1
|
Muggiolu G, Sauvaigo S, Libert S, Millet M, Daguenet E, Bouleftour W, Maillet T, Deutsch E, Magné N. Baseline DSB repair prediction of chronic rare Grade ≥ 3 toxicities induced by radiotherapy using classification algorithms. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2024:rrae047. [PMID: 38899572 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrae047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Small fractions of patients suffer from radiotherapy late severe adverse events (AEs Grade ≥ 3), which are usually irreversible and badly affect their quality of life. A novel functional DNA repair assay characterizing several steps of double-strand break (DSB) repair mechanisms was used. DNA repair activities of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were monitored for 1 week using NEXT-SPOT assay in 177 breast and prostate cancer patients. Only seven patients had Grade ≥ 3 AEs, 6 months after radiotherapy initiation. The machine learning method established the importance of variables among demographic, clinical and DNA repair data. The most relevant ones, all related to DNA repair, were employed to build a predictor. Predictors constructed with random forest and minimum bounding sphere predicted late Grade ≥ 3 AEs with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 77.17 and 86.22%, respectively. This multiplex functional approach strongly supports a dominant role for DSB repair in the development of chronic AEs. It also showed that affected patients share specific features related to functional aspects of DSB repair. This strategy may be suitable for routine clinical analysis and paves the way for modelling DSB repair associated with severe AEs induced by radiotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Muggiolu
- LXRepair, Research Department, 5 Avenue du Grand Sablon, La Tronche 38700, France
| | - Sylvie Sauvaigo
- LXRepair, Research Department, 5 Avenue du Grand Sablon, La Tronche 38700, France
| | - Sarah Libert
- LXRepair, Research Department, 5 Avenue du Grand Sablon, La Tronche 38700, France
| | - Mathias Millet
- LXRepair, Research Department, 5 Avenue du Grand Sablon, La Tronche 38700, France
| | - Elisabeth Daguenet
- Clinical Research Department, Cancerology and Hematology Institute, CHU de Saint Etienne, 108 Avenue Albert Raimond, 42055 Cedex 02, France
| | - Wafa Bouleftour
- Clinical Research Department, Cancerology and Hematology Institute, CHU de Saint Etienne, 108 Avenue Albert Raimond, 42055 Cedex 02, France
| | - Thierry Maillet
- LXRepair, Research Department, 5 Avenue du Grand Sablon, La Tronche 38700, France
| | - Eric Deutsch
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus (GRCC), 114 Rue Edouard Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif, France
| | - Nicolas Magné
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut Bergonié, 229 Cr de l'Argonne, 33076 Bordeaux, France
- Cellular and Molecular Radiobiology Laboratory, Lyon-Sud Medical School, Unité Mixte de Recherche CNRS5822/IP2I, University of Lyon, Ouliins, 69600, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Osborne HC, Foster BM, Al-Hazmi H, Meyer S, Larrosa I, Schmidt CK. Small-Molecule Inhibition of CBX4/7 Hypersensitises Homologous Recombination-Impaired Cancer to Radiation by Compromising CtIP-Mediated DNA End Resection. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2155. [PMID: 38893273 PMCID: PMC11172190 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic targeting of DNA repair pathways is an emerging concept in cancer treatment. Compounds that target specific DNA repair processes, such as those mending DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), are therefore of therapeutic interest. UNC3866 is a small molecule that targets CBX4, a chromobox protein, and a SUMO E3 ligase. As a key modulator of DNA end resection-a prerequisite for DSB repair by homologous recombination (HR)-CBX4 promotes the functions of the DNA resection factor CtIP. Here, we show that treatment with UNC3866 markedly sensitises HR-deficient, NHEJ-hyperactive cancer cells to ionising radiation (IR), while it is non-toxic in selected HR-proficient cells. Consistent with UNC3866 targeting CtIP functions, it inhibits end-resection-dependent DNA repair including HR, alternative end joining (alt-EJ), and single-strand annealing (SSA). These findings raise the possibility that the UNC3866-mediated inhibition of end resection processes we define highlights a distinct vulnerability for the selective killing of HR-ineffective cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugh C. Osborne
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK; (H.C.O.); (B.M.F.); (H.A.-H.); (S.M.)
| | - Benjamin M. Foster
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK; (H.C.O.); (B.M.F.); (H.A.-H.); (S.M.)
| | - Hazim Al-Hazmi
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK; (H.C.O.); (B.M.F.); (H.A.-H.); (S.M.)
| | - Stefan Meyer
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK; (H.C.O.); (B.M.F.); (H.A.-H.); (S.M.)
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
- Department of Adolescent Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Igor Larrosa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Chemistry Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK;
| | - Christine K. Schmidt
- Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), Division of Cancer Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH), University of Manchester, 555 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4GJ, UK; (H.C.O.); (B.M.F.); (H.A.-H.); (S.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rajpurohit YS, Sharma DK, Lal M, Soni I. A perspective on tumor radiation resistance following high-LET radiation treatment. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2024; 150:226. [PMID: 38696003 PMCID: PMC11065934 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05757-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
High-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation is a promising alternative to conventional low-LET radiation for therapeutic gain against cancer owing to its ability to induce complex and clustered DNA lesions. However, the development of radiation resistance poses a significant barrier. The potential molecular mechanisms that could confer resistance development are translesion synthesis (TLS), replication gap suppression (RGS) mechanisms, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation, release of exosomes, and epigenetic changes. This article will discuss various types of complex clustered DNA damage, their repair mechanisms, mutagenic potential, and the development of radiation resistance strategies. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of careful consideration and patient selection when employing high-LET radiotherapy in clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yogendra Singh Rajpurohit
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, 2-46-S, Modular Lab, A-Block, Mumbai, 400085, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, DAE- Deemed University, Mumbai, 400094, India.
| | - Dhirendra Kumar Sharma
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, 2-46-S, Modular Lab, A-Block, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Mitu Lal
- Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, 2-46-S, Modular Lab, A-Block, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Ishu Soni
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, DAE- Deemed University, Mumbai, 400094, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jiang L, Guo T, Song X, Jiang H, Lu M, Luo J, Rossi V, He Y. MSH7 confers quantitative variation in pollen fertility and boosts grain yield in maize. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1372-1386. [PMID: 38263872 PMCID: PMC11022798 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Fertile pollen is critical for the survival, fitness, and dispersal of flowering plants, and directly contributes to crop productivity. Extensive mutational screening studies have been carried out to dissect the genetic regulatory network determining pollen fertility, but we still lack fundamental knowledge about whether and how pollen fertility is controlled in natural populations. We used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to show that ZmGEN1A and ZmMSH7, two DNA repair-related genes, confer natural variation in maize pollen fertility. Mutants defective in these genes exhibited abnormalities in meiotic or post-meiotic DNA repair, leading to reduced pollen fertility. More importantly, ZmMSH7 showed evidence of selection during maize domestication, and its disruption resulted in a substantial increase in grain yield for both inbred and hybrid. Overall, our study describes the first systematic examination of natural genetic effects on pollen fertility in plants, providing valuable genetic resources for optimizing male fertility. In addition, we find that ZmMSH7 represents a candidate for improvement of grain yield.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luguang Jiang
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, College of Agronomy and BiotechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Ting Guo
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Seed InnovationChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xinyuan Song
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology, Agro‐Biotechnology Research InstituteJilin Academy of Agricultural SciencesChangchunChina
| | - Huan Jiang
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, College of Agronomy and BiotechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Minhui Lu
- Center for Crop Functional Genomics and Molecular BreedingChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jinhong Luo
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, College of Agronomy and BiotechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Seed InnovationChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Vincenzo Rossi
- Council for Agricultural Research and EconomicsResearch Centre for Cereal and Industrial CropsBergamoItaly
| | - Yan He
- National Maize Improvement Center of China, College of Agronomy and BiotechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijingChina
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Key Laboratory of Seed InnovationChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Urban JM, Bateman JR, Garza KR, Borden J, Jain J, Brown A, Thach BJ, Bliss JE, Gerbi SA. Bradysia (Sciara) coprophila larvae up-regulate DNA repair pathways and down-regulate developmental regulators in response to ionizing radiation. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad208. [PMID: 38066617 PMCID: PMC10917502 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad208] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The level of resistance to radiation and the developmental and molecular responses can vary between species, and even between developmental stages of one species. For flies (order: Diptera), prior studies concluded that the fungus gnat Bradysia (Sciara) coprophila (sub-order: Nematocera) is more resistant to irradiation-induced mutations that cause visible phenotypes than the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (sub-order: Brachycera). Therefore, we characterized the effects of and level of resistance to ionizing radiation on B. coprophila throughout its life cycle. Our data show that B. coprophila embryos are highly sensitive to even low doses of gamma-irradiation, whereas late-stage larvae can tolerate up to 80 Gy (compared to 40 Gy for D. melanogaster) and still retain their ability to develop to adulthood, though with a developmental delay. To survey the genes involved in the early transcriptional response to irradiation of B. coprophila larvae, we compared larval RNA-seq profiles with and without radiation treatment. The up-regulated genes were enriched for DNA damage response genes, including those involved in DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, whereas the down-regulated genes were enriched for developmental regulators, consistent with the developmental delay of irradiated larvae. Interestingly, members of the PARP and AGO families were highly up-regulated in the B. coprophila radiation response. We compared the transcriptome responses in B. coprophila to the transcriptome responses in D. melanogaster from 3 previous studies: whereas pathway responses are highly conserved, specific gene responses are less so. Our study lays the groundwork for future work on the radiation responses in Diptera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John M Urban
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Laboratories, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jack R Bateman
- Biology Department, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
| | - Kodie R Garza
- Biology Department, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
| | - Julia Borden
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Jaison Jain
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Alexia Brown
- Biology Department, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
| | - Bethany J Thach
- Biology Department, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA
| | - Jacob E Bliss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Susan A Gerbi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University Division of Biology and Medicine, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kamoen L, Kralemann LEM, van Schendel R, van Tol N, Hooykaas PJJ, de Pater S, Tijsterman M. Genetic dissection of mutagenic repair and T-DNA capture at CRISPR-induced DNA breaks in Arabidopsis thaliana. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae094. [PMID: 38463035 PMCID: PMC10923293 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
A practical and powerful approach for genome editing in plants is delivery of CRISPR reagents via Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation. The double-strand break (DSB)-inducing enzyme is expressed from a transferred segment of bacterial DNA, the T-DNA, which upon transformation integrates at random locations into the host genome or is captured at the self-inflicted DSB site. To develop efficient strategies for precise genome editing, it is thus important to define the mechanisms that repair CRISPR-induced DSBs, as well as those that govern random and targeted integration of T-DNA. In this study, we present a detailed and comprehensive genetic analysis of Cas9-induced DSB repair and T-DNA capture in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We found that classical nonhomologous end joining (cNHEJ) and polymerase theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ) are both, and in part redundantly, acting on CRISPR-induced DSBs to produce very different mutational outcomes. We used newly developed CISGUIDE technology to establish that 8% of mutant alleles have captured T-DNA at the induced break site. In addition, we find T-DNA shards within genomic DSB repair sites indicative of frequent temporary interactions during TMEJ. Analysis of thousands of plant genome-T-DNA junctions, followed up by genetic dissection, further reveals that TMEJ is responsible for attaching the 3' end of T-DNA to a CRISPR-induced DSB, while the 5' end can be attached via TMEJ as well as cNHEJ. By identifying the mechanisms that act to connect recombinogenic ends of DNA molecules at chromosomal breaks, and quantifying their contributions, our study supports the development of tailor-made strategies toward predictable engineering of crop plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lycka Kamoen
- Department of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
| | - Lejon E M Kralemann
- Department of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Robin van Schendel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Niels van Tol
- Department of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J J Hooykaas
- Department of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia de Pater
- Department of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel Tijsterman
- Department of Plant Sciences, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 BE, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Duardo RC, Guerra F, Pepe S, Capranico G. Non-B DNA structures as a booster of genome instability. Biochimie 2023; 214:176-192. [PMID: 37429410 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Non-canonical secondary structures (NCSs) are alternative nucleic acid structures that differ from the canonical B-DNA conformation. NCSs often occur in repetitive DNA sequences and can adopt different conformations depending on the sequence. The majority of these structures form in the context of physiological processes, such as transcription-associated R-loops, G4s, as well as hairpins and slipped-strand DNA, whose formation can be dependent on DNA replication. It is therefore not surprising that NCSs play important roles in the regulation of key biological processes. In the last years, increasing published data have supported their biological role thanks to genome-wide studies and the development of bioinformatic prediction tools. Data have also highlighted the pathological role of these secondary structures. Indeed, the alteration or stabilization of NCSs can cause the impairment of transcription and DNA replication, modification in chromatin structure and DNA damage. These events lead to a wide range of recombination events, deletions, mutations and chromosomal aberrations, well-known hallmarks of genome instability which are strongly associated with human diseases. In this review, we summarize molecular processes through which NCSs trigger genome instability, with a focus on G-quadruplex, i-motif, R-loop, Z-DNA, hairpin, cruciform and multi-stranded structures known as triplexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renée C Duardo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Guerra
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Pepe
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mladenov E, Mladenova V, Stuschke M, Iliakis G. New Facets of DNA Double Strand Break Repair: Radiation Dose as Key Determinant of HR versus c-NHEJ Engagement. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14956. [PMID: 37834403 PMCID: PMC10573367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy is an essential component of present-day cancer management, utilizing ionizing radiation (IR) of different modalities to mitigate cancer progression. IR functions by generating ionizations in cells that induce a plethora of DNA lesions. The most detrimental among them are the DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). In the course of evolution, cells of higher eukaryotes have evolved four major DSB repair pathways: classical non-homologous end joining (c-NHEJ), homologous recombination (HR), alternative end-joining (alt-EJ), and single strand annealing (SSA). These mechanistically distinct repair pathways have different cell cycle- and homology-dependencies but, surprisingly, they operate with widely different fidelity and kinetics and therefore contribute unequally to cell survival and genome maintenance. It is therefore reasonable to anticipate tight regulation and coordination in the engagement of these DSB repair pathway to achieve the maximum possible genomic stability. Here, we provide a state-of-the-art review of the accumulated knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underpinning these repair pathways, with emphasis on c-NHEJ and HR. We discuss factors and processes that have recently come to the fore. We outline mechanisms steering DSB repair pathway choice throughout the cell cycle, and highlight the critical role of DNA end resection in this process. Most importantly, however, we point out the strong preference for HR at low DSB loads, and thus low IR doses, for cells irradiated in the G2-phase of the cell cycle. We further explore the molecular underpinnings of transitions from high fidelity to low fidelity error-prone repair pathways and analyze the coordination and consequences of this transition on cell viability and genomic stability. Finally, we elaborate on how these advances may help in the development of improved cancer treatment protocols in radiation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emil Mladenov
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany; (V.M.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Veronika Mladenova
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany; (V.M.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Stuschke
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany; (V.M.); (M.S.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - George Iliakis
- Division of Experimental Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany; (V.M.); (M.S.)
- Institute of Medical Radiation Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Miller JM, Prange S, Ji H, Rau AR, Khodaverdian VY, Li X, Patel A, Butova N, Lutter A, Chung H, Merigliano C, Rawal CC, Hanscom T, McVey M, Chiolo I. Alternative end-joining results in smaller deletions in heterochromatin relative to euchromatin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.03.531058. [PMID: 37645729 PMCID: PMC10461932 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.03.531058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Pericentromeric heterochromatin is highly enriched for repetitive sequences prone to aberrant recombination. Previous studies showed that homologous recombination (HR) repair is uniquely regulated in this domain to enable 'safe' repair while preventing aberrant recombination. In Drosophila cells, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) relocalize to the nuclear periphery through nuclear actin-driven directed motions before recruiting the strand invasion protein Rad51 and completing HR repair. End-joining (EJ) repair also occurs with high frequency in heterochromatin of fly tissues, but how alternative EJ (alt-EJ) pathways operate in heterochromatin remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we induce DSBs in single euchromatic and heterochromatic sites using a new system that combines the DR- white reporter and I-SceI expression in spermatogonia of flies. Using this approach, we detect higher frequency of HR repair in heterochromatin, relative to euchromatin. Further, sequencing of mutagenic repair junctions reveals the preferential use of different EJ pathways across distinct euchromatic and heterochromatic sites. Interestingly, synthesis-dependent microhomology-mediated end joining (SD-MMEJ) appears differentially regulated in the two domains, with a preferential use of motifs close to the cut site in heterochromatin relative to euchromatin, resulting in smaller deletions. Together, these studies establish a new approach to study repair outcomes in fly tissues, and support the conclusion that heterochromatin uses more HR and less mutagenic EJ repair relative to euchromatin.
Collapse
|
10
|
Veschetti L, Treccani M, De Tomi E, Malerba G. Genomic Instability Evolutionary Footprints on Human Health: Driving Forces or Side Effects? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11437. [PMID: 37511197 PMCID: PMC10380557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, we propose a comprehensive perspective on genomic instability comprising not only the accumulation of mutations but also telomeric shortening, epigenetic alterations and other mechanisms that could contribute to genomic information conservation or corruption. First, we present mechanisms playing a role in genomic instability across the kingdoms of life. Then, we explore the impact of genomic instability on the human being across its evolutionary history and on present-day human health, with a particular focus on aging and complex disorders. Finally, we discuss the role of non-coding RNAs, highlighting future approaches for a better living and an expanded healthy lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Giovanni Malerba
- GM Lab, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (L.V.); (M.T.); (E.D.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lemire BD, Uppuluri P. Coding Sequence Insertions in Fungal Genomes are Intrinsically Disordered and can Impart Functionally-Important Properties on the Host Protein. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.06.535715. [PMID: 37066283 PMCID: PMC10104129 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.06.535715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Insertion and deletion mutations (indels) are important mechanisms of generating protein diversity. Indels in coding sequences are under considerable selective pressure to maintain reading frames and to preserve protein function, but once generated, indels provide raw material for the acquisition of new protein properties and functions. We reported recently that coding sequence insertions in the Candida albicans NDU1 protein, a mitochondrial protein involved in the assembly of the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase are imperative for respiration, biofilm formation and pathogenesis. NDU1 inserts are specific to CTG-clade fungi, absent in human ortholog and successfully harnessed as drug targets. Here, we present the first comprehensive report investigating indels and clade-defining insertions (CDIs) in fungal proteomes. We investigated 80 ascomycete proteomes encompassing CTG clade species, the Saccharomycetaceae family, the Aspergillaceae family and the Herpotrichiellaceae (black yeasts) family. We identified over 30,000 insertions, 4,000 CDIs and 2,500 clade-defining deletions (CDDs). Insert sizes range from 1 to over 1,000 residues in length, while maximum deletion length is 19 residues. Inserts are strikingly over-represented in protein kinases, and excluded from structural domains and transmembrane segments. Inserts are predicted to be highly disordered. The amino acid compositions of the inserts are highly depleted in hydrophobic residues and enriched in polar residues. An indel in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sth1 protein, the catalytic subunit of the RSC (Remodel the Structure of Chromatin) complex is predicted to be disordered until it forms a ß-strand upon interaction. This interaction performs a vital role in RSC-mediated transcriptional regulation, thereby expanding protein function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard D. Lemire
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (retired)
| | - Priya Uppuluri
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
The remodeling of Z-DNA in the mammalian germ line. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1875-1884. [PMID: 36454621 PMCID: PMC9788570 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
We recently discovered a novel biological process, the scheduled remodeling of Z-DNA structures in the developing fetal mouse male germ cells [Nat. Cell Biol. 24, 1141-1153]. This process affects purine/pyrimidine dinucleotide repeat (PPR) rich sequences, which can form stable left-handed Z-DNA structures. The protein that carries out this function is identified as ZBTB43, member of a large family of ZBTB proteins. Z-DNA remodeling by ZBTB43 not only coincides with global remodeling of DNA methylation and chromatin events in the male germ line, but it also is a prerequisite for de novo DNA methylation. When ZBTB43 changes DNA structure from the left-handed zigzag shaped Z-DNA to the regular smooth right-handed B-DNA, it also generates a suitable substrate for the de novo DNA methyltransferase, DNMT3A. By instructing de novo DNA methylation at PPRs in prospermatogonia, ZBTB43 safeguards epigenomic integrity of the male gamete. PPRs are fragile sequences, sites of large deletions and rearrangements in mammalian cells, and this fragility is thought to be due to Z-DNA structure formation rather than the sequence itself. This idea is now supported by the in vivo finding that DNA double strand breaks accumulate in mutant prospermatogonia which lack ZBTB43-dependent Z-DNA remodeling. If unrepaired, double stranded DNA breaks can lead to germ line mutations. Therefore, by preventing such breaks ZBTB43 is critical for guarding genome stability between generations. Here, we discuss the significance and implications of these findings in more detail.
Collapse
|
13
|
DNA Polymerase Theta Plays a Critical Role in Pancreatic Cancer Development and Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174077. [PMID: 36077614 PMCID: PMC9454495 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), due to its genomic heterogeneity and lack of effective treatment, despite decades of intensive research, will become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030. Step-wise acquisition of mutations, due to genomic instability, is considered to drive the development of PDAC; the KRAS mutation occurs in 95 to 100% of human PDAC, and is already detectable in early premalignant lesions designated as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN). This mutation is possibly the key event leading to genomic instability and PDAC development. Our study aimed to investigate the role of the error-prone DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair pathway, alt-EJ, in the presence of the KRAS G12D mutation in pancreatic cancer development. Our findings show that oncogenic KRAS contributes to increasing the expression of Polθ, Lig3, and Mre11, key components of alt-EJ in both mouse and human PDAC models. We further confirm increased catalytic activity of alt-EJ in a mouse and human model of PDAC bearing the KRAS G12D mutation. Subsequently, we focused on estimating the impact of alt-EJ inactivation by polymerase theta (Polθ) deletion on pancreatic cancer development, and survival in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) and cancer patients. Here, we show that even though Polθ deficiency does not fully prevent the development of pancreatic cancer, it significantly delays the onset of PanIN formation, prolongs the overall survival of experimental mice, and correlates with the overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients in the TCGA database. Our study clearly demonstrates the role of alt-EJ in the development of PDAC, and alt-EJ may be an attractive therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer patients.
Collapse
|
14
|
Kamp JA, Lemmens BBLG, Romeijn RJ, González-Prieto R, Olsen J, Vertegaal ACO, van Schendel R, Tijsterman M. THO complex deficiency impairs DNA double-strand break repair via the RNA surveillance kinase SMG-1. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:6235-6250. [PMID: 35670662 PMCID: PMC9226523 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The integrity and proper expression of genomes are safeguarded by DNA and RNA surveillance pathways. While many RNA surveillance factors have additional functions in the nucleus, little is known about the incidence and physiological impact of converging RNA and DNA signals. Here, using genetic screens and genome-wide analyses, we identified unforeseen SMG-1-dependent crosstalk between RNA surveillance and DNA repair in living animals. Defects in RNA processing, due to viable THO complex or PNN-1 mutations, induce a shift in DNA repair in dividing and non-dividing tissues. Loss of SMG-1, an ATM/ATR-like kinase central to RNA surveillance by nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), restores DNA repair and radio-resistance in THO-deficient animals. Mechanistically, we find SMG-1 and its downstream target SMG-2/UPF1, but not NMD per se, to suppress DNA repair by non-homologous end-joining in favour of single strand annealing. We postulate that moonlighting proteins create short-circuits in vivo, allowing aberrant RNA to redirect DNA repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ron J Romeijn
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Román González-Prieto
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jesper V Olsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alfred C O Vertegaal
- Department of Cell & Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robin van Schendel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Antony JS, Hinz JM, Wyrick JJ. Tips, Tricks, and Potential Pitfalls of CRISPR Genome Editing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:924914. [PMID: 35706506 PMCID: PMC9190257 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.924914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The versatility of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) genome editing makes it a popular tool for many research and biotechnology applications. Recent advancements in genome editing in eukaryotic organisms, like fungi, allow for precise manipulation of genetic information and fine-tuned control of gene expression. Here, we provide an overview of CRISPR genome editing technologies in yeast, with a particular focus on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We describe the tools and methods that have been previously developed for genome editing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and discuss tips and experimental tricks for promoting efficient, marker-free genome editing in this model organism. These include sgRNA design and expression, multiplexing genome editing, optimizing Cas9 expression, allele-specific editing in diploid cells, and understanding the impact of chromatin on genome editing. Finally, we summarize recent studies describing the potential pitfalls of using CRISPR genome targeting in yeast, including the induction of background mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob S. Antony
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - John M. Hinz
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - John J. Wyrick
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- *Correspondence: John J. Wyrick,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Al-Soodani AT, Wu X, Kelp NC, Brown AJ, Roberts SA, Her C. hMSH5 Regulates NHEJ and Averts Excessive Nucleotide Alterations at Repair Joints. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040673. [PMID: 35456479 PMCID: PMC9026759 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inappropriate repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) leads to genomic instability, cell death, or malignant transformation. Cells minimize these detrimental effects by selectively activating suitable DSB repair pathways in accordance with their underlying cellular context. Here, we report that hMSH5 down-regulates NHEJ and restricts the extent of DSB end processing before rejoining, thereby reducing “excessive” deletions and insertions at repair joints. RNAi-mediated knockdown of hMSH5 led to large nucleotide deletions and longer insertions at the repair joints, while at the same time reducing the average length of microhomology (MH) at repair joints. Conversely, hMSH5 overexpression reduced end-joining activity and increased RPA foci formation (i.e., more stable ssDNA at DSB ends). Furthermore, silencing of hMSH5 delayed 53BP1 chromatin spreading, leading to increased end resection at DSB ends.
Collapse
|
17
|
Rawal CC, Butova NL, Mitra A, Chiolo I. An Expanding Toolkit for Heterochromatin Repair Studies. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030529. [PMID: 35328082 PMCID: PMC8955653 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pericentromeric heterochromatin is mostly composed of repetitive DNA sequences prone to aberrant recombination. Cells have developed highly specialized mechanisms to enable ‘safe’ homologous recombination (HR) repair while preventing aberrant recombination in this domain. Understanding heterochromatin repair responses is essential to understanding the critical mechanisms responsible for genome integrity and tumor suppression. Here, we review the tools, approaches, and methods currently available to investigate double-strand break (DSB) repair in pericentromeric regions, and also suggest how technologies recently developed for euchromatin repair studies can be adapted to characterize responses in heterochromatin. With this ever-growing toolkit, we are witnessing exciting progress in our understanding of how the ‘dark matter’ of the genome is repaired, greatly improving our understanding of genome stability mechanisms.
Collapse
|
18
|
Kieffer SR, Lowndes NF. Immediate-Early, Early, and Late Responses to DNA Double Stranded Breaks. Front Genet 2022; 13:793884. [PMID: 35173769 PMCID: PMC8841529 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.793884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss or rearrangement of genetic information can result from incorrect responses to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). The cellular responses to DSBs encompass a range of highly coordinated events designed to detect and respond appropriately to the damage, thereby preserving genomic integrity. In analogy with events occurring during viral infection, we appropriate the terms Immediate-Early, Early, and Late to describe the pre-repair responses to DSBs. A distinguishing feature of the Immediate-Early response is that the large protein condensates that form during the Early and Late response and are resolved upon repair, termed foci, are not visible. The Immediate-Early response encompasses initial lesion sensing, involving poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), KU70/80, and MRN, as well as rapid repair by so-called ‘fast-kinetic’ canonical non-homologous end joining (cNHEJ). Initial binding of PARPs and the KU70/80 complex to breaks appears to be mutually exclusive at easily ligatable DSBs that are repaired efficiently by fast-kinetic cNHEJ; a process that is PARP-, ATM-, 53BP1-, Artemis-, and resection-independent. However, at more complex breaks requiring processing, the Immediate-Early response involving PARPs and the ensuing highly dynamic PARylation (polyADP ribosylation) of many substrates may aid recruitment of both KU70/80 and MRN to DSBs. Complex DSBs rely upon the Early response, largely defined by ATM-dependent focal recruitment of many signalling molecules into large condensates, and regulated by complex chromatin dynamics. Finally, the Late response integrates information from cell cycle phase, chromatin context, and type of DSB to determine appropriate pathway choice. Critical to pathway choice is the recruitment of p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) and breast cancer associated 1 (BRCA1). However, additional factors recruited throughout the DSB response also impact upon pathway choice, although these remain to be fully characterised. The Late response somehow channels DSBs into the appropriate high-fidelity repair pathway, typically either ‘slow-kinetic’ cNHEJ or homologous recombination (HR). Loss of specific components of the DSB repair machinery results in cells utilising remaining factors to effect repair, but often at the cost of increased mutagenesis. Here we discuss the complex regulation of the Immediate-Early, Early, and Late responses to DSBs proceeding repair itself.
Collapse
|
19
|
Clay DE, Bretscher HS, Jezuit EA, Bush KB, Fox DT. Persistent DNA damage signaling and DNA polymerase theta promote broken chromosome segregation. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:e202106116. [PMID: 34613334 PMCID: PMC8500225 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202106116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cycling cells must respond to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to avoid genome instability. Missegregation of chromosomes with DSBs during mitosis results in micronuclei, aberrant structures linked to disease. How cells respond to DSBs during mitosis is incompletely understood. We previously showed that Drosophilamelanogaster papillar cells lack DSB checkpoints (as observed in many cancer cells). Here, we show that papillar cells still recruit early acting repair machinery (Mre11 and RPA3) and the Fanconi anemia (FA) protein Fancd2 to DSBs. These proteins persist as foci on DSBs as cells enter mitosis. Repair foci are resolved in a stepwise manner during mitosis. DSB repair kinetics depends on both monoubiquitination of Fancd2 and the alternative end-joining protein DNA polymerase θ. Disruption of either or both of these factors causes micronuclei after DNA damage, which disrupts intestinal organogenesis. This study reveals a mechanism for how cells with inactive DSB checkpoints can respond to DNA damage that persists into mitosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delisa E. Clay
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Heidi S. Bretscher
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Erin A. Jezuit
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Korie B. Bush
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Donald T. Fox
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sakata D, Suzuki M, Hirayama R, Abe Y, Muramatsu M, Sato S, Belov O, Kyriakou I, Emfietzoglou D, Guatelli S, Incerti S, Inaniwa T. Performance Evaluation for Repair of HSGc-C5 Carcinoma Cell Using Geant4-DNA. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6046. [PMID: 34885155 PMCID: PMC8656964 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Track-structure Monte Carlo simulations are useful tools to evaluate initial DNA damage induced by irradiation. In the previous study, we have developed a Gean4-DNA-based application to estimate the cell surviving fraction of V79 cells after irradiation, bridging the gap between the initial DNA damage and the DNA rejoining kinetics by means of the two-lesion kinetics (TLK) model. However, since the DNA repair performance depends on cell line, the same model parameters cannot be used for different cell lines. Thus, we extended the Geant4-DNA application with a TLK model for the evaluation of DNA damage repair performance in HSGc-C5 carcinoma cells which are typically used for evaluating proton/carbon radiation treatment effects. For this evaluation, we also performed experimental measurements for cell surviving fractions and DNA rejoining kinetics of the HSGc-C5 cells irradiated by 70 MeV protons at the cyclotron facility at the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST). Concerning fast- and slow-DNA rejoining, the TLK model parameters were adequately optimized with the simulated initial DNA damage. The optimized DNA rejoining speeds were reasonably agreed with the experimental DNA rejoining speeds. Using the optimized TLK model, the Geant4-DNA simulation is now able to predict cell survival and DNA-rejoining kinetics for HSGc-C5 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dousatsu Sakata
- Department of Accelerator and Medical Physics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Masao Suzuki
- Department of Charged Particle Therapy Research, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (M.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Ryoichi Hirayama
- Department of Charged Particle Therapy Research, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (M.S.); (R.H.)
| | - Yasushi Abe
- Department of Accelerator and Medical Physics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Masayuki Muramatsu
- Department of Accelerator and Medical Physics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Shinji Sato
- Department of Accelerator and Medical Physics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (T.I.)
| | - Oleg Belov
- Veksler and Baldin Laboratory of High Energy Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, 141980 Dubna, Russia;
- Institute of System Analysis and Management, Dubna State University, 141980 Dubna, Russia
| | - Ioanna Kyriakou
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (I.K.); (D.E.)
| | - Dimitris Emfietzoglou
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (I.K.); (D.E.)
| | - Susanna Guatelli
- Centre For Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, Australia;
| | - Sebastien Incerti
- Centre d’Études Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan, CNRS/IN2P3, UMR5797, Université de Bordeaux, F-33170 Gradignan, France;
| | - Taku Inaniwa
- Department of Accelerator and Medical Physics, Institute for Quantum Medical Science, QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan; (Y.A.); (M.M.); (S.S.); (T.I.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jiao Y, Zhou L, Tao R, Wang Y, Hu Y, Jiang L, Li L, Yao S. Random-PE: an efficient integration of random sequences into mammalian genome by prime editing. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:36. [PMID: 35006470 PMCID: PMC8607425 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00057-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Prime editing (PE) enables efficiently targeted introduction of multiple types of small-sized genetic change without requiring double-strand breaks or donor templates. Here we designed a simple strategy to introduce random DNA sequences into targeted genomic loci by prime editing, which we named random prime editing (Random-PE). In our strategy, the prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) was engineered to harbor random sequences between the primer binding sequence (PBS) and homologous arm (HA) of the reverse transcriptase templates. With these pegRNAs, we achieved efficient targeted insertion or substitution of random sequences with different lengths, ranging from 5 to 10, in mammalian cells. Importantly, the diversity of inserted sequences is well preserved. By fine-tuning the design of random sequences, we were able to make simultaneously insertions or substitutions of random sequences in multiple sites, allowing in situ evolution of multiple positions in a given protein. Therefore, these results provide a framework for targeted integration of random sequences into genomes, which can be redirected for manifold applications, such as in situ protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) library construction, enhancer screening, and DNA barcoding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaoge Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lifang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lurong Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shaohua Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Renmin Nanlu 17, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Shaltz S, Jinks-Robertson S. Mutagenic repair of a ZFN-induced double-strand break in yeast: Effects of cleavage site sequence and spacer size. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 108:103228. [PMID: 34601383 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Double-strand breaks are repaired by error-free homologous recombination or by relatively error-prone pathways that directly join broken ends. Both types of repair have been extensively studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using enzymes HO or I-SceI, which create breaks with 4-nt 3' overhangs. In the current study, a galactose-regulated zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN) designed to cleave the Drosophila rosy locus was used to generate breaks with 4-nt 5' overhangs at out-of-frame cleavage sites inserted into the yeast LYS2 gene. Mutagenic repair was examined following selection of prototrophs on lysine-deficient medium containing galactose or surviving colonies on galactose-containing rich medium. Following cleavage of the original rosy spacer (ACGAAT), most Lys+ colonies contained 1- or 4-bp insertions at the cleavage site while most survivors had either a 2-bp insertion or a large deletion. Small insertions reflected nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and large deletions were the product of microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ). Changing the original ACGAAT spacer to either AGCAAT, ACGCGT or CTATTA altered the molecular features of NHEJ events as well as their frequency relative to MMEJ. Altering the optimal 6-bp spacer size between the zinc-finger protein binding sites to 5 bp or 7 bp eliminated the effect of continuous ZFN expression on survival, but Lys+ prototrophs were still generated. Analysis of Lys+ revertants after cleavage of the 5-bp spacer indicated that both the position and spacing of ZFN-generated nicks were variable. Results provide insight into effects of overhang sequence on mutagenic outcomes and demonstrate ZFN cleavage of 5- or 7-bp spacers in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Shaltz
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sue Jinks-Robertson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Pavlova AV, Kubareva EA, Monakhova MV, Zvereva MI, Dolinnaya NG. Impact of G-Quadruplexes on the Regulation of Genome Integrity, DNA Damage and Repair. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1284. [PMID: 34572497 PMCID: PMC8472537 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are known to be an integral part of the complex regulatory systems in both normal and pathological cells. At the same time, the ability of G4s to impede DNA replication plays a critical role in genome integrity. This review summarizes the results of recent studies of G4-mediated genomic and epigenomic instability, together with associated DNA damage and repair processes. Although the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, it is known that, among the proteins that recognize G4 structures, many are linked to DNA repair. We analyzed the possible role of G4s in promoting double-strand DNA breaks, one of the most deleterious DNA lesions, and their repair via error-prone mechanisms. The patterns of G4 damage, with a focus on the introduction of oxidative guanine lesions, as well as their removal from G4 structures by canonical repair pathways, were also discussed together with the effects of G4s on the repair machinery. According to recent findings, there must be a delicate balance between G4-induced genome instability and G4-promoted repair processes. A broad overview of the factors that modulate the stability of G4 structures in vitro and in vivo is also provided here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anzhela V. Pavlova
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.I.Z.); (N.G.D.)
| | - Elena A. Kubareva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.K.); (M.V.M.)
| | - Mayya V. Monakhova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (E.A.K.); (M.V.M.)
| | - Maria I. Zvereva
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.I.Z.); (N.G.D.)
| | - Nina G. Dolinnaya
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; (M.I.Z.); (N.G.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Xue C, Greene EC. DNA Repair Pathway Choices in CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing. Trends Genet 2021; 37:639-656. [PMID: 33896583 PMCID: PMC8187289 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Many clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based genome editing technologies take advantage of Cas nucleases to induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at desired locations within a genome. Further processing of the DSBs by the cellular DSB repair machinery is then necessary to introduce desired mutations, sequence insertions, or gene deletions. Thus, the accuracy and efficiency of genome editing are influenced by the cellular DSB repair pathways. DSBs are themselves highly genotoxic lesions and as such cells have evolved multiple mechanisms for their repair. These repair pathways include homologous recombination (HR), classical nonhomologous end joining (cNHEJ), microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) and single-strand annealing (SSA). In this review, we briefly highlight CRISPR-Cas9 and then describe the mechanisms of DSB repair. Finally, we summarize recent findings of factors that can influence the choice of DNA repair pathway in response to Cas9-induced DSBs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyou Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Eric C Greene
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Tatin X, Muggiolu G, Sauvaigo S, Breton J. Evaluation of DNA double-strand break repair capacity in human cells: Critical overview of current functional methods. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2021; 788:108388. [PMID: 34893153 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly deleterious lesions, responsible for mutagenesis, chromosomal translocation or cell death. DSB repair (DSBR) is therefore a critical part of the DNA damage response (DDR) to restore molecular and genomic integrity. In humans, this process is achieved through different pathways with various outcomes. The balance between DSB repair activities varies depending on cell types, tissues or individuals. Over the years, several methods have been developed to study variations in DSBR capacity. Here, we mainly focus on functional techniques, which provide dynamic information regarding global DSB repair proficiency or the activity of specific pathways. These methods rely on two kinds of approaches. Indirect techniques, such as pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), the comet assay and immunofluorescence (IF), measure DSB repair capacity by quantifying the time-dependent decrease in DSB levels after exposure to a DNA-damaging agent. On the other hand, cell-free assays and reporter-based methods directly track the repair of an artificial DNA substrate. Each approach has intrinsic advantages and limitations and despite considerable efforts, there is currently no ideal method to quantify DSBR capacity. All techniques provide different information and can be regarded as complementary, but some studies report conflicting results. Parameters such as the type of biological material, the required equipment or the cost of analysis may also limit available options. Improving currently available methods measuring DSBR capacity would be a major step forward and we present direct applications in mechanistic studies, drug development, human biomonitoring and personalized medicine, where DSBR analysis may improve the identification of patients eligible for chemo- and radiotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Tatin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IRIG, SyMMES, 38000 Grenoble, France; LXRepair, 5 Avenue du Grand Sablon, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | | | - Sylvie Sauvaigo
- LXRepair, 5 Avenue du Grand Sablon, 38700 La Tronche, France
| | - Jean Breton
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IRIG, SyMMES, 38000 Grenoble, France.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Tomasini PP, Guecheva TN, Leguisamo NM, Péricart S, Brunac AC, Hoffmann JS, Saffi J. Analyzing the Opportunities to Target DNA Double-Strand Breaks Repair and Replicative Stress Responses to Improve Therapeutic Index of Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3130. [PMID: 34201502 PMCID: PMC8268241 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the ample improvements of CRC molecular landscape, the therapeutic options still rely on conventional chemotherapy-based regimens for early disease, and few targeted agents are recommended for clinical use in the metastatic setting. Moreover, the impact of cytotoxic, targeted agents, and immunotherapy combinations in the metastatic scenario is not fully satisfactory, especially the outcomes for patients who develop resistance to these treatments need to be improved. Here, we examine the opportunity to consider therapeutic agents targeting DNA repair and DNA replication stress response as strategies to exploit genetic or functional defects in the DNA damage response (DDR) pathways through synthetic lethal mechanisms, still not explored in CRC. These include the multiple actors involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) through homologous recombination (HR), classical non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), and microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ), inhibitors of the base excision repair (BER) protein poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), as well as inhibitors of the DNA damage kinases ataxia-telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR), CHK1, WEE1, and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM). We also review the biomarkers that guide the use of these agents, and current clinical trials with targeted DDR therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pellenz Tomasini
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Avenida Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; (P.P.T.); (N.M.L.)
- Post-Graduation Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Temenouga Nikolova Guecheva
- Cardiology Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, University Foundation of Cardiology (IC-FUC), Porto Alegre 90620-000, Brazil;
| | - Natalia Motta Leguisamo
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Avenida Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; (P.P.T.); (N.M.L.)
| | - Sarah Péricart
- Laboratoire D’Excellence Toulouse Cancer (TOUCAN), Laboratoire de Pathologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Toulouse, Oncopole, 1 Avenue Irène-Joliot-Curie, 31059 Toulouse, France; (S.P.); (A.-C.B.); (J.S.H.)
| | - Anne-Cécile Brunac
- Laboratoire D’Excellence Toulouse Cancer (TOUCAN), Laboratoire de Pathologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Toulouse, Oncopole, 1 Avenue Irène-Joliot-Curie, 31059 Toulouse, France; (S.P.); (A.-C.B.); (J.S.H.)
| | - Jean Sébastien Hoffmann
- Laboratoire D’Excellence Toulouse Cancer (TOUCAN), Laboratoire de Pathologie, Institut Universitaire du Cancer-Toulouse, Oncopole, 1 Avenue Irène-Joliot-Curie, 31059 Toulouse, France; (S.P.); (A.-C.B.); (J.S.H.)
| | - Jenifer Saffi
- Laboratory of Genetic Toxicology, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Avenida Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; (P.P.T.); (N.M.L.)
- Post-Graduation Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Thompson MK, Sobol RW, Prakash A. Exploiting DNA Endonucleases to Advance Mechanisms of DNA Repair. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:530. [PMID: 34198612 PMCID: PMC8232306 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The earliest methods of genome editing, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFN) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), utilize customizable DNA-binding motifs to target the genome at specific loci. While these approaches provided sequence-specific gene-editing capacity, the laborious process of designing and synthesizing recombinant nucleases to recognize a specific target sequence, combined with limited target choices and poor editing efficiency, ultimately minimized the broad utility of these systems. The discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat sequences (CRISPR) in Escherichia coli dates to 1987, yet it was another 20 years before CRISPR and the CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins were identified as part of the microbial adaptive immune system, by targeting phage DNA, to fight bacteriophage reinfection. By 2013, CRISPR/Cas9 systems had been engineered to allow gene editing in mammalian cells. The ease of design, low cytotoxicity, and increased efficiency have made CRISPR/Cas9 and its related systems the designer nucleases of choice for many. In this review, we discuss the various CRISPR systems and their broad utility in genome manipulation. We will explore how CRISPR-controlled modifications have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms of genome stability, using the modulation of DNA repair genes as examples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marlo K. Thompson
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama Health, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (M.K.T.); (R.W.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Robert W. Sobol
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama Health, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (M.K.T.); (R.W.S.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| | - Aishwarya Prakash
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama Health, Mobile, AL 36604, USA; (M.K.T.); (R.W.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
van Harten AM, Brakenhoff RH. Targeted Treatment of Head and Neck (Pre)Cancer: Preclinical Target Identification and Development of Novel Therapeutic Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:2774. [PMID: 34204886 PMCID: PMC8199752 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) develop in the mucosal lining of the upper-aerodigestive tract. In carcinogen-induced HNSCC, tumors emerge from premalignant mucosal changes characterized by tumor-associated genetic alterations, also coined as 'fields' that are occasionally visible as leukoplakia or erythroplakia lesions but are mostly invisible. Consequently, HNSCC is generally diagnosed de novo at more advanced stages in about 70% of new diagnosis. Despite intense multimodality treatment protocols, the overall 5-years survival rate is 50-60% for patients with advanced stage of disease and seems to have reached a plateau. Of notable concern is the lack of further improvement in prognosis despite advances in treatment. This can be attributed to the late clinical presentation, failure of advanced HNSCC to respond to treatment, the deficit of effective targeted therapies to eradicate tumors and precancerous changes, and the lack of suitable markers for screening and personalized therapy. The molecular landscape of head and neck cancer has been elucidated in great detail, but the absence of oncogenic mutations hampers the identification of druggable targets for therapy to improve outcome of HNSCC. Currently, functional genomic approaches are being explored to identify potential therapeutic targets. Identification and validation of essential genes for both HNSCC and oral premalignancies, accompanied with biomarkers for therapy response, are being investigated. Attentive diagnosis and targeted therapy of the preceding oral premalignant (preHNSCC) changes may prevent the development of tumors. As classic oncogene addiction through activating mutations is not a realistic concept for treatment of HNSCC, synthetic lethality and collateral lethality need to be exploited, next to immune therapies. In recent studies it was shown that cell cycle regulation and DNA damage response pathways become significantly altered in HNSCC causing replication stress, which is an avenue that deserves further exploitation as an HNSCC vulnerability for treatment. The focus of this review is to summarize the current literature on the preclinical identification of potential druggable targets for therapy of (pre)HNSCC, emerging from the variety of gene knockdown and knockout strategies, and the testing of targeted inhibitors. We will conclude with a future perspective on targeted therapy of HNSCC and premalignant changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. van Harten
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tumor Biology & Immunology Section, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; or
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Department of Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ruud H. Brakenhoff
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tumor Biology & Immunology Section, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; or
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Schubert I. Boon and Bane of DNA Double-Strand Breaks. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105171. [PMID: 34068283 PMCID: PMC8153287 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), interrupting the genetic information, are elicited by various environmental and endogenous factors. They bear the risk of cell lethality and, if mis-repaired, of deleterious mutation. This negative impact is contrasted by several evolutionary achievements for DSB processing that help maintaining stable inheritance (correct repair, meiotic cross-over) and even drive adaptation (immunoglobulin gene recombination), differentiation (chromatin elimination) and speciation by creating new genetic diversity via DSB mis-repair. Targeted DSBs play a role in genome editing for research, breeding and therapy purposes. Here, I survey possible causes, biological effects and evolutionary consequences of DSBs, mainly for students and outsiders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Schubert
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), OT Gatersleben, D-06466 Seeland, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Physical Laws Shape Up HOX Gene Collinearity. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9020017. [PMID: 34066586 PMCID: PMC8162341 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hox gene collinearity (HGC) is a multi-scalar property of many animal phyla particularly important in embryogenesis. It relates entities and events occurring in Hox clusters inside the chromosome DNA and in embryonic tissues. These two entities differ in linear size by more than four orders of magnitude. HGC is observed as spatial collinearity (SC), where the Hox genes are located in the order (Hox1, Hox2, Hox3 …) along the 3′ to 5′ direction of DNA in the genome and a corresponding sequence of ontogenetic units (E1, E2, E3, …) located along the Anterior—Posterior axis of the embryo. Expression of Hox1 occurs in E1, Hox2 in E2, Hox3 in E3, etc. Besides SC, a temporal collinearity (TC) has been also observed in many vertebrates. According to TC, first Hox1 is expressed in E1; later, Hox2 is expressed in E2, followed by Hox3 in E3, etc. Lately, doubt has been raised about whether TC really exists. A biophysical model (BM) was formulated and tested during the last 20 years. According to BM, physical forces are created which pull the Hox genes one after the other, driving them to a transcription factory domain where they are transcribed. The existing experimental data support this BM description. Symmetry is a physical–mathematical property of matter that was explored in depth by Noether who formulated a ground-breaking theory (NT) that applies to all sizes of matter. NT may be applied to biology in order to explain the origin of HGC in animals developing not only along the A/P axis, but also to animals with circular symmetry.
Collapse
|
31
|
Creation of a new class of radiosensitizers for glioblastoma based on the mibefradil pharmacophore. Oncotarget 2021; 12:891-906. [PMID: 33953843 PMCID: PMC8092340 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system with a dismal prognosis. Locoregional failure is common despite high doses of radiation therapy, which has prompted great interest in developing novel strategies to radiosensitize these cancers. Our group previously identified a calcium channel blocker (CCB), mibefradil, as a potential GBM radiosensitizer. We discovered that mibefradil selectively inhibits a key DNA repair pathway, alternative non-homologous end joining. We then initiated a phase I clinical trial that revealed promising initial efficacy of mibefradil, but further development was hampered by dose-limiting toxicities, including CCB-related cardiotoxicity, off-target hERG channel and cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) interactions. Here, we show that mibefradil inhibits DNA repair independent of its CCB activity, and report a series of mibefradil analogues which lack CCB activity and demonstrate reduced hERG and CYP activity while retaining potency as DNA repair inhibitors. We present in vivo pharmacokinetic studies of the top analogues with evidence of brain penetration. We also report a targeted siRNA-based screen which suggests a possible role for mTOR and Akt in DNA repair inhibition by this class of drugs. Taken together, these data reveal a new class of mibefradil-based DNA repair inhibitors which can be further advanced into pre-clinical testing and eventually clinical trials, as potential GBM radiosensitizers.
Collapse
|
32
|
Bloh K, Rivera-Torres N. A Consensus Model of Homology-Directed Repair Initiated by CRISPR/Cas Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3834. [PMID: 33917142 PMCID: PMC8067812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism of action of ssODN-directed gene editing has been a topic of discussion within the field of CRISPR gene editing since its inception. Multiple comparable, but distinct, pathways have been discovered for DNA repair both with and without a repair template oligonucleotide. We have previously described the ExACT pathway for oligo-driven DNA repair, which consisted of a two-step DNA synthesis-driven repair catalyzed by the simultaneous binding of the repair oligonucleotide (ssODN) upstream and downstream of the double-strand break. In order to better elucidate the mechanism of ExACT-based repair, we have challenged the assumptions of the pathway with those outlines in other similar non-ssODN-based DNA repair mechanisms. This more comprehensive iteration of the ExACT pathway better described the many different ways where DNA repair can occur in the presence of a repair oligonucleotide after CRISPR cleavage, as well as how these previously distinct pathways can overlap and lead to even more unique repair outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Bloh
- Gene Editing Institute, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, ChristianaCare, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19710, USA;
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19710, USA
| | - Natalia Rivera-Torres
- Gene Editing Institute, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, ChristianaCare, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19710, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Caracciolo D, Riillo C, Di Martino MT, Tagliaferri P, Tassone P. Alternative Non-Homologous End-Joining: Error-Prone DNA Repair as Cancer's Achilles' Heel. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061392. [PMID: 33808562 PMCID: PMC8003480 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer onset and progression lead to a high rate of DNA damage, due to replicative and metabolic stress. To survive in this dangerous condition, cancer cells switch the DNA repair machinery from faithful systems to error-prone pathways, strongly increasing the mutational rate that, in turn, supports the disease progression and drug resistance. Although DNA repair de-regulation boosts genomic instability, it represents, at the same time, a critical cancer vulnerability that can be exploited for synthetic lethality-based therapeutic intervention. We here discuss the role of the error-prone DNA repair, named Alternative Non-Homologous End Joining (Alt-NHEJ), as inducer of genomic instability and as a potential therapeutic target. We portray different strategies to drug Alt-NHEJ and discuss future challenges for selecting patients who could benefit from Alt-NHEJ inhibition, with the aim of precision oncology. Abstract Error-prone DNA repair pathways promote genomic instability which leads to the onset of cancer hallmarks by progressive genetic aberrations in tumor cells. The molecular mechanisms which foster this process remain mostly undefined, and breakthrough advancements are eagerly awaited. In this context, the alternative non-homologous end joining (Alt-NHEJ) pathway is considered a leading actor. Indeed, there is experimental evidence that up-regulation of major Alt-NHEJ components, such as LIG3, PolQ, and PARP1, occurs in different tumors, where they are often associated with disease progression and drug resistance. Moreover, the Alt-NHEJ addiction of cancer cells provides a promising target to be exploited by synthetic lethality approaches for the use of DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitors and even as a sensitizer to checkpoint-inhibitors immunotherapy by increasing the mutational load. In this review, we discuss recent findings highlighting the role of Alt-NHEJ as a promoter of genomic instability and, therefore, as new cancer’s Achilles’ heel to be therapeutically exploited in precision oncology.
Collapse
|
34
|
Peralta-Castro A, García-Medel PL, Baruch-Torres N, Trasviña-Arenas CH, Juarez-Quintero V, Morales-Vazquez CM, Brieba LG. Plant Organellar DNA Polymerases Evolved Multifunctionality through the Acquisition of Novel Amino Acid Insertions. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11111370. [PMID: 33228188 PMCID: PMC7699545 DOI: 10.3390/genes11111370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of DNA polymerases (DNAPs) are specialized enzymes with specific roles in DNA replication, translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), or DNA repair. The enzymatic characteristics to perform accurate DNA replication are in apparent contradiction with TLS or DNA repair abilities. For instance, replicative DNAPs incorporate nucleotides with high fidelity and processivity, whereas TLS DNAPs are low-fidelity polymerases with distributive nucleotide incorporation. Plant organelles (mitochondria and chloroplast) are replicated by family-A DNA polymerases that are both replicative and TLS DNAPs. Furthermore, plant organellar DNA polymerases from the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPOLIs) execute repair of double-stranded breaks by microhomology-mediated end-joining and perform Base Excision Repair (BER) using lyase and strand-displacement activities. AtPOLIs harbor three unique insertions in their polymerization domain that are associated with TLS, microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ), strand-displacement, and lyase activities. We postulate that AtPOLIs are able to execute those different functions through the acquisition of these novel amino acid insertions, making them multifunctional enzymes able to participate in DNA replication and DNA repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antolín Peralta-Castro
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato CP 36821, Mexico; (A.P.-C.); (P.L.G.-M.); (N.B.-T.); (C.H.T.-A.); (V.J.-Q.); (C.M.M.-V.)
| | - Paola L. García-Medel
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato CP 36821, Mexico; (A.P.-C.); (P.L.G.-M.); (N.B.-T.); (C.H.T.-A.); (V.J.-Q.); (C.M.M.-V.)
| | - Noe Baruch-Torres
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato CP 36821, Mexico; (A.P.-C.); (P.L.G.-M.); (N.B.-T.); (C.H.T.-A.); (V.J.-Q.); (C.M.M.-V.)
| | - Carlos H. Trasviña-Arenas
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato CP 36821, Mexico; (A.P.-C.); (P.L.G.-M.); (N.B.-T.); (C.H.T.-A.); (V.J.-Q.); (C.M.M.-V.)
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Víctor Juarez-Quintero
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato CP 36821, Mexico; (A.P.-C.); (P.L.G.-M.); (N.B.-T.); (C.H.T.-A.); (V.J.-Q.); (C.M.M.-V.)
| | - Carlos M. Morales-Vazquez
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato CP 36821, Mexico; (A.P.-C.); (P.L.G.-M.); (N.B.-T.); (C.H.T.-A.); (V.J.-Q.); (C.M.M.-V.)
| | - Luis G. Brieba
- Laboratorio Nacional de Genomica para la Biodiversidad, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apartado Postal 629, Irapuato CP 36821, Mexico; (A.P.-C.); (P.L.G.-M.); (N.B.-T.); (C.H.T.-A.); (V.J.-Q.); (C.M.M.-V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-462-1663007
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Choi JH, Lim YS, Kim MK, Bae SH. Analyses of DNA double-strand break repair pathways in tandem arrays of HXT genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Microbiol 2020; 58:957-966. [PMID: 33125670 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-020-0461-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes contain numerous homologous repeat sequences including redundant genes with divergent homology that can be potential recombination targets. Recombination between divergent sequences is rare but poses a substantial threat to genome stability. The hexose transporter (HXT) gene family shares high sequence similarities at both protein and DNA levels, and some members are placed close together in tandem arrays. In this study, we show that spontaneous interstitial deletions occur at significantly high rates in HXT gene clusters, resulting in chimeric HXT sequences that contain a single junction point. We also observed that DNA double-strand breaks created between HXT genes produce primarily interstitial deletions, whereas internal cleavage of the HXT gene resulted in gene conversions as well as deletion products. Interestingly, interstitial deletions were less constrained by sequence divergence than gene conversion. Moreover, recombination-defective mutations differentially affected the survival frequency. Mutations that impair single-strand annealing (SSA) pathway greatly reduced the survival frequency by 10-1,000-fold, whereas disruption of Rad51-dependent homologous recombination exhibited only modest reduction. Our results indicate that recombination in the tandemly repeated HXT genes occurs primarily via SSA pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hee Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye-Seul Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ku Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Ho Bae
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Science, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|