1
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Putnam CD, Kolodner RD. Insights into DNA cleavage by MutL homologs from analysis of conserved motifs in eukaryotic Mlh1. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300031. [PMID: 37424007 PMCID: PMC10530380 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300031] [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: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
MutL family proteins contain an N-terminal ATPase domain (NTD), an unstructured interdomain linker, and a C-terminal domain (CTD), which mediates constitutive dimerization between subunits and often contains an endonuclease active site. Most MutL homologs direct strand-specific DNA mismatch repair by cleaving the error-containing daughter DNA strand. The strand cleavage reaction is poorly understood; however, the structure of the endonuclease active site is consistent with a two- or three-metal ion cleavage mechanism. A motif required for this endonuclease activity is present in the unstructured linker of Mlh1 and is conserved in all eukaryotic Mlh1 proteins, except those from metamonads, which also lack the almost absolutely conserved Mlh1 C-terminal phenylalanine-glutamate-arginine-cysteine (FERC) sequence. We hypothesize that the cysteine in the FERC sequence is autoinhibitory, as it sequesters the active site. We further hypothesize that the evolutionary co-occurrence of the conserved linker motif with the FERC sequence indicates a functional interaction, possibly by linker motif-mediated displacement of the inhibitory cysteine. This role is consistent with available data for interactions between the linker motif with DNA and the CTDs in the vicinity of the active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Putnam
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research San Diego Branch, University of California School of Medicine, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0660
- Departments of Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0660
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California School of Medicine, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0660
| | - Richard D. Kolodner
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research San Diego Branch, University of California School of Medicine, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0660
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0660
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California School of Medicine, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0660
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0660
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2
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Firnau MB, Plotz G, Zeuzem S, Brieger A. Key role of phosphorylation sites in ATPase domain and Linker region of MLH1 for DNA binding and functionality of MutLα. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12503. [PMID: 37532794 PMCID: PMC10397344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39750-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
MutLα is essential for human DNA mismatch repair (MMR). It harbors a latent endonuclease, is responsible for recruitment of process associated proteins and is relevant for strand discrimination. Recently, we demonstrated that the MMR function of MutLα is regulated by phosphorylation of MLH1 at serine (S) 477. In the current study, we focused on S87 located in the ATPase domain of MLH1 and on S446, S456 and S477 located in its linker region. We analysed the phosphorylation-dependent impact of these amino acids on DNA binding, MMR ability and thermal stability of MutLα. We were able to demonstrate that phosphorylation at S87 of MLH1 inhibits DNA binding of MutLα. In addition, we detected that its MMR function seems to be regulated predominantly via phosphorylation of serines in the linker domain, which are also partially involved in the regulation of DNA binding. Furthermore, we found that the thermal stability of MutLα decreased in relation to its phosphorylation status implying that complete phosphorylation might lead to instability and degradation of MLH1. In summary, we showed here, for the first time, a phosphorylation-dependent regulation of DNA binding of MutLα and hypothesized that this might significantly impact its functional regulation during MMR in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- May-Britt Firnau
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Medical Clinic 1, Biomedical Research Laboratory, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Guido Plotz
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Medical Clinic 1, Biomedical Research Laboratory, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Medical Clinic 1, Biomedical Research Laboratory, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Angela Brieger
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Medical Clinic 1, Biomedical Research Laboratory, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
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3
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Wolf K, Kosinski J, Gibson TJ, Wesch N, Dötsch V, Genuardi M, Cordisco EL, Zeuzem S, Brieger A, Plotz G. A conserved motif in the disordered linker of human MLH1 is vital for DNA mismatch repair and its function is diminished by a cancer family mutation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6307-6320. [PMID: 37224528 PMCID: PMC10325900 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad418] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is essential for correction of DNA replication errors. Germline mutations of the human MMR gene MLH1 are the major cause of Lynch syndrome, a heritable cancer predisposition. In the MLH1 protein, a non-conserved, intrinsically disordered region connects two conserved, catalytically active structured domains of MLH1. This region has as yet been regarded as a flexible spacer, and missense alterations in this region have been considered non-pathogenic. However, we have identified and investigated a small motif (ConMot) in this linker which is conserved in eukaryotes. Deletion of the ConMot or scrambling of the motif abolished mismatch repair activity. A mutation from a cancer family within the motif (p.Arg385Pro) also inactivated MMR, suggesting that ConMot alterations can be causative for Lynch syndrome. Intriguingly, the mismatch repair defect of the ConMot variants could be restored by addition of a ConMot peptide containing the deleted sequence. This is the first instance of a DNA mismatch repair defect conferred by a mutation that can be overcome by addition of a small molecule. Based on the experimental data and AlphaFold2 predictions, we suggest that the ConMot may bind close to the C-terminal MLH1-PMS2 endonuclease and modulate its activation during the MMR process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60590, Germany
| | - Jan Kosinski
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), Hamburg, 22607, Germany
| | - Toby J Gibson
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Structural and Computational Biology Unit, Heidelberg, 69117, Germany
| | - Nicole Wesch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60438, Germany
| | - Volker Dötsch
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60438, Germany
| | - Maurizio Genuardi
- UOC Genetica Medica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome00168, Italy
| | - Emanuela Lucci Cordisco
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e di Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome00168, Italy
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60590, Germany
| | - Angela Brieger
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60590, Germany
| | - Guido Plotz
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, 60590, Germany
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4
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The unstructured linker of Mlh1 contains a motif required for endonuclease function which is mutated in cancers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2212870119. [PMID: 36215471 PMCID: PMC9586283 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2212870119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA mismatch repair (MMR) prevents mutations caused by DNA-replication errors and suppresses multiple types of cancers. During MMR, the Mlh1-Pms1 complex is recruited to mispair-containing DNA and nicks the newly replicated DNA strand, targeting it for degradation and resynthesis. Here, we identified an amino acid sequence within the unstructured linker of Mlh1 required for endonuclease activity. This sequence functioned when moved within the Mlh1 linker or when moved to the Pms1 linker. These results reveal a functional role for the intrinsically disordered region, which is conserved from yeast to humans and is mutated in cancer, suggesting that it organizes the catalytically active complex even though the required sequence can be distant from the active site. Eukaryotic DNA mismatch repair (MMR) depends on recruitment of the Mlh1-Pms1 endonuclease (human MLH1-PMS2) to mispaired DNA. Both Mlh1 and Pms1 contain a long unstructured linker that connects the N- and carboxyl-terminal domains. Here, we demonstrated the Mlh1 linker contains a conserved motif (Saccharomyces cerevisiae residues 391–415) required for MMR. The Mlh1-R401A,D403A-Pms1 linker motif mutant protein was defective for MMR and endonuclease activity in vitro, even though the conserved motif could be >750 Å from the carboxyl-terminal endonuclease active site or the N-terminal adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding site. Peptides encoding this motif inhibited wild-type Mlh1-Pms1 endonuclease activity. The motif functioned in vivo at different sites within the Mlh1 linker and within the Pms1 linker. Motif mutations in human cancers caused a loss-of-function phenotype when modeled in S. cerevisiae. These results suggest that the Mlh1 motif promotes the PCNA-activated endonuclease activity of Mlh1-Pms1 via interactions with DNA, PCNA, RFC, or other domains of the Mlh1-Pms1 complex.
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5
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Furman CM, Wang TY, Zhao Q, Yugandhar K, Yu H, Alani E. Handcuffing intrinsically disordered regions in Mlh1-Pms1 disrupts mismatch repair. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9327-9341. [PMID: 34390347 PMCID: PMC8450099 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) factor Mlh1–Pms1 contains long intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) whose exact functions remain elusive. We performed cross-linking mass spectrometry to identify interactions within Mlh1–Pms1 and used this information to insert FRB and FKBP dimerization domains into their IDRs. Baker's yeast strains bearing these constructs were grown with rapamycin to induce dimerization. A strain containing FRB and FKBP domains in the Mlh1 IDR displayed a complete defect in MMR when grown with rapamycin. but removing rapamycin restored MMR functions. Strains in which FRB was inserted into the IDR of one MLH subunit and FKBP into the other subunit were also MMR defective. The MLH complex containing FRB and FKBP domains in the Mlh1 IDR displayed a rapamycin-dependent defect in Mlh1–Pms1 endonuclease activity. In contrast, linking the Mlh1 and Pms1 IDRs through FRB-FKBP dimerization inappropriately activated Mlh1–Pms1 endonuclease activity. We conclude that dynamic and coordinated rearrangements of the MLH IDRs both positively and negatively regulate how the MLH complex acts in MMR. The application of the FRB-FKBP dimerization system to interrogate in vivo functions of a critical repair complex will be useful for probing IDRs in diverse enzymes and to probe transient loss of MMR on demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Furman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ting-Yi Wang
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Qiuye Zhao
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Kumar Yugandhar
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Haiyuan Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Eric Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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6
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Sanchez A, Reginato G, Cejka P. Crossover or non-crossover outcomes: tailored processing of homologous recombination intermediates. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 71:39-47. [PMID: 34293660 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
DNA breaks may arise accidentally in vegetative cells or in a programmed manner in meiosis. The usage of a DNA template makes homologous recombination potentially error-free, however, recombination is not always accurate. Cells possess a remarkable capacity to tailor processing of recombination intermediates to fulfill a particular need. Vegetatively growing cells aim to maintain genome stability and therefore repair accidental breaks largely accurately, using sister chromatids as templates, into mostly non-crossovers products. Recombination in meiotic cells is instead more likely to employ homologous chromosomes as templates and result in crossovers to allow proper chromosome segregation and promote genetic diversity. Here we review models explaining the processing of recombination intermediates in vegetative and meiotic cells and its regulation, with a focus on MLH1-MLH3-dependent crossing-over during meiotic recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Sanchez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giordano Reginato
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Petr Cejka
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland.
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7
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Furman CM, Elbashir R, Pannafino G, Clark NL, Alani E. Experimental exchange of paralogous domains in the MLH family provides evidence of sub-functionalization after gene duplication. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2021; 11:jkab111. [PMID: 33871573 PMCID: PMC8495741 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Baker's yeast contains a large number of duplicated genes; some function redundantly, whereas others have more specialized roles. We used the MLH family of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins as a model to better understand the steps that lead to gene specialization following a gene duplication event. We focused on two highly conserved yeast MLH proteins, Pms1 and Mlh3, with Pms1 having a major role in the repair of misincorporation events during DNA replication and Mlh3 acting to resolve recombination intermediates in meiosis to form crossovers. The baker's yeast Mlh3 and Pms1 proteins are significantly diverged (19% overall identity), suggesting that an extensive number of evolutionary steps, some major, others involving subtle refinements, took place to diversify the MLH proteins. Using phylogenetic and molecular approaches, we provide evidence that all three domains (N-terminal ATP binding, linker, C-terminal endonuclease/MLH interaction) in the MLH protein family are critical for conferring pathway specificity. Importantly, mlh3 alleles in the ATP binding and endonuclease domains improved MMR functions in strains lacking the Pms1 protein and did not disrupt Mlh3 meiotic functions. This ability for mlh3 alleles to complement the loss of Pms1 suggests that an ancestral Pms1/Mlh3 protein was capable of performing both MMR and crossover functions. Our strategy for analyzing MLH pathway specificity provides an approach to understand how paralogs have evolved to support distinct cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Furman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703, USA
| | - Ryan Elbashir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703, USA
| | - Gianno Pannafino
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703, USA
| | - Nathan L Clark
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Eric Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-2703, USA
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8
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Molecular basis of the dual role of the Mlh1-Mlh3 endonuclease in MMR and in meiotic crossover formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2022704118. [PMID: 34088835 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2022704118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In budding yeast, the MutL homolog heterodimer Mlh1-Mlh3 (MutLγ) plays a central role in the formation of meiotic crossovers. It is also involved in the repair of a subset of mismatches besides the main mismatch repair (MMR) endonuclease Mlh1-Pms1 (MutLα). The heterodimer interface and endonuclease sites of MutLγ and MutLα are located in their C-terminal domain (CTD). The molecular basis of MutLγ's dual roles in MMR and meiosis is not known. To better understand the specificity of MutLγ, we characterized the crystal structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MutLγ(CTD). Although MutLγ(CTD) presents overall similarities with MutLα(CTD), it harbors some rearrangement of the surface surrounding the active site, which indicates altered substrate preference. The last amino acids of Mlh1 participate in the Mlh3 endonuclease site as previously reported for Pms1. We characterized mlh1 alleles and showed a critical role of this Mlh1 extreme C terminus both in MMR and in meiotic recombination. We showed that the MutLγ(CTD) preferentially binds Holliday junctions, contrary to MutLα(CTD). We characterized Mlh3 positions on the N-terminal domain (NTD) and CTD that could contribute to the positioning of the NTD close to the CTD in the context of the full-length MutLγ. Finally, crystal packing revealed an assembly of MutLγ(CTD) molecules in filament structures. Mutation at the corresponding interfaces reduced crossover formation, suggesting that these superstructures may contribute to the oligomer formation proposed for MutLγ. This study defines clear divergent features between the MutL homologs and identifies, at the molecular level, their specialization toward MMR or meiotic recombination functions.
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9
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Roy JCL, Vitalo A, Andrew MA, Mota-Silva E, Kovalenko M, Burch Z, Nhu AM, Cohen PE, Grabczyk E, Wheeler VC, Mouro Pinto R. Somatic CAG expansion in Huntington's disease is dependent on the MLH3 endonuclease domain, which can be excluded via splice redirection. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:3907-3918. [PMID: 33751106 PMCID: PMC8053082 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic expansion of the CAG repeat tract that causes Huntington's disease (HD) is thought to contribute to the rate of disease pathogenesis. Therefore, factors influencing repeat expansion are potential therapeutic targets. Genes in the DNA mismatch repair pathway are critical drivers of somatic expansion in HD mouse models. Here, we have tested, using genetic and pharmacological approaches, the role of the endonuclease domain of the mismatch repair protein MLH3 in somatic CAG expansion in HD mice and patient cells. A point mutation in the MLH3 endonuclease domain completely eliminated CAG expansion in the brain and peripheral tissues of a HD knock-in mouse model (HttQ111). To test whether the MLH3 endonuclease could be manipulated pharmacologically, we delivered splice switching oligonucleotides in mice to redirect Mlh3 splicing to exclude the endonuclease domain. Splice redirection to an isoform lacking the endonuclease domain was associated with reduced CAG expansion. Finally, CAG expansion in HD patient-derived primary fibroblasts was also significantly reduced by redirecting MLH3 splicing to the endogenous endonuclease domain-lacking isoform. These data indicate the potential of targeting the MLH3 endonuclease domain to slow somatic CAG repeat expansion in HD, a therapeutic strategy that may be applicable across multiple repeat expansion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennie C L Roy
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Antonia Vitalo
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marissa A Andrew
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Eduarda Mota-Silva
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Marina Kovalenko
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Zoe Burch
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Anh M Nhu
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.,Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ed Grabczyk
- Department of Genetics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Vanessa C Wheeler
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ricardo Mouro Pinto
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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10
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Pannafino G, Alani E. Coordinated and Independent Roles for MLH Subunits in DNA Repair. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040948. [PMID: 33923939 PMCID: PMC8074049 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The MutL family of DNA mismatch repair proteins (MMR) acts to maintain genomic integrity in somatic and meiotic cells. In baker’s yeast, the MutL homolog (MLH) MMR proteins form three heterodimeric complexes, MLH1-PMS1, MLH1-MLH2, and MLH1-MLH3. The recent discovery of human PMS2 (homolog of baker’s yeast PMS1) and MLH3 acting independently of human MLH1 in the repair of somatic double-strand breaks questions the assumption that MLH1 is an obligate subunit for MLH function. Here we provide a summary of the canonical roles for MLH factors in DNA genomic maintenance and in meiotic crossover. We then present the phenotypes of cells lacking specific MLH subunits, particularly in meiotic recombination, and based on this analysis, propose a model for an independent early role for MLH3 in meiosis to promote the accurate segregation of homologous chromosomes in the meiosis I division.
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11
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Structural and functional characterization of the Spo11 core complex. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2021; 28:92-102. [PMID: 33398171 PMCID: PMC7855791 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-00534-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Spo11, which makes DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) essential for meiotic recombination, has long been recalcitrant to biochemical study. We provide molecular analysis of S. cerevisiae Spo11 purified with partners Rec102, Rec104 and Ski8. Rec102 and Rec104 jointly resemble the B subunit of archaeal Topoisomerase VI, with Rec104 occupying a position similar to the Top6B GHKL-type ATPase domain. Unexpectedly, the Spo11 complex is monomeric (1:1:1:1 stoichiometry), consistent with dimerization controlling DSB formation. Reconstitution of DNA binding reveals topoisomerase-like preferences for duplex-duplex junctions and bent DNA. Spo11 also binds noncovalently but with high affinity to DNA ends mimicking cleavage products, suggesting a mechanism to cap DSB ends. Mutations that reduce DNA binding in vitro attenuate DSB formation, alter DSB processing, and reshape the DSB landscape in vivo. Our data reveal structural and functional similarities between the Spo11 core complex and Topo VI, but also highlight differences reflecting their distinct biological roles.
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12
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PCNA activates the MutLγ endonuclease to promote meiotic crossing over. Nature 2020; 586:623-627. [PMID: 32814343 PMCID: PMC8284803 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2645-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
During meiosis, crossover recombination connects homologous chromosomes to direct their accurate segregation1. Defective crossing over causes infertility, miscarriage and congenital disease. Each pair of chromosomes attains at least one crossover via the formation and biased resolution of recombination intermediates known as double Holliday junctions2,3. A central principle of crossover resolution is that the two Holliday junctions are resolved in opposite planes by targeting nuclease incisions to specific DNA strands4. The endonuclease activity of the MutLγ complex has been implicated in the resolution of crossovers5-10, but the mechanisms that activate and direct strand-specific cleavage remain unknown. Here we show that the sliding clamp PCNA is important for crossover-biased resolution. In vitro assays with human enzymes show that PCNA and its loader RFC are sufficient to activate the MutLγ endonuclease. MutLγ is further stimulated by a co-dependent activity of the pro-crossover factors EXO1 and MutSγ, the latter of which binds Holliday junctions11. MutLγ also binds various branched DNAs, including Holliday junctions, but does not show canonical resolvase activity, implying that the endonuclease incises adjacent to junction branch points to achieve resolution. In vivo, RFC facilitates MutLγ-dependent crossing over in budding yeast. Furthermore, PCNA localizes to prospective crossover sites along synapsed chromosomes. These data highlight similarities between crossover resolution and the initiation steps of DNA mismatch repair12,13 and evoke a novel model for crossover-specific resolution of double Holliday junctions during meiosis.
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13
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Regulation of the MLH1-MLH3 endonuclease in meiosis. Nature 2020; 586:618-622. [PMID: 32814904 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2592-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During prophase of the first meiotic division, cells deliberately break their DNA1. These DNA breaks are repaired by homologous recombination, which facilitates proper chromosome segregation and enables the reciprocal exchange of DNA segments between homologous chromosomes2. A pathway that depends on the MLH1-MLH3 (MutLγ) nuclease has been implicated in the biased processing of meiotic recombination intermediates into crossovers by an unknown mechanism3-7. Here we have biochemically reconstituted key elements of this pro-crossover pathway. We show that human MSH4-MSH5 (MutSγ), which supports crossing over8, binds branched recombination intermediates and associates with MutLγ, stabilizing the ensemble at joint molecule structures and adjacent double-stranded DNA. MutSγ directly stimulates DNA cleavage by the MutLγ endonuclease. MutLγ activity is further stimulated by EXO1, but only when MutSγ is present. Replication factor C (RFC) and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are additional components of the nuclease ensemble, thereby triggering crossing-over. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains in which MutLγ cannot interact with PCNA present defects in forming crossovers. Finally, the MutLγ-MutSγ-EXO1-RFC-PCNA nuclease ensemble preferentially cleaves DNA with Holliday junctions, but shows no canonical resolvase activity. Instead, it probably processes meiotic recombination intermediates by nicking double-stranded DNA adjacent to the junction points9. As DNA nicking by MutLγ depends on its co-factors, the asymmetric distribution of MutSγ and RFC-PCNA on meiotic recombination intermediates may drive biased DNA cleavage. This mode of MutLγ nuclease activation might explain crossover-specific processing of Holliday junctions or their precursors in meiotic chromosomes4.
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Furman CM, Elbashir R, Alani E. Expanded roles for the MutL family of DNA mismatch repair proteins. Yeast 2020; 38:39-53. [PMID: 32652606 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The MutL family of DNA mismatch repair proteins plays a critical role in excising and repairing misincorporation errors during DNA replication. In many eukaryotes, members of this family have evolved to modulate and resolve recombination intermediates into crossovers during meiosis. In these organisms, such functions promote the accurate segregation of chromosomes during the meiosis I division. What alterations occurred in MutL homolog (MLH) family members that enabled them to acquire these new roles? In this review, we present evidence that the yeast Mlh1-Mlh3 and Mlh1-Mlh2 complexes have evolved novel enzymatic and nonenzymatic activities and protein-protein interactions that are critical for their meiotic functions. Curiously, even with these changes, these complexes retain backup and accessory roles in DNA mismatch repair during vegetative growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Furman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Elbashir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Eric Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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15
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Peterson SE, Keeney S, Jasin M. Mechanistic Insight into Crossing over during Mouse Meiosis. Mol Cell 2020; 78:1252-1263.e3. [PMID: 32362315 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Crossover recombination is critical for meiotic chromosome segregation, but how mammalian crossing over is accomplished is poorly understood. Here, we illuminate how strands exchange during meiotic recombination in male mice by analyzing patterns of heteroduplex DNA in recombinant molecules preserved by the mismatch correction deficiency of Msh2-/- mutants. Surprisingly, MSH2-dependent recombination suppression was not evident. However, a substantial fraction of crossover products retained heteroduplex DNA, and some provided evidence of MSH2-independent correction. Biased crossover resolution was observed, consistent with asymmetry between DNA ends in earlier intermediates. Many crossover products yielded no heteroduplex DNA, suggesting dismantling by D-loop migration. Unlike the complexity of crossovers in yeast, these simple modifications of the original double-strand break repair model-asymmetry in recombination intermediates and D-loop migration-may be sufficient to explain most meiotic crossing over in mice while also addressing long-standing questions related to Holliday junction resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun E Peterson
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott Keeney
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maria Jasin
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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Resolvases, Dissolvases, and Helicases in Homologous Recombination: Clearing the Road for Chromosome Segregation. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11010071. [PMID: 31936378 PMCID: PMC7017083 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The execution of recombinational pathways during the repair of certain DNA lesions or in the meiotic program is associated to the formation of joint molecules that physically hold chromosomes together. These structures must be disengaged prior to the onset of chromosome segregation. Failure in the resolution of these linkages can lead to chromosome breakage and nondisjunction events that can alter the normal distribution of the genomic material to the progeny. To avoid this situation, cells have developed an arsenal of molecular complexes involving helicases, resolvases, and dissolvases that recognize and eliminate chromosome links. The correct orchestration of these enzymes promotes the timely removal of chromosomal connections ensuring the efficient segregation of the genome during cell division. In this review, we focus on the role of different DNA processing enzymes that collaborate in removing the linkages generated during the activation of the homologous recombination machinery as a consequence of the appearance of DNA breaks during the mitotic and meiotic programs. We will also discuss about the temporal regulation of these factors along the cell cycle, the consequences of their loss of function, and their specific role in the removal of chromosomal links to ensure the accurate segregation of the genomic material during cell division.
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17
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Sheppard EC, Rogers S, Harmer NJ, Chahwan R. A universal fluorescence-based toolkit for real-time quantification of DNA and RNA nuclease activity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8853. [PMID: 31222049 PMCID: PMC6586798 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45356-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA and RNA nucleases play a critical role in a growing number of cellular processes ranging from DNA repair to immune surveillance. Nevertheless, many nucleases have unknown or poorly characterized activities. Elucidating nuclease substrate specificities and co-factors can support a more definitive understanding of cellular mechanisms in physiology and disease. Using fluorescence-based methods, we present a quick, safe, cost-effective, and real-time versatile nuclease assay, which uniquely studies nuclease enzyme kinetics. In conjunction with a substrate library we can now analyse nuclease catalytic rates, directionality, and substrate preferences. The assay is sensitive enough to detect kinetics of repair enzymes when confronted with DNA mismatches or DNA methylation sites. We have also extended our analysis to study the kinetics of human single-strand DNA nuclease TREX2, DNA polymerases, RNA, and RNA:DNA nucleases. These nucleases are involved in DNA repair, immune regulation, and have been associated with various diseases, including cancer and immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Sheppard
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Sally Rogers
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Nicholas J Harmer
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Richard Chahwan
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK. .,Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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18
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Toledo M, Sun X, Brieño-Enríquez MA, Raghavan V, Gray S, Pea J, Milano CR, Venkatesh A, Patel L, Borst PL, Alani E, Cohen PE. A mutation in the endonuclease domain of mouse MLH3 reveals novel roles for MutLγ during crossover formation in meiotic prophase I. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008177. [PMID: 31170160 PMCID: PMC6588253 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During meiotic prophase I, double-strand breaks (DSBs) initiate homologous recombination leading to non-crossovers (NCOs) and crossovers (COs). In mouse, 10% of DSBs are designated to become COs, primarily through a pathway dependent on the MLH1-MLH3 heterodimer (MutLγ). Mlh3 contains an endonuclease domain that is critical for resolving COs in yeast. We generated a mouse (Mlh3DN/DN) harboring a mutation within this conserved domain that is predicted to generate a protein that is catalytically inert. Mlh3DN/DN males, like fully null Mlh3-/- males, have no spermatozoa and are infertile, yet spermatocytes have grossly normal DSBs and synapsis events in early prophase I. Unlike Mlh3-/- males, mutation of the endonuclease domain within MLH3 permits normal loading and frequency of MutLγ in pachynema. However, key DSB repair factors (RAD51) and mediators of CO pathway choice (BLM helicase) persist into pachynema in Mlh3DN/DN males, indicating a temporal delay in repair events and revealing a mechanism by which alternative DSB repair pathways may be selected. While Mlh3DN/DN spermatocytes retain only 22% of wildtype chiasmata counts, this frequency is greater than observed in Mlh3-/- males (10%), suggesting that the allele may permit partial endonuclease activity, or that other pathways can generate COs from these MutLγ-defined repair intermediates in Mlh3DN/DN males. Double mutant mice homozygous for the Mlh3DN/DN and Mus81-/- mutations show losses in chiasmata close to those observed in Mlh3-/- males, indicating that the MUS81-EME1-regulated crossover pathway can only partially account for the increased residual chiasmata in Mlh3DN/DN spermatocytes. Our data demonstrate that mouse spermatocytes bearing the MLH1-MLH3DN/DN complex display the proper loading of factors essential for CO resolution (MutSγ, CDK2, HEI10, MutLγ). Despite these functions, mice bearing the Mlh3DN/DN allele show defects in the repair of meiotic recombination intermediates and a loss of most chiasmata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Toledo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- The Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Xianfei Sun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Miguel A. Brieño-Enríquez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- The Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Vandana Raghavan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Stephen Gray
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- The Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Pea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- The Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Carolyn R. Milano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- The Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Anita Venkatesh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Lekha Patel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Peter L. Borst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- The Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Eric Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Paula E. Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- The Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
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19
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Kim Y, Furman CM, Manhart CM, Alani E, Finkelstein I. Intrinsically disordered regions regulate both catalytic and non-catalytic activities of the MutLα mismatch repair complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:1823-1835. [PMID: 30541127 PMCID: PMC6393296 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are present in at least 30% of the eukaryotic proteome and are enriched in chromatin-associated proteins. Using a combination of genetics, biochemistry and single-molecule biophysics, we characterize how IDRs regulate the functions of the yeast MutLα (Mlh1-Pms1) mismatch repair (MMR) complex. Shortening or scrambling the IDRs in both subunits ablates MMR in vivo. Mlh1-Pms1 complexes with shorter IDRs that disrupt MMR retain wild-type DNA binding affinity but are impaired for diffusion on both naked and nucleosome-coated DNA. Moreover, the IDRs also regulate the adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis and nuclease activities that are encoded in the structured N- and C-terminal domains of the complex. This combination of phenotypes underlies the catastrophic MMR defect seen with the mutant MutLα in vivo. More broadly, this work highlights an unanticipated multi-functional role for IDRs in regulating both facilitated diffusion on chromatin and nucleolytic processing of a DNA substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoori Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Christopher M Furman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Carol M Manhart
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Eric Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ilya J Finkelstein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
- Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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20
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Marsolier-Kergoat MC, Khan MM, Schott J, Zhu X, Llorente B. Mechanistic View and Genetic Control of DNA Recombination during Meiosis. Mol Cell 2019; 70:9-20.e6. [PMID: 29625041 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Meiotic recombination is essential for fertility and allelic shuffling. Canonical recombination models fail to capture the observed complexity of meiotic recombinants. Here, by combining genome-wide meiotic heteroduplex DNA patterns with meiotic DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites, we show that part of this complexity results from frequent template switching during synthesis-dependent strand annealing that yields noncrossovers and from branch migration of double Holliday junction (dHJ)-containing intermediates that mainly yield crossovers. This complexity also results from asymmetric positioning of crossover intermediates relative to the initiating DSB and Msh2-independent conversions promoted by the suspected dHJ resolvase Mlh1-3 as well as Exo1 and Sgs1. Finally, we show that dHJ resolution is biased toward cleavage of the pair of strands containing newly synthesized DNA near the junctions and that this bias can be decoupled from the crossover-biased dHJ resolution. These properties are likely conserved in eukaryotes containing ZMM proteins, which includes mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Marsolier-Kergoat
- CEA/DRF, I2BC/UMR 9198, SBIGeM, Gif-sur-Yvette, France; CNRS-UMR 7206, Éco-anthropologie et Ethnobiologie, Musée de l'Homme, 17, Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, Paris, France.
| | - Md Muntaz Khan
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille, CNRS UMR7258, INSERM U1068, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université UM105, Marseille, France
| | - Jonathan Schott
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille, CNRS UMR7258, INSERM U1068, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université UM105, Marseille, France
| | - Xuan Zhu
- Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bertrand Llorente
- Cancer Research Center of Marseille, CNRS UMR7258, INSERM U1068, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille Université UM105, Marseille, France.
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Piazza A, Heyer WD. Multi-Invasion-Induced Rearrangements as a Pathway for Physiological and Pathological Recombination. Bioessays 2018; 40:e1700249. [PMID: 29578583 PMCID: PMC6072258 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cells mitigate the detrimental consequences of DNA damage on genome stability by attempting high fidelity repair. Homologous recombination templates DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair on an identical or near identical donor sequence in a process that can in principle access the entire genome. Other physiological processes, such as homolog recognition and pairing during meiosis, also harness the HR machinery using programmed DSBs to physically link homologs and generate crossovers. A consequence of the homology search process by a long nucleoprotein filament is the formation of multi-invasions (MI), a joint molecule in which the damaged ssDNA has invaded more than one donor molecule. Processing of MI joint molecules can compromise the integrity of both donor sites and lead to their rearrangement. Here, two mechanisms for the generation of rearrangements as a pathological consequence of MI processing are detailed and the potential relevance for non-allelic homologous recombination discussed. Finally, it is proposed that MI-induced crossover formation may be a feature of physiological recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurèle Piazza
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Spatial Regulation of Genomes, Department of Genomes and Genetics, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Wolf-Dietrich Heyer
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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22
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Al-Sweel N, Raghavan V, Dutta A, Ajith VP, Di Vietro L, Khondakar N, Manhart CM, Surtees JA, Nishant KT, Alani E. mlh3 mutations in baker's yeast alter meiotic recombination outcomes by increasing noncrossover events genome-wide. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006974. [PMID: 28827832 PMCID: PMC5578695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mlh1-Mlh3 is an endonuclease hypothesized to act in meiosis to resolve double Holliday junctions into crossovers. It also plays a minor role in eukaryotic DNA mismatch repair (MMR). To understand how Mlh1-Mlh3 functions in both meiosis and MMR, we analyzed in baker’s yeast 60 new mlh3 alleles. Five alleles specifically disrupted MMR, whereas one (mlh3-32) specifically disrupted meiotic crossing over. Mlh1-mlh3 representatives for each class were purified and characterized. Both Mlh1-mlh3-32 (MMR+, crossover-) and Mlh1-mlh3-45 (MMR-, crossover+) displayed wild-type endonuclease activities in vitro. Msh2-Msh3, an MSH complex that acts with Mlh1-Mlh3 in MMR, stimulated the endonuclease activity of Mlh1-mlh3-32 but not Mlh1-mlh3-45, suggesting that Mlh1-mlh3-45 is defective in MSH interactions. Whole genome recombination maps were constructed for wild-type and MMR+ crossover-, MMR- crossover+, endonuclease defective and null mlh3 mutants in an S288c/YJM789 hybrid background. Compared to wild-type, all of the mlh3 mutants showed increases in the number of noncrossover events, consistent with recombination intermediates being resolved through alternative recombination pathways. Our observations provide a structure-function map for Mlh3 that reveals the importance of protein-protein interactions in regulating Mlh1-Mlh3’s enzymatic activity. They also illustrate how defective meiotic components can alter the fate of meiotic recombination intermediates, providing new insights for how meiotic recombination pathways are regulated. During meiosis, diploid germ cells that become eggs or sperm undergo a single round of DNA replication followed by two consecutive chromosomal divisions. The segregation of chromosomes at the first meiotic division is dependent in most organisms on at least one genetic exchange, or crossover event, between chromosome homologs. Homologs that do not receive a crossover frequently undergo nondisjunction at the first meiotic division, yielding gametes that lack chromosomes or contain additional copies. Such events have been linked to human disease and infertility. Recent studies suggest that the Mlh1-Mlh3 complex is an endonuclease that resolves recombination intermediates into crossovers. Interestingly, this complex also acts as a matchmaker in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) to remove DNA replication errors. How does one complex act in two different processes? We investigated this question by performing a mutational analysis of the baker’s yeast Mlh3 protein. Five mutations were identified that disrupted MMR but not crossing over, and one mutation disrupted crossing over while maintaining MMR. Using a combination of biochemical and genetic analyses to further characterize these mutants we illustrate the importance of protein-protein interactions for Mlh1-Mlh3’s activity. Importantly, our data illustrate how defective meiotic components can alter the outcome of meiotic recombination events. They also provide new insights for the basis of infertility syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najla Al-Sweel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Vandana Raghavan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Abhishek Dutta
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum, India
| | - V. P. Ajith
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum, India
| | - Luigi Di Vietro
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Verdi, Turin, Italy
| | - Nabila Khondakar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Carol M. Manhart
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. Surtees
- Department of Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - K. T. Nishant
- School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum, India
- Center for Computation Modelling and Simulation, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum, India
- * E-mail: (EA); (KTN)
| | - Eric Alani
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EA); (KTN)
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