scholarly journals Mechanisms of double-strand break repair in somatic mammalian cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 423 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea J. Hartlerode ◽  
Ralph Scully

DNA chromosomal DSBs (double-strand breaks) are potentially hazardous DNA lesions, and their accurate repair is essential for the successful maintenance and propagation of genetic information. Two major pathways have evolved to repair DSBs: HR (homologous recombination) and NHEJ (non-homologous end-joining). Depending on the context in which the break is encountered, HR and NHEJ may either compete or co-operate to fix DSBs in eukaryotic cells. Defects in either pathway are strongly associated with human disease, including immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition. Here we review the current knowledge of how NHEJ and HR are controlled in somatic mammalian cells, and discuss the role of the chromatin context in regulating each pathway. We also review evidence for both co-operation and competition between the two pathways.

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (1115) ◽  
pp. 20191054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ensminger ◽  
Markus Löbrich

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent the most severe type of DNA damage since they can lead to genomic rearrangements, events that can initiate and promote tumorigenic processes. DSBs arise from various exogenous agents that induce two single-strand breaks at opposite locations in the DNA double helix. Such two-ended DSBs are repaired in mammalian cells by one of two conceptually different processes, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). NHEJ has the potential to form rearrangements while HR is believed to be error-free since it uses a homologous template for repair. DSBs can also arise from single-stranded DNA lesions if they lead to replication fork collapse. Such DSBs, however, have only one end and are repaired by HR and not by NHEJ. In fact, the majority of spontaneously arising DSBs are one-ended and HR has likely evolved to repair one-ended DSBs. HR of such DSBs demands the engagement of a second break end that is generated by an approaching replication fork. This HR process can cause rearrangements if a homologous template other than the sister chromatid is used. Thus, both NHEJ and HR have the potential to form rearrangements and the proper choice between them is governed by various factors, including cell cycle phase and genomic location of the lesion. We propose that the specific requirements for repairing one-ended DSBs have shaped HR in a way which makes NHEJ the better choice for the repair of some but not all two-ended DSBs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joonas A. Jamsen ◽  
Akira Sassa ◽  
Lalith Perera ◽  
David D. Shock ◽  
William A. Beard ◽  
...  

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.


2009 ◽  
Vol 106 (37) ◽  
pp. 15762-15767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha G. Zeitlin ◽  
Norman M. Baker ◽  
Brian R. Chapados ◽  
Evi Soutoglou ◽  
Jean Y. J. Wang ◽  
...  

The histone H3 variant CENP-A is required for epigenetic specification of centromere identity through a loading mechanism independent of DNA sequence. Using multiphoton absorption and DNA cleavage at unique sites by I-SceI endonuclease, we demonstrate that CENP-A is rapidly recruited to double-strand breaks in DNA, along with three components (CENP-N, CENP-T, and CENP-U) associated with CENP-A at centromeres. The centromere-targeting domain of CENP-A is both necessary and sufficient for recruitment to double-strand breaks. CENP-A accumulation at DNA breaks is enhanced by active non-homologous end-joining but does not require DNA-PKcs or Ligase IV, and is independent of H2AX. Thus, induction of a double-strand break is sufficient to recruit CENP-A in human and mouse cells. Finally, since cell survival after radiation-induced DNA damage correlates with CENP-A expression level, we propose that CENP-A may have a function in DNA repair.


Author(s):  
Roopa Thapar

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are deleterious lesions that are generated in response to ionizing radiation or replication fork collapse that can lead to genomic instability and cancer.  Eukaryotes have evolved two major pathways, namely homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) to repair DSBs.  Whereas the roles of protein-DNA interactions in HR and NHEJ have been fairly well defined, the functions of small and long non-coding RNAs and RNA-DNA hybrids in the DNA damage response is just beginning to be elucidated.  This review summarizes recent discoveries on the identification of non-coding RNAs and RNA-mediated regulation of DSB repair


2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanne M. Murray ◽  
Tom Stiff ◽  
Penny A. Jeggo

DNA DSBs (double-strand breaks) represent a critical lesion for a cell, with misrepair being potentially as harmful as lack of repair. In mammalian cells, DSBs are predominantly repaired by non-homologous end-joining or homologous recombination. The kinetics of repair of DSBs can differ widely, and recent studies have shown that the higher-order chromatin structure can dramatically affect the pathway utilized, the rate of repair and the genetic factors required for repair. Studies of the repair of DSBs arising within heterochromatic DNA regions have provided insight into the constraints that higher-order chromatin structure poses on repair and the processing that is uniquely required for the repair of such DSBs. In the present paper, we provide an overview of our current understanding of the process of heterochromatic DSB repair in mammalian cells and consider the evolutionary conservation of the processes.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lior Onn ◽  
Miguel Portillo ◽  
Stefan Ilic ◽  
Gal Cleitman ◽  
Daniel Stein ◽  
...  

AbstractDNA double strand breaks are the most deleterious type of DNA damage. In this work, we show that SIRT6 directly recognizes DNA damage through a tunnel-like structure, with high affinity for double strand breaks. It relocates to sites of damage independently of signalling and known sensors and activates downstream signalling cascades for double strand break repair by triggering ATM recruitment, H2AX phosphorylation and the recruitment of proteins of the Homologous Recombination and Non-Homologous End Joining pathways. Our findings indicate that SIRT6 plays a previously uncharacterized role as DNA damage sensor, which is critical for initiating the DNA damage response (DDR). Moreover, other Sirtuins share some DSB binding capacity and DDR activation. SIRT6 activates the DDR, before the repair pathway is chosen, and prevents genomic instability. Our findings place SIRT6 at the top of the DDR and pave the road to dissect the contributions of distinct double strand break sensors in downstream signalling.


2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 663-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra L. Cann ◽  
Geoffrey G. Hicks

DNA double-strand breaks occur frequently in cycling cells, and are also induced by exogenous sources, including ionizing radiation. Cells have developed integrated double-strand break response pathways to cope with these lesions, including pathways that initiate DNA repair (either via homologous recombination or nonhomologous end joining), the cell-cycle checkpoints (G1–S, intra-S phase, and G2–M) that provide time for repair, and apoptosis. However, before any of these pathways can be activated, the damage must first be recognized. In this review, we will discuss how the response of mammalian cells to DNA double-strand breaks is regulated, beginning with the activation of ATM, the pinnacle kinase of the double-strand break signalling cascade.


Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 2789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roopa Thapar

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are deleterious lesions that are generated in response to ionizing radiation or replication fork collapse that can lead to genomic instability and cancer. Eukaryotes have evolved two major pathways, namely homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) to repair DSBs. Whereas the roles of protein-DNA interactions in HR and NHEJ have been fairly well defined, the functions of small and long non-coding RNAs and RNA-DNA hybrids in the DNA damage response is just beginning to be elucidated. This review summarizes recent discoveries on the identification of non-coding RNAs and RNA-mediated regulation of DSB repair.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document