The human F-Box DNA helicase FBH1 faces Saccharomyces cerevisiae Srs2 and postreplication repair pathway roles

Molecular insight into the PCNA-binding mode of FBH1

F-box DNA helicase 1 (FBH1) is involved in the regulation of cell responses to replicative stress. FBH1 is recruited to stalled DNA replication fork by PCNA where it inhibits homologous recombination and catalyzes fork regression. Here, we report the structural basis for the molecular recognition of two distinctly different motifs of FBH1, FBH1PIP and FBH1APIM, by PCNA. The crystal structure of PCNA in complex with FBH1PIP and analysis of NMR perturbations reveal overlapped FBH1PIP and FBH1APIM binding sites of PCNA and the dominant contribution of FBH1PIP in this interaction.

Double-Stranded Break Repair in Mammalian Cells and Precise Genome Editing

In mammalian cells, double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired predominantly by error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), but less prevalently by error-free template-dependent homologous recombination (HR). DSB repair pathway selection is the bedrock for genome editing. NHEJ results in random mutations when repairing DSB, while HR induces high-fidelity sequence-specific variations, but with an undesirable low efficiency. In this review, we first discuss the latest insights into the action mode of NHEJ and HR in a panoramic view. We then propose the future direction of genome editing by virtue of these advancements. We suggest that by switching NHEJ to HR, full fidelity genome editing and robust gene knock-in could be enabled. We also envision that RNA molecules could be repurposed by RNA-templated DSB repair to mediate precise genetic editing.

Single-molecule studies of helicases and translocases in prokaryotic genome-maintenance pathways

Helicases involved in genomic maintenance are a class of nucleic-acid dependent ATPases that convert the energy of ATP hydrolysis into physical work to execute irreversible steps in DNA replication, repair, and recombination. Prokaryotic helicases provide simple models to understand broadly conserved molecular mechanisms involved in manipulating nucleic acids during genome maintenance. Our understanding of the catalytic properties, mechanisms of regulation, and roles of prokaryotic helicases in DNA metabolism has been assembled through a combination of genetic, biochemical, and structural methods, further refined by single-molecule approaches. Together, these investigations have constructed a framework for understanding the mechanisms that maintain genomic integrity in cells. This review discusses recent single-molecule insights into molecular mechanisms of prokaryotic helicases and translocases.

Srs2 and Pif1 as Model Systems for Understanding Sf1a and Sf1b Helicase Structure and Function

Helicases are enzymes that convert the chemical energy stored in ATP into mechanical work, allowing them to move along and manipulate nucleic acids. The helicase superfamily 1 (Sf1) is one of the largest subgroups of helicases and they are required for a range of cellular activities across all domains of life. Sf1 helicases can be further subdivided into two classes called the Sf1a and Sf1b helicases, which move in opposite directions on nucleic acids. The results of this movement can range from the separation of strands within duplex nucleic acids to the physical remodeling or removal of nucleoprotein complexes. Here, we describe the characteristics of the Sf1a helicase Srs2 and the Sf1b helicase Pif1, both from the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, focusing on the roles that they play in homologous recombination, a DNA repair pathway that is necessary for maintaining genome integrity.

A fork in the road: Where homologous recombination and stalled replication fork protection part ways

In response to replication hindrances, DNA replication forks frequently stall and are remodelled into a four-way junction. In such a structure the annealed nascent strand is thought to resemble a DNA double-strand break and remodelled forks are vulnerable to nuclease attack by MRE11 and DNA2. Proteins that promote the recruitment, loading and stabilisation of RAD51 onto single-stranded DNA for homology search and strand exchange in homologous recombination (HR) repair and inter-strand cross-link repair also act to set up RAD51-mediated protection of nascent DNA at stalled replication forks. However, despite the similarities of these pathways, several lines of evidence indicate that fork protection is not simply analogous to the RAD51 loading step of HR. Protection of stalled forks not only requires separate functions of a number of recombination proteins, but also utilises nucleases important for the resection steps of HR in alternative ways. Here we discuss how fork protection arises and how its differences with HR give insights into the differing contexts of these two pathways.

Two replication fork remodeling pathways generate nuclease substrates for distinct fork protection factors

Fork reversal is a common response to replication stress, but it generates a DNA end that is susceptible to degradation. Many fork protection factors block degradation, but how they work remains unclear. Here, we find that 53BP1 protects forks from DNA2-mediated degradation in a cell type-specific manner. Fork protection by 53BP1 reduces S-phase DNA damage and hypersensitivity to replication stress. Unlike BRCA2, FANCD2, and ABRO1 that protect reversed forks generated by SMARCAL1, ZRANB3, and HLTF, 53BP1 protects forks remodeled by FBH1. This property is shared by the fork protection factors FANCA, FANCC, FANCG, BOD1L, and VHL. RAD51 is required to generate the resection substrate in all cases. Unexpectedly, BRCA2 is also required for fork degradation in the FBH1 pathway or when RAD51 activity is partially compromised. We conclude that there are multiple fork protection mechanisms that operate downstream of at least two RAD51-dependent fork remodeling pathways.

Making Choices: DNA Replication Fork Recovery Mechanisms

DNA replication is laden with obstacles that slow, stall, collapse, and break DNA replication forks. At each obstacle, there is a decision to be made whether to bypass the lesion, repair or restart the damaged fork, or to protect stalled forks from further demise. Each "decision" draws upon multitude of proteins participating in various mechanisms that allow repair and restart of replication forks. Specific functions for many of these proteins have been described and an understanding of how they come together in supporting replication forks is starting to emerge. Many questions, however, remain regarding selection of the mechanisms that enable faithful genome duplication and how "normal" intermediates in these mechanisms are sometimes funneled into "rogue" processes that destabilize the genome and lead to cancer, cell death, and emergence of chemotherapeutic resistance. In this review we will discuss molecular mechanisms of DNA damage bypass and replication fork protection and repair. We will specifically focus on the key players that define which mechanism is employed including: PCNA and its control by posttranslational modifications, translesion synthesis DNA polymerases, molecular motors that catalyze reversal of stalled replication forks, proteins that antagonize fork reversal and protect reversed forks from nucleolytic degradation, and the machinery of homologous recombination that helps to reestablish broken forks. We will also discuss risks to genome integrity inherent in each of these mechanisms.

Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like Proteins Are Essential Regulators of DNA Damage Bypass

Simple Summary

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins are conjugated to many other proteins within the cell, to regulate their stability, localization, and activity. These modifications are essential for normal cellular function and the disruption of these processes contributes to numerous cancer types. In this review, we discuss how ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins regulate the specialized replication pathways of DNA damage bypass, as well as how the disruption of these processes can contribute to cancer development. We also discuss how cancer cell survival relies on DNA damage bypass, and how targeting the regulation of these pathways by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins might be an effective strategy in anti-cancer therapies.

Abstract

Many endogenous and exogenous factors can induce genomic instability in human cells, in the form of DNA damage and mutations, that predispose them to cancer development. Normal cells rely on DNA damage bypass pathways such as translesion synthesis (TLS) and template switching (TS) to replicate past lesions that might otherwise result in prolonged replication stress and lethal double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, due to the lower fidelity of the specialized polymerases involved in TLS, the activation and suppression of these pathways must be tightly regulated by post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination in order to limit the risk of mutagenesis. Many cancer cells rely on the deregulation of DNA damage bypass to promote carcinogenesis and tumor formation, often giving them heightened resistance to DNA damage from chemotherapeutic agents. In this review, we discuss the key functions of ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins in regulating DNA damage bypass in human cells, and highlight ways in which these processes are both deregulated in cancer progression and might be targeted in cancer therapy.

The PCNA unloader Elg1 promotes recombination at collapsed replication forks in fission yeast

Protein-DNA complexes can impede DNA replication and cause replication fork collapse. Whilst it is known that homologous recombination is deployed in such instances to restart replication, it is unclear how a stalled fork transitions into a collapsed fork at which recombination proteins can load. Previously we established assays in Schizosaccharomyces pombe for studying recombination induced by replication fork collapse at the site-specific protein-DNA barrier RTS1 (Nguyen et al., 2015). Here, we provide evidence that efficient recruitment/retention of two key recombination proteins (Rad51 and Rad52) to RTS1 depends on unloading of the polymerase sliding clamp PCNA from DNA by Elg1. We also show that, in the absence of Elg1, reduced recombination is partially suppressed by deleting fbh1 or, to a lesser extent, srs2, which encode known anti-recombinogenic DNA helicases. These findings suggest that PCNA unloading by Elg1 is necessary to limit Fbh1 and Srs2 activity, and thereby enable recombination to proceed.

S. cerevisiae Srs2 helicase ensures normal recombination intermediate metabolism during meiosis and prevents accumulation of Rad51 aggregates

We investigated the meiotic role of Srs2, a multi-functional DNA helicase/translocase that destabilises Rad51-DNA filaments and is thought to regulate strand invasion and prevent hyper-recombination during the mitotic cell cycle. We find that Srs2 activity is required for normal meiotic progression and spore viability. A significant fraction of srs2 mutant cells progress through both meiotic divisions without separating the bulk of their chromatin, although in such cells sister centromeres often separate. Undivided nuclei contain aggregates of Rad51 colocalised with the ssDNA-binding protein RPA, suggesting the presence of persistent single-strand DNA. Rad51 aggregate formation requires Spo11-induced DSBs, Rad51 strand-invasion activity and progression past the pachytene stage of meiosis, but not the DSB end-resection or the bias towards interhomologue strand invasion characteristic of normal meiosis. srs2 mutants also display altered meiotic recombination intermediate metabolism, revealed by defects in the formation of stable joint molecules. We suggest that Srs2, by limiting Rad51 accumulation on DNA, prevents the formation of aberrant recombination intermediates that otherwise would persist and interfere with normal chromosome segregation and nuclear division.

Factors affecting template switch recombination associated with restarted DNA replication

Homologous recombination helps ensure the timely completion of genome duplication by restarting collapsed replication forks. However, this beneficial function is not without risk as replication restarted by homologous recombination is prone to template switching (TS) that can generate deleterious genome rearrangements associated with diseases such as cancer. Previously we established an assay for studying TS in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Nguyen et al., 2015). Here, we show that TS is detected up to 75 kb downstream of a collapsed replication fork and can be triggered by head-on collision between the restarted fork and RNA Polymerase III transcription. The Pif1 DNA helicase, Pfh1, promotes efficient restart and also suppresses TS. A further three conserved helicases (Fbh1, Rqh1 and Srs2) strongly suppress TS, but there is no change in TS frequency in cells lacking Fml1 or Mus81. We discuss how these factors likely influence TS.

Putting together and taking apart: assembly and disassembly of the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament in DNA repair and genome stability

Homologous recombination is a key mechanism providing both genome stability and genetic diversity in all living organisms. Recombinases play a central role in this pathway: multiple protein subunits of Rad51 or its orthologues bind single-stranded DNA to form a nucleoprotein filament which is essential for initiating recombination events. Multiple factors are involved in the regulation of this step, both positively and negatively. In this review, we discuss Rad51 nucleoprotein assembly and disassembly, how it is regulated and what functional significance it has in genome maintenance.

Dbl2 Regulates Rad51 and DNA Joint Molecule Metabolism to Ensure Proper Meiotic Chromosome Segregation

To identify new proteins required for faithful meiotic chromosome segregation, we screened a Schizosaccharomyces pombe deletion mutant library and found that deletion of the dbl2 gene led to missegregation of chromosomes during meiosis. Analyses of both live and fixed cells showed that dbl2Δ mutant cells frequently failed to segregate homologous chromosomes to opposite poles during meiosis I. Removing Rec12 (Spo11 homolog) to eliminate meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) suppressed the segregation defect in dbl2Δ cells, indicating that Dbl2 acts after the initiation of meiotic recombination. Analyses of DSBs and Holliday junctions revealed no significant defect in their formation or processing in dbl2Δ mutant cells, although some Rec12-dependent DNA joint molecules persisted late in meiosis. Failure to segregate chromosomes in the absence of Dbl2 correlated with persistent Rad51 foci, and deletion of rad51 or genes encoding Rad51 mediators also suppressed the segregation defect of dbl2Δ. Formation of foci of Fbh1, an F-box helicase that efficiently dismantles Rad51-DNA filaments, was impaired in dbl2Δ cells. Our results suggest that Dbl2 is a novel regulator of Fbh1 and thereby Rad51-dependent DSB repair required for proper meiotic chromosome segregation and viable sex cell formation. The wide conservation of these proteins suggests that our results apply to many species.

Meiosis produces haploid gametes from diploid precursor cells. This reduction of chromosome number is achieved by two successive divisions after only a single round of DNA replication. To identify novel regulators of meiosis, we screened a library of fission yeast deletion mutants and found that deletion of the dbl2 gene led to missegregation of chromosomes during meiosis. Analysis of live dbl2Δ cells by fluorescence microscopy showed that chromosomes frequently failed to segregate during the first meiotic division. Further cytological and biochemical analyses revealed that this segregation defect is due to persistent intermediates of DNA double-strand break repair, also called DNA joint molecules. Our results indicate that Dbl2 is required for formation of Fbh1 DNA helicase foci at the sites of DNA double-strand break repair in order to process DNA joint molecules and allow segregation of chromosomes during meiotic divisions. Our bioinformatics searches revealed that Dbl2 is highly conserved in fungi, animals and plants, suggesting that Dbl2 plays a similar role in other organisms–the formation of viable sex cells and healthy progeny.

Single-molecule sorting of DNA helicases

DNA helicases participate in virtually all aspects of cellular DNA metabolism by using ATP-fueled directional translocation along the DNA molecule to unwind DNA duplexes, dismantle nucleoprotein complexes, and remove non-canonical DNA structures. Post-translational modifications and helicase interacting partners are often viewed as determining factors in controlling the switch between bona fide helicase activity and other functions of the enzyme that do not involve duplex separation. The bottleneck in developing a mechanistic understanding of human helicases and their control by post-translational modifications is obtaining sufficient quantities of the modified helicase for traditional structure-functional analyses and biochemical reconstitutions. This limitation can be overcome by single-molecule analysis, where several hundred surface-tethered molecules are sufficient to obtain a complete kinetic and thermodynamic description of the helicase-mediated substrate binding and rearrangement. Synthetic oligonucleotides site-specifically labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 fluorophores can be used to create a variety of DNA substrates that can be used to characterize DNA binding, as well as helicase translocation and duplex unwinding activities. This chapter describes "single-molecule sorting", a robust experimental approach to simultaneously quantify, and distinguish the activities of helicases carrying their native post-translational modifications. Using this technique, a DNA helicase of interest can be produced and biotinylated in human cells to enable surface-tethering for the single-molecule studies by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The pool of helicases extracted from the cells is expected to contain a mixture of post-translationally modified and unmodified enzymes, and the contributions from either population can be monitored separately, but in the same experiment providing a direct route to evaluating the effect of a given modification.

An Overview of the Molecular Mechanisms of Recombinational DNA Repair

Recombinational DNA repair is a universal aspect of DNA metabolism and is essential for genomic integrity. It is a template-directed process that uses a second chromosomal copy (sister, daughter, or homolog) to ensure proper repair of broken chromosomes. The key steps of recombination are conserved from phage through human, and an overview of those steps is provided in this review. The first step is resection by helicases and nucleases to produce single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that defines the homologous locus. The ssDNA is a scaffold for assembly of the RecA/RAD51 filament, which promotes the homology search. On finding homology, the nucleoprotein filament catalyzes exchange of DNA strands to form a joint molecule. Recombination is controlled by regulating the fate of both RecA/RAD51 filaments and DNA pairing intermediates. Finally, intermediates that mature into Holliday structures are disjoined by either nucleolytic resolution or topological dissolution.

Synergistic effect of two E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzymes in SCF(hFBH1) catalyzed polyubiquitination

Ubiquitination is a post translational modification which mostly links with proteasome dependent protein degradation. This process has been known to play pivotal roles in the number of biological events including apoptosis, cell signaling, transcription and translation. Although the process of ubiquitination has been studied extensively, the mechanism of polyubiquitination by multi protein E3 ubiquitin ligase, SCF complex remains elusive. In the present study, we identified UbcH5a as a novel stimulating factor for poly-ubiquitination catalyzed by SCF^hFBH1 using biochemical fractionations and MALDI-TOF. Moreover, we showed that recombinant UbcH5a and Cdc34 synergistically stimulate SCF^hFBH1 catalyzed polyubiquitination in vitro. These data may provide an important cue to understand the mechanism how the SCF complex efficiently polyubiquitinates target substrates. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(1): 25-29]

Regulation of recombination and genomic maintenance

Recombination is a central process to stably maintain and transmit a genome through somatic cell divisions and to new generations. Hence, recombination needs to be coordinated with other events occurring on the DNA template, such as DNA replication, transcription, and the specialized chromosomal functions at centromeres and telomeres. Moreover, regulation with respect to the cell-cycle stage is required as much as spatiotemporal coordination within the nuclear volume. These regulatory mechanisms impinge on the DNA substrate through modifications of the chromatin and directly on recombination proteins through a myriad of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) and additional mechanisms. Although recombination is primarily appreciated to maintain genomic stability, the process also contributes to gross chromosomal arrangements and copy-number changes. Hence, the recombination process itself requires quality control to ensure high fidelity and avoid genomic instability. Evidently, recombination and its regulatory processes have significant impact on human disease, specifically cancer and, possibly, neurodegenerative diseases.

Srs2 promotes Mus81-Mms4-mediated resolution of recombination intermediates

A variety of DNA lesions, secondary DNA structures or topological stress within the DNA template may lead to stalling of the replication fork. Recovery of such forks is essential for the maintenance of genomic stability. The structure-specific endonuclease Mus81–Mms4 has been implicated in processing DNA intermediates that arise from collapsed forks and homologous recombination. According to previous genetic studies, the Srs2 helicase may play a role in the repair of double-strand breaks and ssDNA gaps together with Mus81–Mms4. In this study, we show that the Srs2 and Mus81–Mms4 proteins physically interact in vitro and in vivo and we map the interaction domains within the Srs2 and Mus81 proteins. Further, we show that Srs2 plays a dual role in the stimulation of the Mus81–Mms4 nuclease activity on a variety of DNA substrates. First, Srs2 directly stimulates Mus81–Mms4 nuclease activity independent of its helicase activity. Second, Srs2 removes Rad51 from DNA to allow access of Mus81–Mms4 to cleave DNA. Concomitantly, Mus81–Mms4 inhibits the helicase activity of Srs2. Taken together, our data point to a coordinated role of Mus81–Mms4 and Srs2 in processing of recombination as well as replication intermediates.

Replication fork reversal in eukaryotes: from dead end to dynamic response

The remodelling of replication forks into four-way junctions following replication perturbation, known as fork reversal, was hypothesized to promote DNA damage tolerance and repair during replication. Albeit conceptually attractive, for a long time fork reversal in vivo was found only in prokaryotes and specific yeast mutants, calling its evolutionary conservation and physiological relevance into question. Based on the recent visualization of replication forks in metazoans, fork reversal has emerged as a global, reversible and regulated process, with intriguing implications for replication completion, chromosome integrity and the DNA damage response. The study of the putative in vivo roles of recently identified eukaryotic factors in fork remodelling promises to shed new light on mechanisms of genome maintenance and to provide novel attractive targets for cancer therapy.

FBH1 influences DNA replication fork stability and homologous recombination through ubiquitylation of RAD51

Unscheduled homologous recombination (HR) can lead to genomic instability, which greatly increases the threat of neoplastic transformation in humans. The F-box DNA helicase 1 (FBH1) is a 3'-5' DNA helicase with a putative function as a negative regulator of HR. It is the only known DNA helicase to contain an F-box, suggesting that one of its functions is to act as a ubiquitin ligase as part of an SCF (SKP1, CUL1 and F-box) complex. Here we report that the central player in HR, RAD51, is ubiquitylated by the SCF(FBH1) complex. Expression of an ubiquitylation-resistant form of RAD51 in human cells leads to hyperrecombination, as well as several phenotypes indicative of an altered response to DNA replication stress. These effects are likely to be mediated by the enhanced nuclear matrix association of the ubiquitylation-resistant RAD51. These data are consistent with FBH1 acting as a negative regulator of RAD51 function in human cells.

Regulation of DNA pairing in homologous recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is a major mechanism for eliminating DNA double-strand breaks from chromosomes. In this process, the break termini are resected nucleolytically to form 3' ssDNA (single-strand DNA) overhangs. A recombinase (i.e., a protein that catalyzes homologous DNA pairing and strand exchange) assembles onto the ssDNA and promotes pairing with a homologous duplex. DNA synthesis then initiates from the 3' end of the invading strand, and the extended DNA joint is resolved via one of several pathways to restore the integrity of the injured chromosome. It is crucial that HR be carefully orchestrated because spurious events can create cytotoxic intermediates or cause genomic rearrangements and loss of gene heterozygosity, which can lead to cell death or contribute to the development of cancer. In this review, we will discuss how DNA motor proteins regulate HR via a dynamic balance of the recombination-promoting and -attenuating activities that they possess.

Multiple regulation of Rad51-mediated homologous recombination by fission yeast Fbh1

Fbh1, an F-box helicase related to bacterial UvrD, has been proposed to modulate homologous recombination in fission yeast. We provide several lines of evidence for such modulation. Fbh1, but not the related helicases Srs2 and Rqh1, suppressed the formation of crossover recombinants from single HO-induced DNA double-strand breaks. Purified Fbh1 in complex with Skp1 (Fbh1-Skp1 complex) inhibited Rad51-driven DNA strand exchange by disrupting Rad51 nucleoprotein filaments in an ATP-dependent manner; this disruption was alleviated by the Swi5-Sfr1 complex, an auxiliary activator of Rad51. In addition, the reconstituted SCF^Fbh1 complex, composed of purified Fbh1-Skp1 and Pcu1-Rbx1, displayed ubiquitin-ligase E3 activity toward Rad51. Furthermore, Fbh1 reduced the protein level of Rad51 in stationary phase in an F-box-dependent, but not in a helicase domain-independent manner. These results suggest that Fbh1 negatively regulates Rad51-mediated homologous recombination via its two putative, unrelated activities, namely DNA unwinding/translocation and ubiquitin ligation. In addition to its anti-recombinase activity, we tentatively suggest that Fbh1 might also have a pro-recombination role in vivo, because the Fbh1-Skp1 complex stimulated Rad51-mediated strand exchange in vitro after strand exchange had been initiated.

Homologous recombination is required for repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), which are induced by exogenous factors such as DNA damaging agents or by endogenous factors such as collapse of DNA replication fork in mitotic cells. If improperly processed, DSBs could lead to chromosome rearrangement, cell death, or tumorigenesis in mammals, and thus HR is strictly controlled at several steps, including Rad51 recombinase-driven DNA strand exchange reaction. Specifically, DNA helicases have been shown to be important for suppression of inappropriate recombination events. In this study, we analyzed one such DNA helicase, fission yeast Fbh1. We used an in vivo single-DSB repair assay to show that Fbh1 suppresses crossover formation between homologous chromosomes. Next, we obtained in vitro evidence that Fbh1 acts as an inhibitor of the strand-exchange reaction in the absence of Swi5-Sfr1, but stimulates the reaction after it starts. Furthermore, we found that SCF^Fbh1 has ubiquitin-ligase activity toward Rad51 in vitro and that Fbh1 regulates the protein level of Rad51 in the stationary phase. These results suggest Fbh1 regulates Rad51-mediated homologous recombination by its seemingly-unrelated two activities, DNA helicase/translocase and ubiquitin ligase.

RTEL1 inhibits trinucleotide repeat expansions and fragility

Human RTEL1 is an essential, multifunctional helicase that maintains telomeres, regulates homologous recombination, and helps prevent bone marrow failure. Here, we show that RTEL1 also blocks trinucleotide repeat expansions, the causal mutation for 17 neurological diseases. Increased expansion frequencies of (CTG⋅CAG) repeats occurred in human cells following knockdown of RTEL1, but not the alternative helicase Fbh1, and purified RTEL1 efficiently unwound triplet repeat hairpins in vitro. The expansion-blocking activity of RTEL1 also required Rad18 and HLTF, homologs of yeast Rad18 and Rad5. These findings are reminiscent of budding yeast Srs2, which inhibits expansions, unwinds hairpins, and prevents triplet-repeat-induced chromosome fragility. Accordingly, we found expansions and fragility were suppressed in yeast srs2 mutants expressing RTEL1, but not Fbh1. We propose that RTEL1 serves as a human analog of Srs2 to inhibit (CTG⋅CAG) repeat expansions and fragility, likely by unwinding problematic hairpins.

The role of microhomology in genomic structural variation

Genomic structural variation, which can be defined as differences in the copy number, orientation, or location of relatively large DNA segments, is not only crucial in evolution, but also gives rise to genomic disorders. Whereas the major mechanisms that generate structural variation have been well characterised, insights into additional mechanisms are emerging from the identification of short regions of DNA sequence homology, also known as microhomology, at chromosomal breakpoints. In addition, functional studies are elucidating the characteristics of microhomology-mediated pathways, which are mutagenic. Here, we describe the features and mechanistic models of microhomology-mediated events, discuss their physiological and pathological significance, and highlight recent advances in this rapidly evolving field of research.

The helicase FBH1 is tightly regulated by PCNA via CRL4(Cdt2)-mediated proteolysis in human cells

During replication, DNA damage can challenge replication fork progression and cell viability. Homologous Recombination (HR) and Translesion Synthesis (TLS) pathways appear as major players involved in the resumption and completion of DNA replication. How both pathways are coordinated in human cells to maintain genome stability is unclear. Numerous helicases are involved in HR regulation. Among them, the helicase FBH1 accumulates at sites of DNA damage and potentially constrains HR via its anti-recombinase activity. However, little is known about its regulation in vivo. Here, we report a mechanism that controls the degradation of FBH1 after DNA damage. Firstly, we found that the sliding clamp Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) is critical for FBH1 recruitment to replication factories or DNA damage sites. We then showed the anti-recombinase activity of FBH1 is partially dependent on its interaction with PCNA. Intriguingly, after its re-localization, FBH1 is targeted for degradation by the Cullin-ring ligase 4-Cdt2 (CRL4^Cdt2)–PCNA pathway via a PCNA-interacting peptide (PIP) degron. Importantly, expression of non-degradable FBH1 mutant impairs the recruitment of the TLS polymerase eta to chromatin in UV-irradiated cells. Thus, we propose that after DNA damage, FBH1 might be required to restrict HR and then degraded by the Cdt2–proteasome pathway to facilitate TLS pathway.

Single-molecule sorting reveals how ubiquitylation affects substrate recognition and activities of FBH1 helicase

DNA repair helicases function in the cell to separate DNA duplexes or remodel nucleoprotein complexes. These functions are influenced by sensing and signaling; the cellular pool of a DNA helicase may contain subpopulations of enzymes carrying different post-translational modifications and performing distinct biochemical functions. Here, we report a novel experimental strategy, single-molecule sorting, which overcomes difficulties associated with comprehensive analysis of heterologously modified pool of proteins. This methodology was applied to visualize human DNA helicase F-box–containing DNA helicase (FBH1) acting on the DNA structures resembling a stalled or collapsed replication fork and its interactions with RAD51 nucleoprotein filament. Individual helicase molecules isolated from human cells with their native post-translational modifications were analyzed using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Separation of the activity trajectories originated from ubiquitylated and non-ubiquitylated FBH1 molecules revealed that ubiquitylation affects FBH1 interaction with the RAD51 nucleoprotein filament, but not its translocase and helicase activities.

FBH1 promotes DNA double-strand breakage and apoptosis in response to DNA replication stress

Enzymatic activity of the UvrD DNA helicase FBH1 is required for the efficient induction of DSBs and apoptosis specifically in response to DNA replication stress.

Proper resolution of stalled replication forks is essential for genome stability. Purification of FBH1, a UvrD DNA helicase, identified a physical interaction with replication protein A (RPA), the major cellular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)–binding protein complex. Compared with control cells, FBH1-depleted cells responded to replication stress with considerably fewer double-strand breaks (DSBs), a dramatic reduction in the activation of ATM and DNA-PK and phosphorylation of RPA2 and p53, and a significantly increased rate of survival. A minor decrease in ssDNA levels was also observed. All these phenotypes were rescued by wild-type FBH1, but not a FBH1 mutant lacking helicase activity. FBH1 depletion had no effect on other forms of genotoxic stress in which DSBs form by means that do not require ssDNA intermediates. In response to catastrophic genotoxic stress, apoptosis prevents the persistence and propagation of DNA lesions. Our findings show that FBH1 helicase activity is required for the efficient induction of DSBs and apoptosis specifically in response to DNA replication stress.

Unwinding of synthetic replication and recombination substrates by Srs2

The budding yeast Srs2 protein possesses 3′ to 5′ DNA helicase activity and channels untimely recombination to post-replication repair by removing Rad51 from ssDNA. However, it also promotes recombination via a synthesis-dependent strand-annealing pathway (SDSA). Furthermore, at the replication fork, Srs2 is required for fork progression and prevents the instability of trinucleotide repeats. To better understand the multiple roles of the Srs2 helicase during these processes, we analysed the ability of Srs2 to bind and unwind various DNA substrates that mimic structures present during DNA replication and recombination. While leading or lagging strands were efficiently unwound, the presence of ssDNA binding protein RPA presented an obstacle for Srs2 translocation. We also tested the preferred directionality of unwinding of various substrates and studied the effect of Rad51 and Mre11 proteins on Srs2 helicase activity. These biochemical results help us understand the possible role of Srs2 in the processing of stalled or blocked replication forks as a part of post-replication repair as well as homologous recombination (HR).

From yeast to mammals: recent advances in genetic control of homologous recombination

Misregulation of DNA repair is associated with genetic instability and tumorigenesis. To preserve the integrity of the genome, eukaryotic cells have evolved extremely intricate mechanisms for repairing DNA damage. One type of DNA lesion is a double-strand break (DSB), which is highly toxic when unrepaired. Repair of DSBs can occur through multiple mechanisms. Aside from religating the DNA ends, a homologous template can be used for repair in a process called homologous recombination (HR). One key step in committing to HR is the formation of Rad51 filaments, which perform the homology search and strand invasion steps. In S. cerevisiae, Srs2 is a key regulator of Rad51 filament formation and disassembly. In this review, we highlight potential candidates of Srs2 orthologues in human cells, and we discuss recent advances in understanding how Srs2's so-called "anti-recombinase" activity is regulated.

A novel antirecombinase gains PARIty

In this issue, Moldovan et al. (2012) report the identification of PARI, a putative human ortholog of the yeast Srs2 protein, which potentially regulates homologous recombination repair via its ability to disrupt the function of RAD51.

Homologous recombination and its regulation

Homologous recombination (HR) is critical both for repairing DNA lesions in mitosis and for chromosomal pairing and exchange during meiosis. However, some forms of HR can also lead to undesirable DNA rearrangements. Multiple regulatory mechanisms have evolved to ensure that HR takes place at the right time, place and manner. Several of these impinge on the control of Rad51 nucleofilaments that play a central role in HR. Some factors promote the formation of these structures while others lead to their disassembly or the use of alternative repair pathways. In this article, we review these mechanisms in both mitotic and meiotic environments and in different eukaryotic taxa, with an emphasis on yeast and mammal systems. Since mutations in several proteins that regulate Rad51 nucleofilaments are associated with cancer and cancer-prone syndromes, we discuss how understanding their functions can lead to the development of better tools for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Presynaptic filament dynamics in homologous recombination and DNA repair

Homologous recombination (HR) is an essential genome stability mechanism used for high-fidelity repair of DNA double-strand breaks and for the recovery of stalled or collapsed DNA replication forks. The crucial homology search and DNA strand exchange steps of HR are catalyzed by presynaptic filaments-helical filaments of a recombinase enzyme bound to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Presynaptic filaments are fundamentally dynamic structures, the assembly, catalytic turnover, and disassembly of which must be closely coordinated with other elements of the DNA recombination, repair, and replication machinery in order for genome maintenance functions to be effective. Here, we reviewed the major dynamic elements controlling the assembly, activity, and disassembly of presynaptic filaments; some intrinsic such as recombinase ATP-binding and hydrolytic activities, others extrinsic such as ssDNA-binding proteins, mediator proteins, and DNA motor proteins. We examined dynamic behavior on multiple levels, including atomic- and filament-level structural changes associated with ATP binding and hydrolysis as evidenced in crystal structures, as well as subunit binding and dissociation events driven by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. We examined the biochemical properties of recombination proteins from four model systems (T4 phage, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Homo sapiens), demonstrating how their properties are tailored for the context-specific requirements in these diverse species. We proposed that the presynaptic filament has evolved to rely on multiple external factors for increased multilevel regulation of HR processes in genomes with greater structural and sequence complexity.

Helicase-inactivating mutations as a basis for dominant negative phenotypes

There is ample evidence from studies of both unicellular and multicellular organisms that helicase-inactivating mutations lead to cellular dysfunction and disease phenotypes. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms underlying the basis for abnormal phenotypes linked to mutations in genes encoding DNA helicases. Recent evidence demonstrates that a clinically relevant patient missense mutation in Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group J exerts detrimental effects on the biochemical activities of the FANCJ helicase, and these molecular defects are responsible for aberrant genomic stability and a poor DNA damage response. The ability of FANCJ to use the energy from ATP hydrolysis to produce the force required to unwind duplex or G-quadruplex DNA structures or destabilize protein bound to DNA is required for its DNA repair functions in vivo. Strikingly, helicase-inactivating mutations can exert a spectrum of dominant negative phenotypes, indicating that expression of the mutant helicase protein potentially interferes with normal DNA metabolism and has an effect on basic cellular processes such as DNA replication, the DNA damage response and protein trafficking. This review emphasizes that future studies of clinically relevant mutations in helicase genes will be important to understand the molecular pathologies of the associated diseases and their impact on heterozygote carriers.

The role of DNA helicases and their interaction partners in genome stability and meiotic recombination in plants

DNA helicases are enzymes that are able to unwind DNA by the use of the energy-equivalent ATP. They play essential roles in DNA replication, DNA repair, and DNA recombination in all organisms. As homologous recombination occurs in somatic and meiotic cells, the same proteins may participate in both processes, albeit not necessarily with identical functions. DNA helicases involved in genome stability and meiotic recombination are the focus of this review. The role of these enzymes and their characterized interaction partners in plants will be summarized. Although most factors are conserved in eukaryotes, plant-specific features are becoming apparent. In the RecQ helicase family, Arabidopsis thaliana RECQ4A has been shown before to be the functional homologue of the well-researched baker's yeast Sgs1 and human BLM proteins. It was surprising to find that its interaction partners AtRMI1 and AtTOP3α are absolutely essential for meiotic recombination in plants, where they are central factors of a formerly underappreciated dissolution step of recombination intermediates. In the expanding group of anti-recombinases, future analysis of plant helicases is especially promising. While no FBH1 homologue is present, the Arabidopsis genome contains homologues of both SRS2 and RTEL1. Yeast and mammals, on the other hand. only possess homologues of either one or the other of these helicases. Plants also contain several other classes of helicases that are known from other organisms to be involved in the preservation of genome stability: FANCM is conserved with parts of the human Fanconi anaemia proteins, as are homologues of the Swi2/Snf2 family and of PIF1.

A failure of meiotic chromosome segregation in a fbh1Delta mutant correlates with persistent Rad51-DNA associations

The F-box DNA helicase Fbh1 constrains homologous recombination in vegetative cells, most likely through an ability to displace the Rad51 recombinase from DNA. Here, we provide the first evidence that Fbh1 also serves a vital meiotic role in fission yeast to promote normal chromosome segregation. In the absence of Fbh1, chromosomes remain entangled or segregate unevenly during meiosis, and genetic and cytological data suggest that this results in part from a failure to efficiently dismantle Rad51 nucleofilaments that form during meiotic double-strand break repair.

Mammalian Fbh1 is important to restore normal mitotic progression following decatenation stress

We have addressed the role of the F-box helicase 1 (Fbh1) protein during genome maintenance in mammalian cells. For this, we generated two mouse embryonic stem cell lines deficient for Fbh1: one with a homozygous deletion of the N-terminal F-box domain (Fbh1(f/f)), and the other with a homozygous disruption (Fbh1(-/-)). Consistent with previous reports of Fbh1-deficiency in vertebrate cells, we found that Fbh1(-/-) cells show a moderate increase in Rad51 localization to DNA damage, but no clear defect in chromosome break repair. In contrast, we found that Fbh1(f/f) cells show a decrease in Rad51 localization to DNA damage and increased cytoplasmic localization of Rad51. However, these Fbh1(f/f) cells show no clear defects in chromosome break repair. Since some Rad51 partners and F-box-associated proteins (Skp1-Cul1) have been implicated in progression through mitosis, we considered whether Fbh1 might play a role in this process. To test this hypothesis, we disrupted mitosis using catalytic topoisomerase II inhibitors (bisdioxopiperazines), which inhibit chromosome decatenation. We found that both Fbh1(f/f) and Fbh1(-/-) cells show hypersensitivity to topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitors, even though the degree of decatenation stress was not affected. Furthermore, following topoisomerase II catalytic inhibition, both Fbh1-deficient cell lines show substantial defects in anaphase separation of chromosomes. These results indicate that Fbh1 is important for restoration of normal mitotic progression following decatenation stress.

A SRS2 homolog from Arabidopsis thaliana disrupts recombinogenic DNA intermediates and facilitates single strand annealing

Genetic and biochemical analyses of SRS2 homologs in fungi indicate a function in the processing of homologous recombination (HR) intermediates. To date, no SRS2 homologs have been described and analyzed in higher eukaryotes. Here, we report the first biochemical characterization of an SRS2 homolog from a multicellular eukaryote, the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We studied the basic properties of AtSRS2 and were able to show that it is a functional 3'- to 5'-helicase. Furthermore, we characterized its biochemical function on recombinogenic intermediates and were able to show the unwinding of nicked Holliday junctions (HJs) and partial HJs (PX junctions). For the first time, we demonstrated strand annealing activity for an SRS2 homolog and characterized its strand pairing activity in detail. Our results indicate that AtSRS2 has properties that enable it to be involved in different steps during the processing of recombination intermediates. On the one hand, it could be involved in the unwinding of an elongating invading strand from a donor strand, while on the other hand, it could be involved in the annealing of the elongated strand at a later step.

Srs2: the "Odd-Job Man" in DNA repair

Homologous recombination plays a key role in the maintenance of genome integrity, especially during DNA replication and the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs). Just a single un-repaired break can lead to aneuploidy, genetic aberrations or cell death. DSBs are caused by a vast number of both endogenous and exogenous agents including genotoxic chemicals or ionizing radiation, as well as through replication of a damaged template DNA or the replication fork collapse. It is essential for cell survival to recognise and process DSBs as well as other toxic intermediates and launch most appropriate repair mechanism. Many helicases have been implicated to play role in these processes, however their detail roles, specificities and co-operativity in the complex protein-protein interaction networks remain unclear. In this review we summarize the current knowledge about Saccharomyces cerevisiae helicase Srs2 and its effect on multiple DNA metabolic processes that generally affect genome stability. It would appear that Srs2 functions as an “Odd-Job Man” in these processes to make sure that the jobs proceed when and where they are needed.

Regulation of homologous recombination in eukaryotes

Homologous recombination (HR) is required for accurate chromosome segregation during the first meiotic division and constitutes a key repair and tolerance pathway for complex DNA damage, including DNA double-strand breaks, interstrand crosslinks, and DNA gaps. In addition, recombination and replication are inextricably linked, as recombination recovers stalled and broken replication forks, enabling the evolution of larger genomes/replicons. Defects in recombination lead to genomic instability and elevated cancer predisposition, demonstrating a clear cellular need for recombination. However, recombination can also lead to genome rearrangements. Unrestrained recombination causes undesired endpoints (translocation, deletion, inversion) and the accumulation of toxic recombination intermediates. Evidently, HR must be carefully regulated to match specific cellular needs. Here, we review the factors and mechanistic stages of recombination that are subject to regulation and suggest that recombination achieves flexibility and robustness by proceeding through metastable, reversible intermediates.

Human Fbh1 helicase contributes to genome maintenance via pro- and anti-recombinase activities

Human Fbh1 helicase contributes to genome maintenance via pro- and anti-recombinase activities.

Homologous recombination (HR) is essential for faithful repair of DNA lesions yet must be kept in check, as unrestrained HR may compromise genome integrity and lead to premature aging or cancer. To limit unscheduled HR, cells possess DNA helicases capable of preventing excessive recombination. In this study, we show that the human Fbh1 (hFbh1) helicase accumulates at sites of DNA damage or replication stress in a manner dependent fully on its helicase activity and partially on its conserved F box. hFbh1 interacted with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), the formation of which was required for hFbh1 recruitment to DNA lesions. Conversely, depletion of endogenous Fbh1 or ectopic expression of helicase-deficient hFbh1 attenuated ssDNA production after replication block. Although elevated levels of hFbh1 impaired Rad51 recruitment to ssDNA and suppressed HR, its small interfering RNA–mediated depletion increased the levels of chromatin-associated Rad51 and caused unscheduled sister chromatid exchange. Thus, by possessing both pro- and anti-recombinogenic potential, hFbh1 may cooperate with other DNA helicases in tightly controlling cellular HR activity.

Faithful after break-up: suppression of chromosomal translocations

Chromosome integrity in response to chemically or radiation-induced chromosome breaks and the perturbation of ongoing replication forks relies on multiple DNA repair mechanisms. However, repair of these lesions may lead to unwanted chromosome rearrangement if not properly executed or regulated. As these types of chromosomal alterations threaten the cell's and the organism's very own survival, multiple systems are developed to avoid or at least limit break-induced chromosomal rearrangements. In this review, we highlight cellular strategies for repressing DNA break-induced chromosomal translocations in multiple model systems including yeast, mouse, and human. These pathways select proper homologous templates or broken DNA ends for the faithful repair of DNA breaks to avoid undesirable chromosomal translocations.

Fbh1 limits Rad51-dependent recombination at blocked replication forks

Controlling the loading of Rad51 onto DNA is important for governing when and how homologous recombination is used. Here we use a combination of genetic assays and indirect immunofluorescence to show that the F-box DNA helicase (Fbh1) functions in direct opposition to the Rad52 orthologue Rad22 to curb Rad51 loading onto DNA in fission yeast. Surprisingly, this activity is unnecessary for limiting spontaneous direct-repeat recombination. Instead it appears to play an important role in preventing recombination when replication forks are blocked and/or broken. When overexpressed, Fbh1 specifically reduces replication fork block-induced recombination, as well as the number of Rad51 nuclear foci that are induced by replicative stress. These abilities are dependent on its DNA helicase/translocase activity, suggesting that Fbh1 exerts its control on recombination by acting as a Rad51 disruptase. In accord with this, overexpression of Fbh1 also suppresses the high levels of recombinant formation and Rad51 accumulation at a site-specific replication fork barrier in a strain lacking the Rad51 disruptase Srs2. Similarly overexpression of Srs2 suppresses replication fork block-induced gene conversion events in an fbh1Delta mutant, although an inability to suppress deletion events suggests that Fbh1 has a distinct functionality, which is not readily substituted by Srs2.

Localization of recombination proteins and Srs2 reveals anti-recombinase function in vivo

Homologous recombination (HR), although an important DNA repair mechanism, is dangerous to the cell if improperly regulated. The Srs2 “anti-recombinase” restricts HR by disassembling the Rad51 nucleoprotein filament, an intermediate preceding the exchange of homologous DNA strands. Here, we cytologically characterize Srs2 function in vivo and describe a novel mechanism for regulating the initiation of HR. We find that Srs2 is recruited separately to replication and repair centers and identify the genetic requirements for recruitment. In the absence of Srs2 activity, Rad51 foci accumulate, and surprisingly, can form in the absence of Rad52 mediation. However, these Rad51 foci do not represent repair-proficient filaments, as determined by recombination assays. Antagonistic roles for Rad52 and Srs2 in Rad51 filament formation are also observed in vitro. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Srs2 removes Rad51 indiscriminately from DNA, while the Rad52 protein coordinates appropriate filament reformation. This constant breakdown and rebuilding of filaments may act as a stringent quality control mechanism during HR.

MRE11 complex links RECQ5 helicase to sites of DNA damage

RECQ5 DNA helicase suppresses homologous recombination (HR) possibly through disruption of RAD51 filaments. Here, we show that RECQ5 is constitutively associated with the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex, a primary sensor of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that promotes DSB repair and regulates DNA damage signaling via activation of the ATM kinase. Experiments with purified proteins indicated that RECQ5 interacts with the MRN complex through both MRE11 and NBS1. Functional assays revealed that RECQ5 specifically inhibited the 3'-->5' exonuclease activity of MRE11, while MRN had no effect on the helicase activity of RECQ5. At the cellular level, we observed that the MRN complex was required for the recruitment of RECQ5 to sites of DNA damage. Accumulation of RECQ5 at DSBs was neither dependent on MDC1 that mediates binding of MRN to DSB-flanking chromatin nor on CtIP that acts in conjunction with MRN to promote resection of DSBs for repair by HR. Collectively, these data suggest that the MRN complex recruits RECQ5 to sites of DNA damage to regulate DNA repair.

RTEL1 maintains genomic stability by suppressing homologous recombination

Homologous recombination (HR) is an important conserved process for DNA repair and ensures maintenance of genome integrity. Inappropriate HR causes gross chromosomal rearrangements and tumorigenesis in mammals. In yeast, the Srs2 helicase eliminates inappropriate recombination events, but the functional equivalent of Srs2 in higher eukaryotes has been elusive. Here, we identify C. elegans RTEL-1 as a functional analog of Srs2 and describe its vertebrate counterpart, RTEL1, which is required for genome stability and tumor avoidance. We find that rtel-1 mutant worms and RTEL1-depleted human cells share characteristic phenotypes with yeast srs2 mutants: lethality upon deletion of the sgs1/BLM homolog, hyperrecombination, and DNA damage sensitivity. In vitro, purified human RTEL1 antagonizes HR by promoting the disassembly of D loop recombination intermediates in a reaction dependent upon ATP hydrolysis. We propose that loss of HR control after deregulation of RTEL1 may be a critical event that drives genome instability and cancer.

The homologous recombination system of Ustilago maydis

Homologous recombination is a high fidelity, template-dependent process that is used in repair of damaged DNA, recovery of broken replication forks, and disjunction of homologous chromosomes in meiosis. Much of what is known about recombination genes and mechanisms comes from studies on baker's yeast. Ustilago maydis, a basidiomycete fungus, is distant evolutionarily from baker's yeast and so offers the possibility of gaining insight into recombination from an alternative perspective. Here we have surveyed the genome of U. maydis to determine the composition of its homologous recombination system. Compared to baker's yeast, there are fundamental differences in the function as well as in the repertoire of dedicated components. These include the use of a BRCA2 homolog and its modifier Dss1 rather than Rad52 as a mediator of Rad51, the presence of only a single Rad51 paralog, and the absence of Dmc1 and auxiliary meiotic proteins.

Rapid unwinding of triplet repeat hairpins by Srs2 helicase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Expansions of trinucleotide repeats cause at least 15 heritable human diseases. Single-stranded triplet repeat DNA in vitro forms stable hairpins in a sequence-dependent manner that correlates with expansion risk in vivo. Hairpins are therefore considered likely intermediates during the expansion process. Unwinding of a hairpin by a DNA helicase would help protect against expansions. Yeast Srs2, but not the RecQ homolog Sgs1, blocks expansions in vivo in a manner largely dependent on its helicase function. The current study tested the idea that Srs2 would be faster at unwinding DNA substrates with an extrahelical triplet repeat hairpin embedded in a duplex context. These substrates should mimic the relevant intermediate structure thought to occur in vivo. Srs2 was faster than Sgs1 at unwinding several substrates containing triplet repeat hairpins or another structured loop. In contrast, control substrates with an unstructured loop or a Watson–Crick duplex were unwound equally well by both enzymes. Results with a fluorescently labeled, three-way junction showed that Srs2 unwinding proceeds unabated through extrahelical triplet repeats. In summary, Srs2 maintains its facile unwinding of triplet repeat hairpins embedded within duplex DNA, supporting the genetic evidence that Srs2 is a key helicase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for preventing expansions.

Essential and distinct roles of the F-box and helicase domains of Fbh1 in DNA damage repair

Background

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are induced by exogenous insults such as ionizing radiation and chemical exposure, and they can also arise as a consequence of stalled or collapsed DNA replication forks. Failure to repair DSBs can lead to genomic instability or cell death and cancer in higher eukaryotes. The Schizosaccharomyces pombe fbh1 gene encodes an F-box DNA helicase previously described to play a role in the Rhp51 (an orthologue of S. cerevisiae RAD51)-dependent recombinational repair of DSBs. Fbh1 fused to GFP localizes to discrete nuclear foci following DNA damage.

Results

To determine the functional roles of the highly conserved F-box and helicase domains, we have characterized fbh1 mutants carrying specific mutations in these domains. We show that the F-box mutation fbh1-fb disturbs the nuclear localization of Fbh1, conferring an fbh1 null-like phenotype. Moreover, nuclear foci do not form in fbh1-fb cells with DNA damage even if Fbh1-fb is targeted to the nucleus by fusion to a nuclear localization signal sequence. In contrast, the helicase mutation fbh1-hl causes the accumulation of Fbh1 foci irrespective of the presence of DNA damage and confers damage sensitivity greater than that conferred by the null allele. Additional mutation of the F-box alleviates the hypermorphic phenotype of the fbh1-hl mutant.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the F-box and DNA helicase domains play indispensable but distinct roles in Fbh1 function. Assembly of the SCF^Fbh1 complex is required for both the nuclear localization and DNA damage-induced focus formation of Fbh1 and is therefore prerequisite for the Fbh1 recombination function.