scholarly journals A targeted and tuneable DNA damage tool using CRISPR/Cas9

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Emmanouilidis ◽  
Natalia Fili ◽  
Alexander W. Cook ◽  
Yukti Hari-Gupta ◽  
Ália dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Guide Rnas ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Repair Pathways

ABSTRACTMammalian cells are constantly subjected to a variety of DNA damaging events that lead to the activation of DNA repair pathways. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the DNA damage response allows the development of therapeutics which target elements of these pathways.Double-Strand Breaks (DSB) are particularly deleterious to cell viability and genome stability. Typically, DSB repair is studied using DNA damaging agents such as ionising irradiation or genotoxic drugs. These induce random lesions at non-predictive genome sites, where damage dosage is difficult to control. Such interventions are unsuitable for studying how different DNA damage recognition and repair pathways are invoked at specific DSB sites in relation to the local chromatin state.The RNA-guided Cas9 (CRISPR associated protein 9) endonuclease enzyme, is a powerful tool to mediate targeted genome alterations. Cas9-based genomic intervention is attained through DSB formation in the genomic area of interest. Here, we have harnessed the power to induce DSBs at defined quantities and locations across the human genome, using custom-designed promiscuous guide RNAs, based on in silico predictions. This was achieved using electroporation of recombinant Cas9-guide complex which provides a generic, low-cost and rapid methodology for inducing controlled DNA damage in cell culture models.

scholarly journals A Targeted and Tuneable DNA Damage Tool Using CRISPR/Cas9

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 288
Author(s):  
Ioannis Emmanouilidis ◽  
Natalia Fili ◽  
Alexander W. Cook ◽  
Yukti Hari-Gupta ◽  
Ália dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Guide Rnas ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
Repair Pathways

Mammalian cells are constantly subjected to a variety of DNA damaging events that lead to the activation of DNA repair pathways. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the DNA damage response allows the development of therapeutics which target elements of these pathways. Double-strand breaks (DSB) are particularly deleterious to cell viability and genome stability. Typically, DSB repair is studied using DNA damaging agents such as ionising irradiation or genotoxic drugs. These induce random lesions at non-predictive genome sites, where damage dosage is difficult to control. Such interventions are unsuitable for studying how different DNA damage recognition and repair pathways are invoked at specific DSB sites in relation to the local chromatin state. The RNA-guided Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) endonuclease enzyme is a powerful tool to mediate targeted genome alterations. Cas9-based genomic intervention is attained through DSB formation in the genomic area of interest. Here, we have harnessed the power to induce DSBs at defined quantities and locations across the human genome, using custom-designed promiscuous guide RNAs, based on in silico predictions. This was achieved using electroporation of recombinant Cas9-guide complex, which provides a generic, low-cost and rapid methodology for inducing controlled DNA damage in cell culture models.

scholarly journals Imaging the response to DNA damage in heterochromatin domains reveals core principles of heterochromatin maintenance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Fortuny ◽  
Audrey Chansard ◽  
Pierre Caron ◽  
Odile Chevallier ◽  
Olivier Leroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transcriptional Silencing ◽  
Genotoxic Stress ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Uv Damage

ABSTRACTHeterochromatin is a critical chromatin compartment, whose integrity governs genome stability and cell fate transitions. How heterochromatin features, including higher-order chromatin folding and histone modifications associated with transcriptional silencing, are maintained following a genotoxic stress challenge is unknown. Here, we establish a system for targeting UV damage to pericentric heterochromatin in mammalian cells and for tracking the heterochromatin response to UV in real time. We uncover profound heterochromatin compaction changes during repair, orchestrated by the UV damage sensor DDB2, which stimulates linker histone displacement from chromatin. Despite massive heterochromatin unfolding, heterochromatin-specific histone modifications and transcriptional silencing are maintained. We unveil a central role for the methyltransferase SETDB1 in the maintenance of heterochromatic histone marks after UV, SETDB1 coordinating histone methylation with new histone deposition in damaged heterochromatin, thus protecting cells from genome instability. Our data shed light on fundamental molecular mechanisms safeguarding higher-order chromatin integrity following DNA damage.

scholarly journals Imaging the response to DNA damage in heterochromatin domains reveals core principles of heterochromatin maintenance

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Fortuny ◽  
Audrey Chansard ◽  
Pierre Caron ◽  
Odile Chevallier ◽  
Olivier Leroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transcriptional Silencing ◽  
Genotoxic Stress ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Uv Damage

AbstractHeterochromatin is a critical chromatin compartment, whose integrity governs genome stability and cell fate transitions. How heterochromatin features, including higher-order chromatin folding and histone modifications associated with transcriptional silencing, are maintained following a genotoxic stress challenge is unknown. Here, we establish a system for targeting UV damage to pericentric heterochromatin in mammalian cells and for tracking the heterochromatin response to UV in real time. We uncover profound heterochromatin compaction changes during repair, orchestrated by the UV damage sensor DDB2, which stimulates linker histone displacement from chromatin. Despite massive heterochromatin unfolding, heterochromatin-specific histone modifications and transcriptional silencing are maintained. We unveil a central role for the methyltransferase SETDB1 in the maintenance of heterochromatic histone marks after UV. SETDB1 coordinates histone methylation with new histone deposition in damaged heterochromatin, thus protecting cells from genome instability. Our data shed light on fundamental molecular mechanisms safeguarding higher-order chromatin integrity following DNA damage.

scholarly journals The Saccharomyces cerevisiae RAD6 Group Is Composed of an Error-Prone and Two Error-Free Postreplication Repair Pathways

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1633-1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Xiao ◽  
Barbara L Chow ◽  
Stacey Broomfield ◽  
Michelle Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Signal Transducer ◽  
Repair Pathway ◽  
Polyubiquitin Chain ◽  
Postreplication Repair ◽  
Translesion Dna Synthesis ◽  
Radiation Repair ◽  
Repair Pathways ◽  
High Degree

Abstract The RAD6 postreplication repair and mutagenesis pathway is the only major radiation repair pathway yet to be extensively characterized. It has been previously speculated that the RAD6 pathway consists of two parallel subpathways, one error free and another error prone (mutagenic). Here we show that the RAD6 group genes can be exclusively divided into three rather than two independent subpathways represented by the RAD5, POL30, and REV3 genes; the REV3 pathway is largely mutagenic, whereas the RAD5 and the POL30 pathways are deemed error free. Mutants carrying characteristic mutations in each of the three subpathways are phenotypically indistinguishable from a single mutant such as rad18, which is defective in the entire RAD6 postreplication repair/tolerance pathway. Furthermore, the rad18 mutation is epistatic to all single or combined mutations in any of the above three subpathways. Our data also suggest that MMS2 and UBC13 play a key role in coordinating the response of the error-free subpathways; Mms2 and Ubc13 form a complex required for a novel polyubiquitin chain assembly, which probably serves as a signal transducer to promote both RAD5 and POL30 error-free postreplication repair pathways. The model established by this study will facilitate further research into the molecular mechanisms of postreplication repair and translesion DNA synthesis. In view of the high degree of sequence conservation of the RAD6 pathway genes among all eukaryotes, the model presented in this study may also apply to mammalian cells and predicts links to human diseases.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle-Induced Genotoxicity

Materials ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agmal Scherzad ◽  
Till Meyer ◽  
Norbert Kleinsasser ◽  
Stephan Hackenberg
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Oxidative Dna Damage ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Zno Nps ◽  
Cytotoxic Effects

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the most frequently applied nanomaterials in consumer products. Evidence exists regarding the cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs in mammalian cells; however, knowledge about the potential genotoxicity of ZnO NPs is rare, and results presented in the current literature are inconsistent. Objectives: The aim of this review is to summarize the existing data regarding the DNA damage that ZnO NPs induce, and focus on the possible molecular mechanisms underlying genotoxic events. Methods: Electronic literature databases were systematically searched for studies that report on the genotoxicity of ZnO NPs. Results: Several methods and different endpoints demonstrate the genotoxic potential of ZnO NPs. Most publications describe in vitro assessments of the oxidative DNA damage triggered by dissoluted Zn2+ ions. Most genotoxicological investigations of ZnO NPs address acute exposure situations. Conclusion: Existing evidence indicates that ZnO NPs possibly have the potential to damage DNA. However, there is a lack of long-term exposure experiments that clarify the intracellular bioaccumulation of ZnO NPs and the possible mechanisms of DNA repair and cell survival.

scholarly journals RAD51 localization and activation following DNA damage

2004 ◽  
Vol 359 (1441) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madalena Tarsounas ◽  
Adelina A. Davies ◽  
Stephen C. West
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Focus Formation ◽  
Rad51 Protein ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Damaging Agents ◽  
Binding Level

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.

scholarly journals The role of Sp1 in the detection and elimination of cells with persistent DNA strand breaks

NAR Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Polina S Loshchenova ◽  
Svetlana V Sergeeva ◽  
Sally C Fletcher ◽  
Grigory L Dianov
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Dna Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Lesions ◽  
Exogenous Dna ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Specificity Factor ◽  
Dna Strand

Abstract Maintenance of genome stability suppresses cancer and other human diseases and is critical for organism survival. Inevitably, during a life span, multiple DNA lesions can arise due to the inherent instability of DNA molecules or due to endogenous or exogenous DNA damaging factors. To avoid malignant transformation of cells with damaged DNA, multiple mechanisms have evolved to repair DNA or to detect and eradicate cells accumulating unrepaired DNA damage. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the role of Sp1 (specificity factor 1) in the detection and elimination of cells accumulating persistent DNA strand breaks. We also discuss how this mechanism may contribute to the maintenance of physiological populations of healthy cells in an organism, thus preventing cancer formation, and the possible application of these findings in cancer therapy.

Control of genome stability by Slx protein complexes

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Rouse
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Excision Repair ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Alkylating Agents ◽  
Strand Break

The six Saccharomyces cerevisiae SLX genes were identified in a screen for factors required for the viability of cells lacking Sgs1, a member of the RecQ helicase family involved in processing stalled replisomes and in the maintenance of genome stability. The six SLX gene products form three distinct heterodimeric complexes, and all three have catalytic activity. Slx3–Slx2 (also known as Mus81–Mms4) and Slx1–Slx4 are both heterodimeric endonucleases with a marked specificity for branched replication fork-like DNA species, whereas Slx5–Slx8 is a SUMO (small ubiquitin-related modifier)-targeted E3 ubiquitin ligase. All three complexes play important, but distinct, roles in different aspects of the cellular response to DNA damage and perturbed DNA replication. Slx4 interacts physically not only with Slx1, but also with Rad1–Rad10 [XPF (xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group F)–ERCC1 (excision repair cross-complementing 1) in humans], another structure-specific endonuclease that participates in the repair of UV-induced DNA damage and in a subpathway of recombinational DNA DSB (double-strand break) repair. Curiously, Slx4 is essential for repair of DSBs by Rad1–Rad10, but is not required for repair of UV damage. Slx4 also promotes cellular resistance to DNA-alkylating agents that block the progression of replisomes during DNA replication, by facilitating the error-free mode of lesion bypass. This does not require Slx1 or Rad1–Rad10, and so Slx4 has several distinct roles in protecting genome stability. In the present article, I provide an overview of our current understanding of the cellular roles of the Slx proteins, paying particular attention to the advances that have been made in understanding the cellular roles of Slx4. In particular, protein–protein interactions and underlying molecular mechanisms are discussed and I draw attention to the many questions that have yet to be answered.

scholarly journals DNA polymerases δ and λ cooperate in repairing double-strand breaks by microhomology-mediated end-joining in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (50) ◽  
pp. E6907-E6916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon Meyer ◽  
Becky Xu Hua Fu ◽  
Wolf-Dietrich Heyer
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Dna Polymerase ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Polymerase Delta ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Repair Efficiency ◽  
Repair Pathways

Maintenance of genome stability is carried out by a suite of DNA repair pathways that ensure the repair of damaged DNA and faithful replication of the genome. Of particular importance are the repair pathways, which respond to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and how the efficiency of repair is influenced by sequence homology. In this study, we developed a genetic assay in diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to analyze DSBs requiring microhomologies for repair, known as microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ). MMEJ repair efficiency increased concomitant with microhomology length and decreased upon introduction of mismatches. The central proteins in homologous recombination (HR), Rad52 and Rad51, suppressed MMEJ in this system, suggesting a competition between HR and MMEJ for the repair of a DSB. Importantly, we found that DNA polymerase delta (Pol δ) is critical for MMEJ, independent of microhomology length and base-pairing continuity. MMEJ recombinants showed evidence that Pol δ proofreading function is active during MMEJ-mediated DSB repair. Furthermore, mutations in Pol δ and DNA polymerase 4 (Pol λ), the DNA polymerase previously implicated in MMEJ, cause a synergistic decrease in MMEJ repair. Pol λ showed faster kinetics associating with MMEJ substrates following DSB induction than Pol δ. The association of Pol δ depended on RAD1, which encodes the flap endonuclease needed to cleave MMEJ intermediates before DNA synthesis. Moreover, Pol δ recruitment was diminished in cells lacking Pol λ. These data suggest cooperative involvement of both polymerases in MMEJ.

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