scholarly journals DNA-PKcs phosphorylation at the T2609 cluster alters the repair pathway choice during immunoglobulin class switch recombination

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Crowe ◽  
Xiaobin S. Wang ◽  
Zhengping Shao ◽  
Brian J. Lee ◽  
Verna Estes ◽  
...  

AbstractThe DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), composed of the KU heterodimer and the large catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is a classical non-homologous end-joining (cNHEJ) factor. Naïve B cells undergo class switch recombination (CSR) to generate antibodies with different isotypes by joining two DNA double-strand breaks at different switching regions via the cNHEJ pathway. DNA-PK and the cNHEJ pathway play important roles in the DNA repair phase of CSR. To initiate cNHEJ, KU binds to DNA ends, and recruits and activates DNA-PK. DNA-PKcs is the best-characterized substrate of DNA-PK, which phosphorylates DNA-PKcs at both the S2056 and T2609 clusters. Loss of T2609 cluster phosphorylation increases radiation sensitivity, suggesting a role of T2609 phosphorylation in DNA repair. Using the DNA-PKcs5A mouse model carrying an alanine substitution at the T2609 cluster, here we show that loss of T2609 phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs does not affect the CSR efficiency. Yet, the CSR junctions recovered from DNA-PKcs5A/5A B cells reveal increased chromosomal translocation, excess end-resection, and preferential usage of micro-homology – all signs of the alternative end-joining pathway. Thus, these results uncover a role of DNA-PKcs T2609 phosphorylation in promoting cNHEJ repair pathway choice during CSR.Key pointsLoss of T2069 cluster phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs promotes Alt-EJ-mediated CSR.

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (37) ◽  
pp. 22953-22961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Crowe ◽  
Xiaobin S. Wang ◽  
Zhengping Shao ◽  
Brian J. Lee ◽  
Verna M. Estes ◽  
...  

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), which is composed of the KU heterodimer and the large catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is a classical nonhomologous end-joining (cNHEJ) factor. Naïve B cells undergo class switch recombination (CSR) to generate antibodies with different isotypes by joining two DNA double-strand breaks at different switching regions via the cNHEJ pathway. DNA-PK and the cNHEJ pathway play important roles in the DNA repair phase of CSR. To initiate cNHEJ, KU binds to DNA ends and recruits and activates DNA-PK. Activated DNA-PK phosphorylates DNA-PKcs at the S2056 and T2609 clusters. Loss of T2609 cluster phosphorylation increases radiation sensitivity but whether T2609 phosphorylation has a role in physiological DNA repair remains elusive. Using the DNA-PKcs5A mouse model carrying alanine substitutions at the T2609 cluster, here we show that loss of T2609 phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs does not affect the CSR efficiency. Yet, the CSR junctions recovered from DNA-PKcs5A/5A B cells reveal increased chromosomal translocations, extensive use of distal switch regions (consistent with end resection), and preferential usage of microhomology—all signs of the alternative end-joining pathway. Thus, these results uncover a role of DNA-PKcs T2609 phosphorylation in promoting cNHEJ repair pathway choice during CSR.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (34) ◽  
pp. 8615-8620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Crowe ◽  
Zhengping Shao ◽  
Xiaobin S. Wang ◽  
Pei-Chi Wei ◽  
Wenxia Jiang ◽  
...  

The catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) is a classical nonhomologous end-joining (cNHEJ) factor. Loss of DNA-PKcs diminished mature B cell class switch recombination (CSR) to other isotypes, but not IgG1. Here, we show that expression of the kinase-dead DNA-PKcs (DNA-PKcsKD/KD) severely compromises CSR to IgG1. High-throughput sequencing analyses of CSR junctions reveal frequent accumulation of nonproductive interchromosomal translocations, inversions, and extensive end resection in DNA-PKcsKD/KD, but not DNA-PKcs−/−, B cells. Meanwhile, the residual joints from DNA-PKcsKD/KD cells and the efficient Sµ-Sγ1 junctions from DNA-PKcs−/− B cells both display similar preferences for small (2–6 nt) microhomologies (MH). In DNA-PKcs−/− cells, Sµ-Sγ1 joints are more resistant to inversions and extensive resection than Sµ-Sε and Sµ-Sµ joints, providing a mechanism for the isotype-specific CSR defects. Together, our findings identify a kinase-dependent role of DNA-PKcs in suppressing MH-mediated end joining and a structural role of DNA-PKcs protein in the orientation of CSR.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (7) ◽  
pp. 2157-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Björkman ◽  
Per Qvist ◽  
Likun Du ◽  
Margarita Bartish ◽  
Apostolos Zaravinos ◽  
...  

Breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) has a multitude of functions that contribute to genome integrity and tumor suppression. Its participation in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) during homologous recombination (HR) is well recognized, whereas its involvement in the second major DSB repair pathway, nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), remains controversial. Here we have studied the role of BRCA1 in the repair of DSBs in switch (S) regions during immunoglobulin class switch recombination, a physiological, deletion/recombination process that relies on the classical NHEJ machinery. A shift to the use of microhomology-based, alternative end-joining (A-EJ) and increased frequencies of intra-S region deletions as well as insertions of inverted S sequences were observed at the recombination junctions amplified from BRCA1-deficient human B cells. Furthermore, increased use of long microhomologies was found at recombination junctions derived from E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase RNF168-deficient, Fanconi anemia group J protein (FACJ, BRIP1)-deficient, or DNA endonuclease RBBP8 (CtIP)-compromised cells, whereas an increased frequency of S-region inversions was observed in breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein (BRCA2)-deficient cells. Thus, BRCA1, together with its interaction partners, seems to play an important role in repairing DSBs generated during class switch recombination by promoting the classical NHEJ pathway. This may not only provide a general mechanism underlying BRCA1’s function in maintaining genome stability and tumor suppression but may also point to a previously unrecognized role of BRCA1 in B-cell lymphomagenesis.


2008 ◽  
Vol 205 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Jolly ◽  
Adam J.L. Cook ◽  
John P. Manis

Immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch recombination (CSR) involves the breakage and subsequent repair of two DNA sequences, known as switch (S) regions, which flank IgH constant region exons. The resolution of CSR-associated breaks is thought to require the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway, but the role of the NHEJ factor DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) in this process has been unclear. A new study, in which broken IgH-containing chromosomes in switching B cells were visualized directly, clearly demonstrated that DNA-PKcs and, unexpectedly, the nuclease Artemis are involved in the resolution of switch breaks.


Author(s):  
Sergio Castañeda-Zegarra ◽  
Camilla Huse ◽  
Øystein Røsand ◽  
Antonio Sarno ◽  
Mengtan Xing ◽  
...  

Classical non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is a molecular pathway that detects, processes and ligates DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) throughout the cell cycle. Mutations in several NHEJ genes result in neurological abnormalities and immunodeficiency both in humans and mice. The NHEJ pathway is required for the V(D)J recombination in developing B and T lymphocytes, and for class switch recombination in mature B cells. Ku heterodimer formed by Ku70 and Ku80 recognizes DSBs and facilitates the recruitment of accessory factors (e.g., DNA-PKcs, Artemis, Paxx and Mri/Cyren) and downstream core factors subunits XLF, XRCC4 and Lig4. Accessory factors might be dispensable for the process depending on the genetic background and DNA lesion type. To determine the physiological role of Mri in DNA repair and development, we introduced frame-shift mutation in the Mri gene in mice. We then analyzed the development of Mri-deficient mice as well as wild type and immunodeficient controls. Mice lacking Mri possessed reduced levels of class switch recombination in B lymphocytes and slow proliferation of neuronal progenitors when compared to wild type littermates. Human cell lines lacking Mri were as sensitive to DSBs as WT controls. Overall, we concluded that Mri/Cyren is largely dispensable for DNA repair and mouse development.


2008 ◽  
Vol 205 (7) ◽  
pp. 1567-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali A. Zarrin ◽  
Peter H. Goff ◽  
Kate Senger ◽  
Frederick W. Alt

Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) class switch recombination (CSR) replaces the initially expressed IgH Cμ exons with a set of downstream IgH constant region (CH) exons. Individual sets of CH exons are flanked upstream by long (1–10-kb) repetitive switch (S) regions, with CSR involving a deletional recombination event between the donor Sμ region and a downstream S region. Targeting CSR to specific S regions might be mediated by S region–specific factors. To test the role of endogenous S region sequences in targeting specific CSR events, we generated mutant B cells in which the endogenous 10-kb Sγ1 region was replaced with wild-type (WT) or synthetic 2-kb Sγ3 sequences or a synthetic 2-kb Sγ1 sequence. We found that both the inserted endogenous and synthetic Sγ3 sequences functioned similarly to a size-matched synthetic Sγ1 sequence to mediate substantial CSR to IgG1 in mutant B cells activated under conditions that stimulate IgG1 switching in WT B cells. We conclude that Sγ3 can function similarly to Sγ1 in mediating endogenous CSR to IgG1. The approach that we have developed will facilitate assays for IgH isotype–specific functions of other endogenous S regions.


2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Boboila ◽  
Catherine Yan ◽  
Duane R. Wesemann ◽  
Mila Jankovic ◽  
Jing H. Wang ◽  
...  

The classical nonhomologous end-joining (C-NHEJ) DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway employs the Ku70/80 complex (Ku) for DSB recognition and the XRCC4/DNA ligase 4 (Lig4) complex for ligation. During IgH class switch recombination (CSR) in B lymphocytes, switch (S) region DSBs are joined by C-NHEJ to form junctions either with short microhomologies (MHs; “MH-mediated” joins) or no homologies (“direct” joins). In the absence of XRCC4 or Lig4, substantial CSR occurs via “alternative” end-joining (A-EJ) that generates largely MH-mediated joins. Because upstream C-NHEJ components remain in XRCC4- or Lig4-deficient B cells, residual CSR might be catalyzed by C-NHEJ using a different ligase. To address this, we have assayed for CSR in B cells deficient for Ku70, Ku80, or both Ku70 and Lig4. Ku70- or Ku80-deficient B cells have reduced, but still substantial, CSR. Strikingly, B cells deficient for both Ku plus Lig4 undergo CSR similarly to Ku-deficient B cells, firmly demonstrating that an A-EJ pathway distinct from C-NHEJ can catalyze CSR end-joining. Ku-deficient or Ku- plus Lig4-deficient B cells are also biased toward MH-mediated CSR joins; but, in contrast to XRCC4- or Lig4-deficient B cells, generate substantial numbers of direct CSR joins. Our findings suggest that more than one form of A-EJ can function in CSR.


Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Castañeda-Zegarra ◽  
Camilla Huse ◽  
Øystein Røsand ◽  
Antonio Sarno ◽  
Mengtan Xing ◽  
...  

Classical non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is a molecular pathway that detects, processes, and ligates DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) throughout the cell cycle. Mutations in several NHEJ genes result in neurological abnormalities and immunodeficiency both in humans and mice. The NHEJ pathway is required for V(D)J recombination in developing B and T lymphocytes, and for class switch recombination in mature B cells. The Ku heterodimer formed by Ku70 and Ku80 recognizes DSBs and facilitates the recruitment of accessory factors (e.g., DNA-PKcs, Artemis, Paxx and Mri/Cyren) and downstream core factor subunits X-ray repair cross-complementing group 4 (XRCC4), XRCC4-like factor (XLF), and DNA ligase 4 (Lig4). Accessory factors might be dispensable for the process, depending on the genetic background and DNA lesion type. To determine the physiological role of Mri in DNA repair and development, we introduced a frame-shift mutation in the Mri gene in mice. We then analyzed the development of Mri-deficient mice as well as wild type and immunodeficient controls. Mice lacking Mri possessed reduced levels of class switch recombination in B lymphocytes and slow proliferation of neuronal progenitors when compared to wild type littermates. Human cell lines lacking Mri were as sensitive to DSBs as the wild type controls. Overall, we concluded that Mri/Cyren is largely dispensable for DNA repair and mouse development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (31) ◽  
pp. 8354-8359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Feng Yen ◽  
Ashutosh Chaudhry ◽  
Bharat Vaidyanathan ◽  
William T. Yewdell ◽  
Joseph N. Pucella ◽  
...  

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) serve as obligatory intermediates for Ig heavy chain (Igh) class switch recombination (CSR). The mechanisms by which DSBs are resolved to promote long-range DNA end-joining while suppressing genomic instability inherently associated with DSBs are yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we use a targeted short-hairpin RNA screen in a B-cell lymphoma line to identify the BRCT-domain protein BRIT1 as an effector of CSR. We show that conditional genetic deletion of BRIT1 in mice leads to a marked increase in unrepaired Igh breaks and a significant reduction in CSR in ex vivo activated splenic B cells. We find that the C-terminal tandem BRCT domains of BRIT1 facilitate its interaction with phosphorylated H2AX and that BRIT1 is recruited to the Igh locus in an activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and H2AX-dependent fashion. Finally, we demonstrate that depletion of another BRCT-domain protein, MDC1, in BRIT1-deleted B cells increases the severity of CSR defect over what is observed upon loss of either protein alone. Our results identify BRIT1 as a factor in CSR and demonstrate that multiple BRCT-domain proteins contribute to optimal resolution of AID-induced DSBs.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 2738-2738
Author(s):  
Pedro P Rocha ◽  
Yi Fu ◽  
JungHyun Kim ◽  
Jane Skok

Abstract Class Switch Recombination (CSR) involves the introduction of double stranded breaks (DSBs) at the switch regions of the immunoglulin heavy chain (Igh) locus by the enzyme Activation Cytidine Deaminse (AID). AID can also act as a general mutator targeting other loci in the genome which can then either be repaired faithfully or in an error-prone fashion introducing mutations and potentially initiating B cell lymphoma. The factors contributing to the choice of repair pathway are not fully understood. Here we tested the hypothesis that repair pathway choice is influenced by differential accessibility and expression levels of target loci across cell cycle. More specifically in the context of CSR we tested whether differential regulation of gene accessibility across cell cycle is an important determinant for AID binding and subsequent repair pathway choice as different repair pathways predominate at different stages of cell cycle. Using 3D-FISH in conjunction with Immunofluorescence we observed that AID target genes that are faithfully repaired are more accessible (found in euchromatic regions) in the G2 phase of the cell cycle then genes that are frequently mutated. In contrast, those genes which are repaired in an error prone fashion are more accessible in the G1 phase of cell cycle. Since Homologous Recombination mediated repair (HR), which is a faithful repair mechanism, occurs in G2 we speculate that accessibility of these genes at this stage of cell cycle facilitates action by this repair pathway. Conversely, genes that are more accessible during the G1 phase of cell cycle will be repaired by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair pathway and therefore are more likely to be mutated. Thus, HR could be the pathway by which faithful repair is accomplished and use of the NHEJ pathway on the other hand could contribute to the introduction of dangerous DNA mutations that might lead to B cell transformation and cancer. To connect differences in accessibility with repair pathway usage, we used a mouse model carrying a hypomorphic mutation in BRCA2, a protein involved in HR. This is the first mouse model impaired in HR that eludes embryonic lethality and allows inspection of the role of this pathway in maintaining genomic stability in splenocytes undergoing CSR. Our preliminary investigations indicate that in Brca2 mutant B cells not only is the integrity of fathfully repaired loci compromised, but the Igh locus is also damaged. Taken together these results support our hypothesis and further indicate that the HR pathway is involved in repairing Igh. Given that approximately 95% of lymphomas are of B cell origin and many of these are associated with AID mediated breaks, it is crucial for us to understand the factors that influence targeting and repair. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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