scholarly journals TIF1 Activates the Intra-S-Phase Checkpoint Response in the Diploid Micronucleus and Amitotic Polyploid Macronucleus of Tetrahymena

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 5185-5197 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sebastian Yakisich ◽  
Pamela Y. Sandoval ◽  
Tara L. Morrison ◽  
Geoffrey M. Kapler

The ribosomal DNA origin binding protein Tif1p regulates the timing of rDNA replication and is required globally for proper S-phase progression and division of the Tetrahymena thermophila macronucleus. Here, we show that Tif1p safeguards chromosomes from DNA damage in the mitotic micronucleus and amitotic macronucleus. TIF1p localization is dynamically regulated as it moves into the micro- and macronucleus during the respective S phases. TIF1 disruption mutants are hypersensitive to hydroxyurea and methylmethanesulfonate, inducers of DNA damage and intra-S-phase checkpoint arrest in all examined eukaryotes. TIF1 mutants incur double-strand breaks in the absence of exogenous genotoxic stress, destabilizing all five micronuclear chromosomes. Wild-type Tetrahymena elicits an intra-S-phase checkpoint response that is induced by hydroxyurea and suppressed by caffeine, an inhibitor of the apical checkpoint kinase ATR/MEC1. In contrast, hydroxyurea-challenged TIF1 mutants fail to arrest in S phase or exhibit caffeine-sensitive Rad51 overexpression, indicating the involvement of TIF1 in checkpoint activation. Although aberrant micro- and macronuclear division occurs in TIF1 mutants and caffeine-treated wild-type cells, TIF1p bears no similarity to ATR or its substrates. We propose that TIF1 and ATR function in the same epistatic pathway to regulate checkpoint responses in the diploid mitotic micronucleus and polyploid amitotic macronucleus.

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 151 (2) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaaki Onda ◽  
Katsuhiro Hanada ◽  
Hirokazu Kawachi ◽  
Hideo Ikeda

Abstract DNA damage by oxidative stress is one of the causes of mutagenesis. However, whether or not DNA damage induces illegitimate recombination has not been determined. To study the effect of oxidative stress on illegitimate recombination, we examined the frequency of λbio transducing phage in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and found that this reagent enhances illegitimate recombination. To clarify the types of illegitimate recombination, we examined the effect of mutations in mutM and related genes on the process. The frequency of λbio transducing phage was 5- to 12-fold higher in the mutM mutant than in the wild type, while the frequency in the mutY and mutT mutants was comparable to that of the wild type. Because 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and formamido pyrimidine (Fapy) lesions can be removed from DNA by MutM protein, these lesions are thought to induce illegitimate recombination. Analysis of recombination junctions showed that the recombination at Hotspot I accounts for 22 or 4% of total λbio transducing phages in the wild type or in the mutM mutant, respectively. The preferential increase of recombination at nonhotspot sites with hydrogen peroxide in the mutM mutant was discussed on the basis of a new model, in which 8-oxoG and/or Fapy residues may introduce double-strand breaks into DNA.


Author(s):  
Madalena Tarsounas ◽  
Adelina A. Davies ◽  
Stephen C. West

The efficient repair of double–strand breaks in DNA is critical for the maintenance of genome stability. In response to ionizing radiation and other DNA–damaging agents, the RAD51 protein, which is essential for homologous recombination, relocalizes within the nucleus to form distinct foci that can be visualized by microscopy and are thought to represent sites where repair reactions take place. The formation of RAD51 foci in response to DNA damage is dependent upon BRCA2 and a series of proteins known as the RAD51 paralogues (RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2 and XRCC3), indicating that the components present within foci assemble in a carefully orchestrated and ordered manner. By contrast, RAD51 foci that form spontaneously as cells undergo DNA replication at S phase occur without the need for BRCA2 or the RAD51 paralogues. It is known that BRCA2 interacts directly with RAD51 through a series of degenerative motifs known as the BRC repeats. These interactions modulate the ability of RAD51 to bind DNA. Taken together, these observations indicate that BRCA2 plays a critical role in controlling the actions of RAD51 at both the microscopic (focus formation) and molecular (DNA binding) level.


2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 3923-3933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Hsing Cheng ◽  
Diana Muftic ◽  
Meltem Muftuoglu ◽  
Lale Dawut ◽  
Christa Morris ◽  
...  

Werner syndrome (WS) is a human genetic disorder characterized by extensive clinical features of premature aging. Ataxia-telengiectasia (A-T) is a multisystem human genomic instability syndrome that includes premature aging in some of the patients. WRN and ATM, the proteins defective in WS and A-T, respectively, play significant roles in the maintenance of genomic stability and are involved in several DNA metabolic pathways. A role for WRN in DNA repair has been proposed; however, this study provides evidence that WRN is also involved in ATM pathway activation and in a S-phase checkpoint in cells exposed to DNA interstrand cross-link–induced double-strand breaks. Depletion of WRN in such cells by RNA interference results in an intra-S checkpoint defect, and interferes with activation of ATM as well as downstream phosphorylation of ATM target proteins. Treatment of cells under replication stress with the ATM kinase inhibitor KU 55933 results in a S-phase checkpoint defect similar to that observed in WRN shRNA cells. Moreover, γH2AX levels are higher in WRN shRNA cells than in control cells 6 and 16 h after exposure to psoralen DNA cross-links. These results suggest that WRN and ATM participate in a replication checkpoint response, in which WRN facilitates ATM activation in cells with psoralen DNA cross-link–induced collapsed replication forks.


DNA Repair ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 929-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Heacock ◽  
Donna F. Stefanick ◽  
Julie K. Horton ◽  
Samuel H. Wilson

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5624-5624
Author(s):  
Dhyani Anamika ◽  
Patricia Favaro ◽  
Sara Teresinha Olalla Saad

Abstract Ankyrin repeat and KH domain-containing protein 1, ANKHD1, is highly expressed in myeloma cells and plays an important role in multiple myeloma (MM) progression and growth. ANKHD1 is found to be overexpressed in S phase of cell cycle in MM cells and silencing of ANKHD1 expression leads to accumulation of cells in S phase, suggesting a role in S phase progression (1). Earlier studies by our group reported that ANKHD1 silencing downregulates all replication dependent histones and that this downregulation may be associated with replication stress and DNA damage (2). We observed increased expression of γH2AX protein (phosphorylated histone H2A variant, H2AX, at Serine 139), a marker for DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and an early sign of DNA damage induced by replication stress, in ANKHD1 silenced MM cells. In the present study we further sought to investigate the mechanisms underlying the induction of DNA damage on ANKHD1 silencing. We first confirmed the increased expression of γH2AX by flow cytometry analysis and observed that both the mean fluorescence intensity as well as percentage of γH2AX positive cells were higher in ANKHD1 silenced MM cells as compared to control cells. Phosphorylation of histone 2AX requires activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH-kinase-like family of protein kinases, DNA-PKcs (DNA-dependent protein kinase), ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated)andATR (ATM-Rad3-related) that serves as central components of the signaling cascade initiated by DSBs. Hence, we checked for the expression of these kinases and observed increased phosphorylation of both ATM and ATR kinases in ANKHD1 silenced MM cells. There was no difference in the expressions of DNA-PKcs in control and ANKHD1 silenced cells by western blot. We next checked for the expression of CHK1 (checkpoint kinase 1) and CHK2 (checkpoint kinase 2), essential serine threonine kinases downstream of ATM and ATR. We observed a decrease in pCHK2 (phosphorylated CHK2 at Thr 68), with no change in expression of pCHK1 (phosphorylated CHK1 at Ser 345) total CHK1 or total CHK2. We also checked for expression of CDC25a (a member of the CDC25 family of dual-specificity phosphatases), that is specifically degraded in response to DNA damage (DSBs) and delays S phase progression via activation of ATM /ATR-CHK2 signaling pathway. Expression of CDC25a was significantly decreased in ANKHD1 silencing cells, confirming the induction of DSBs, and probably accounting for S phase delay on ANKHD1 silencing. Since there was decrease in active CHK2 (pCHK2) and no change in CHK1 required for degradation of CDC25a, we assume that decrease in CDC25a in ANKHD1 silenced MM cells may be via activation of ATM/ ATR pathway independent of CHK2/CHK1. Expression of several other downstream factors of DSBs induced DNA damage response and repair such as BRCA1, PTEN, DNMT1, SP1, HDAC2 were also found to be modulated in ANKHD1 silenced MM cells. In conclusion, ANKHD1 silencing in MM cells leads to DNA damage and modulates expression of several genes implicated in DNA damage and repair. DNA damage induced after ANKHD1 silencing in MM cells activates ATM/ ATR-CDC25a pathway which may lead to the activation of S phase checkpoint in MM cells. Results however are preliminary and further studies are required to understand the role of ANKHD1 in intra S phase check point. References: 1) ANKHD1 regulates cell cycle progression and proliferation in multiple myeloma cells. Dhyani et al. FEBS letters 2012; 586: 4311-18. 2) ANKHD1 is essential for repair of DNA double strand breaks in multiple myeloma. Dhyani et al. ASH Abstract, Blood 2015; 126:1762. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 358-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Baldo ◽  
Valentina Testoni ◽  
Giovanna Lucchini ◽  
Maria Pia Longhese

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic genome integrity is safeguarded by two highly conserved protein kinases that are called ATR and ATM for humans and Mec1 and Tel1 for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although they share sequence similarities and substrates, these protein kinases perform different specialized functions. In particular, Mec1 plays a key role in the DNA damage checkpoint response, whereas Tel1 primarily is involved in telomere homeostasis, and its checkpoint function is masked by the prevailing activity of Mec1. In order to understand how this specificity is achieved, we searched for TEL1 mutations able to compensate for the lack of Mec1 functions. Here, we describe seven independent dominant TEL1-hy alleles that are able to suppress, to different extents, both the hypersensitivity to genotoxic agents and the checkpoint defects of Mec1-deficient cells. Most of these alleles also cause telomere overelongation. In vitro kinase activity was increased compared to that of wild-type Tel1 in the Tel1-hy385, Tel1-hy394, Tel1-hy680, and Tel1-hy909 variants, but its activity was not affected by the TEL1-hy184 and TEL1-hy628 mutations and was slightly reduced by the TEL1-hy544 mutation. Thus, the phenotypes caused by at least some Tel1-hy variants are not simply the consequence of improved catalytic activity. Further characterization shows that Tel1-hy909 not only can sense and signal a single double-stranded DNA break, unlike wild-type Tel1, but also contributes more efficiently than Tel1 to single-stranded DNA accumulation at double-strand ends, thus enhancing Mec1 signaling activity. Moreover, it causes unscheduled checkpoint activation in unperturbed conditions and upregulates the checkpoint response to small amounts of DNA lesions. Finally, Tel1-hy544 can activate the checkpoint more efficiently than wild-type Tel1, while it causes telomere shortening, indicating that the checkpoint and telomeric functions of Tel1 can be separable.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 1651-1660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. Pankratz ◽  
Susan L. Forsburg

Checkpoints operate during meiosis to ensure the completion of DNA synthesis and programmed recombination before the initiation of meiotic divisions. Studies in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe suggest that the meiotic response to DNA damage due to a failed replication checkpoint response differs substantially from the vegetative response, and may be influenced by the presence of homologous chromosomes. The checkpoint responses to DNA damage during fission yeast meiosis are not well characterized. Here we report that DNA damage induced during meiotic S-phase does not activate checkpoint arrest. We also find that in wild-type cells, markers for DNA breaks can persist at least to the first meiotic division. We also observe increased spontaneous S-phase damage in checkpoint mutants, which is repaired by recombination without activating checkpoint arrest. Our results suggest that fission yeast meiosis is exceptionally tolerant of DNA damage, and that some forms of spontaneous S-phase damage can be repaired by recombination without activating checkpoint arrest.


eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Wakida ◽  
Masae Ikura ◽  
Kenji Kuriya ◽  
Shinji Ito ◽  
Yoshiharu Shiroiwa ◽  
...  

Genotoxic stress causes proliferating cells to activate the DNA damage checkpoint, to assist DNA damage recovery by slowing cell cycle progression. Thus, to drive proliferation, cells must tolerate DNA damage and suppress the checkpoint response. However, the mechanism underlying this negative regulation of checkpoint activation is still elusive. We show that human Cyclin-Dependent-Kinases (CDKs) target the RAD9 subunit of the 9-1-1 checkpoint clamp on Thr292, to modulate DNA damage checkpoint activation. Thr292 phosphorylation on RAD9 creates a binding site for Polo-Like-Kinase1 (PLK1), which phosphorylates RAD9 on Thr313. These CDK-PLK1-dependent phosphorylations of RAD9 suppress checkpoint activation, therefore maintaining high DNA synthesis rates during DNA replication stress. Our results suggest that CDK locally initiates a PLK1-dependent signaling response that antagonizes the ability of the DNA damage checkpoint to detect DNA damage. These findings provide a mechanism for the suppression of DNA damage checkpoint signaling, to promote cell proliferation under genotoxic stress conditions.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C Johnson ◽  
Geylani Can ◽  
Miguel Monteiro Santos ◽  
Diana Alexander ◽  
Philip Zegerman

Checkpoints maintain the order of cell cycle events during DNA damage or incomplete replication. How the checkpoint response is tailored to different phases of the cell cycle remains poorly understood. The S-phase checkpoint for example results in the slowing of replication, which in budding yeast occurs by Rad53-dependent inhibition of the initiation factors Sld3 and Dbf4. Despite this, we show here that Rad53 phosphorylates both of these substrates throughout the cell cycle at the same sites as in S-phase, suggesting roles for this pathway beyond S-phase. Indeed, we show that Rad53-dependent inhibition of Sld3 and Dbf4 limits re-replication in G2/M, preventing gene amplification. In addition, we show that inhibition of Sld3 and Dbf4 in G1 prevents premature initiation at all origins at the G1/S transition. This study redefines the scope of the 'S-phase checkpoint' with implications for understanding checkpoint function in cancers that lack cell cycle controls.


Author(s):  
Rebecca S. Clarke ◽  
Kam Pou Ha ◽  
Andrew M. Edwards

Antibiotics inhibit essential bacterial processes, resulting in arrest of growth and in some cases cell death. Many antibiotics are also reported to trigger endogenous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage DNA, leading to induction of the mutagenic SOS response associated with the emergence of drug resistance. However, the type of DNA damage that arises and how this triggers the SOS response is largely unclear. We found that several different classes of antibiotic triggered dose-dependent induction of the SOS response in Staphylococcus aureus , indicative of DNA damage, including some bacteriostatic drugs. The SOS response was heterogenous and varied in magnitude between strains and antibiotics. However, in many cases, full induction of the SOS response was dependent upon the RexAB helicase/nuclease complex, which processes DNA double strand breaks to produce single-stranded DNA and facilitate RecA nucleoprotein filament formation. The importance of RexAB in repair of DNA was confirmed by measuring bacterial survival during antibiotic exposure, with most drugs having significantly greater bactericidal activity against rexB mutants relative to wild type strains. For some, but not all antibiotics there was no difference in bactericidal activity between wild type and rexB mutant under anaerobic conditions, indicative of a role for reactive oxygen species in mediating DNA damage. Taken together, this work confirms previous observations that several classes of antibiotics cause DNA damage in S. aureus and extends them by showing that processing of DNA double strand breaks by RexAB is a major trigger of the mutagenic SOS response and promotes bacterial survival.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document