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Sato K, Knipscheer P. G-quadruplex resolution: From molecular mechanisms to physiological relevance. DNA Repair (Amst) 2023; 130:103552. [PMID: 37572578 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103552] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Guanine-rich DNA sequences can fold into stable four-stranded structures called G-quadruplexes or G4s. Research in the past decade demonstrated that G4 structures are widespread in the genome and prevalent in regulatory regions of actively transcribed genes. The formation of G4s has been tightly linked to important biological processes including regulation of gene expression and genome maintenance. However, they can also pose a serious threat to genome integrity especially by impeding DNA replication, and G4-associated somatic mutations have been found accumulated in the cancer genomes. Specialised DNA helicases and single stranded DNA binding proteins that can resolve G4 structures play a crucial role in preventing genome instability. The large variety of G4 unfolding proteins suggest the presence of multiple G4 resolution mechanisms in cells. Recently, there has been considerable progress in our detailed understanding of how G4s are resolved, especially during DNA replication. In this review, we first discuss the current knowledge of the genomic G4 landscapes and the impact of G4 structures on DNA replication and genome integrity. We then describe the recent progress on the mechanisms that resolve G4 structures and their physiological relevance. Finally, we discuss therapeutic opportunities to target G4 structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Sato
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW & University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Puck Knipscheer
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW & University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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Datta A, Brosh RM. WRN rescues replication forks compromised by a BRCA2 deficiency: Predictions for how inhibition of a helicase that suppresses premature aging tilts the balance to fork demise and chromosomal instability in cancer. Bioessays 2022; 44:e2200057. [PMID: 35751457 PMCID: PMC9527950 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200057] [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: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancers are frequently attributed to germline mutations in the tumor suppressor genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. BRCA1/2 act to repair double-strand breaks (DSBs) and suppress the demise of unstable replication forks. Our work elucidated a dynamic interplay between BRCA2 and the WRN DNA helicase/exonuclease defective in the premature aging disorder Werner syndrome. WRN and BRCA2 participate in complementary pathways to stabilize replication forks in cancer cells, allowing them to proliferate. Whether the functional overlap of WRN and BRCA2 is relevant to replication at gaps between newly synthesized DNA fragments, protection of telomeres, and/or metabolism of secondary DNA structures remain to be determined. Advances in understanding the mechanisms elicited during replication stress have prompted the community to reconsider avenues for cancer therapy. Insights from studies of PARP or topoisomerase inhibitors provide working models for the investigation of WRN's mechanism of action. We discuss these topics, focusing on the implications of the WRN-BRCA2 genetic interaction under conditions of replication stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arindam Datta
- Helicases and Genomic Integrity Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert M Brosh
- Helicases and Genomic Integrity Section, Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Nickens DG, Bochman ML. Genetic and biochemical interactions of yeast DNA helicases. Methods 2022; 204:234-240. [PMID: 35483549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA helicases function in many types of nucleic acid transactions, and as such, they are vital for genome integrity. Although they are often considered individually, work from many groups demonstrates that these enzymes often genetically and biochemically interact in vivo. Here, we highlight methods to interrogate such interactions among the PIF1 (Pif1 and Rrm3) and RecQ (Hrq1 and Sgs1) family helicases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The interactions among these enzymes were investigated in vivo using deletion and inactivation alleles with a gross-chromosomal rearrangement (GCR) assay. Further, wild-type and inactive recombinant proteins were used to determine the effects of the helicases on telomerase activity in vitro. We found that synergistic increases in GCR rates often occur in double vs. single mutants, suggesting that the helicases function in distinct genome integrity pathways. Further, the recombinant helicases can function together in vitro to modulate telomerase activity. Overall, the data suggest that the interactions among the members of these DNA helicase families are multipartite and argue for a comprehensive systems biology approach to fully elucidate the physiological interplay between these enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Nickens
- Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 USA
| | - Matthew L Bochman
- Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405 USA.
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Single-molecule studies of helicases and translocases in prokaryotic genome-maintenance pathways. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 108:103229. [PMID: 34601381 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103229] [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: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Helicases involved in genomic maintenance are a class of nucleic-acid dependent ATPases that convert the energy of ATP hydrolysis into physical work to execute irreversible steps in DNA replication, repair, and recombination. Prokaryotic helicases provide simple models to understand broadly conserved molecular mechanisms involved in manipulating nucleic acids during genome maintenance. Our understanding of the catalytic properties, mechanisms of regulation, and roles of prokaryotic helicases in DNA metabolism has been assembled through a combination of genetic, biochemical, and structural methods, further refined by single-molecule approaches. Together, these investigations have constructed a framework for understanding the mechanisms that maintain genomic integrity in cells. This review discusses recent single-molecule insights into molecular mechanisms of prokaryotic helicases and translocases.
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Simmons RH, Rogers CM, Bochman ML. A deep dive into the RecQ interactome: something old and something new. Curr Genet 2021; 67:761-767. [PMID: 33961099 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-021-01190-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
RecQ family helicases are found in all domains of life and play roles in multiple processes that underpin genomic integrity. As such, they are often referred to as guardians or caretakers of the genome. Despite their importance, however, there is still much we do not know about their basic functions in vivo, nor do we fully understand how they interact in organisms that encode more than one RecQ family member. We recently took a multi-omics approach to better understand the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hrq1 helicase and its interaction with Sgs1, with these enzymes being the functional homologs of the disease-linked RECQL4 and BLM helicases, respectively. Using synthetic genetic array analyses, immuno-precipitation coupled to mass spectrometry, and RNA-seq, we found that Hrq1 and Sgs1 likely participate in many pathways outside of the canonical DNA recombination and repair functions for which they are already known. For instance, connections to transcription, ribosome biogenesis, and chromatin/chromosome organization were uncovered. These recent results are briefly detailed with respect to current knowledge in the field, and possible follow-up experiments are suggested. In this way, we hope to gain a wholistic understanding of these RecQ helicases and how their mutation leads to genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Simmons
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Cody M Rogers
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Matthew L Bochman
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
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Modeling DNA trapping of anticancer therapeutic targets using missense mutations identifies dominant synthetic lethal interactions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2100240118. [PMID: 33782138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100240118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic screens can identify synthetic lethal (SL) interactions and uncover potential anticancer therapeutic targets. However, most SL screens have utilized knockout or knockdown approaches that do not accurately mimic chemical inhibition of a target protein. Here, we test whether missense mutations can be utilized as a model for a type of protein inhibition that creates a dominant gain-of-function cytotoxicity. We expressed missense mutations in the FEN1 endonuclease and the replication-associated helicase, CHL1, that inhibited enzymatic activity but retained substrate binding, and found that these mutations elicited a dominant SL phenotype consistent with the generation of cytotoxic protein-DNA or protein-protein intermediates. Genetic screens with nuclease-defective hFEN1 and helicase-deficient yCHL1 captured dominant SL interactions, in which ectopic expression of the mutant form, in the presence of the wild-type form, caused SL in specific mutant backgrounds. Expression of nuclease-defective hFEN1 in yeast elicited DNA binding-dependent dominant SL with homologous recombination mutants. In contrast, dominant SL interactions with helicase-deficient yCHL1 were observed in spindle-associated, Ctf18-alternative replication factor C (Ctf18-RFC) clamp loader complex, and cohesin mutant backgrounds. These results highlight the different mechanisms underlying SL interactions that occur in the presence of an inhibited form of the target protein and point to the utility of modeling trapping mutations in pursuit of more clinically relevant SL interactions.
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Comprehensive Synthetic Genetic Array Analysis of Alleles That Interact with Mutation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RecQ Helicases Hrq1 and Sgs1. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:4359-4368. [PMID: 33115720 PMCID: PMC7718751 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Most eukaryotic genomes encode multiple RecQ family helicases, including five such enzymes in humans. For many years, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was considered unusual in that it only contained a single RecQ helicase, named Sgs1. However, it has recently been discovered that a second RecQ helicase, called Hrq1, resides in yeast. Both Hrq1 and Sgs1 are involved in genome integrity, functioning in processes such as DNA inter-strand crosslink repair, double-strand break repair, and telomere maintenance. However, it is unknown if these enzymes interact at a genetic, physical, or functional level as demonstrated for their human homologs. Thus, we performed synthetic genetic array (SGA) analyses of hrq1Δ and sgs1Δ mutants. As inactive alleles of helicases can demonstrate dominant phenotypes, we also performed SGA analyses on the hrq1-K318A and sgs1-K706A ATPase/helicase-null mutants, as well as all combinations of deletion and inactive double mutants. We crossed these eight query strains (hrq1Δ, sgs1Δ, hrq1-K318A, sgs1-K706A, hrq1Δ sgs1Δ, hrq1Δ sgs1-K706A, hrq1-K318A sgs1Δ, and hrq1-K318A sgs1-K706A) to the S. cerevisiae single gene deletion and temperature-sensitive allele collections to generate double and triple mutants and scored them for synthetic positive and negative genetic effects based on colony growth. These screens identified hundreds of synthetic interactions, supporting the known roles of Hrq1 and Sgs1 in DNA repair, as well as suggesting novel connections to rRNA processing, mitochondrial DNA maintenance, transcription, and lagging strand synthesis during DNA replication.
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Castillo-Tandazo W, Smeets MF, Murphy V, Liu R, Hodson C, Heierhorst J, Deans AJ, Walkley CR. ATP-dependent helicase activity is dispensable for the physiological functions of Recql4. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008266. [PMID: 31276497 PMCID: PMC6636780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by skin rash (poikiloderma), skeletal dysplasia, small stature, juvenile cataracts, sparse or absent hair, and predisposition to specific malignancies such as osteosarcoma and hematological neoplasms. RTS is caused by germ-line mutations in RECQL4, a RecQ helicase family member. In vitro studies have identified functions for the ATP-dependent helicase of RECQL4. However, its specific role in vivo remains unclear. To determine the physiological requirement and the biological functions of Recql4 helicase activity, we generated mice with an ATP-binding-deficient knock-in mutation (Recql4K525A). Recql4K525A/K525A mice were strikingly normal in terms of embryonic development, body weight, hematopoiesis, B and T cell development, and physiological DNA damage repair. However, mice bearing two distinct truncating mutations Recql4G522Efs and Recql4R347*, that abolished not only the helicase but also the C-terminal domain, developed a profound bone marrow failure and decrease in survival similar to a Recql4 null allele. These results demonstrate that the ATP-dependent helicase activity of Recql4 is not essential for its physiological functions and that other domains might contribute to this phenotype. Future studies need to be performed to elucidate the complex interactions of RECQL4 domains and its contribution to the development of RTS. DNA helicases unwind double-stranded nucleic acids using energy from ATP to access genetic information during cell replication. In humans, several families of helicases have been described and one of particular importance is the RecQ family, where mutations in three of five members cause human disease. RECQL4 is a member of this family and its mutation results in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS). Prior studies have shown that defects in the helicase region of RECQL4 may contribute to the disease, but no studies have specifically assessed the biological effects of its absence in a whole animal model. In this study, we generated a mouse model with a specific point mutation resulting in a helicase-inactive Recql4 protein. We found that an absence of ATP-dependent helicase activity does not perturb the physiological functions of Recql4 with the homozygous mutants being normal. In contrast, when we assessed point mutations that generate protein truncations these were pathogenic. Our results suggest that the helicase function of Recql4 is not essential for its physiological functions and that other domains of this protein might account for its functions in diseases such as RTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Castillo-Tandazo
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Monique F. Smeets
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Vincent Murphy
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Rui Liu
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Charlotte Hodson
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Jörg Heierhorst
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Deans
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
| | - Carl R. Walkley
- St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, St. Vincent’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Penkert J, Schmidt G, Hofmann W, Schubert S, Schieck M, Auber B, Ripperger T, Hackmann K, Sturm M, Prokisch H, Hille-Betz U, Mark D, Illig T, Schlegelberger B, Steinemann D. Breast cancer patients suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome: mutational spectrum, candidate genes, and unexplained heredity. Breast Cancer Res 2018; 20:87. [PMID: 30086788 PMCID: PMC6081832 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-018-1011-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer is the most prevalent tumor entity in Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Up to 80% of individuals with a Li-Fraumeni-like phenotype do not harbor detectable causative germline TP53 variants. Yet, no systematic panel analyses for a wide range of cancer predisposition genes have been conducted on cohorts of women with breast cancer fulfilling Li-Fraumeni(-like) clinical diagnostic criteria. Methods To specifically help explain the diagnostic gap of TP53 wild-type Li-Fraumeni(-like) breast cancer cases, we performed array-based CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) and panel-based sequencing of 94 cancer predisposition genes on 83 breast cancer patients suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome who had previously had negative test results for causative BRCA1, BRCA2, and TP53 germline variants. Results We identified 13 pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants in ten patients and in nine genes, including four copy number aberrations and nine single-nucleotide variants or small indels. Three patients presented as double-mutation carriers involving two different genes each. In five patients (5 of 83; 6% of cohort), we detected causative pathogenic variants in established hereditary breast cancer susceptibility genes (i.e., PALB2, CHEK2, ATM). Five further patients (5 of 83; 6% of cohort) were found to harbor pathogenic variants in genes lacking a firm association with breast cancer susceptibility to date (i.e., Fanconi pathway genes, RECQ family genes, CDKN2A/p14ARF, and RUNX1). Conclusions Our study details the mutational spectrum in breast cancer patients suggestive of Li-Fraumeni syndrome and indicates the need for intensified research on monoallelic variants in Fanconi pathway and RECQ family genes. Notably, this study further reveals a large portion of still unexplained Li-Fraumeni(-like) cases, warranting comprehensive investigation of recently described candidate genes as well as noncoding regions of the TP53 gene in patients with Li-Fraumeni(-like) syndrome lacking TP53 variants in coding regions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-018-1011-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Penkert
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Gunnar Schmidt
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Winfried Hofmann
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephanie Schubert
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schieck
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bernd Auber
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tim Ripperger
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Karl Hackmann
- Institute for Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marc Sturm
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ursula Hille-Betz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dorothea Mark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Illig
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Brigitte Schlegelberger
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Doris Steinemann
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
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Hengel SR, Spies MA, Spies M. Small-Molecule Inhibitors Targeting DNA Repair and DNA Repair Deficiency in Research and Cancer Therapy. Cell Chem Biol 2017; 24:1101-1119. [PMID: 28938088 PMCID: PMC5679738 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2017.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
To maintain stable genomes and to avoid cancer and aging, cells need to repair a multitude of deleterious DNA lesions, which arise constantly in every cell. Processes that support genome integrity in normal cells, however, allow cancer cells to develop resistance to radiation and DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics. Chemical inhibition of the key DNA repair proteins and pharmacologically induced synthetic lethality have become instrumental in both dissecting the complex DNA repair networks and as promising anticancer agents. The difficulty in capitalizing on synthetically lethal interactions in cancer cells is that many potential targets do not possess well-defined small-molecule binding determinates. In this review, we discuss several successful campaigns to identify and leverage small-molecule inhibitors of the DNA repair proteins, from PARP1, a paradigm case for clinically successful small-molecule inhibitors, to coveted new targets, such as RAD51 recombinase, RAD52 DNA repair protein, MRE11 nuclease, and WRN DNA helicase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R Hengel
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - M Ashley Spies
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Maria Spies
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Mutational analysis of FANCJ helicase. Methods 2016; 108:118-29. [PMID: 27107905 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
FANCJ is a superfamily 2 DNA helicase, which also belongs to the iron-sulfur domain containing helicases that include XPD, ChlR1 (DDX11), and RTEL1. Mutations in FANCJ are genetically linked to Fanconi anemia (FA), breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. FANCJ plays a critical role in genome stability and participates in DNA interstrand crosslink and double-strand break repair. Enormous sequence alterations in exons and introns of FANCJ have been identified in patients, including 15 mutations in the coding region which are linked to breast cancer, 12 to FA, and two to ovarian cancer. We and other groups have characterized several FANCJ missense mutations, including M299I, A349P, R251C, and Q255H. As an increasing number of clinically relevant FANCJ mutations are identified, understanding the mechanism whereby FANCJ mutation leads to diseases is critical. Mutational analysis of FANCJ will help us elucidate the pathogenesis and potentially lead to therapeutic strategies by targeting FANCJ.
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Russell CW, Mulvey MA. The Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Factor RqlI Constrains the Genotoxic Effects of the RecQ-Like Helicase RqlH. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005317. [PMID: 26636713 PMCID: PMC4670107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli colonize the human gut and can spread to other body sites to induce diseases such as urinary tract infections, sepsis, and meningitis. A complete understanding of the infection process is hindered by both the inherent genetic diversity of E. coli and the large number of unstudied genes. Here, we focus on the uncharacterized gene rqlI, which our lab recently uncovered in a Tn-seq screen for bacterial genes required within a zebrafish model of infection. We demonstrate that the ΔrqlI mutant experiences a growth defect and increased DNA stress in low oxygen conditions. In a genetic screen for suppressor mutations in the Δrql strain, we found that the shortcomings of the Δrql mutant are attributable to the activity of RqlH, which is known in other bacteria to be a helicase of the RecQ family that contains a phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase) domain. Disruption of rqlH rescues the ΔrqlI strain in both in vivo and in vitro assays, while the expression of RqlH alone activates the SOS response coincident with bacterial filamentation, heightened sensitivity to DNA damage, and an increased mutation rate. The analysis of truncation mutants indicates that, in the absence of RqlI, RqlH toxicity is due to its PRTase domain. Complementary studies demonstrate that the toxicity of RqlH is modulated in a context-dependent fashion by overlapping domains within RqlI. This regulation is seemingly direct, given that the two proteins physically interact and form an operon. Interestingly, RqlH and RqlI orthologs are encoded by a diverse group of bacteria, but in many of these microbes, and especially in Gram-positive organisms, rqlH is found in the absence of rqlI. In total, this work shows that RqlH and RqlI can act in a strain-specific fashion akin to a toxin-antitoxin system in which toxicity is mediated by an atypical helicase-associated PRTase domain. Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) cause the majority of urinary tract infections, and are also able to infect the bloodstream, meninges, and various other sites within the human host. These infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat as ExPEC strains gain resistance to many of the antibiotics that are commonly used in the clinic. The development of improved treatment strategies requires a deeper understanding of the factors that promote ExPEC fitness and virulence within the host. In genetic screens, we identified a functionally uncharacterized protein, RqlI, which promotes ExPEC survival within diverse host environments. We find that RqlI binds to and works in tandem with RqlH, a protein that has been shown in other bacteria to unwind DNA. In the absence of RqlI, we found that RqlH can become toxic to ExPEC, causing DNA damage and slower growth. A specific part of RqlH that is predicted to manipulate the nucleotides that make up DNA is responsible for this toxicity. The ability of RqlH to inhibit bacterial growth when not held in check by RqlI suggests that the specific inactivation of RqlI could have therapeutic value in combating ExPEC and other pathogens that express these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin W. Russell
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Matthew A. Mulvey
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Molecular events in muscle-invasive bladder cancer development. Bladder Cancer 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/9781118674826.ch29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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14
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Brosh RM, Cantor SB. Molecular and cellular functions of the FANCJ DNA helicase defective in cancer and in Fanconi anemia. Front Genet 2014; 5:372. [PMID: 25374583 PMCID: PMC4204437 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The FANCJ DNA helicase is mutated in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer as well as the progressive bone marrow failure disorder Fanconi anemia (FA). FANCJ is linked to cancer suppression and DNA double strand break repair through its direct interaction with the hereditary breast cancer associated gene product, BRCA1. FANCJ also operates in the FA pathway of interstrand cross-link repair and contributes to homologous recombination. FANCJ collaborates with a number of DNA metabolizing proteins implicated in DNA damage detection and repair, and plays an important role in cell cycle checkpoint control. In addition to its role in the classical FA pathway, FANCJ is believed to have other functions that are centered on alleviating replication stress. FANCJ resolves G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures that are known to affect cellular replication and transcription, and potentially play a role in the preservation and functionality of chromosomal structures such as telomeres. Recent studies suggest that FANCJ helps to maintain chromatin structure and preserve epigenetic stability by facilitating smooth progression of the replication fork when it encounters DNA damage or an alternate DNA structure such as a G4. Ongoing studies suggest a prominent but still not well-understood role of FANCJ in transcriptional regulation, chromosomal structure and function, and DNA damage repair to maintain genomic stability. This review will synthesize our current understanding of the molecular and cellular functions of FANCJ that are critical for chromosomal integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Brosh
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sharon B Cantor
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School - UMASS Memorial Cancer Center Worcester, MA, USA
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15
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Guo M, Vidhyasagar V, Ding H, Wu Y. Insight into the roles of helicase motif Ia by characterizing Fanconi anemia group J protein (FANCJ) patient mutations. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:10551-10565. [PMID: 24573678 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.538892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicases are molecular motors that couple the energy of ATP hydrolysis to the unwinding and remodeling of structured DNA or RNA, which is coordinated by conserved helicase motifs. FANCJ is a DNA helicase that is genetically linked to Fanconi anemia, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Here, we characterized two Fanconi anemia patient mutations, R251C and Q255H, that are localized in helicase motif Ia. Our genetic complementation analysis revealed that both the R251C and Q255H alleles failed to rescue cisplatin sensitivity of a FANCJ null cell line as detected by cell survival or γ-H2AX foci formation. Furthermore, our biochemical assays demonstrated that both purified recombinant proteins abolished DNA helicase activity and failed to disrupt the DNA-protein complex. Intriguingly, R251C impaired DNA binding ability to single-strand DNA and double-strand DNA, whereas Q255H retained higher binding activity to these DNA substrates compared with wild-type FANCJ protein. Consequently, R251C abolished its DNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis activity, whereas Q255H retained normal ATPase activity. Physically, R251C had reduced ATP binding ability, whereas Q255H had normal ATP binding ability and could translocate on single-strand DNA. Although both proteins were recruited to damage sites in our laser-activated confocal assays, they lost their DNA repair function, which explains why they exerted a domain negative effect when expressed in a wild-type background. Taken together, our work not only reveals the structural function of helicase motif Ia but also provides the molecular pathology of FANCJ in related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manhong Guo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Venkatasubramanian Vidhyasagar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Hao Ding
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Yuliang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, Canada.
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16
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Bochman ML, Paeschke K, Chan A, Zakian VA. Hrq1, a homolog of the human RecQ4 helicase, acts catalytically and structurally to promote genome integrity. Cell Rep 2014; 6:346-56. [PMID: 24440721 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human RecQ4 (hRecQ4) affects cancer and aging but is difficult to study because it is a fusion between a helicase and an essential replication factor. Budding yeast Hrq1 is homologous to the disease-linked helicase domain of RecQ4 and, like hRecQ4, is a robust 3'-5' helicase. Additionally, Hrq1 has the unusual property of forming heptameric rings. Cells lacking Hrq1 exhibited two DNA damage phenotypes: hypersensitivity to DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) and telomere addition to DNA breaks. Both activities are rare; their coexistence in a single protein is unprecedented. Resistance to ICLs requires helicase activity, but suppression of telomere addition does not. Hrq1 also affects telomere length by a noncatalytic mechanism, as well as telomerase-independent telomere maintenance. Because Hrq1 binds telomeres in vivo, it probably affects them directly. Thus, the tumor-suppressing activity of RecQ4 could be due to a role in ICL repair and/or suppression of de novo telomere addition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Bochman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Angela Chan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Virginia A Zakian
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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17
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The Gemin associates of survival motor neuron are required for motor function in Drosophila. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83878. [PMID: 24391840 PMCID: PMC3877121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Membership of the survival motor neuron (SMN) complex extends to nine factors, including the SMN protein, the product of the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease gene, Gemins 2-8 and Unrip. The best-characterised function of this macromolecular machine is the assembly of the Sm-class of uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles and each SMN complex member has a key role during this process. So far, however, only little is known about the function of the individual Gemin components in vivo. Here, we make use of the Drosophila model organism to uncover loss-of-function phenotypes of Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5, which together with SMN form the minimalistic fly SMN complex. We show that ectopic overexpression of the dead helicase Gem3(ΔN) mutant or knockdown of Gemin3 result in similar motor phenotypes, when restricted to muscle, and in combination cause lethality, hence suggesting that Gem3(ΔN) overexpression mimics a loss-of-function. Based on the localisation pattern of Gem3(ΔN), we predict that the nucleus is the primary site of the antimorphic or dominant-negative mechanism of Gem3(ΔN)-mediated interference. Interestingly, phenotypes induced by human SMN overexpression in Drosophila exhibit similarities to those induced by overexpression of Gem3(ΔN). Through enhanced knockdown we also uncover a requirement of Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5 for viability and motor behaviour, including locomotion as well as flight, in muscle. Notably, in the case of Gemin3 and Gemin5, such function also depends on adequate levels of the respective protein in neurons. Overall, these findings lead us to speculate that absence of any one member is sufficient to arrest the SMN-Gemins complex function in a nucleocentric pathway, which is critical for motor function in vivo.
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18
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Suhasini AN, Brosh RM. Disease-causing missense mutations in human DNA helicase disorders. Mutat Res 2012; 752:138-152. [PMID: 23276657 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2012.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Helicases have important roles in nucleic acid metabolism, and their prominence is marked by the discovery of genetic disorders arising from disease-causing mutations. Missense mutations can yield unique insight to molecular functions and basis for disease pathology. XPB or XPD missense mutations lead to Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne's syndrome, Trichothiodystrophy, or COFS syndrome, suggesting that DNA repair and transcription defects are responsible for clinical heterogeneity. Complex phenotypes are also observed for RECQL4 helicase mutations responsible for Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, Baller-Gerold syndrome, or RAPADILINO. Bloom's syndrome causing missense mutations are found in the conserved helicase and RecQ C-terminal domain of BLM that interfere with helicase function. Although rare, patient-derived missense mutations in the exonuclease or helicase domain of Werner syndrome protein exist. Characterization of WRN separation-of-function mutants may provide insight to catalytic requirements for suppression of phenotypes associated with the premature aging disorder. Characterized FANCJ missense mutations associated with breast cancer or Fanconi anemia interfere with FANCJ helicase activity required for DNA repair and the replication stress response. For example, a FA patient-derived mutation in the FANCJ Iron-Sulfur domain was shown to uncouple its ATPase and translocase activity from DNA unwinding. Mutations in DDX11 (ChlR1) are responsible for Warsaw Breakage syndrome, a recently discovered autosomal recessive cohesinopathy. Ongoing and future studies will address clinically relevant helicase mutations and polymorphisms, including those that interfere with key protein interactions or exert dominant negative phenotypes (e.g., certain mutant alleles of Twinkle mitochondrial DNA helicase). Chemical rescue may be an approach to restore helicase activity in loss-of-function helicase disorders. Genetic and biochemical analyses of disease-causing missense mutations in human helicase disorders have led to new insights to the molecular defects underlying aberrant cellular and clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avvaru N Suhasini
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, NIH, NIH Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Robert M Brosh
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, NIH, NIH Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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Wu Y, Sommers JA, Loiland JA, Kitao H, Kuper J, Kisker C, Brosh RM. The Q motif of Fanconi anemia group J protein (FANCJ) DNA helicase regulates its dimerization, DNA binding, and DNA repair function. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:21699-716. [PMID: 22582397 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.351338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The Q motif, conserved in a number of RNA and DNA helicases, is proposed to be important for ATP binding based on structural data, but its precise biochemical functions are less certain. FANCJ encodes a Q motif DEAH box DNA helicase implicated in Fanconi anemia and breast cancer. A Q25A mutation of the invariant glutamine in the Q motif abolished its ability to complement cisplatin or telomestatin sensitivity of a fancj null cell line and exerted a dominant negative effect. Biochemical characterization of the purified recombinant FANCJ-Q25A protein showed that the mutation disabled FANCJ helicase activity and the ability to disrupt protein-DNA interactions. FANCJ-Q25A showed impaired DNA binding and ATPase activity but displayed ATP binding and temperature-induced unfolding transition similar to FANCJ-WT. Size exclusion chromatography and sedimentation velocity analyses revealed that FANCJ-WT existed as molecular weight species corresponding to a monomer and a dimer, and the dimeric form displayed a higher specific activity for ATPase and helicase, as well as greater DNA binding. In contrast, FANCJ-Q25A existed only as a monomer, devoid of helicase activity. Thus, the Q motif is essential for FANCJ enzymatic activity in vitro and DNA repair function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliang Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institutes of Health Biomedical Research Center, NIA, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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20
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Di Antonio M, Rodriguez R, Balasubramanian S. Experimental approaches to identify cellular G-quadruplex structures and functions. Methods 2012; 57:84-92. [PMID: 22343041 PMCID: PMC3563962 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich nucleic acids can fold into non-canonical DNA secondary structures called G-quadruplexes. The formation of these structures can interfere with the biology that is crucial to sustain cellular homeostases and metabolism via mechanisms that include transcription, translation, splicing, telomere maintenance and DNA recombination. Thus, due to their implication in several biological processes and possible role promoting genomic instability, G-quadruplex forming sequences have emerged as potential therapeutic targets. There has been a growing interest in the development of synthetic molecules and biomolecules for sensing G-quadruplex structures in cellular DNA. In this review, we summarise and discuss recent methods developed for cellular imaging of G-quadruplexes, and the application of experimental genomic approaches to detect G-quadruplexes throughout genomic DNA. In particular, we will discuss the use of engineered small molecules and natural proteins to enable pull-down, ChIP-Seq, ChIP-chip and fluorescence imaging of G-quadruplex structures in cellular DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Di Antonio
- University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
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21
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Wu Y, Brosh RM. DNA helicase and helicase-nuclease enzymes with a conserved iron-sulfur cluster. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:4247-60. [PMID: 22287629 PMCID: PMC3378879 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Conserved Iron-Sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are found in a growing family of metalloproteins that are implicated in prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA replication and repair. Among these are DNA helicase and helicase-nuclease enzymes that preserve chromosomal stability and are genetically linked to diseases characterized by DNA repair defects and/or a poor response to replication stress. Insight to the structural and functional importance of the conserved Fe-S domain in DNA helicases has been gleaned from structural studies of the purified proteins and characterization of Fe-S cluster site-directed mutants. In this review, we will provide a current perspective of what is known about the Fe-S cluster helicases, with an emphasis on how the conserved redox active domain may facilitate mechanistic aspects of helicase function. We will discuss testable models for how the conserved Fe-S cluster might operate in helicase and helicase-nuclease enzymes to conduct their specialized functions that help to preserve the integrity of the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, Health Sciences Building, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, Canada.
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22
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Suhasini AN, Brosh RM. Fanconi anemia and Bloom's syndrome crosstalk through FANCJ-BLM helicase interaction. Trends Genet 2011; 28:7-13. [PMID: 22024395 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Fanconi anemia (FA) and Bloom's syndrome (BS) are rare hereditary chromosomal instability disorders. FA displays bone marrow failure, acute myeloid leukemia, and head and neck cancers, whereas BS is characterized by growth retardation, immunodeficiency, and a wide spectrum of cancers. The BLM gene mutated in BS encodes a DNA helicase that functions in a protein complex to suppress sister-chromatid exchange. Of the 15 FA genetic complementation groups implicated in interstrand crosslink repair, FANCJ encodes a DNA helicase involved in recombinational repair and replication stress response. Based on evidence that BLM and FANCJ interact we suggest that crosstalk between BLM and FA pathways is more complex than previously thought. We propose testable models for how FANCJ and BLM coordinate to help cells deal with stalled replication forks or double-strand breaks (DSB). Understanding how BLM and FANCJ cooperate will help to elucidate an important pathway for maintaining genomic stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avvaru N Suhasini
- Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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23
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Huang W, Smaldino PJ, Zhang Q, Miller LD, Cao P, Stadelman K, Wan M, Giri B, Lei M, Nagamine Y, Vaughn JP, Akman SA, Sui G. Yin Yang 1 contains G-quadruplex structures in its promoter and 5'-UTR and its expression is modulated by G4 resolvase 1. Nucleic Acids Res 2011; 40:1033-49. [PMID: 21993297 PMCID: PMC3273823 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a multifunctional protein with regulatory potential in tumorigenesis. Ample studies demonstrated the activities of YY1 in regulating gene expression and mediating differential protein modifications. However, the mechanisms underlying YY1 gene expression are relatively understudied. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded structures or motifs formed by guanine-rich DNA or RNA domains. The presence of G4 structures in a gene promoter or the 5′-UTR of its mRNA can markedly affect its expression. In this report, we provide strong evidence showing the presence of G4 structures in the promoter and the 5′-UTR of YY1. In reporter assays, mutations in these G4 structure forming sequences increased the expression of Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) downstream of either YY1 promoter or 5′-UTR. We also discovered that G4 Resolvase 1 (G4R1) enhanced the Gluc expression mediated by the YY1 promoter, but not the YY1 5′-UTR. Consistently, G4R1 binds the G4 motif of the YY1 promoter in vitro and ectopically expressed G4R1 increased endogenous YY1 levels. In addition, the analysis of a gene array data consisting of the breast cancer samples of 258 patients also indicates a significant, positive correlation between G4R1 and YY1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Huang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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24
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Friedenson B. A common environmental carcinogen unduly affects carriers of cancer mutations: carriers of genetic mutations in a specific protective response are more susceptible to an environmental carcinogen. Med Hypotheses 2011; 77:791-7. [PMID: 21839586 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 07/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
One way an inherited cancer gene mutation may target specific tissues for cancer is by increasing susceptibility when a tissue is exposed to environmental carcinogens. An example of this may be the increased susceptibility of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers to the carcinogen formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is now a proven cause of human myeloid leukemias. Yet millions of tons of formaldehyde are produced every year and it is everywhere. High formaldehyde levels can overwhelm normal enzyme detoxification systems and cause DNA damage. It is known that some types of formaldehyde-associated DNA damage require error-free DNA repairs mediated by pathways containing BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins. Otherwise some formaldehyde-related DNA damage cannot be properly repaired so mutations may occur. Therefore, carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene defects should be unduly susceptible to myeloid leukemia. Studies show that inherited biallelic BRCA2 gene defects dramatically increase risks for myeloid leukemia. Heterozygous BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations also increase risks for myeloid leukemias in 11 of 12 relevant studies. BRCA1/2 mutation carriers may reduce risks for myeloid leukemias by using available precautions to lower their exposure to formaldehyde.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Friedenson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA.
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Sissi C, Gatto B, Palumbo M. The evolving world of protein-G-quadruplex recognition: a medicinal chemist's perspective. Biochimie 2011; 93:1219-30. [PMID: 21549174 PMCID: PMC7126356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The physiological and pharmacological role of nucleic acids structures folded into the non canonical G-quadruplex conformation have recently emerged. Their activities are targeted at vital cellular processes including telomere maintenance, regulation of transcription and processing of the pre-messenger or telomeric RNA. In addition, severe conditions like cancer, fragile X syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Werner syndrome and Fanconi anemia J are related to genomic defects that involve G-quadruplex forming sequences. In this connection G-quadruplex recognition and processing by nucleic acid directed proteins and enzymes represents a key event to activate or deactivate physiological or pathological pathways. In this review we examine protein-G-quadruplex recognition in physiologically significant conditions and discuss how to possibly exploit the interactions' selectivity for targeted therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padua, Italy
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