Nutrient Limitation Inactivates Mrc1-to-Cds1 Checkpoint Signalling in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Crosstalk between the mTOR and DNA Damage Response Pathways in Fission Yeast

Cells have developed response systems to constantly monitor environmental changes and accordingly adjust growth, differentiation, and cellular stress programs. The evolutionarily conserved, nutrient-responsive, mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling (mTOR) pathway coordinates basic anabolic and catabolic cellular processes such as gene transcription, protein translation, autophagy, and metabolism, and is directly implicated in cellular and organismal aging as well as age-related diseases. mTOR mediates these processes in response to a broad range of inputs such as oxygen, amino acids, hormones, and energy levels, as well as stresses, including DNA damage. Here, we briefly summarize data relating to the interplays of the mTOR pathway with DNA damage response pathways in fission yeast, a favorite model in cell biology, and how these interactions shape cell decisions, growth, and cell-cycle progression. We, especially, comment on the roles of caffeine-mediated DNA-damage override. Understanding the biology of nutrient response, DNA damage and related pharmacological treatments can lead to the design of interventions towards improved cellular and organismal fitness, health, and survival.

Caffeine Stabilises Fission Yeast Wee1 in a Rad24-Dependent Manner but Attenuates Its Expression in Response to DNA Damage

The widely consumed neuroactive compound caffeine has generated much interest due to its ability to override the DNA damage and replication checkpoints. Previously Rad3 and its homologues was thought to be the target of caffeine’s inhibitory activity. Later findings indicate that the Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1) is the preferred target of caffeine. Effective Cdc2 inhibition requires both the activation of the Wee1 kinase and inhibition of the Cdc25 phosphatase. The TORC1, DNA damage, and environmental stress response pathways all converge on Cdc25 and Wee1. We previously demonstrated that caffeine overrides DNA damage checkpoints by modulating Cdc25 stability. The effect of caffeine on cell cycle progression resembles that of TORC1 inhibition. Furthermore, caffeine activates the Sty1 regulated environmental stress response. Caffeine may thus modulate multiple signalling pathways that regulate Cdc25 and Wee1 levels, localisation and activity. Here we show that the activity of caffeine stabilises both Cdc25 and Wee1. The stabilising effect of caffeine and genotoxic agents on Wee1 was dependent on the Rad24 chaperone. Interestingly, caffeine inhibited the accumulation of Wee1 in response to DNA damage. Caffeine may modulate cell cycle progression through increased Cdc25 activity and Wee1 repression following DNA damage via TORC1 inhibition, as TORC1 inhibition increased DNA damage sensitivity.

Caffeine as a tool for investigating the integration of Cdc25 phosphorylation, activity and ubiquitin-dependent degradation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The evolutionarily conserved Cdc25 phosphatase is an essential protein that removes inhibitory phosphorylation moieties on the mitotic regulator Cdc2. Together with the Wee1 kinase, a negative regulator of Cdc2 activity, Cdc25 is thus a central regulator of cell cycle progression in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The expression and activity of Cdc25 is dependent on the activity of the Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1). TORC1 inhibition leads to the activation of Cdc25 and repression of Wee1, leading to advanced entry into mitosis. Withdrawal of nitrogen leads to rapid Cdc25 degradation via the ubiquitin- dependent degradation pathway by the Pub1 E3- ligase. Caffeine is believed to mediate the override of DNA damage checkpoint signalling, by inhibiting the activity of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)/Rad3 homologues. This model remains controversial, as TORC1 appears to be the preferred target of caffeine in vivo. Recent studies suggest that caffeine induces DNA damage checkpoint override by inducing the nuclear accumulation of Cdc25 in S. pombe. Caffeine may thus modulate Cdc25 activity and stability via inhibition of TORC1. A clearer understanding of the mechanisms by which caffeine stabilises Cdc25, may provide novel insights into how TORC1 and DNA damage signalling is integrated.