ATAD5 restricts R-loop formation through PCNA unloading and RNA helicase maintenance at the replication fork

Abstract R-loops are formed when replicative forks collide with the transcriptional machinery and can cause genomic instability. However, it is unclear how R-loops are regulated at transcription-replication conflict (TRC) sites and how replisome proteins are regulated to prevent R-loop formation or mediate R-loop tolerance. Here, we report that ATAD5, a PCNA unloader, plays dual functions to reduce R-loops both under normal and replication stress conditions. ATAD5 interacts with RNA helicases such as DDX1, DDX5, DDX21 and DHX9 and increases the abundance of these helicases at replication forks to facilitate R-loop resolution. Depletion of ATAD5 or ATAD5-interacting RNA helicases consistently increases R-loops during the S phase and reduces the replication rate, both of which are enhanced by replication stress. In addition to R-loop resolution, ATAD5 prevents the generation of new R-loops behind the replication forks by unloading PCNA which, otherwise, accumulates and persists on DNA, causing a collision with the transcription machinery. Depletion of ATAD5 reduces transcription rates due to PCNA accumulation. Consistent with the role of ATAD5 and RNA helicases in maintaining genomic integrity by regulating R-loops, the corresponding genes were mutated or downregulated in several human tumors.

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SDE2 Integrates into the TIMELESS-TIPIN Complex to Protect Stalled Replication Forks

10.1101/2020.05.18.097154 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Julie Rageul ◽

Jennifer J. Park ◽

Ping Ping Zeng ◽

Eun-A Lee ◽

Jihyeon Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Replication ◽

Replication Fork ◽

Genome Stability ◽

Essential Role ◽

Replication Stress ◽

Replication Forks ◽

Genomic Integrity ◽

Fork Protection Complex ◽

Stalled Replication Forks ◽

Stalled Fork

ABSTRACTProtecting replication fork integrity during DNA replication is essential for maintaining genome stability. Here, we report that SDE2, a PCNA-associated protein, plays a key role in maintaining active replication and counteracting replication stress by regulating the replication fork protection complex (FPC). SDE2 directly interacts with the FPC component TIMELESS (TIM) and enhances TIM stability and its localization to replication forks, thereby aiding the coordination of replisome progression. Like TIM deficiency, knockdown of SDE2 leads to impaired fork progression and stalled fork recovery, along with a failure to activate CHK1 phosphorylation. Moreover, loss of SDE2 or TIM results in an excessive MRE11-dependent degradation of reversed forks. Together, our study uncovers an essential role for SDE2 in maintaining genomic integrity by stabilizing the FPC and describes a new role for TIM in protecting stalled replication forks. We propose that TIM-mediated fork protection may represent a way to cooperate with BRCA-dependent fork stabilization.

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SDE2 integrates into the TIMELESS-TIPIN complex to protect stalled replication forks

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-19162-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Julie Rageul ◽

Jennifer J. Park ◽

Ping Ping Zeng ◽

Eun-A Lee ◽

Jihyeon Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Replication ◽

Replication Fork ◽

Genome Stability ◽

Essential Role ◽

Replication Stress ◽

Replication Forks ◽

Genomic Integrity ◽

Fork Protection Complex ◽

Stalled Replication Forks ◽

Stalled Fork

Abstract Protecting replication fork integrity during DNA replication is essential for maintaining genome stability. Here, we report that SDE2, a PCNA-associated protein, plays a key role in maintaining active replication and counteracting replication stress by regulating the replication fork protection complex (FPC). SDE2 directly interacts with the FPC component TIMELESS (TIM) and enhances its stability, thereby aiding TIM localization to replication forks and the coordination of replisome progression. Like TIM deficiency, knockdown of SDE2 leads to impaired fork progression and stalled fork recovery, along with a failure to activate CHK1 phosphorylation. Moreover, loss of SDE2 or TIM results in an excessive MRE11-dependent degradation of reversed forks. Together, our study uncovers an essential role for SDE2 in maintaining genomic integrity by stabilizing the FPC and describes a new role for TIM in protecting stalled replication forks. We propose that TIM-mediated fork protection may represent a way to cooperate with BRCA-dependent fork stabilization.

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Harmful R-loops are prevented via different cell cycle-specific mechanisms

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24737-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marta San Martin-Alonso ◽

María E. Soler-Oliva ◽

María García-Rubio ◽

Tatiana García-Muse ◽

Andrés Aguilera

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Replication Fork ◽

S Phase ◽

Genome Integrity ◽

Loop Formation ◽

Genome Wide Analysis ◽

Know How ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Yeast Mutants

AbstractIdentifying how R-loops are generated is crucial to know how transcription compromises genome integrity. We show by genome-wide analysis of conditional yeast mutants that the THO transcription complex, prevents R-loop formation in G1 and S-phase, whereas the Sen1 DNA-RNA helicase prevents them only in S-phase. Interestingly, damage accumulates asymmetrically downstream of the replication fork in sen1 cells but symmetrically in the hpr1 THO mutant. Our results indicate that: R-loops form co-transcriptionally independently of DNA replication; that THO is a general and cell-cycle independent safeguard against R-loops, and that Sen1, in contrast to previously believed, is an S-phase-specific R-loop resolvase. These conclusions have important implications for the mechanism of R-loop formation and the role of other factors reported to affect on R-loop homeostasis.

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Replication forks pause at yeast centromeres

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.12.9.4056-4066.1992 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 4056-4066

Author(s):

S A Greenfeder ◽

C S Newlon

Keyword(s):

Gel Electrophoresis ◽

Replication Fork ◽

S Phase ◽

Core Structure ◽

Replication Forks ◽

Agarose Gel Electrophoresis ◽

Unusual Structure ◽

Dna Complex ◽

Derivatives Of ◽

Pause Site

The 120 bp of yeast centromeric DNA is tightly complexed with protein to form a nuclease-resistant core structure 200 to 240 bp in size. We have used two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis to analyze the replication of the chromosomal copies of yeast CEN1, CEN3, and CEN4 and determine the fate of replication forks that encounter the protein-DNA complex at the centromere. We have shown that replication fork pause sites are coincident with each of these centromeres and therefore probably with all yeast centromeres. We have analyzed the replication of plasmids containing mutant derivatives of CEN3 to determine whether the replication fork pause site is a result of an unusual structure adopted by centromere DNA or a result of the protein-DNA complex formed at the centromere. The mutant centromere derivatives varied in function as well as the ability to form the nuclease-resistant core structure. The data obtained from analysis of these derivatives indicate that the ability to cause replication forks to pause correlates with the ability to form the nuclease-resistant core structure and not with the presence or absence of a particular DNA sequence. Our findings further suggest that the centromere protein-DNA complex is present during S phase when replication forks encounter the centromere and therefore may be present throughout the cell cycle.

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Set1-dependent H3K4 methylation becomes critical for DNA replication fork progression in response to changes in S phase dynamics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

10.1101/2020.10.26.355008 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Christophe de La Roche Saint-André ◽

Vincent Géli

Keyword(s):

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽

Dna Damage ◽

Dna Replication ◽

Replication Fork ◽

Genetic Material ◽

S Phase ◽

Replication Forks ◽

H3k4 Methylation ◽

Origin Firing ◽

Phase Dynamics

AbstractDNA replication is a highly regulated process that occurs in the context of chromatin structure and is sensitive to several histone post-translational modifications. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the histone methylase Set1 is responsible for the transcription-dependent deposition of H3K4 methylation (H3K4me) throughout the genome. Here we show that a combination of a hypomorphic replication mutation (orc5-1) with the absence of Set1 (set1Δ) compromises the progression through S phase, and this is associated with a large increase in DNA damage. The ensuing DNA damage checkpoint activation, in addition to that of the spindle assembly checkpoint, restricts the growth of orc5-1 set1Δ. Interestingly, orc5-1 set1Δ is sensitive to the lack of RNase H activity while a reduction of histone levels is able to counterbalance the loss of Set1. We propose that the recently described Set1-dependent mitigation of transcription-replication conflicts becomes critical for growth when the replication forks accelerate due to decreased origin firing in the orc5-1 background. Furthermore, we show that an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, likely a consequence of the elevated DNA damage, is partly responsible for the lethality in orc5-1 set1Δ.Author summaryDNA replication, that ensures the duplication of the genetic material, starts at discrete sites, termed origins, before proceeding at replication forks whose progression is carefully controlled in order to avoid conflicts with the transcription of genes. In eukaryotes, DNA replication occurs in the context of chromatin, a structure in which DNA is wrapped around proteins, called histones, that are subjected to various chemical modifications. Among them, the methylation of the lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) is carried out by Set1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, specifically at transcribed genes. We report that, when the replication fork accelerates in response to a reduction of active origins, the absence of Set1 leads to accumulation of DNA damage. Because H3K4 methylation was recently shown to slow down replication at transcribed genes, we propose that the Set1-dependent becomes crucial to limit the occurrence of conflicts between replication and transcription caused by replication fork acceleration. In agreement with this model, stabilization of transcription-dependent structures or reduction histone levels, to limit replication fork velocity, respectively exacerbates or moderates the effect of Set1 loss. Last, but not least, we show that the oxidative stress associated to DNA damage is partly responsible for cell lethality.

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DNA replication and spindle checkpoints cooperate during S phase to delay mitosis and preserve genome integrity

The Journal of Cell Biology ◽

10.1083/jcb.201306023 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 204 (2) ◽

pp. 165-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Maria M. Magiera ◽

Elisabeth Gueydon ◽

Etienne Schwob

Keyword(s):

Dna Replication ◽

Chromosome Segregation ◽

Replication Stress ◽

S Phase ◽

Genome Integrity ◽

Replication Forks ◽

Mitotic Entry ◽

Transient Activation ◽

Spindle Checkpoints ◽

Spindle Assembly Checkpoints

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication and chromosome segregation must occur in ordered sequence to maintain genome integrity during cell proliferation. Checkpoint mechanisms delay mitosis when DNA is damaged or upon replication stress, but little is known on the coupling of S and M phases in unperturbed conditions. To address this issue, we postponed replication onset in budding yeast so that DNA synthesis is still underway when cells should enter mitosis. This delayed mitotic entry and progression by transient activation of the S phase, G2/M, and spindle assembly checkpoints. Disabling both Mec1/ATR- and Mad2-dependent controls caused lethality in cells with deferred S phase, accompanied by Rad52 foci and chromosome missegregation. Thus, in contrast to acute replication stress that triggers a sustained Mec1/ATR response, multiple pathways cooperate to restrain mitosis transiently when replication forks progress unhindered. We suggest that these surveillance mechanisms arose when both S and M phases were coincidently set into motion by a unique ancestral cyclin–Cdk1 complex.

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Multi-BRCT Domain Protein Brc1 Links Rhp18/Rad18 and γH2A To Maintain Genome Stability during S Phase

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.00260-17 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (22) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Michael C. Reubens ◽

Sophie Rozenzhak ◽

Paul Russell

Keyword(s):

Genome Stability ◽

Genome Instability ◽

Replication Stress ◽

S Phase ◽

Dna Lesions ◽

Brct Domain ◽

Replication Forks ◽

Content Type ◽

Domain Protein ◽

Chromosome Integrity

ABSTRACT DNA replication involves the inherent risk of genome instability, since replisomes invariably encounter DNA lesions or other structures that stall or collapse replication forks during the S phase. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the multi-BRCT domain protein Brc1, which is related to budding yeast Rtt107 and mammalian PTIP, plays an important role in maintaining genome integrity and cell viability when cells experience replication stress. The C-terminal pair of BRCT domains in Brc1 were previously shown to bind phosphohistone H2A (γH2A) formed by Rad3/ATR checkpoint kinase at DNA lesions; however, the putative scaffold interactions involving the N-terminal BRCT domains 1 to 4 of Brc1 have remained obscure. Here, we show that these domains bind Rhp18/Rad18, which is an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase that has crucial functions in postreplication repair. A missense allele in BRCT domain 4 of Brc1 disrupts binding to Rhp18 and causes sensitivity to replication stress. Brc1 binding to Rhp18 and γH2A are required for the Brc1 overexpression suppression of smc6-74, a mutation that impairs the Smc5/6 structural maintenance of chromosomes complex required for chromosome integrity and repair of collapsed replication forks. From these findings, we propose that Brc1 provides scaffolding functions linking γH2A, Rhp18, and Smc5/6 complex at damaged replication forks.

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Mms1 and Mms22 stabilize the replisome during replication stress

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e10-10-0848 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 (13) ◽

pp. 2396-2408 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Jessica A. Vaisica ◽

Anastasija Baryshnikova ◽

Michael Costanzo ◽

Charles Boone ◽

Grant W. Brown

Keyword(s):

Dna Replication ◽

Ubiquitin Ligase ◽

Replication Fork ◽

E3 Ubiquitin Ligase ◽

Replication Stress ◽

Replication Forks ◽

Replication Fork Progression ◽

Binding Partners ◽

Efficient Recovery ◽

Stalled Replication Forks

Mms1 and Mms22 form a Cul4Ddb1-like E3 ubiquitin ligase with the cullin Rtt101. In this complex, Rtt101 is bound to the substrate-specific adaptor Mms22 through a linker protein, Mms1. Although the Rtt101Mms1/Mms22ubiquitin ligase is important in promoting replication through damaged templates, how it does so has yet to be determined. Here we show that mms1Δ and mms22Δ cells fail to properly regulate DNA replication fork progression when replication stress is present and are defective in recovery from replication fork stress. Consistent with a role in promoting DNA replication, we find that Mms1 is enriched at sites where replication forks have stalled and that this localization requires the known binding partners of Mms1—Rtt101 and Mms22. Mms1 and Mms22 stabilize the replisome during replication stress, as binding of the fork-pausing complex components Mrc1 and Csm3, and DNA polymerase ε, at stalled replication forks is decreased in mms1Δ and mms22Δ. Taken together, these data indicate that Mms1 and Mms22 are important for maintaining the integrity of the replisome when DNA replication forks are slowed by hydroxyurea and thereby promote efficient recovery from replication stress.

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Chk1 Requirement for High Global Rates of Replication Fork Progression during Normal Vertebrate S Phase

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.26.8.3319-3326.2006 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 26 (8) ◽

pp. 3319-3326 ◽

Cited By ~ 124

Author(s):

Eva Petermann ◽

Apolinar Maya-Mendoza ◽

George Zachos ◽

David A. F. Gillespie ◽

Dean A. Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Replication Fork ◽

S Phase ◽

Replication Forks ◽

Wild Type ◽

Replication Fork Progression ◽

Chk1 Inhibitor ◽

Interfering Rna ◽

First Time ◽

Dt40 Cells

ABSTRACT Chk1 protein kinase maintains replication fork stability in metazoan cells in response to DNA damage and DNA replication inhibitors. Here, we have employed DNA fiber labeling to quantify, for the first time, the extent to which Chk1 maintains global replication fork rates during normal vertebrate S phase. We report that replication fork rates in Chk1 −/− chicken DT40 cells are on average half of those observed with wild-type cells. Similar results were observed if Chk1 was inhibited or depleted in wild-type DT40 cells or HeLa cells by incubation with Chk1 inhibitor or small interfering RNA. In addition, reduced rates of fork extension were observed with permeabilized Chk1 −/− cells in vitro. The requirement for Chk1 for high fork rates during normal S phase was not to suppress promiscuous homologous recombination at replication forks, because inhibition of Chk1 similarly slowed fork progression in XRCC3 −/− DT40 cells. Rather, we observed an increased number of replication fibers in Chk1 −/− cells in which the nascent strand is single-stranded, supporting the idea that slow global fork rates in unperturbed Chk1 −/− cells are associated with the accumulation of aberrant replication fork structures.

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