scholarly journals Restrictions Limiting the Generation of DNA Double Strand Breaks during Chromosomal V(D)J Recombination

2002 ◽  
Vol 195 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Tillman ◽  
Andrea L. Wooley ◽  
Maureen M. Hughes ◽  
Tara D. Wehrly ◽  
Wojciech Swat ◽  
...  

Antigen receptor loci are composed of numerous variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments, each flanked by recombination signal sequences (RSSs). The V(D)J recombination reaction proceeds through RSS recognition and DNA cleavage steps making it possible for multiple DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) to be introduced at a single locus. Here we use ligation-mediated PCR to analyze DNA cleavage intermediates in thymocytes from mice with targeted RSS mutations at the endogenous TCRβ locus. We show that DNA cleavage does not occur at individual RSSs but rather must be coordinated between RSS pairs flanking gene segments that ultimately form coding joins. Coordination of the DNA cleavage step occurs over great distances in the chromosome and favors intra- over interchromosomal recombination. Furthermore, through several restrictions imposed on the generation of both nonpaired and paired DNA DSBs, this requirement promotes antigen receptor gene integrity and genomic stability in developing lymphocytes undergoing V(D)J recombination.

2009 ◽  
Vol 206 (3) ◽  
pp. 669-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth A. Helmink ◽  
Andrea L. Bredemeyer ◽  
Baeck-Seung Lee ◽  
Ching-Yu Huang ◽  
Girdhar G. Sharma ◽  
...  

The Mre11–Rad50–Nbs1 (MRN) complex functions in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR) at postreplicative stages of the cell cycle. During HR, the MRN complex functions directly in the repair of DNA DSBs and in the initiation of DSB responses through activation of the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) serine-threonine kinase. Whether MRN functions in DNA damage responses before DNA replication in G0/G1 phase cells has been less clear. In developing G1-phase lymphocytes, DNA DSBs are generated by the Rag endonuclease and repaired during the assembly of antigen receptor genes by the process of V(D)J recombination. Mice and humans deficient in MRN function exhibit lymphoid phenotypes that are suggestive of defects in V(D)J recombination. We show that during V(D)J recombination, MRN deficiency leads to the aberrant joining of Rag DSBs and to the accumulation of unrepaired coding ends, thus establishing a functional role for MRN in the repair of Rag-mediated DNA DSBs. Moreover, these defects in V(D)J recombination are remarkably similar to those observed in ATM-deficient lymphocytes, suggesting that ATM and MRN function in the same DNA DSB response pathways during lymphocyte antigen receptor gene assembly.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Nore ◽  
Ariadna B Juarez-Martinez ◽  
Julie AJ Clement ◽  
Christine Brun ◽  
Bouboub Diagouraga ◽  
...  

Meiosis requires the formation of programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), essential for fertility and for generating genetic diversity. In male and female meiotic cells, DSBs are induced by the catalytic activity of the TOPOVIL complex formed by SPO11 and TOPOVIBL. To ensure genomic integrity, DNA cleavage activity is tightly regulated, and several accessory factors (REC114, MEI4, IHO1, and MEI1) are needed for DSB formation in mice. How and when these proteins act is not understood. Here, we show that REC114 is a direct partner of TOPOVIBL, and identified their conserved interacting domains by structural analysis. We then analysed the role of this interaction by monitoring meiotic DSBs in female and male mice carrying point mutations in TOPOVIBL that decrease or disrupt its binding to REC114. In these mutants, DSB activity was strongly reduced genome-wide in oocytes, but only in sub-telomeric regions in spermatocytes. In addition, in mutant spermatocytes, DSB activity was delayed in autosomes. These results provide evidence that REC114 is a key member of the TOPOVIL catalytic complex, and that the REC114/TOPOVIBL interaction ensures the efficiency and timing of DSB activity by integrating specific chromosomal features.


2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (1405) ◽  
pp. 119-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz Jacobs ◽  
Klaus Rajewsky ◽  
Yosho Fukita ◽  
Linda Bross

The generation of a diverse antigen receptor repertoire is fundamental for the functionality of the adaptive immune system. While the V(D)J recombination process that generates the primary antigen receptor repertoire is understood in great detail, it is still unclear by which mechanism immunoglobulin (Ig) genes are further diversified by somatic hypermutation. Using mouse strains that carry a non–functional, predefined V H D H J H gene segment in their IgH locus we demonstrate DNA double–strand breaks (DSBs) in and around V H D H J H in B cells undergoing somatic hypermutation. The generation of these DSBs depends on transcriptional activity, and their distribution along the V H D H J H segment parallels that of point mutations in the hypermutation domain. Furthermore, similar to hot spots of somatic hypermutation, 50–60% of all DSBs occur preferentially at RGYW motifs. DSBs may transiently dissociate the Ig promoter from the intronic enhancer to block further transcription and to initiate an error–prone nonhomologous DSB repair pathway. In accord with this model large deletions are frequently produced, along with point mutations, in a V H D H J H segment inserted together with its promoter into the IgH locus in inverted orientation. Our data suggest that DSBs are reaction intermediates of the mechanism underlying somatic hypermutation.


1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2029-2037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Schlissel

ABSTRACT The V(D)J recombinase recognizes a pair of immunoglobulin or T-cell receptor gene segments flanked by recombination signal sequences and introduces double-strand breaks, generating two signal ends and two coding ends. Broken coding ends were initially identified as covalently closed hairpin DNA molecules. Before recombination, however, the hairpins must be opened and the ends must be modified by nuclease digestion and N-region addition. We have now analyzed nonhairpin coding ends associated with various immunoglobulin gene segments in cells undergoing V(D)J recombination. We found that these broken DNA ends have different nonrandom 5′-strand deletions which were characteristic for each locus examined. These deletions correlate well with the sequence characteristics of coding joints involving these gene segments. In addition, unlike broken signal ends, these nonhairpin coding-end V(D)J recombination reaction intermediates have 3′ overhanging ends. We discuss the implications of these results for models of how sequence modifications occur during coding-joint formation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1050-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Zgheib ◽  
Kristopher Pataky ◽  
Juergen Brugger ◽  
Thanos D. Halazonetis

ABSTRACT 53BP1, the vertebrate ortholog of the budding yeast Rad9 and fission yeast Crb2/Rhp9 checkpoint proteins, is recruited rapidly to sites of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). A tandem tudor domain in human 53BP1 that recognizes methylated residues in the histone core is necessary, but not sufficient, for efficient recruitment. By analysis of deletion mutants, we identify here additional elements in 53BP1 that facilitate recognition of DNA DSBs. The first element corresponds to an independently folding oligomerization domain. Replacement of this domain with heterologous tetramerization domains preserves the ability of 53BP1 to recognize DNA DSBs. A second element is only about 15 amino acids long and appears to be a C-terminal extension of the tudor domain, rather than an independently functioning domain. Recruitment of 53BP1 to sites of DNA DSBs is facilitated by histone H2AX phosphorylation and ubiquitination. However, none of the 53BP1 domains/elements important for recruitment are known to bind phosphopeptides or ubiquitin, suggesting that histone phosphorylation and ubiquitination regulate 53BP1 recruitment to sites of DNA DSBs indirectly.


2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 655-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Jackson

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) can be generated by a variety of genotoxic agents, including ionizing radiation and radiomimetic chemicals. They can also occur when DNA replication complexes encounter other forms of DNA damage, and are produced as intermediates during certain site-specific recombination processes. It is crucial that cells recognize DSBs and bring about their efficient repair, because a single unrepaired cellular DSB can induce cell death, and defective DSB repair can lead to mutations or the loss of significant segments of chromosomal material. Eukaryotic cells have evolved a variety of systems to detect DNA DSBs, repair them, and signal their presence to the transcription, cell cycle and apoptotic machineries. In this review, I describe how work on mammalian cells and also on model organisms such as yeasts has revelaed that such systems are highly conserved throughout evolution, and has provided insights into the molecular mechanisms by which DNA DSBs are recognized, signalled and repaired. I also explain how defects in the proteins that function in these pathways are associated with a variety of human pathological states.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Zhao ◽  
Chengyu Bao ◽  
Yuxuan Shang ◽  
Xinye He ◽  
Chiyuan Ma ◽  
...  

Ionising radiation- (IR-) induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are considered to be the deleterious DNA lesions that pose a serious threat to genomic stability. The major DNA repair pathways, including classical nonhomologous end joining, homologous recombination, single-strand annealing, and alternative end joining, play critical roles in countering and eliciting IR-induced DSBs to ensure genome integrity. If the IR-induced DNA DSBs are not repaired correctly, the residual or incorrectly repaired DSBs can result in genomic instability that is associated with certain human diseases. Although many efforts have been made in investigating the major mechanisms of IR-induced DNA DSB repair, it is still unclear what determines the choices of IR-induced DNA DSB repair pathways. In this review, we discuss how the mechanisms of IR-induced DSB repair pathway choices can operate in irradiated cells. We first briefly describe the main mechanisms of the major DNA DSB repair pathways and the related key repair proteins. Based on our understanding of the characteristics of IR-induced DNA DSBs and the regulatory mechanisms of DSB repair pathways in irradiated cells and recent advances in this field, We then highlight the main factors and associated challenges to determine the IR-induced DSB repair pathway choices. We conclude that the type and distribution of IR-induced DSBs, chromatin state, DNA-end structure, and DNA-end resection are the main determinants of the choice of the IR-induced DNA DSB repair pathway.


Author(s):  
Chuan He ◽  
Shan Lu ◽  
Xuan-zhong Wang ◽  
Chong-cheng Wang ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractFOXO3a (forkhead box transcription factor 3a) is involved in regulating multiple biological processes in cancer cells. BNIP3 (Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19-kDa-interacting protein 3) is a receptor accounting for priming damaged mitochondria for autophagic removal. In this study we investigated the role of FOXO3a in regulating the sensitivity of glioma cells to temozolomide (TMZ) and its relationship with BNIP3-mediated mitophagy. We showed that TMZ dosage-dependently inhibited the viability of human U87, U251, T98G, LN18 and rat C6 glioma cells with IC50 values of 135.75, 128.26, 142.65, 155.73 and 111.60 μM, respectively. In U87 and U251 cells, TMZ (200 μM) induced DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF), which was accompanied by BNIP3-mediated mitophagy and FOXO3a accumulation in nucleus. TMZ treatment induced intracellular ROS accumulation in U87 and U251 cells via enhancing mitochondrial superoxide, which not only contributed to DNA DSBs and exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction, but also upregulated FOXO3a expression. Knockdown of FOXO3a aggravated TMZ-induced DNA DSBs and mitochondrial damage, as well as glioma cell death. TMZ treatment not only upregulated BNIP3 and activated autophagy, but also triggered mitophagy by prompting BNIP3 translocation to mitochondria and reinforcing BNIP3 interaction with LC3BII. Inhibition of mitophagy by knocking down BNIP3 with SiRNA or blocking autophagy with 3MA or bafilomycin A1 exacerbated mitochondrial superoxide and intracellular ROS accumulation. Moreover, FOXO3a knockdown inhibited TMZ-induced BNIP3 upregulation and autophagy activation. In addition, we showed that treatment with TMZ (100 mg·kg−1·d−1, ip) for 12 days in C6 cell xenograft mice markedly inhibited tumor growth accompanied by inducing FOXO3a upregulation, oxidative stress and BNIP3-mediated mitophagy in tumor tissues. These results demonstrate that FOXO3a attenuates temozolomide-induced DNA double strand breaks in human glioma cells via promoting BNIP3-mediated mitophagy.


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