Chk1 promotes non-homologous end joining in G1 through direct phosphorylation of ASF1A

Protection of genome integrity is vital for all living organisms, particularly when DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) occur. Eukaryotes have developed two main pathways, namely Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) and Homologous Recombination (HR), to repair DSBs. While most of the current research is focused on the role of key protein players in the functional regulation of DSB repair pathways, accumulating evidence has uncovered a novel class of regulating factors termed non-coding RNAs. Non-coding RNAs have been found to hold a pivotal role in the activation of DSB repair mechanisms, thereby safeguarding genomic stability. In particular, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have begun to emerge as new players with vast therapeutic potential. This review summarizes important advances in the field of lncRNAs, including characterization of recently identified lncRNAs, and their implication in DSB repair pathways in the context of tumorigenesis.

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Structural basis for proficient oxidized ribonucleotide insertion in double strand break repair

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24486-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joonas A. Jamsen ◽

Akira Sassa ◽

Lalith Perera ◽

David D. Shock ◽

William A. Beard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mammalian Cells ◽

Time Lapse ◽

Strand Break ◽

Structural Basis ◽

End Joining ◽

Strand Breaks ◽

Nucleotide Pools ◽

Nucleotide Insertion ◽

Non Homologous End Joining

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidize cellular nucleotide pools and cause double strand breaks (DSBs). Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) attaches broken chromosomal ends together in mammalian cells. Ribonucleotide insertion by DNA polymerase (pol) μ prepares breaks for end-joining and this is required for successful NHEJ in vivo. We previously showed that pol μ lacks discrimination against oxidized dGTP (8-oxo-dGTP), that can lead to mutagenesis, cancer, aging and human disease. Here we reveal the structural basis for proficient oxidized ribonucleotide (8-oxo-rGTP) incorporation during DSB repair by pol μ. Time-lapse crystallography snapshots of structural intermediates during nucleotide insertion along with computational simulations reveal substrate, metal and side chain dynamics, that allow oxidized ribonucleotides to escape polymerase discrimination checkpoints. Abundant nucleotide pools, combined with inefficient sanitization and repair, implicate pol μ mediated oxidized ribonucleotide insertion as an emerging source of widespread persistent mutagenesis and genomic instability.

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Analysis of chromatid-break-repair detects a homologous recombination to non-homologous end-joining switch with increasing load of DNA double-strand breaks

Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis ◽

10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503372 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 503372

Author(s):

Tamara Murmann-Konda ◽

Aashish Soni ◽

Martin Stuschke ◽

George Iliakis

Keyword(s):

Homologous Recombination ◽

Double Strand Breaks ◽

Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽

End Joining ◽

Strand Breaks ◽

Chromatid Break ◽

Break Repair ◽

Non Homologous End Joining ◽

Increasing Load

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Gene targeting facilitated by engineered sequence-specific nucleases and its potential for applications in crop improvement

Plant and Cell Physiology ◽

10.1093/pcp/pcab034 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daisuke Miki ◽

Rui Wang ◽

Jing Li ◽

Dali Kong ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Targeting ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Crop Improvement ◽

Strand Break ◽

End Joining ◽

Homology Directed Repair ◽

Target Dna ◽

Targeted Gene Editing ◽

Non Homologous End Joining

Abstract Humans are currently facing the problem of how to ensure that there is enough food to feed all of the world’s population. Ensuring that the food supply is sufficient will likely require the modification of crop genomes to improve their agronomic traits. The development of engineered sequence-specific nucleases (SSNs) paved the way for targeted gene editing in organisms, including plants. SSNs generate a double-strand break (DSB) at the target DNA site in a sequence-specific manner. These DSBs are predominantly repaired via error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), and are only rarely repaired via error-free homology-directed repair (HDR) if an appropriate donor template is provided. Gene targeting (GT), i.e., the integration or replacement of a particular sequence, can be achieved with combinations of SSNs and repair donor templates. Although its efficiency is extremely low, GT has been achieved in some higher plants. Here, we provide an overview of SSN-facilitated GT in higher plants and discuss the potential of GT as a powerful tool for generating crop plants with desirable features.

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An improved method for precise genome editing in zebrafish using CRISPR-Cas9 technique

Molecular Biology Reports ◽

10.1007/s11033-020-06125-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Eugene V. Gasanov ◽

Justyna Jędrychowska ◽

Michal Pastor ◽

Malgorzata Wiweger ◽

Axel Methner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genome Editing ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Target Site ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Intervention Site ◽

End Joining ◽

Guide Rna ◽

Guide Rnas ◽

Cas9 Nuclease ◽

Non Homologous End Joining

AbstractCurrent methods of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated site-specific mutagenesis create deletions and small insertions at the target site which are repaired by imprecise non-homologous end-joining. Targeting of the Cas9 nuclease relies on a short guide RNA (gRNA) corresponding to the genome sequence approximately at the intended site of intervention. We here propose an improved version of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing that relies on two complementary guide RNAs instead of one. Two guide RNAs delimit the intervention site and allow the precise deletion of several nucleotides at the target site. As proof of concept, we generated heterozygous deletion mutants of the kcng4b, gdap1, and ghitm genes in the zebrafish Danio rerio using this method. A further analysis by high-resolution DNA melting demonstrated a high efficiency and a low background of unpredicted mutations. The use of two complementary gRNAs improves CRISPR-Cas9 specificity and allows the creation of predictable and precise mutations in the genome of D. rerio.

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Use of single guided Cas9 nickase to facilitate precise and efficient genome editing in human iPSCs

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89312-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pan P. Li ◽

Russell L. Margolis

Keyword(s):

Genome Editing ◽

Disease Modeling ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽

Cag Repeat ◽

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type ◽

End Joining ◽

Human Ipscs ◽

Non Homologous End Joining ◽

Transient Overexpression ◽

Donor Template

AbstractCas9 nucleases permit rapid and efficient generation of gene-edited cell lines. However, in typical protocols, mutations are intentionally introduced into the donor template to avoid the cleavage of donor template or re-cleavage of the successfully edited allele, compromising the fidelity of the isogenic lines generated. In addition, the double-stranded breaks (DSBs) used for editing can introduce undesirable “on-target” indels within the second allele of successfully modified cells via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). To address these problems, we present an optimized protocol for precise genome editing in human iPSCs that employs (1) single guided Cas9 nickase to generate single-stranded breaks (SSBs), (2) transient overexpression of BCL-XL to enhance survival post electroporation, and (3) the PiggyBac transposon system for seamless removal of dual selection markers. We have used this method to modify the length of the CAG repeat contained in exon 7 of PPP2R2B. When longer than 43 triplets, this repeat causes the neurodegenerative disorder spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12); our goal was to seamlessly introduce the SCA12 mutation into a human control iPSC line. With our protocol, ~ 15% of iPSC clones selected had the desired gene editing without “on target” indels or off-target changes, and without the deliberate introduction of mutations via the donor template. This method will allow for the precise and efficient editing of human iPSCs for disease modeling and other purposes.

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