Parp3 negatively regulates immunoglobulin class switch recombination

Cryptosporidium parvum infection alters the intestinal mucosa transcriptome in neonatal calves: implications for immune function

One of the leading causes of infectious diarrhea in newborn calves is the apicomplexan protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum). However, little is known about its immunopathogenesis. Using next generation sequencing, this study investigated the immune transcriptional response to C. parvum infection in neonatal calves. Neonatal male Holstein-Friesian calves were either orally infected (N = 5) or not (CTRL group, N = 5) with C. parvum oocysts (gp60 subtype IIaA15G2R1) at day 1 of life and slaughtered on day 7 after infection. Total RNA was extracted from the jejunal mucosa for short read. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between infected and CTRL groups were assessed using DESeq2 at a false discovery rate < 0.05. Infection did not affect plasma immunohematological parameters, including neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, leucocyte, thrombocyte, and erythrocyte counts as well as hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration on day 7 post infection. The immune-related DEGs were selected according to the UniProt immune system process database and were used for gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis using Cytoscape (v3.9.1). Based on GO analysis, DEGs annotated to mucosal immunity, recognizing and presenting antigens, chemotaxis of neutrophils, eosinophils, natural killer cells, B and T cells mediated by signaling pathways including toll like receptors, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, T cell receptor, and NF-KB were upregulated, while markers of macrophages chemotaxis and cytosolic pattern recognition were downregulated. This study provides a holistic snapshot of immune-related pathways induced by C. parvum in calves, including novel and detailed feedback and feedforward regulatory mechanisms establishing the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immune response in neonate calves, which could be utilized further to develop new therapeutic strategies.

Integrated signaling and transcriptome analysis reveals Src family kinase individualities and novel pathways controlled by their constitutive activity

The Src family kinases (SFKs) Lck and Lyn are crucial for lymphocyte development and function. Albeit tissue-restricted expression patterns the two kinases share common functions; the most pronounced one being the phosphorylation of ITAM motifs in the cytoplasmic tails of antigenic receptors. Lck is predominantly expressed in T lymphocytes; however, it can be ectopically found in B-1 cell subsets and numerous pathologies including acute and chronic B-cell leukemias. The exact impact of Lck on the B-cell signaling apparatus remains enigmatic and is followed by the long-lasting question of mechanisms granting selectivity among SFK members. In this work we sought to investigate the mechanistic basis of ectopic Lck function in B-cells and compare it to events elicited by the predominant B-cell SFK, Lyn. Our results reveal substrate promiscuity displayed by the two SFKs, which however, is buffered by their differential susceptibility toward regulatory mechanisms, revealing a so far unappreciated aspect of SFK member-specific fine-tuning. Furthermore, we show that Lck- and Lyn-generated signals suffice to induce transcriptome alterations, reminiscent of B-cell activation, in the absence of receptor/co-receptor engagement. Finally, our analyses revealed a yet unrecognized role of SFKs in tipping the balance of cellular stress responses, by promoting the onset of ER-phagy, an as yet completely uncharacterized process in B lymphocytes.

Alternative end-joining in BCR gene rearrangements and translocations

Programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) occur during antigen receptor gene recombination, namely V(D)J recombination in developing B lymphocytes and class switch recombination (CSR) in mature B cells. Repair of these DSBs by classical end-joining (c-NHEJ) enables the generation of diverse BCR repertoires for efficient humoral immunity. Deletion of or mutation in c-NHEJ genes in mice and humans confer various degrees of primary immune deficiency and predisposition to lymphoid malignancies that often harbor oncogenic chromosomal translocations. In the absence of c-NHEJ, alternative end-joining (A-EJ) catalyzes robust CSR and to a much lesser extent, V(D)J recombination, but the mechanisms of A-EJ are only poorly defined. In this review, we introduce recent advances in the understanding of A-EJ in the context of V(D)J recombination and CSR with emphases on DSB end processing, DNA polymerases and ligases, and discuss the implications of A-EJ to lymphoid development and chromosomal translocations.

Senataxin and RNase H2 act redundantly to suppress genome instability during class switch recombination

Class switch recombination generates distinct antibody isotypes critical to a robust adaptive immune system, and defects are associated with autoimmune disorders and lymphomagenesis. Transcription is required during class switch recombination to recruit the cytidine deaminase AID-an essential step for the formation of DNA double-strand breaks-and strongly induces the formation of R loops within the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus. However, the impact of R loops on double-strand break formation and repair during class switch recombination remains unclear. Here, we report that cells lacking two enzymes involved in R loop removal-senataxin and RNase H2-exhibit increased R loop formation and genome instability at the immunoglobulin heavy-chain locus without impacting its transcriptional activity, AID recruitment, or class switch recombination efficiency. Senataxin and RNase H2-deficient cells also exhibit increased insertion mutations at switch junctions, a hallmark of alternative end joining. Importantly, these phenotypes were not observed in cells lacking senataxin or RNase H2B alone. We propose that senataxin acts redundantly with RNase H2 to mediate timely R loop removal, promoting efficient repair while suppressing AID-dependent genome instability and insertional mutagenesis.

The uncharacterized SANT and BTB domain-containing protein SANBR inhibits class switch recombination

Class switch recombination (CSR) is the process by which B cells switch production from IgM/IgD to other immunoglobulin isotypes, enabling them to mount an effective immune response against pathogens. Timely resolution of CSR prevents damage due to an uncontrolled and prolonged immune response. While many positive regulators of CSR have been described, negative regulators of CSR are relatively unknown. Using an shRNA library screen targeting more than 28,000 genes in a mouse B cell line, we have identified a novel, uncharacterized protein of 82kD (KIAA1841, NM_027860), which we have named SANBR (SANT and BTB domain regulator of CSR), as a negative regulator of CSR. The purified, recombinant BTB domain of SANBR exhibited characteristic properties such as homodimerization and interaction with corepressor proteins, including HDAC and SMRT. Overexpression of SANBR inhibited CSR in primary mouse splenic B cells, and inhibition of CSR is dependent on the BTB domain while the SANT domain is largely dispensable. Thus, we have identified a new member of the BTB family that serves as a negative regulator of CSR. Future investigations to identify transcriptional targets of SANBR in B cells will reveal further insights into the specific mechanisms by which SANBR regulates CSR as well as fundamental gene regulatory activities of this protein.

Screening for autoantibody targets in post-vaccination narcolepsy using proteome arrays

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a chronic sleep disorder caused by a specific loss of hypocretin-producing neurons. The incidence of NT1 increased in Sweden, Finland and Norway following Pandemrix®-vaccination, initiated to prevent the 2009 influenza pandemic. The pathogenesis of NT1 is poorly understood, and causal links to vaccination are yet to be clarified. The strong association with Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1*06:02 suggests an autoimmune pathogenesis, but proposed autoantigens remain controversial. We used a two-step approach to identify autoantigens in patients that acquired NT1 after Pandemrix®-vaccination. Using arrays of more than 9000 full-length human proteins, we screened the sera of 10 patients and 24 healthy subjects for autoantibodies. Identified candidate antigens were expressed in vitro to enable validation studies with radiobinding assays (RBA). The validation cohort included NT1 patients (n = 39), their first-degree relatives (FDR) (n = 66), population controls (n = 188), and disease controls representing multiple sclerosis (n = 100) and FDR to type 1 diabetes patients (n = 41). Reactivity towards previously suggested NT1 autoantigen candidates including Tribbles homolog 2, Prostaglandin D2 receptor, Hypocretin receptor 2 and α-MSH/proopiomelanocortin was not replicated in the protein array screen. By comparing case to control signals, three novel candidate autoantigens were identified in the protein array screen; LOC401464, PARP3 and FAM63B. However, the RBA did not confirm elevated reactivity towards either of these proteins. In summary, three putative autoantigens in NT1 were identified by protein array screening. Autoantibodies against these candidates could not be verified with independent methods. Further studies are warranted to identify hypothetical autoantigens related to the pathogenesis of Pandemrix®-induced NT1.

ADP-ribosylation: from molecular mechanisms to human disease

Post-translational modification of proteins by ADP-ribosylation, catalysed by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) using NAD⁺ as a substrate, plays central roles in DNA damage signalling and repair, modulates a range of cellular signalling cascades and initiates programmed cell death by parthanatos. Here, we present mechanistic aspects of ADP-ribose modification, PARP activation and the cellular functions of ADP-ribose signalling, and discuss how this knowledge is uncovering therapeutic avenues for the treatment of increasingly prevalent human diseases such as cancer, ischaemic damage and neurodegeneration.

Restriction of AID activity and somatic hypermutation by PARP-1

Affinity maturation of the humoral immune response depends on somatic hypermutation (SHM) of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes, which is initiated by targeted lesion introduction by activation-induced deaminase (AID), followed by error-prone DNA repair. Stringent regulation of this process is essential to prevent genetic instability, but no negative feedback control has been identified to date. Here we show that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a key factor restricting AID activity during somatic hypermutation. Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) chains formed at DNA breaks trigger AID-PAR association, thus preventing excessive DNA damage induction at sites of AID action. Accordingly, AID activity and somatic hypermutation at the Ig variable region is decreased by PARP-1 activity. In addition, PARP-1 regulates DNA lesion processing by affecting strand biased A:T mutagenesis. Our study establishes a novel function of the ancestral genome maintenance factor PARP-1 as a critical local feedback regulator of both AID activity and DNA repair during Ig gene diversification.

PARP3 comes to light as a prime target in cancer therapy

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 3 (PARP3) is the third member of the PARP family that catalyze a post-translational modification of proteins to promote, control or adjust numerous cellular events including genome integrity, transcription, differentiation, cell metabolism or cell death. In the late years, PARP3 has been specified for its primary functions in programmed and stress-induced double-strand break repair, chromosomal rearrangements, transcriptional regulation in the zebrafish and mitotic segregation. Still, deciphering the therapeutic value of its inhibition awaits additional investigations. In this review, we discuss the newest advancements on the specific functions of PARP3 in cancer aggressiveness exemplifying the relevance of its selective inhibition for cancer therapy.

PARP3, a new therapeutic target to alter Rictor/mTORC2 signaling and tumor progression in BRCA1-associated cancers

PARP3 has been shown to be a key driver of TGFβ-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness in breast cancer cells, emerging as an attractive therapeutic target. Nevertheless, the therapeutic value of PARP3 inhibition has not yet been assessed. Here we investigated the impact of the absence of PARP3 or its inhibition on the tumorigenicity of BRCA1-proficient versus BRCA1-deficient breast cancer cell lines, focusing on the triple-negative breast cancer subtype (TNBC). We show that PARP3 knockdown exacerbates centrosome amplification and genome instability and reduces survival of BRCA1-deficient TNBC cells. Furthermore, we engineered PARP3^-/- BRCA1-deficient or BRCA1-proficient TNBC cell lines using the CRISPR/nCas9^D10A gene editing technology and demonstrate that the absence of PARP3 selectively suppresses the growth, survival and in vivo tumorigenicity of BRCA1-deficient TNBC cells, mechanistically via effects associated with an altered Rictor/mTORC2 signaling complex resulting from enhanced ubiquitination of Rictor. Accordingly, PARP3 interacts with and ADP-ribosylates GSK3β, a positive regulator of Rictor ubiquitination and degradation. Importantly, these phenotypes were rescued by re-expression of a wild-type PARP3 but not by a catalytic mutant, demonstrating the importance of PARP3's catalytic activity. Accordingly, reduced survival and compromised Rictor/mTORC2 signaling were also observed using a cell-permeable PARP3-specific inhibitor. We conclude that PARP3 and BRCA1 are synthetic lethal and that targeting PARP3's catalytic activity is a promising therapeutic strategy for BRCA1-associated cancers via the Rictor/mTORC2 signaling pathway.

Parp3 promotes long-range end joining in murine cells

Chromosomal rearrangements, including translocations, are early and essential events in the formation of many tumors. Previous studies that defined the genetic requirements for rearrangement formation have identified differences between murine and human cells, most notably in the role of classic and alternative nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) factors. We reported that poly(ADP)ribose polymerase 3 (PARP3) promotes chromosomal rearrangements induced by endonucleases in multiple human cell types. We show here that in contrast to classic (c-NHEJ) factors, Parp3 also promotes rearrangements in murine cells, including translocations in murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs), class-switch recombination in primary B cells, and inversions in tail fibroblasts that generate Eml4-Alk fusions. In mESCs, Parp3-deficient cells had shorter deletion lengths at translocation junctions. This was corroborated using next-generation sequencing of Eml4-Alk junctions in tail fibroblasts and is consistent with a role for Parp3 in promoting the processing of DNA double-strand breaks. We confirmed a previous report that Parp1 also promotes rearrangement formation. In contrast with Parp3, rearrangement junctions in the absence of Parp1 had longer deletion lengths, suggesting that Parp1 may suppress double-strand break processing. Together, these data indicate that Parp3 and Parp1 promote rearrangements with distinct phenotypes.

PARP3 inhibitors ME0328 and olaparib potentiate vinorelbine sensitization in breast cancer cell lines

PURPOSE

PARP-3 is member of the PARP family of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases involved in ADPribosylation. PARPs are involved in the basic mechanisms of DNA repair. PARP3, a critical player for efficient mitotic progression, is required for the stabilization of the mitotic spindle by regulation of the mitotic components, NuMA and Tankyrase 1.

METHODS

The sensitization effect of vinorelbine on PARP3 inhibition-induced cytotoxicity was assessed by the SRB assay. The contribution of programed cell death and cell cycle arrest to the sensitization effect were determined by assessing changes in Annexin V, a marker of apoptosis. Alterations in cell cycle progression were assessed by cell cycle analysis. We used immunofluorescence to assess the effect of vinorelbine and/or PARP3 inhibitors on tubulin and microtubule depolarization. The PARP3 chemiluminescent assay kit was used for PARP3 activity.

RESULTS

PARP3 inhibitors sensitize breast cancer cells to vinorelbine, a vinca alkaloid used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Olaparib which was originally described as a PARP1 and 2 inhibitor has recently been shown to be a potent PARP3 inhibitor while ME0328 is a more selective PARP3 inhibitor. The combination of vinorelbine with nontoxic concentrations of ME0328 or olaparib reduces vinorelbine resistance by 10 and 17 fold, respectively, potentiating vinorelbine-induced arrest at the G2/M boundary. In addition, PARP3 inhibition potentiates vinorelbine interaction with tubulin. Furthermore, olaparib or ME0328 potentiates vinorelbine-induced PARP3 inhibition, mitotic arrest, and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated this approach with PARP3 inhibitors and vinorelbine is unique and promising for breast cancer patients with metastases. This combination could significantly increase the survival of breast cancer patients with metastases.

PARP3 controls TGFβ and ROS driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and stemness by stimulating a TG2-Snail-E-cadherin axis

Several members of the Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) family are essential regulators of genome integrity, actively prospected as drug targets for cancer therapy. Among them, PARP3 is well characterized for its functions in double-strand break repair and mitotis. Here we report that PARP3 also plays an integral role in TGFβ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) dependent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stem-like cell properties in human mammary epithelial and breast cancer cells. PARP3 expression is higher in breast cancer cells of the mesenchymal phenotype and correlates with the expression of the mesenchymal marker Vimentin while being in inverse correlation with the epithelial marker E-cadherin. Furthermore, PARP3 expression is significantly upregulated during TGFβ-induced EMT in various human epithelial cells. In line with this observation, PARP3 depletion alters TGFβ-dependent EMT of mammary epithelial cells by preventing the induction of the Snail-E-cadherin axis, the dissolution of cell junctions, the acquisition of cell motility and chemoresistance. PARP3 responds to TGFβ-induced ROS to promote a TG2-Snail-E-cadherin axis during EMT. Considering the link between EMT and cancer stem cells, we show that PARP3 promotes stem-like cell properties in mammary epithelial and breast cancer cells by inducing the expression of the stem cell markers SOX2 and OCT4, by increasing the proportion of tumor initiating CD44high/CD24low population and the formation of tumor spheroid bodies, and by promoting stem cell self-renewal. These findings point to a novel role of PARP3 in the control of TGFβ-induced EMT and acquisition of stem-like cell features and further motivate efforts to identify PARP3 specific inhibitors.

Robust immunoglobulin class switch recombination and end joining in Parp9-deficient mice

To mount highly specific and adapted immune responses, B lymphocytes assemble and diversify their antibody repertoire through mechanisms involving the formation of programmed DNA damage. Immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR) is triggered by DNA lesions induced by activation-induced cytidine deaminase, which are processed to double-stranded DNA break (DSB) intermediates. These DSBs activate the cellular DNA damage response and enroll numerous DNA repair factors, involving poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases Parp1, Parp2, and Parp3 to promote appropriate DNA repair and efficient long-range recombination. The macroParp Parp9, which is overexpressed in certain lymphomas, has been recently implicated in DSB repair, acting together with Parp1. Here, we examine the contribution of Parp9 to the resolution of physiological DSBs incurred during V(D)J recombination and CSR by generating Parp9^-/- mice. We find that Parp9-deficient mice are viable, fertile, and do not show any overt phenotype. Moreover, we find that Parp9 is dispensable for B-cell development. Finally, we show that CSR and DNA end-joining are robust in the absence of Parp9, indicating that Parp9 is not essential in vivo to achieve physiological DSB repair, or that strong compensatory mechanisms exist.

Expanding functions of ADP-ribosylation in the maintenance of genome integrity

Cell response to genotoxic stress requires a complex network of sensors and effectors from numerous signaling and repair pathways, among them the nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) plays a central role. PARP1 is catalytically activated in the setting of DNA breaks. It uses NAD⁺ as a donor and catalyses the synthesis and subsequent covalent attachment of branched ADP-ribose polymers onto itself and various acceptor proteins to promote repair. Its inhibition is now considered as an efficient therapeutic strategy to potentiate the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy and radiation or to exploit synthetic lethality in tumours with defective homologous recombination mediated repair. Still, efforts made on understanding the role of PARylation in DNA repair continues to yield novel discoveries. Over the last years, our knowledge in this field has been particularly advanced by the discovery of novel biochemical and functional properties featuring PARP1, by the characterization of the other PARP family members and by the identification of a panel of enzymes capable of erasing poly(ADP-ribose). The aim of this review is to provide an overview of these newest findings and their relevance in genome surveillance.

PARPing for balance in the homeostasis of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation

Despite more than 50 years of research, the vast majority of the biology of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) still remains a gross mystery. Originally described to be a part of the DNA repair machinery, poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is synthesized immediately by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs, also known as ARTDs) upon DNA damage and then rapidly removed by degrading enzymes. PAR provides a delicate and spatiotemporal interaction scaffold for numerous target proteins. Thus, the multifaceted PARylation system, consisting of PAR itself and its synthesizers and erasers, plays diverse roles in the DNA damage response (DDR), in DNA repair, transcription, replication, chromatin remodelling, metabolism and cell death. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the biology of PARylation, focusing on the functionality and the activities of the PARPs' founding member PARP1/ARTD1, which is modulated by a variety of posttranslational modifications. We also discuss the homeostasis of PAR - a process which is maintained by the balance of PAR synthesizers and erasers. We aim to sensitize the scientific community to the complexity of PAR homeostasis. Finally, we provide some perspective on how future research could try to disentangle the biology of PARylation - perhaps the most sophisticated, but still intricate posttranslational modification described to date.