Ku70/80 (Ku) and the various methodologies utilised to obtain these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Amin
- Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Sayma Zahid
- Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Chloe Hall
- Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Amanda K Chaplin
- Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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8
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Buehl CJ, Goff NJ, Mikhova M, Hardwick SW, Blundell TL, Modesti M, Schmidt JC, Chaplin A, Meek K. Unravelling the complexities of DNA-PK activation by structure-based mutagenesis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3627471. [PMID: 38168382 PMCID: PMC10760257 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3627471/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
It has been known for decades that the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is only an active serine/threonine protein kinase when it is bound to a DNA double-stranded end; still, the molecular details of how this activation is achieved have remained elusive. The recent surge in structural information for DNA-PK complexes has provided valuable insights into the process of DNA end recognition by DNA-PK. A particularly intriguing feature of this kinase is a region of the protein that can transition from a seemingly structurally disordered state to a single alpha-helix that traverses down the DNA binding cradle. The DNA-PK bound DNA end of the DNA substrate engages with and appears to split around this helix which has been named the DNA End Blocking helix (DEB). Here a mutational approach is utilized to clarify the role of the DEB, and how DNA ends activate the enzyme. Our data suggest two distinct methods of kinase activation that is dependent on the DNA end chemistry. If the DNA end can split around the helix and stabilize the interaction between the DNA end and the DEB with a recently defined Helix-Hairpin-Helix (HHH) motif, the kinase forms an end-protection monomer that is active towards DNA-PK's many substrates. But if the DNA end cannot stably interact with the DEB [because of the DNA end structure, for instance hairpins, or because the DEB has been disrupted by mutation], the kinase is only partially activated, resulting in specific autophosphorylations of the DNA-PK monomer that allows nucleolytic end-processing. We posit that mutants that disrupt the capacity to stably generate the DEB/HHH DNA end-interaction are inefficient in generating the dimer complex that is requisite for NHEJ. In support of this idea, mutations that promote formation of this dimer partially rescue the severe cellular phenotypes associated with mutation of the DEB helix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Buehl
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Noah J Goff
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Mariia Mikhova
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
| | - Steven W Hardwick
- CryoEM Facility, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Sanger Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas L Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Sanger Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Mauro Modesti
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille, Department of Genome Integrity, CNRS UMR7258, Inserm U1068, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix Marseille Univ, Marseille, France
| | - Jens C Schmidt
- Institute for Quantitative Health Sciences and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, U.S.A
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI, U.S.A
| | - Amanda Chaplin
- CryoEM Facility, Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Sanger Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
- Leicester Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Katheryn Meek
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Department of Pathobiology & Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Vogt A, He Y, Lees-Miller SP. How to fix DNA breaks: new insights into the mechanism of non-homologous end joining. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1789-1800. [PMID: 37787023 PMCID: PMC10657183 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is the major pathway for the repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in human cells and is essential for the generation of mature T and B cells in the adaptive immune system via the process of V(D)J recombination. Here, we review how recently determined structures shed light on how NHEJ complexes function at DNA DSBs, emphasizing how multiple structures containing the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) may function in NHEJ. Together, these studies provide an explanation for how NHEJ proteins assemble to detect and protect DSB ends, then proceed, through DNA-PKcs-dependent autophosphorylation, to a ligation-competent complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Vogt
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, U.S.A
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, U.S.A
| | - Yuan He
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, U.S.A
- Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, U.S.A
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, U.S.A
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northwestern University, Chicago, U.S.A
| | - Susan P. Lees-Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robson DNA Science Centre and Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
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10
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Vogt A, He Y. Structure and mechanism in non-homologous end joining. DNA Repair (Amst) 2023; 130:103547. [PMID: 37556875 PMCID: PMC10528545 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are a particularly challenging form of DNA damage to repair because the damaged DNA must not only undergo the chemical reactions responsible for returning it to its original state, but, additionally, the two free ends can become physically separated in the nucleus and must be bridged prior to repair. In nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), one of the major pathways of DSB repair, repair is carried out by a number of repair factors capable of binding to and directly joining DNA ends. It has been unclear how these processes are carried out at a molecular level, owing in part to the lack of structural evidence describing the coordination of the NHEJ factors with each other and a DNA substrate. Advances in cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM), allowing for the structural characterization of large protein complexes that would be intractable using other techniques, have led to the visualization several key steps of the NHEJ process, which support a model of sequential assembly of repair factors at the DSB, followed by end-bridging mediated by protein-protein complexes and transition to full synapsis. Here we examine the structural evidence for these models, devoting particular attention to recent work identifying a new NHEJ intermediate state and incorporating new NHEJ factors into the general mechanism. We also discuss the evolving understanding of end-bridging mechanisms in NHEJ and DNA-PKcs's role in mediating DSB repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Vogt
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA
| | - Yuan He
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA; Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA.
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11
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Xu J, Bradley N, He Y. Structure and function of the apical PIKKs in double-strand break repair. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 82:102651. [PMID: 37437397 PMCID: PMC10530350 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfei Xu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Noah Bradley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Yuan He
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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12
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Loparo JJ. Holding it together: DNA end synapsis during non-homologous end joining. DNA Repair (Amst) 2023; 130:103553. [PMID: 37572577 PMCID: PMC10530278 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are common lesions whose misrepair are drivers of oncogenic transformations. The non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway repairs the majority of these breaks in vertebrates by directly ligating DNA ends back together. Upon formation of a DSB, a multiprotein complex is assembled on DNA ends which tethers them together within a synaptic complex. Synapsis is a critical step of the NHEJ pathway as loss of synapsis can result in mispairing of DNA ends and chromosome translocations. As DNA ends are commonly incompatible for ligation, the NHEJ machinery must also process ends to enable rejoining. This review describes how recent progress in single-molecule approaches and cryo-EM have advanced our molecular understanding of DNA end synapsis during NHEJ and how synapsis is coordinated with end processing to determine the fidelity of repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Loparo
- Dept. of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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