SUMOylation and PARylation cooperate to recruit and stabilize SLX4 at DNA damage sites

SUMO and the DNA damage response

The preservation of genome integrity requires specialised DNA damage repair (DDR) signalling pathways to respond to each type of DNA damage. A key feature of DDR is the integration of numerous post-translational modification signals with DNA repair factors. These modifications influence DDR factor recruitment to damaged DNA, activity, protein-protein interactions, and ultimately eviction to enable access for subsequent repair factors or termination of DDR signalling. SUMO1-3 (small ubiquitin-like modifier 1-3) conjugation has gained much recent attention. The SUMO-modified proteome is enriched with DNA repair factors. Here we provide a snapshot of our current understanding of how SUMO signalling impacts the major DNA repair pathways in mammalian cells. We highlight repeating themes of SUMO signalling used throughout DNA repair pathways including the assembly of protein complexes, competition with ubiquitin to promote DDR factor stability and ubiquitin-dependent degradation or extraction of SUMOylated DDR factors. As SUMO 'addiction' in cancer cells is protective to genomic integrity, targeting components of the SUMO machinery to potentiate DNA damaging therapy or exacerbate existing DNA repair defects is a promising area of study.

Telomeres cooperate with the nuclear envelope to maintain genome stability

Mammalian telomeres have evolved safeguards to prevent their recognition as DNA double-stranded breaks by suppressing the activation of various DNA sensing and repair proteins. We have shown that the telomere-binding proteins TRF2 and RAP1 cooperate to prevent telomeres from undergoing aberrant homology-directed recombination by mediating t-loop protection. Our recent findings also suggest that mammalian telomere-binding proteins interact with the nuclear envelope to maintain chromosome stability. RAP1 interacts with nuclear lamins through KU70/KU80, and disruption of RAP1 and TRF2 function result in nuclear envelope rupture, promoting telomere-telomere recombination to form structures termed ultrabright telomeres. In this review, we discuss the importance of the interactions between shelterin components and the nuclear envelope to maintain telomere homeostasis and genome stability.

On the Prevalence and Roles of Proteins Undergoing Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation in the Biogenesis of PML-Bodies

The formation and function of membrane-less organelles (MLOs) is one of the main driving forces in the molecular life of the cell. These processes are based on the separation of biopolymers into phases regulated by multiple specific and nonspecific inter- and intramolecular interactions. Among the realm of MLOs, a special place is taken by the promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs or PML bodies), which are the intranuclear compartments involved in the regulation of cellular metabolism, transcription, the maintenance of genome stability, responses to viral infection, apoptosis, and tumor suppression. According to the accepted models, specific interactions, such as SUMO/SIM, the formation of disulfide bonds, etc., play a decisive role in the biogenesis of PML bodies. In this work, a number of bioinformatics approaches were used to study proteins found in the proteome of PML bodies for their tendency for spontaneous liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which is usually caused by weak nonspecific interactions. A total of 205 proteins found in PML bodies have been identified. It has been suggested that UBC9, P53, HIPK2, and SUMO1 can be considered as the scaffold proteins of PML bodies. It was shown that more than half of the proteins in the analyzed proteome are capable of spontaneous LLPS, with 85% of the analyzed proteins being intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and the remaining 15% being proteins with intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs). About 44% of all proteins analyzed in this study contain SUMO binding sites and can potentially be SUMOylated. These data suggest that weak nonspecific interactions play a significantly larger role in the formation and biogenesis of PML bodies than previously expected.

SENP6 regulates localization and nuclear condensation of DNA damage response proteins by group deSUMOylation

The SUMO protease SENP6 maintains genomic stability, but mechanistic understanding of this process remains limited. We find that SENP6 deconjugates SUMO2/3 polymers on a group of DNA damage response proteins, including BRCA1-BARD1, 53BP1, BLM and ERCC1-XPF. SENP6 maintains these proteins in a hypo-SUMOylated state under unstressed conditions and counteracts their polySUMOylation after hydroxyurea-induced stress. Co-depletion of RNF4 leads to a further increase in SUMOylation of BRCA1, BARD1 and BLM, suggesting that SENP6 antagonizes targeting of these proteins by RNF4. Functionally, depletion of SENP6 results in uncoordinated recruitment and persistence of SUMO2/3 at UVA laser and ionizing radiation induced DNA damage sites. Additionally, SUMO2/3 and DNA damage response proteins accumulate in nuclear bodies, in a PML-independent manner driven by multivalent SUMO-SIM interactions. These data illustrate coordinated regulation of SUMOylated DNA damage response proteins by SENP6, governing their timely localization at DNA damage sites and nuclear condensation state.

PARP Inhibitors and Proteins Interacting with SLX4

PARP inhibitors are small molecules currently used with success in the treatment of certain cancer patients. Their action was first shown to be specific to cells with DNA repair deficiencies, such as BRCA-mutant cancers. However, recent work has suggested clinical interest of these drugs beyond this group of patients. Preclinical data on relationships between the activity of PARP inhibitors and other proteins involved in DNA repair exist, and this review will only highlight findings on the SLX4 protein and its interacting protein partners. As suggested from these available data and depending on further validations, new treatment strategies could be developed in order to broaden the use for PARP inhibitors in cancer patients.

Regulation of Mus81-Eme1 structure-specific endonuclease by Eme1 SUMO-binding and Rad3ATR kinase is essential in the absence of Rqh1BLM helicase

The Mus81-Eme1 structure-specific endonuclease is crucial for the processing of DNA recombination and late replication intermediates. In fission yeast, stimulation of Mus81-Eme1 in response to DNA damage at the G2/M transition relies on Cdc2^CDK1 and DNA damage checkpoint-dependent phosphorylation of Eme1 and is critical for chromosome stability in absence of the Rqh1^BLM helicase. Here we identify Rad3^ATR checkpoint kinase consensus phosphorylation sites and two SUMO interacting motifs (SIM) within a short N-terminal domain of Eme1 that is required for cell survival in absence of Rqh1^BLM. We show that direct phosphorylation of Eme1 by Rad3^ATR is essential for catalytic stimulation of Mus81-Eme1. Chk1-mediated phosphorylation also contributes to the stimulation of Mus81-Eme1 when combined with phosphorylation of Eme1 by Rad3^ATR. Both Rad3^ATR- and Chk1-mediated phosphorylation of Eme1 as well as the SIMs are critical for cell fitness in absence of Rqh1^BLM and abrogating bimodal phosphorylation of Eme1 along with mutating the SIMs is incompatible with rqh1Δ cell viability. Our findings unravel an elaborate regulatory network that relies on the poorly structured N-terminal domain of Eme1 and which is essential for the vital functions Mus81-Eme1 fulfills in absence of Rqh1^BLM.

Structure-Specific Endonucleases (SSEs) are DNA cutting enzymes that process structures that form during DNA replication, recombination, repair and transcription. Their activities need to be tightly controlled to avoid that unscheduled DNA cutting drives genome instability. The fission yeast SSE Mus81-Eme1 specialized in the processing of DNA structures that link chromosomes, undergoes timely hyperactivation just before chromosome segregation. This involves cell cycle-driven phosphorylation of Eme1, which primes the protein for further phosphorylation by the DNA damage checkpoint. Here we discover that Eme1 is phosphorylated by the DNA damage sensor kinase Rad3^ATR and demonstrate that this is essential for the stimulation of Mus81-Eme1. Phosphorylation by the downstream effector Chk1 kinase is also required for full-fledged stimulation of Mus81-Eme1 but requires that Eme1 is also phosphorylated by Rad3^ATR. In parallel, we show that Eme1 binds the small SUMO protein that modulates the functions/destiny of proteins to which it is attached. Interestingly, we provide evidence that these SUMO-binding properties contribute to the control of Mus81-Eme1 only in part through modulation of its activity. The importance of these different regulatory layers is underscored by the fact that together they are essential for cell viability in absence of the Rqh1^BLM helicase, which is related to the BLM helicase defective in highly cancer prone Bloom syndrome patients.

Functions of ADP-ribose transferases in the maintenance of telomere integrity

The ADP-ribose transferase (ART) family comprises 17 enzymes that catalyze mono- or poly-ADP-ribosylation, a post-translational modification of proteins. Present in all subcellular compartments, ARTs are implicated in a growing number of biological processes including DNA repair, replication, transcription regulation, intra- and extra-cellular signaling, viral infection and cell death. Five members of the family, PARP1, PARP2, PARP3, tankyrase 1 and tankyrase 2 are mainly described for their crucial functions in the maintenance of genome stability. It is well established that the most describedrole of PARP1, 2 and 3 is the repair of DNA lesions while tankyrases 1 and 2 are crucial for maintaining the integrity of telomeres. Telomeres, nucleoprotein complexes located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, utilize their unique structure and associated set of proteins to orchestrate the mechanisms necessary for their own protection and replication. While the functions of tankyrases 1 and 2 at telomeres are well known, several studies have also brought PARP1, 2 and 3 to the forefront of telomere protection. The singular quality of the telomeric environment has highlighted protein interactions and molecular pathways distinct from those described throughout the genome. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the multiple roles of PARP1, PARP2, PARP3, tankyrase 1 and tankyrase 2 in the maintenance and preservation of telomere integrity.

SLX4 dampens MutSα-dependent mismatch repair

The tumour suppressor SLX4 plays multiple roles in the maintenance of genome stability, acting as a scaffold for structure-specific endonucleases and other DNA repair proteins. It directly interacts with the mismatch repair (MMR) protein MSH2 but the significance of this interaction remained unknown until recent findings showing that MutSβ (MSH2-MSH3) stimulates in vitro the SLX4-dependent Holliday junction resolvase activity. Here, we characterize the mode of interaction between SLX4 and MSH2, which relies on an MSH2-interacting peptide (SHIP box) that drives interaction of SLX4 with both MutSβ and MutSα (MSH2-MSH6). While we show that this MSH2 binding domain is dispensable for the well-established role of SLX4 in interstrand crosslink repair, we find that it mediates inhibition of MutSα-dependent MMR by SLX4, unravelling an unanticipated function of SLX4.

SUMOylation regulates the number and size of promyelocytic leukemia-nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) and arsenic perturbs SUMO dynamics on PML by insolubilizing PML in THP-1 cells

The functional roles of protein modification by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins are not well understood compared to ubiquitination. Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) proteins are good substrates for SUMOylation, and PML-nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) may function as a platform for the PML SUMOylation. PML proteins are rapidly modified both with SUMO2/3 and SUMO1 after exposure to arsenite (As³⁺) and SUMOylated PML are further ubiquitinated and degraded by proteasomes. However, effects of As³⁺ on SUMO dynamics on PML-NBs are not well investigated. In the present study, we report that (1) the number and size of PML-NBs were regulated by SUMO E1-activating enzyme, (2) SUMO2/3 co-localized with PML irrespective of As³⁺ exposure and was restricted to PML-nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) via covalent binding in response to As³⁺, and (3) As³⁺-induced biochemical changes in PML were not modulated by ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in THP-1 cells. Undifferentiated and differentiated THP-1 cells responded to As³⁺ similarly and PML proteins were changed from the detergent soluble to the insoluble form and further SUMOylated with SUMO2/3 and SUMO1. ML792, a SUMO E1 inhibitor, decreased the number of PML-NBs and reciprocally increased the size irrespective of exposure to As³⁺, which itself slightly decrease both the number and size of PML-NBs. TAK243, a ubiquitin E1 inhibitor, did not change the PML-NBs, while SUMOylated proteins accumulated in the TAK243-exposed cells. Proteasome inhibitors did not change the As³⁺-induced SUMOylation levels of PML. Co-localization and further restriction of SUMO2/3 to PML-NBs were confirmed by PML-transfected CHO-K1 cells. Collectively, SUMOylation regulates PML-NBs and As³⁺ restricts SUMO dynamics on PML by changing its solubility.

Exploring the Structures and Functions of Macromolecular SLX4-Nuclease Complexes in Genome Stability

All organisms depend on the ability of cells to accurately duplicate and segregate DNA into progeny. However, DNA is frequently damaged by factors in the environment and from within cells. One of the most dangerous lesions is a DNA double-strand break. Unrepaired breaks are a major driving force for genome instability. Cells contain sophisticated DNA repair networks to counteract the harmful effects of genotoxic agents, thus safeguarding genome integrity. Homologous recombination is a high-fidelity, template-dependent DNA repair pathway essential for the accurate repair of DNA nicks, gaps and double-strand breaks. Accurate homologous recombination depends on the ability of cells to remove branched DNA structures that form during repair, which is achieved through the opposing actions of helicases and structure-selective endonucleases. This review focuses on a structure-selective endonuclease called SLX1-SLX4 and the macromolecular endonuclease complexes that assemble on the SLX4 scaffold. First, we discuss recent developments that illuminate the structure and biochemical properties of this somewhat atypical structure-selective endonuclease. We then summarize the multifaceted roles that are fulfilled by human SLX1-SLX4 and its associated endonucleases in homologous recombination and genome stability. Finally, we discuss recent work on SLX4-binding proteins that may represent integral components of these macromolecular nuclease complexes, emphasizing the structure and function of a protein called SLX4IP.

DNA replication stress and emerging prospects for PARG inhibitors in ovarian cancer therapy

Poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation has central functions in maintaining genome stability, including facilitating DNA replication and repair. In cancer cells these processes are frequently disrupted, and thus interfering with poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation can exacerbate inherent genome instability and induce selective cytotoxicity. Indeed, inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) are having a major clinical impact in treating women with BRCA-mutant ovarian cancer, based on a defect in homologous recombination. However, only around half of ovarian cancers harbour defects in homologous recombination, and most sensitive tumours eventually acquire PARP inhibitor resistance with treatment. Thus, there is a pressing need to develop alternative treatment strategies to target tumours with both inherent and acquired resistance to PARP inhibition. Several novel inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose)glycohydrolase (PARG) have been described, with promising anti-cancer activity in vitro that is distinct from PARP inhibitors. Here we discuss, the role of poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation in genome stability, and the potential for PARG inhibitors as a complementary strategy to PARP inhibitors in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Abnormal function of telomere protein TRF2 induces cell mutation and the effects of environmental tumor‑promoting factors (Review)

Recent studies have found that somatic gene mutations and environmental tumor-promoting factors are both indispensable for tumor formation. Telomeric repeat-binding factor (TRF)2 is the core component of the telomere shelterin complex, which plays an important role in chromosome stability and the maintenance of normal cell physiological states. In recent years, TRF2 and its role in tumor formation have gradually become a research hot topic, which has promoted in-depth discussions into tumorigenesis and treatment strategies, and has achieved promising results. Some cells bypass elimination, due to either aging, apoptosis via mutations or abnormal prolongation of the mitotic cycle, and enter the telomere crisis period, where large-scale DNA reorganization occurs repeatedly, which manifests as the precancerous cell cycle. Finally, at the end of the crisis cycle, the mutation activates either the expression level of telomerase or activates the alternative lengthening of telomere mechanism to extend the local telomeres. Under the protection of TRF2, chromosomes are gradually stabilized, immortal cells are formed and the stagewise mutation-driven transformation of normal cells to cancer cells is completed. In addition, TRF2 also shares the characteristics of environmental tumor-promoting factors. It acts on multiple signal transduction pathway-related proteins associated with cell proliferation, and affects peripheral angiogenesis, inhibits the immune recognition and killing ability of the microenvironment, and maintains the stemness characteristics of tumor cells. TRF2 levels are abnormally elevated by a variety of tumor control proteins, which are more conducive to the protection of telomeres and the survival of tumor cells. In brief, the various regulatory mechanisms which tumor cells rely on to survive are organically integrated around TRF2, forming a regulatory network, which is conducive to the optimization of the survival direction of heterogeneous tumor cells, and promotes their survival and adaptability. In terms of clinical application, TRF2 is expected to become a new type of cancer prognostic marker and a new tumor treatment target. Inhibition of TRF2 overexpression could effectively cut off the core network regulating tumor cell survival, reduce drug resistance, or bypass the mutation under the pressure of tumor treatment selection, which may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the complete eradication of tumors in the clinical setting. Based on recent research, the aim of the present review was to systematically elaborate on the basic structure and functional characteristics of TRF2 and its role in tumor formation, and to analyze the findings indicating that TRF2 deficiency or overexpression could cause severe damage to telomere function and telomere shortening, and induce DNA damage response and chromosomal instability.

SLX4IP promotes RAP1 SUMOylation by PIAS1 to coordinate telomere maintenance through NF-κB and Notch signaling

The maintenance of telomere length supports repetitive cell division and therefore plays a central role in cancer development and progression. Telomeres are extended by either the enzyme telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Here, we found that the telomere-associated protein SLX4IP dictates telomere proteome composition by recruiting and activating the E3 SUMO ligase PIAS1 to the SLX4 complex. PIAS1 SUMOylated the telomere-binding protein RAP1, which disrupted its interaction with the telomere-binding protein TRF2 and facilitated its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. In the cytosol, RAP1 bound to IκB kinase (IKK), resulting in activation of the transcription factor NF-κB and its induction of Jagged-1 expression, which promoted Notch signaling and the institution of ALT. This axis could be targeted therapeutically in ALT-driven cancers and in tumor cells that develop resistance to antitelomerase therapies. Our results illuminate the mechanisms underlying SLX4IP-dependent telomere plasticity and demonstrate the role of telomere proteins in directly coordinating intracellular signaling and telomere maintenance dynamics.

PARP1 modulates telomere sister chromatid exchange and telomere length homeostasis by regulating telomere localization of SLX4 in U2OS cells

OBJECTIVE

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase1 (PARP1) interacts and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2), which acts as a platform to recruit a large number of proteins at the telomere. Since the discovery of TRF2-SLX4 interaction, SLX4 is becoming the key player in telomere length (TL) maintenance and repair by telomere sister chromatid exchange (T-SCE). Defective TL maintenance pathway results in a spectrum of diseases called telomeropathies like dyskeratosis congenita, aplastic anemia, fanconi anemia, cancer. We aimed to study the role of SLX4 and PARP1 on each other's telomere localization, T-SCE, and TL maintenance in human telomerase-negative osteosarcoma U2OS cells to understand some of the molecular mechanisms of telomere homeostasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We checked the role of SLX4 and PARP1 on each other's telomere localization by telomere immunofluorescence. We have cloned full-length wild-type and catalytically inactive mutant PARP1 to understand the role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction by PARP1 in telomere length homeostasis. TL of U2OS cells was measured by Q-FISH. T-SCE was measured by Telomere-FISH.

KEY FINDINGS

We observed that SLX4 has no role in the telomere localization of PARP1. However, reduced localization of SLX4 at undamaged and damaged telomere upon PARP1 depletion was reversed by overexpression of exogenous wild-type PARP1 but not by overexpression of catalytically inactive mutant PARP1. PARP1 depletion synergized SLX4 depletion-mediated reduction of T-SCE. Furthermore, SLX4 depletion elongated TL, and combined insufficiency of SLX4 with PARP1 further elongated TL.

CONCLUSION

So, PARP1 controls SLX4 recruitment at telomere by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction, thereby regulating SLX4-mediated T-SCE and TL homeostasis.

Coordinated roles of SLX4 and MutSβ in DNA repair and the maintenance of genome stability

SLX4 provides a molecular scaffold for the assembly of multiple protein complexes required for the maintenance of genome stability. It is involved in the repair of DNA crosslinks, the resolution of recombination intermediates, the response to replication stress and the maintenance of telomere length. To carry out these diverse functions, SLX4 interacts with three structure-selective endonucleases, MUS81-EME1, SLX1 and XPF-ERCC1, as well as the telomere binding proteins TRF2, RTEL1 and SLX4IP. Recently, SLX4 was shown to interact with MutSβ, a heterodimeric protein involved in DNA mismatch repair, trinucleotide repeat instability, crosslink repair and recombination. Importantly, MutSβ promotes the pathogenic expansion of CAG/CTG trinucleotide repeats, which is causative of myotonic dystrophy and Huntington's disease. The colocalization and specific interaction of MutSβ with SLX4, together with their apparently overlapping functions, are suggestive of a common role in reactions that promote DNA maintenance and genome stability. This review will focus on the role of SLX4 in DNA repair, the interplay between MutSβ and SLX4, and detail how they cooperate to promote recombinational repair and DNA crosslink repair. Furthermore, we speculate that MutSβ and SLX4 may provide an alternative cellular mechanism that modulates trinucleotide instability.

SUMO and Transcriptional Regulation: The Lessons of Large-Scale Proteomic, Modifomic and Genomic Studies

One major role of the eukaryotic peptidic post-translational modifier SUMO in the cell is transcriptional control. This occurs via modification of virtually all classes of transcriptional actors, which include transcription factors, transcriptional coregulators, diverse chromatin components, as well as Pol I-, Pol II- and Pol III transcriptional machineries and their regulators. For many years, the role of SUMOylation has essentially been studied on individual proteins, or small groups of proteins, principally dealing with Pol II-mediated transcription. This provided only a fragmentary view of how SUMOylation controls transcription. The recent advent of large-scale proteomic, modifomic and genomic studies has however considerably refined our perception of the part played by SUMO in gene expression control. We review here these developments and the new concepts they are at the origin of, together with the limitations of our knowledge. How they illuminate the SUMO-dependent transcriptional mechanisms that have been characterized thus far and how they impact our view of SUMO-dependent chromatin organization are also considered.

Global non-covalent SUMO interaction networks reveal SUMO-dependent stabilization of the non-homologous end joining complex

In contrast to our extensive knowledge on covalent small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) target proteins, we are limited in our understanding of non-covalent SUMO-binding proteins. We identify interactors of different SUMO isoforms-monomeric SUMO1, monomeric SUMO2, or linear trimeric SUMO2 chains-using a mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach. We identify 379 proteins that bind to different SUMO isoforms, mainly in a preferential manner. Interestingly, XRCC4 is the only DNA repair protein in our screen with a preference for SUMO2 trimers over mono-SUMO2, as well as the only protein in our screen that belongs to the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) DNA double-strand break repair pathway. A SUMO interaction motif (SIM) in XRCC4 regulates its recruitment to sites of DNA damage and phosphorylation of S320 by DNA-PKcs. Our data highlight the importance of non-covalent and covalent sumoylation for DNA double-strand break repair via the NHEJ pathway and provide a resource of SUMO isoform interactors.

MutSβ Stimulates Holliday Junction Resolution by the SMX Complex

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

Vpu modulates DNA repair to suppress innate sensing and hyper-integration of HIV-1

To avoid innate sensing and immune control, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has to prevent the accumulation of viral complementary DNA species. Here, we show that the late HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu hijacks DNA repair mechanisms to promote degradation of nuclear viral cDNA in cells that are already productively infected. Vpu achieves this by interacting with RanBP2-RanGAP1*SUMO1-Ubc9 SUMO E3-ligase complexes at the nuclear pore to reprogramme promyelocytic leukaemia protein nuclear bodies and reduce SUMOylation of Bloom syndrome protein, unleashing end degradation of viral cDNA. Concomitantly, Vpu inhibits RAD52-mediated homologous repair of viral cDNA, preventing the generation of dead-end circular forms of single copies of the long terminal repeat and permitting sustained nucleolytic attack. Our results identify Vpu as a key modulator of the DNA repair machinery. We show that Bloom syndrome protein eliminates nuclear HIV-1 cDNA and thereby suppresses immune sensing and proviral hyper-integration. Therapeutic targeting of DNA repair may facilitate the induction of antiviral immunity and suppress proviral integration replenishing latent HIV reservoirs.

PML Nuclear Body Biogenesis, Carcinogenesis, and Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy has become increasingly important in cancer therapy. For example, targeting the promyelocytic leukemia PML protein in leukemia has proved to be an effective treatment. PML is the core component of super-assembled structures called PML nuclear bodies (NBs). Although this nuclear megaDalton complex was first observed in the 1960s, the mechanism of its assembly remains poorly understood. We review recent breakthroughs in the PML field ranging from a revised assembly mechanism to PML-driven genome organization and carcinogenesis. In addition, we highlight that oncogenic oligomerization might also represent a promising target in the treatment of leukemias and solid tumors.

RanBP2-Mediated SUMOylation Promotes Human DNA Polymerase Lambda Nuclear Localization and DNA Repair

Cellular DNA is under constant attack by a wide variety of agents, both endogenous and exogenous. To counteract DNA damage, human cells have a large collection of DNA repair factors. Among them, DNA polymerase lambda (Polλ) stands out for its versatility, as it participates in different DNA repair and damage tolerance pathways in which gap-filling DNA synthesis is required. In this work, we show that human Polλ is conjugated with Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) proteins both in vitro and in vivo, with Lys27 being the main target of this covalent modification. Polλ SUMOylation takes place in the nuclear pore complex and is mediated by the E3 ligase RanBP2. This post-translational modification promotes Polλ entry into the nucleus, which is required for its recruitment to DNA lesions and stimulated by DNA damage induction. Our work represents an advance in the knowledge of molecular pathways that regulate cellular localization of human Polλ, which are essential to be able to perform its functions during repair of nuclear DNA, and that might constitute an important point for the modulation of its activity in human cells.

Structural biology of telomeres and telomerase

Telomeres are protein-DNA complexes that protect chromosome ends from illicit ligation and resection. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that synthesizes telomeric DNA to counter telomere shortening. Human telomeres are composed of complexes between telomeric DNA and a six-protein complex known as shelterin. The shelterin proteins TRF1 and TRF2 provide the binding affinity and specificity for double-stranded telomeric DNA, while the POT1-TPP1 shelterin subcomplex coats the single-stranded telomeric G-rich overhang that is characteristic of all our chromosome ends. By capping chromosome ends, shelterin protects telomeric DNA from unwanted degradation and end-to-end fusion events. Structures of the human shelterin proteins reveal a network of constitutive and context-specific interactions. The shelterin protein-DNA structures reveal the basis for both the high affinity and DNA sequence specificity of these interactions, and explain how shelterin efficiently protects chromosome ends from genome instability. Several protein-protein interactions, many provided by the shelterin component TIN2, are critical for upholding the end-protection function of shelterin. A survey of these protein-protein interfaces within shelterin reveals a series of "domain-peptide" interactions that allow for efficient binding and adaptability towards new functions. While the modular nature of shelterin has facilitated its part-by-part structural characterization, the interdependence of subunits within telomerase has made its structural solution more challenging. However, the exploitation of several homologs in combination with recent advancements in cryo-EM capabilities has led to an exponential increase in our knowledge of the structural biology underlying telomerase function. Telomerase homologs from a wide range of eukaryotes show a typical retroviral reverse transcriptase-like protein core reinforced with elements that deliver telomerase-specific functions including recruitment to telomeres and high telomere-repeat addition processivity. In addition to providing the template for reverse transcription, the RNA component of telomerase provides a scaffold for the catalytic and accessory protein subunits, defines the limits of the telomeric repeat sequence, and plays a critical role in RNP assembly, stability, and trafficking. While a high-resolution definition of the human telomerase structure is only beginning to emerge, the quick pace of technical progress forecasts imminent breakthroughs in this area. Here, we review the structural biology surrounding telomeres and telomerase to provide a molecular description of mammalian chromosome end protection and end replication.

Intricate SUMO-based control of the homologous recombination machinery

The homologous recombination (HR) machinery plays multiple roles in genome maintenance. Best studied in the context of DNA double-stranded break (DSB) repair, recombination enzymes can cleave, pair, and unwind DNA molecules, and collaborate with regulatory proteins to execute multiple DNA processing steps before generating specific repair products. HR proteins also help to cope with problems arising from DNA replication, modulating impaired replication forks or filling DNA gaps. Given these important roles, it is not surprising that each HR step is subject to complex regulation to adjust repair efficiency and outcomes as well as to limit toxic intermediates. Recent studies have revealed intricate regulation of all steps of HR by the protein modifier SUMO, which has been increasingly recognized for its broad influence in nuclear functions. This review aims to connect established roles of SUMO with its newly identified effects on recombinational repair and stimulate further thought on many unanswered questions.

The role of SLX4 and its associated nucleases in DNA interstrand crosslink repair

A key step in the Fanconi anemia pathway of DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair is the ICL unhooking by dual endonucleolytic incisions. SLX4/FANCP is a large scaffold protein that plays a central role in ICL unhooking. It contains multiple domains that interact with many proteins including three different endonucleases and also acts in several other DNA repair pathways. While it is known that its interaction with the endonuclease XPF-ERCC1 is required for its function in ICL repair, which other domains act in this process is unclear. Here, we used Xenopus egg extracts to determine ICL repair specific features of SLX4. We show that the SLX4-interacting endonuclease SLX1 is not required for ICL repair and demonstrate that all essential SLX4 domains are located at the N-terminal half of the protein. The MLR domain is crucial for the recruitment of XPF-ERCC1 but also has an unanticipated function in recruiting SLX4 to the site of damage. Although we find the BTB is not essential for ICL repair in our system, dimerization of SLX4 could be important. Our data provide new insights into the mechanism by which SLX4 acts in ICL repair.

SLX4: multitasking to maintain genome stability

The SLX4/FANCP tumor suppressor has emerged as a key player in the maintenance of genome stability, making pivotal contributions to the repair of interstrand cross-links, homologous recombination, and in response to replication stress genome-wide as well as at specific loci such as common fragile sites and telomeres. SLX4 does so in part by acting as a scaffold that controls and coordinates the XPF-ERCC1, MUS81-EME1, and SLX1 structure-specific endonucleases in different DNA repair and recombination mechanisms. It also interacts with other important DNA repair and cell cycle control factors including MSH2, PLK1, TRF2, and TOPBP1 as well as with ubiquitin and SUMO. This review aims at providing an up-to-date and comprehensive view on the key functions that SLX4 fulfills to maintain genome stability as well as to highlight and discuss areas of uncertainty and emerging concepts.

Proteomics Reveals Global Regulation of Protein SUMOylation by ATM and ATR Kinases during Replication Stress

The mechanisms that protect eukaryotic DNA during the cumbersome task of replication depend on the precise coordination of several post-translational modification (PTM)-based signaling networks. Phosphorylation is a well-known regulator of the replication stress response, and recently an essential role for SUMOs (small ubiquitin-like modifiers) has also been established. Here, we investigate the global interplay between phosphorylation and SUMOylation in response to replication stress. Using SUMO and phosphoproteomic technologies, we identify thousands of regulated modification sites. We find co-regulation of central DNA damage and replication stress responders, of which the ATR-activating factor TOPBP1 is the most highly regulated. Using pharmacological inhibition of the DNA damage response kinases ATR and ATM, we find that these factors regulate global protein SUMOylation in the protein networks that protect DNA upon replication stress and fork breakage, pointing to integration between phosphorylation and SUMOylation in the cellular systems that protect DNA integrity.

The STUbL RNF4 regulates protein group SUMOylation by targeting the SUMO conjugation machinery

SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases (STUbLs) mediate the ubiquitylation of SUMOylated proteins to modulate their functions. In search of direct targets for the STUbL RNF4, we have developed TULIP (targets for ubiquitin ligases identified by proteomics) to covalently trap targets for ubiquitin E3 ligases. TULIP methodology could be widely employed to delineate E3 substrate wiring. Here we report that the single SUMO E2 Ubc9 and the SUMO E3 ligases PIAS1, PIAS2, PIAS3, ZNF451, and NSMCE2 are direct RNF4 targets. We confirm PIAS1 as a key RNF4 substrate. Furthermore, we establish the ubiquitin E3 ligase BARD1, a tumor suppressor and partner of BRCA1, as an indirect RNF4 target, regulated by PIAS1. Interestingly, accumulation of BARD1 at local sites of DNA damage increases upon knockdown of RNF4. Combined, we provide an insight into the role of the STUbL RNF4 to balance the role of SUMO signaling by directly targeting Ubc9 and SUMO E3 ligases.

SUMO and ubiquitin are key signal transducers in several cellular processes including the DNA-damage response. Here the authors describe a method for selective enrichment of ubiquitin substrates for E3 ligases from complex cellular proteomes and identify the SUMO conjugation machinery as direct RNF4 substrates.

SUMO in the DNA Double-Stranded Break Response: Similarities, Differences, and Cooperation with Ubiquitin

In recent years, our knowledge of the varied role that ubiquitination plays in promoting signal amplification, novel protein interactions, and protein turnover has progressed rapidly. This is particularly remarkable in the examination of how DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) are repaired, with many components of the ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation, de-conjugation, and recognition machinery now identified as key factors in DSB repair. In addition, a member of the Ub-like family, small Ub-like modifier (SUMO), has also been recognised as integral for efficient repair. Here, we summarise our emerging understanding of SUMOylation both as a distinct modification and as a cooperative modification with Ub, using the cellular response to DNA DSBs as the primary setting to compare these modifications.

TRF2 binds branched DNA to safeguard telomere integrity

Although t-loops protect telomeres, they are at risk of cleavage by Holliday junction (HJ) resolvases if branch migration converts the three-way t-loop junction into four-way HJs. T-loop cleavage is repressed by the TRF2 basic domain, which binds three- and four-way junctions and protects HJs in vitro. By replacing the basic domain with bacterial-protein domains binding three- and four-way junctions, we demonstrated the in vivo relevance of branched-DNA binding. Branched-DNA binding also repressed PARP1, presumably by masking the PARP1 site in the t-loop junction. Although PARP1 recruits HJ resolvases and promotes t-loop cleavage, PARP1 activation alone did not result in t-loop cleavage, thus suggesting that the basic domain also prevents formation of HJs. Concordantly, removal of HJs by BLM helicase mitigated t-loop cleavage in response to loss of the basic domain. We propose that TRF2 masks and stabilizes the t-loop three-way junction, thereby protecting telomeres from detrimental deletions and PARP1 activation.

DNA end resection requires constitutive sumoylation of CtIP by CBX4

DNA breaks are complex DNA lesions that can be repaired by two alternative mechanisms: non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination. The decision between them depends on the activation of the DNA resection machinery, which blocks non-homologous end-joining and stimulates recombination. On the other hand, post-translational modifications play a critical role in DNA repair. We have found that the SUMO E3 ligase CBX4 controls resection through the key factor CtIP. Indeed, CBX4 depletion impairs CtIP constitutive sumoylation and DNA end processing. Importantly, mutating lysine 896 in CtIP recapitulates the CBX4-depletion phenotype, blocks homologous recombination and increases genomic instability. Artificial fusion of CtIP and SUMO suppresses the effects of both the non-sumoylatable CtIP mutant and CBX4 depletion. Mechanistically, CtIP sumoylation is essential for its recruitment to damaged DNA. In summary, sumoylation of CtIP at lysine 896 defines a subpopulation of the protein that is involved in DNA resection and recombination.

The choice between non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination to repair a DNA double-strand break depends on activation of the end resection machinery. Here the authors show that SUMO E3 ligase CBX4 sumoylates subpopulation of CtIP to regulate recruitment to breaks and resection.

Acquired cross-linker resistance associated with a novel spliced BRCA2 protein variant for molecular phenotyping of BRCA2 disruption

BRCA2 encodes a protein with a fundamental role in homologous recombination that is essential for normal development. Carrier status of mutations in BRCA2 is associated with familial breast and ovarian cancer, while bi-allelic BRCA2 mutations can cause Fanconi anemia (FA), a cancer predisposition syndrome with cellular cross-linker hypersensitivity. Cancers associated with BRCA2 mutations can acquire chemo-resistance on relapse. We modeled acquired cross-linker resistance with an FA-derived BRCA2-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) platform. Associated with acquired cross-linker resistance was the expression of a functional BRCA2 protein variant lacking exon 5 and exon 7 (BRCA2^ΔE5+7), implying a role for BRCA2 splicing for acquired chemo-resistance. Integrated network analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic differences for phenotyping of BRCA2 disruption infers impact on transcription and chromatin remodeling in addition to the DNA damage response. The striking overlap with transcriptional profiles of FA patient hematopoiesis and BRCA mutation associated ovarian cancer helps define and explicate the ‘BRCAness’ profile.

The functional roles of PML nuclear bodies in genome maintenance

In the nucleus, there are several membraneless structures called nuclear bodies. Among them, promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) are involved in multiple genome maintenance pathways including the DNA damage response, DNA repair, telomere homeostasis, and p53-associated apoptosis. In response to DNA damage, PML-NBs are coalesced and divided by a fission mechanism, thus increasing their number. PML-NBs also play a role in repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR). Clinically, the dominant negative PML-RARα fusion protein expressed in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) inhibits the transactivation of downstream factors and disrupts PML function, revealing the tumor suppressor role of PML-NBs. All-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide treatment has been implemented for promyelocytic leukemia to target the PML-RARα fusion protein. PML-NBs are associated with various factors implicated in genome maintenance, and are found at the sites of DNA damage. Their interaction with proteins such as p53 indicates that PML-NBs may play a significant role in apoptosis and cancer. Decades of research have revealed the importance of PML-NBs in diverse cellular pathways, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms and exact functions of PML-NBs remain elusive. In this review, PML protein modifications and the functional relevance of PML-NB and its associated factors in genome maintenance will be discussed.

DNA Replication Origins and Fork Progression at Mammalian Telomeres

Telomeres are essential chromosomal regions that prevent critical shortening of linear chromosomes and genomic instability in eukaryotic cells. The bulk of telomeric DNA is replicated by semi-conservative DNA replication in the same way as the rest of the genome. However, recent findings revealed that replication of telomeric repeats is a potential cause of chromosomal instability, because DNA replication through telomeres is challenged by the repetitive telomeric sequences and specific structures that hamper the replication fork. In this review, we summarize current understanding of the mechanisms by which telomeres are faithfully and safely replicated in mammalian cells. Various telomere-associated proteins ensure efficient telomere replication at different steps, such as licensing of replication origins, passage of replication forks, proper fork restart after replication stress, and dissolution of post-replicative structures. In particular, shelterin proteins have central roles in the control of telomere replication. Through physical interactions, accessory proteins are recruited to maintain telomere integrity during DNA replication. Dormant replication origins and/or homology-directed repair may rescue inappropriate fork stalling or collapse that can cause defects in telomere structure and functions.

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 hyperactivation in neurodegenerative diseases: The death knell tolls for neurons

Neurodegeneration is a salient feature of chronic refractory brain disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, amyotropic lateral sclerosis and acute conditions like cerebral ischemia/reperfusion etc. The pathological protein aggregates, mitochondrial mutations or ischemic insults typifying these disease conditions collude with and intensify existing oxidative stress and attendant mitochondrial dysfunction. Interlocking these mechanisms is poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP-1) hyperactivation that invokes a distinct form of neuronal cell death viz., 'parthanatos'. PARP-1, a typical 'moonlighting protein' by virtue of its ability to poly(ADP-ribosyl)ate a plethora of cellular proteins exerts diverse functions that impinge significantly on cellular processes. In addition, its interactions with various nuclear proteins like transcription factors and chromatin modifiers elicit varied transcriptional outcomes that wield pathological cellular responses. Further, emerging leitmotifs like mitochondrial and nucleolar PARPs and the novel aspects of gene expression regulation by PARP-1 and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation can provide a holistic view of PARP-1's influence on cell vitality. In this review, we discuss the pathological underpinnings of PARP-1, with a special emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death subroutines, in the realm of neurodegeneration. This would provide a deeper insight into the functions of PARP-1 in neurodegenerative conditions that would enable the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

A comprehensive compilation of SUMO proteomics

Small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs) are essential for the regulation of several cellular processes and are potential therapeutic targets owing to their involvement in diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer disease. In the past decade, we have witnessed a rapid expansion of proteomic approaches for identifying sumoylated proteins, with recent advances in detecting site-specific sumoylation. In this Analysis, we combined all human SUMO proteomics data currently available into one cohesive database. We provide proteomic evidence for sumoylation of 3,617 proteins at 7,327 sumoylation sites, and insight into SUMO group modification by clustering the sumoylated proteins into functional networks. The data support sumoylation being a frequent protein modification (on par with other major protein modifications) with multiple nuclear functions, including in transcription, mRNA processing, DNA replication and the DNA-damage response.

Dimerization of SLX4 contributes to functioning of the SLX4-nuclease complex

The Fanconi anemia protein SLX4 assembles a genome and telomere maintenance toolkit, consisting of the nucleases SLX1, MUS81 and XPF. Although it is known that SLX4 acts as a scaffold for building this complex, the molecular basis underlying this function of SLX4 remains unclear. Here, we report that functioning of SLX4 is dependent on its dimerization via an oligomerization motif called the BTB domain. We solved the crystal structure of the SLX4BTB dimer, identifying key contacts (F681 and F708) that mediate dimerization. Disruption of BTB dimerization abrogates nuclear foci formation and telomeric localization of not only SLX4 but also of its associated nucleases. Furthermore, dimerization-deficient SLX4 mutants cause defective cellular response to DNA interstrand crosslinking agent and telomere maintenance, underscoring the contribution of BTB domain-mediated dimerization of SLX4 in genome and telomere maintenance.

Nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of the endonuclease ankyrin repeats and LEM domain-containing protein 1 (Ankle1) is mediated by canonical nuclear export- and nuclear import signals

BACKGROUND

Ankyrin repeats and LEM domain containing protein 1 (Ankle1) belongs to the LEM protein family, whose members share a chromatin-interacting LEM motif. Unlike most other LEM proteins, Ankle1 is not an integral protein of the inner nuclear membrane but shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It contains a GIY-YIG-type nuclease domain, but its function is unknown. The mammalian genome encodes only one other GIY-YIG domain protein, termed Slx1. Slx1 has been described as a resolvase that processes Holliday junctions during homologous recombination-mediated DNA double strand break repair. Resolvase activity is regulated in a spatial and temporal manner during the cell cycle. We hypothesized that Ankle1 may have a similar function and its nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling may contribute to the regulation of Ankle1 activity. Hence, we aimed at identifying the domains mediating Ankle1 shuttling and investigating whether cellular localization is affected during DNA damage response.

RESULTS

Sequence analysis predicts the presence of two canonical nuclear import and export signals in Ankle1. Immunofluorescence microscopy of cells expressing wild-type and various mutated Ankle1-fusion proteins revealed a C-terminally located classical monopartite nuclear localization signal and a centrally located CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal that mediate nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of Ankle1. These sequences are also functional in heterologous proteins. The predominant localization of Ankle1 in the cytoplasm, however, does not change upon induction of several DNA damage response pathways throughout the cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified the domains mediating nuclear import and export of Ankle1. Ankle1's cellular localization was not affected following DNA damage.

Functions of Ubiquitin and SUMO in DNA Replication and Replication Stress

Complete and faithful duplication of its entire genetic material is one of the essential prerequisites for a proliferating cell to maintain genome stability. Yet, during replication DNA is particularly vulnerable to insults. On the one hand, lesions in replicating DNA frequently cause a stalling of the replication machinery, as most DNA polymerases cannot cope with defective templates. This situation is aggravated by the fact that strand separation in preparation for DNA synthesis prevents common repair mechanisms relying on strand complementarity, such as base and nucleotide excision repair, from working properly. On the other hand, the replication process itself subjects the DNA to a series of hazardous transformations, ranging from the exposure of single-stranded DNA to topological contortions and the generation of nicks and fragments, which all bear the risk of inducing genomic instability. Dealing with these problems requires rapid and flexible responses, for which posttranslational protein modifications that act independently of protein synthesis are particularly well suited. Hence, it is not surprising that members of the ubiquitin family, particularly ubiquitin itself and SUMO, feature prominently in controlling many of the defensive and restorative measures involved in the protection of DNA during replication. In this review we will discuss the contributions of ubiquitin and SUMO to genome maintenance specifically as they relate to DNA replication. We will consider cases where the modifiers act during regular, i.e., unperturbed stages of replication, such as initiation, fork progression, and termination, but also give an account of their functions in dealing with lesions, replication stalling and fork collapse.

Upregulated LINE-1 Activity in the Fanconi Anemia Cancer Susceptibility Syndrome Leads to Spontaneous Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Production

Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated cancer susceptibility and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Using SLX4^FANCP deficiency as a working model, we questioned the trigger for chronic inflammation in FA. We found that absence of SLX4 caused cytoplasmic DNA accumulation, including sequences deriving from active Long INterspersed Element-1 (LINE-1), triggering the cGAS-STING pathway to elicit interferon (IFN) expression. In agreement, absence of SLX4 leads to upregulated LINE-1 retrotransposition. Importantly, similar results were obtained with the FANCD2 upstream activator of SLX4. Furthermore, treatment of FA cells with the Tenofovir reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTi), that prevents endogenous retrotransposition, decreased both accumulation of cytoplasmic DNA and pro-inflammatory signaling. Collectively, our data suggest a contribution of endogenous RT activities to the generation of immunogenic cytoplasmic nucleic acids responsible for inflammation in FA. The additional observation that RTi decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production induced by DNA replication stress-inducing drugs further demonstrates the contribution of endogenous RTs to sustaining chronic inflammation. Altogether, our data open perspectives in the prevention of adverse effects of chronic inflammation in tumorigenesis.

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Cytoplasmic DNA, comprising LINE-1-derived sequences, elicits IFN expression via the cGAS-STING pathway in SLX4-deficiency.

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Members of the Fanconi Anemia DNA repair pathway negatively regulate LINE-1 retrotransposition.

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Endogenous reverse transcriptase activities contribute to spontaneous and chemotherapy-induced inflammation.

Chronic inflammation favors tumorigenesis, negatively influencing patient prognosis. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show that increased endogenous retroelement-associated reverse transcriptase activity contributes to generate immunogenic cytoplasmic nucleic acids susceptible of triggering a pro-inflammatory response in the Fanconi Anemia (FA) cancer susceptibility syndrome. In addition, treatment of FA cells or of cells exposed to replication stress inducing drugs, with a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, decreases pro-inflammatory signals. Altogether our data suggest the involvement of endogenous reverse transcriptase activities in sustaining pervasive chronic inflammation, opening therapeutic perspectives for preventing its impact on tumorigenesis.

How SUMOylation Fine-Tunes the Fanconi Anemia DNA Repair Pathway

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare human genetic disorder characterized by developmental defects, bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition, primarily due to a deficiency in the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). ICL repair through the FA DNA repair pathway is a complicated multi-step process, involving at least 19 FANC proteins and coordination of multiple DNA repair activities, including homologous recombination, nucleotide excision repair and translesion synthesis (TLS). SUMOylation is a critical regulator of several DNA repair pathways, however, the role of this modification in controlling the FA pathway is poorly understood. Here, we summarize recent advances in the fine-tuning of the FA pathway by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-targeted ubiquitin ligases (STUbLs) and other SUMO-related interactions, and discuss the implications of these findings in the design of novel therapeutics for alleviating FA-associated condition, including cancer.

Interplay between Ubiquitin, SUMO, and Poly(ADP-Ribose) in the Cellular Response to Genotoxic Stress

Cells employ a complex network of molecular pathways to cope with endogenous and exogenous genotoxic stress. This multilayered response ensures that genomic lesions are efficiently detected and faithfully repaired in order to safeguard genome integrity. The molecular choreography at sites of DNA damage relies heavily on post-translational modifications (PTMs). Protein modifications with ubiquitin and the small ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO have recently emerged as important regulatory means to coordinate DNA damage signaling and repair. Both ubiquitylation and SUMOylation can lead to extensive chain-like protein modifications, a feature that is shared with yet another DNA damage-induced PTM, the modification of proteins with poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR). Chains of ubiquitin, SUMO, and PAR all contribute to the multi-protein assemblies found at sites of DNA damage and regulate their spatio-temporal dynamics. Here, we review recent advancements in our understanding of how ubiquitin, SUMO, and PAR coordinate the DNA damage response and highlight emerging examples of an intricate interplay between these chain-like modifications during the cellular response to genotoxic stress.

Fanconi anemia proteins in telomere maintenance

Mammalian chromosome ends are protected by nucleoprotein structures called telomeres. Telomeres ensure genome stability by preventing chromosome termini from being recognized as DNA damage. Telomere length homeostasis is inevitable for telomere maintenance because critical shortening or over-lengthening of telomeres may lead to DNA damage response or delay in DNA replication, and hence genome instability. Due to their repetitive DNA sequence, unique architecture, bound shelterin proteins, and high propensity to form alternate/secondary DNA structures, telomeres are like common fragile sites and pose an inherent challenge to the progression of DNA replication, repair, and recombination apparatus. It is conceivable that longer the telomeres are, greater is the severity of such challenges. Recent studies have linked excessively long telomeres with increased tumorigenesis. Here we discuss telomere abnormalities in a rare recessive chromosomal instability disorder called Fanconi Anemia and the role of the Fanconi Anemia pathway in telomere biology. Reports suggest that Fanconi Anemia proteins play a role in maintaining long telomeres, including processing telomeric joint molecule intermediates. We speculate that ablation of the Fanconi Anemia pathway would lead to inadequate aberrant structural barrier resolution at excessively long telomeres, thereby causing replicative burden on the cell.

TRF2-RAP1 is required to protect telomeres from engaging in homologous recombination-mediated deletions and fusions

Repressor/activator protein 1 (RAP1) is a highly conserved telomere-interacting protein. Yeast Rap1 protects telomeres from non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), plays important roles in telomere length control and is involved in transcriptional gene regulation. However, a role for mammalian RAP1 in telomere end protection remains controversial. Here we present evidence that mammalian RAP1 is essential to protect telomere from homology directed repair (HDR) of telomeres. RAP1 cooperates with the basic domain of TRF2 (TRF2^B) to repress PARP1 and SLX4 localization to telomeres. Without RAP1 and TRF2^B, PARP1 and SLX4 HR factors promote rapid telomere resection, resulting in catastrophic telomere loss and the generation of telomere-free chromosome fusions in both mouse and human cells. The RAP1 Myb domain is required to repress both telomere loss and formation of telomere-free fusions. Our results highlight the importance of the RAP1-TRF2 heterodimer in protecting telomeres from inappropriate processing by the HDR pathway.

While yeast Rap1 regulates telomere length and protects telomeres from non-homologous end joining, its role in higher eukaryotes is controversial. Here the authors present evidence that in mammals, RAP1 cooperates with TRF2 to prevent homologous recombination-mediated repair of telomeres.

Cooperativity of the SUMO and Ubiquitin Pathways in Genome Stability

Covalent attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) or SUMO to DNA repair proteins plays critical roles in maintaining genome stability. These structurally related polypeptides can be viewed as distinct road signs, with each being read by specific protein interaction motifs. Therefore, via their interactions with selective readers in the proteome, ubiquitin and SUMO can elicit distinct cellular responses, such as directing DNA lesions into different repair pathways. On the other hand, through the action of the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase (STUbL) family proteins, ubiquitin and SUMO can cooperate in the form of a hybrid signal. These mixed SUMO-ubiquitin chains recruit “effector” proteins such as the AAA⁺ ATPase Cdc48/p97-Ufd1-Npl4 complex that contain both ubiquitin and SUMO interaction motifs. This review will summarize recent key findings on collaborative and distinct roles that ubiquitin and SUMO play in orchestrating DNA damage responses.

Crystal structure and SUMO binding of Slx1-Slx4 complex

The SLX1-SLX4 complex is a structure-specific endonuclease that cleaves branched DNA structures and plays significant roles in DNA recombination and repair in eukaryotic cells. The heterodimeric interaction between SLX1 and SLX4 is essential for the endonuclease activity of SLX1. Here, we present the crystal structure of Slx1 C-terminal zinc finger domain in complex with the C-terminal helix-turn-helix domain of Slx4 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe at 2.0 Å resolution. The structure reveals a conserved binding mechanism underling the Slx1-Slx4 interaction. Structural and sequence analyses indicate Slx1 C-terminal domain is actually an atypical C4HC3-type RING finger which normally possesses E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, but here is absolutely required for Slx1 interaction with Slx4. Furthermore, we found the C-terminal tail of S. pombe Slx1 contains a SUMO-interacting motif and can recognize Pmt3 (S. pombe SUMO), suggesting that Slx1-Slx4 complex could be recruited by SUMOylated protein targets to take part in replication associated DNA repair processes.

Spatiotemporal regulation of posttranslational modifications in the DNA damage response

A timely and accurate cellular response to DNA damage requires tight regulation of the action of DNA damage response (DDR) proteins at lesions. A multitude of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of chromatin and chromatin-associated proteins coordinates the recruitment of critical proteins that dictate the appropriate DNA repair pathway and enable the actual repair of lesions. Phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, neddylation, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, acetylation, and methylation are among the DNA damage-induced PTMs that have taken center stage as important DDR regulators. Redundant and multivalent interactions of DDR proteins with PTMs may not only be a means to facilitate efficient relocalization, but also a feature that allows high temporal and spatial resolution of protein recruitment to, and extraction from, DNA damage sites. In this review, we will focus on the complex interplay between such PTMs, and discuss the importance of their interconnectivity in coding DNA lesions and maintaining the integrity of the genome.

Mapping the SUMOylated landscape

SUMOylation is a post‐translational modification that regulates a multitude of cellular processes, including replication, cell‐cycle progression, protein transport and the DNA damage response. Similar to ubiquitin, SUMO (small ubiquitin‐like modifier) is covalently attached to target proteins in a reversible process via an enzymatic cascade. SUMOylation is essential for nearly all eukaryotic organisms, and deregulation of the SUMO system is associated with human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, it is of great interest to understand the regulation and dynamics of this post‐translational modification. Within the last decade, mass spectrometry analyses of SUMO proteomes have overcome several obstacles, greatly expanding the number of known SUMO target proteins. In this review, we briefly outline the basic concepts of the SUMO system, and discuss the potential of proteomic approaches to decipher SUMOylation patterns in order to understand the role of SUMO in health and disease.