Involvement of Death-Associated Protein Kinases In DNA Damage Responses of B-ALL Cells.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 3369-3369
Author(s):  
Magali Humbert ◽  
Michaela Medova ◽  
Barbara Geering ◽  
Wieslawa Blank-Liss ◽  
Hans-Uwe Simon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Gamma Irradiation ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Dna Damage Responses

Abstract Abstract 3369 Intact DNA damage response pathways are important for genomic fidelity of cells in order to avoid tumor formation. On the other hand, inhibition of DNA repair provides an important mechanism to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of DNA damaging agents such as gamma-irradiation. Thus, it is important to identify novel players in DNA damage response that might represent novel targets for combination therapies. Death-associated protein kinases (DAPK) are serine/threonine kinases believed to be involved in cell death and autophagy mechanisms, whereby particularly the role of DAPK1 has previously been investigated. The DAPK family is composed of five members: DAPK1, DAPK2 (or DRP-1), DAPK3 (or ZIP kinase), DRAK1 and DRAK2. DAPK1 and DAPK2 share 80% homology in the catalytic domain. Generally, the role of DAPK in DNA damage responses is not well studied. To analyze the role of DAPK1 and DAPK2 in response to gamma-irradiation, we used p53 wild-type REH B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cells as a model. In response to irradiation, DAPK1 protein expression increased paralleled by an increased of total p53, phospho-Ser20-p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1. DAPK2 expression, however, did not increase. Since upregulation of p21WAF1/CIP1, a classical p53 target in response to DNA damage leads to cell cycle arrest, we asked whether knocking down DAPK1 or DAPK2 might affect the cell cycle. Interestingly, knocking down DAPK2 but not DAPK1 led to a significant increase of S-phase cells upon irradiation. Moreover, knocking down DAPK2 attenuated the induction of DAPK1 upon irradiation indicating a DAPK2-DAPK1 cascade in DNA damage responses. Next, given the significant role of p21WAF1/CIP1 and p53 in DNA damage responses, we tested if DAPK2 might directly participate in a novel signaling pathway by interacting with these proteins. Indeed, pull down assays revealed that p21WAF1/CIP1 and p53 are novel DAPK2 interacting proteins. Clearly, further experiments are needed to define the DAPK2-DAPK1-p53- p21WAF1/CIP1 network in DNA repair pathways. In conclusion, we identified a novel role for DAPK1 and DAPK2 in DNA damage responses of B-ALL cells and propose a novel DAPK2/DAPK1/p53/ p21WAF1/CIP1 DNA damage regulatory pathway. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals SET8 Is a Potential Therapeutic Target in MM

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 4435-4435
Author(s):  
Herviou Laurie ◽  
Fanny Izard ◽  
Elke De Bruyne ◽  
Eva Desmedt ◽  
Anqi Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Damage Response

Abstract Epigenetic regulation mechanisms - such as histone marks, DNA methylation and miRNA - are often misregulated in cancers and are associated with tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell disease that accumulates within the bone marrow. Epigenetic modifications in MM are associated not only with cancer development and progression, but also with resistance to chemotherapy. This epigenetic plasticity can be targeted with epidrugs, nowadays used in treatment of several cancers. We recently identified a significant overexpression of the lysine histone methyltransferase SETD8 in MM cells (HMCLs; N=40) compared with normal plasma cells (N=5) (P<0.001). SETD8 (also known as SET8, PR-Set7, KMT5A) is the sole enzyme responsible for the monomethylation of histone H4 at lysine 20 (H4K20me1) which has been linked to chromatin compaction and cell-cycle regulation. In addition, SETD8 induces the methylation of non-histone proteins, such as the replication factor PCNA, the tumor suppressor P53 and its stabilizing protein Numb. While SETD8-mediated methylation of P53 and Numb inhibits apoptosis, PCNA methylation upon SETD8 enhances the interaction with the Flap endonuclease FEN1 and promotes cancer cell proliferation. SETD8 is also implicated in DNA damage response, helping 53BP1 recruitment at DNA double-strand breaks. Consistent with this, overexpression of SETD8 is found in various types of cancer and has been directly implicated in breast cancer invasiveness and metastasis. A role of SETD8 in development of MM has however never been described. We found that high SETD8 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in 2 independent cohorts of newly diagnosed patients (UAMS-TT2 cohort - N=345 and UAMS-TT3 cohort - N=158). Specific SETD8 inhibition with UNC-0379 inhibitor, causing its degradation and H4K20me1 depletion, leads to significant growth inhibition of HMCLs (N=10) and the murine cell lines 5T33MM and 5TGM1. MM cells treated with UNC-0379 presented a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest after 24h of treatment, followed by apoptosis 48h later. To confirm that SETD8 inhibition is as efficient on primary MM cells from patients, primary MM cells (N=8) were co-cultured with their bone marrow microenvironment and recombinant IL-6 and treated for 4 days with UNC-0379. Interestingly, treatment of MM patient samples with UNC-0379 reduces the percentage of myeloma cells (65%; P<0.005) without significantly affecting the non-myeloma cells, suggesting a specific addiction of primary myeloma cells to SETD8 activity. Melphalan is an alkylating agent commonly used in MM treatment. As SETD8 is known to be involved in the DNA damage response, we investigated the effect of its combination with Melphalan on HMCLs. Results show that this particular drug combination strongly enhances double strand breaks in HMCLs monitored using 53BP1 foci formation and gH2AX detection. This result emphasizes a potential role of SETD8 in DNA repair in MM cells. Furthermore, GSEA analysis of patients with high SETD8 expression highlighted a significant enrichment of genes involved in DNA repair, MYC-MAX targets and MAPK pathway. Our study is the first to demonstrate the importance of SETD8 for MM cells survival and suggest that SETD8 inhibition represent a promising strategy to improve conventional treatment of MM with DNA damaging agents. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals DNA Damage Response in Multiple Myeloma: The Role of the Tumor Microenvironment

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 504
Author(s):  
Takayuki Saitoh ◽  
Tsukasa Oda
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Genetic Instability ◽  
Dna Repair Mechanisms ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Repair Mechanisms

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy characterized by genomic instability. MM cells present various forms of genetic instability, including chromosomal instability, microsatellite instability, and base-pair alterations, as well as changes in chromosome number. The tumor microenvironment and an abnormal DNA repair function affect genetic instability in this disease. In addition, states of the tumor microenvironment itself, such as inflammation and hypoxia, influence the DNA damage response, which includes DNA repair mechanisms, cell cycle checkpoints, and apoptotic pathways. Unrepaired DNA damage in tumor cells has been shown to exacerbate genomic instability and aberrant features that enable MM progression and drug resistance. This review provides an overview of the DNA repair pathways, with a special focus on their function in MM, and discusses the role of the tumor microenvironment in governing DNA repair mechanisms.

Dissecting the Role of Thyrotropin in the DNA Damage Response in Human Thyrocytes after 131I, γ Radiation and H2O2

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 839-853
Author(s):  
Aglaia Kyrilli ◽  
David Gacquer ◽  
Vincent Detours ◽  
Anne Lefort ◽  
Frédéric Libert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Iodide Uptake ◽  
Transcriptomic Response ◽  
Uptake Inhibition ◽  
Γ Radiation ◽  
Damage Response

Abstract Background The early molecular events in human thyrocytes after 131I exposure have not yet been unravelled. Therefore, we investigated the role of TSH in the 131I-induced DNA damage response and gene expression in primary cultured human thyrocytes. Methods Following exposure of thyrocytes, in the presence or absence of TSH, to 131I (β radiation), γ radiation (3 Gy), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), we assessed DNA damage, proliferation, and cell-cycle status. We conducted RNA sequencing to profile gene expression after each type of exposure and evaluated the influence of TSH on each transcriptomic response. Results Overall, the thyrocyte responses following exposure to β or γ radiation and to H2O2 were similar. However, TSH increased 131I-induced DNA damage, an effect partially diminished after iodide uptake inhibition. Specifically, TSH increased the number of DNA double-strand breaks in nonexposed thyrocytes and thus predisposed them to greater damage following 131I exposure. This effect most likely occurred via Gα q cascade and a rise in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. β and γ radiation prolonged thyroid cell-cycle arrest to a similar extent without sign of apoptosis. The gene expression profiles of thyrocytes exposed to β/γ radiation or H2O2 were overlapping. Modulations in genes involved in inflammatory response, apoptosis, and proliferation were observed. TSH increased the number and intensity of modulation of differentially expressed genes after 131I exposure. Conclusions TSH specifically increased 131I-induced DNA damage probably via a rise in ROS levels and produced a more prominent transcriptomic response after exposure to 131I.

Endometrial DNA damage response is modulated in endometriosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kashmira Bane ◽  
Junita Desouza ◽  
Diksha Shetty ◽  
Prakash Choudhary ◽  
Shalaka Kadam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Dna Repair Genes ◽  
Eutopic Endometrium ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Repair Genes

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is the DNA damage response (DDR) dysregulated in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER Endometrial expression of genes involved in DDR is modulated in women with endometriosis, compared to those without the disease. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Ectopic endometriotic lesions are reported to harbour somatic mutations, thereby hinting at dysregulation of DDR and DNA repair pathways. However, it remains inconclusive whether the eutopic endometrium also manifests dysregulated DDR in endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION For this case–control study conducted between 2015 and 2019, eutopic endometrial (E) samples (EE- from women with endometriosis, CE- from women without endometriosis) were collected in either mid-proliferative (EE-MP, n = 23; CE-MP, n = 17) or mid-secretory (EE-MS, n = 17; CE-MS, n = 9) phases of the menstrual cycle. This study compares: (i) DNA damage marker localization, (ii) expression of DDR genes and (iii) expression of DNA repair genes in eutopic endometrial samples from women with and without endometriosis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The study included (i) 40 women (aged 31.9 ± 0.81 years) with endometriosis and (ii) 26 control women (aged 31.4 ± 1.02 years) without endometriosis. Eutopic endometrial samples from the two groups were divided into different parts for histological analysis, immunohistochemistry, RNA extraction, protein extraction and comet assays. Eighty-four genes of relevance in the DNA damage signalling pathway were evaluated for their expression in eutopic endometrial samples, using RT2 Profiler PCR arrays. Validations of the expression of two GADD (Growth Arrest DNA Damage Inducible) proteins - GADD45A and GADD45G were carried out by immunoblotting. DNA damage was assessed by immunohistochemical localization of γ-H2AFX (a phosphorylated variant of histone H2AX) and 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine). RNA sequencing data from mid-proliferative (EE-MP, n = 4; CE-MP, n = 3) and mid-secretory phase (EE-MS and CE-MS, n = 4 each) endometrial samples were scanned to compare the expression status of all the genes implicated in human DNA repair. PCNA (Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen) expression was determined to assess endometrial proliferation. Residual DNA damage in primary endometrial cells was checked by comet assays. Public datasets were also scanned for the expression of DDR and DNA repair genes as our RNASeq data were limited by small sample size. All the comparisons were made between phase-matched endometrial samples from women with and without endometriosis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Endometrial expression of DDR genes and intensity of immunolocalized γ-H2AFX were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher in EE, compared to CE samples. DDR proteins, especially those belonging to the GADD family, were found to be differentially abundant in EE, as compared to CE. These patterns were evident in both mid-proliferative and mid-secretory phases. Intriguingly, higher DDR was associated with increased cell proliferation in EE-MP, compared to CE-MP. Furthermore, among the differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) encoded by DNA repair genes, the majority showed up-regulation in EE-MP, compared to CE-MP. Interestingly, CE-MP and EE-MP had a comparable percentage (P &gt; 0.05) of cells with residual DNA damage. However, unlike the mid-proliferative phase data, many DETs encoded by DNA repair genes were down-regulated in EE-MS, compared to CE-MS. An analysis of the phase-matched control and endometriosis samples included in the GSE51981 dataset available in the Gene Expression Omnibus database also revealed significant (P &lt; 0.05) alterations in the expression of DDR and DNA repair genes in EE, compared to CE. LARGE-SCALE DATA N/A LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The study was conducted on a limited number of endometrial samples. Also, the study does not reveal the causes underlying dysregulated DDR in the eutopic endometrium of women with endometriosis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Alterations in the expression of DDR and DNA repair genes indirectly suggest that eutopic endometrium, as compared to its healthy counterpart, encounters DNA damage-inducing stimuli, either of higher strength or for longer duration in endometriosis. It will be worthwhile to identify the nature of such stimuli and also explore the role of higher genomic insults and dysregulated DDR/DNA repair in the origin and/or progression of endometriosis. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was supported by the Department of Biotechnology and Indian Council of Medical Research, Government of India. No conflict of interest is declared.

scholarly journals RT2 PCR array screening reveals distinct perturbations in DNA damage response signaling in FUS-associated motor neuron disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haibo Wang ◽  
Suganya Rangaswamy ◽  
Manohar Kodavati ◽  
Joy Mitra ◽  
Wenting Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neuron Disease ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Spinal Cord Tissue ◽  
Sporadic Als ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Als Patients

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disease that has been linked to defective DNA repair. Many familial ALS patients harbor autosomal dominant mutations in the gene encoding the RNA/DNA binding protein ‘fused in sarcoma’ (FUS) commonly inducing its cytoplasmic mislocalization. Recent reports from our group and others demonstrate a role of FUS in maintaining genome integrity and the DNA damage response (DDR). FUS interacts with many DDR proteins and may regulate their recruitment at damage sites. Given the role of FUS in RNA transactions, here we explore whether FUS also regulates the expression of DDR factors. We performed RT2 PCR arrays for DNA repair and DDR signaling pathways in CRISPR/Cas9 FUS knockout (KO) and shRNA mediated FUS knockdown (KD) cells, which revealed significant (> 2-fold) downregulation of BRCA1, DNA ligase 4, MSH complex and RAD23B. Importantly, similar perturbations in these factors were also consistent in motor neurons differentiated from an ALS patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line with a FUS-P525L mutation, as well as in postmortem spinal cord tissue of sporadic ALS patients with FUS pathology. BRCA1 depletion has been linked to neuronal DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) accumulation and cognitive defects. The ubiquitin receptor RAD23 functions both in nucleotide excision repair and proteasomal protein clearance pathway and is thus linked to neurodegeneration. Together, our study suggests that the FUS pathology perturbs DDR signaling via both its direct role and the effect on the expression of DDR genes. This underscors an intricate connections between FUS, genome instability, and neurodegeneration.

53BP1: function and mechanisms of focal recruitment

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 897-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. FitzGerald ◽  
Muriel Grenon ◽  
Noel F. Lowndes
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Dna Damage Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Activation ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Nuclear Structures ◽  
Genotoxic Insult ◽  
Covalent Histone Modifications

53BP1 (p53-binding protein 1) is classified as a mediator/adaptor of the DNA-damage response, and is recruited to nuclear structures termed foci following genotoxic insult. In the present paper, we review the functions of 53BP1 in DNA-damage checkpoint activation and DNA repair, and the mechanisms of its recruitment and activation following DNA damage. We focus in particular on the role of covalent histone modifications in this process.

scholarly journals Cellular responses to a prolonged delay in mitosis are determined by a DNA damage response controlled by Bcl-2 family proteins

Open Biology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 140156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier J. Colin ◽  
Karolina O. Hain ◽  
Lindsey A. Allan ◽  
Paul R. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Microtubule Poisons

Anti-cancer drugs that disrupt mitosis inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, although the mechanisms of these responses are poorly understood. Here, we characterize a mitotic stress response that determines cell fate in response to microtubule poisons. We show that mitotic arrest induced by these drugs produces a temporally controlled DNA damage response (DDR) characterized by the caspase-dependent formation of γH2AX foci in non-apoptotic cells. Following exit from a delayed mitosis, this initial response results in activation of DDR protein kinases, phosphorylation of the tumour suppressor p53 and a delay in subsequent cell cycle progression. We show that this response is controlled by Mcl-1, a regulator of caspase activation that becomes degraded during mitotic arrest. Chemical inhibition of Mcl-1 and the related proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-x L by a BH3 mimetic enhances the mitotic DDR, promotes p53 activation and inhibits subsequent cell cycle progression. We also show that inhibitors of DDR protein kinases as well as BH3 mimetics promote apoptosis synergistically with taxol (paclitaxel) in a variety of cancer cell lines. Our work demonstrates the role of mitotic DNA damage responses in determining cell fate in response to microtubule poisons and BH3 mimetics, providing a rationale for anti-cancer combination chemotherapies.

Effect of inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase AXL by a selective small molecular inhibitor R428 (BGB321) on DNA damage repair response in ovarian cancer cells.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15640-e15640
Author(s):  
Ruby Yun-Ju Huang ◽  
Xun Hui Yeo ◽  
Wai Leong Tam
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Receptor Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Dna Damage Repair ◽  
Damage Repair ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Dna Damage Responses

e15640 Background: AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is often overexpressed in many cancers. It contributes to tumor progression, metastasis and drug resistance through activating downstream signaling cascades, making it an emerging therapeutic target. The first-in-class AXL inhibitor R428 (BGB321) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. R428 (BGB321) was also reported to show selective sensitivity towards ovarian cancers (OC) with a Mesenchymal (Mes) molecular subtype. Recently, a novel role of AXL in the regulation of DNA damage responses has been described. In this study, we explored further the role of AXL in mediating DNA damage responses by using OC as a disease model. Methods: OC cell lines were treated with R428. Accumulation of γH2AX positive foci was assessed for DNA damage response. Western blotting for γH2AX, ATM and ATR levels were performed. Dose response curves of ATR inhibitors were generated by treating OC cells with the fixed dose of R428 (IC20 concentration of each cell line). Results: AXL inhibition by using R428 resulted in the increase of DNA damage foci in Mes OC cells SKOV3 and HeyA8. This occurred concurrently with the up-regulation of classic DNA damage response signaling molecules such as γH2AX, ATM and ATR. The IC50 of the ATR inhibitor significantly decreased for 2-3 folds in all OC cell lines tested. AXL inhibitor R428 sensitized both BRCA-mutated and non-BRCA-mutated OC cells to a potent and highly selective ATR inhibitor. Conclusions: Our results showed that AXL inhibition rendered cells more sensitive to the inhibition of ATR, a crucial mediator for replication stress, paving ways to the rationale for potential combinatory use of AXL and DNA damage repair inhibitors.

SP-02: Cell Cycle Regulation of the DNA Damage Response: Targeting WEE1 Kinase to Impair DNA Repair.

2012 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
M.A.T.M. Van Vugt ◽  
M. Krajewska ◽  
H. Sillje ◽  
A.M. Heijink ◽  
Y. Bisselink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulation ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
Wee1 Kinase ◽  
Cycle Regulation

A Role for NIPA in DNA Damage Response.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1265-1265
Author(s):  
Christine von Klitzing ◽  
Florian Bassermann ◽  
Stephan W. Morris ◽  
Christian Peschel ◽  
Justus Duyster
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Damage Response ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Genotoxic Stress ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Damage Response ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Cycle Dependent

Abstract The nuclear interaction partner of ALK (NIPA) is a nuclear protein identified by our group in a screen for NPM-ALK interaction partners. We recently reported that NIPA is an F-box protein that assembles with SKP1, Cul1 and Roc1 to establish a novel SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. The formation of the SCFNIPA complex is regulated by cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of NIPA that restricts SCFNIPA assembly from G1- to late S-phase, thus allowing its substrates to be active from late S-phase throughout mitosis. Proteins involved in cell cycle regulation frequently play a role in DNA damage checkpoints. We therefore sought to determine whether NIPA has a function in the cellular response to genotoxic stress. For this reason we treated NIH/3T3 cells with various DNA-damaging agents. Surprisingly, we observed phosphorylation of NIPA in response to some of these agents, including UV radiation. This phosphorylation was cell cycle phase independent and thus independent of the physiological cell cycle dependent phosphorylation of NIPA. The relevant phosphorylation site is identical to the respective site in the course of cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of NIPA. Thus, phosphorylation of NIPA upon genotoxic stress would inactivate the SCFNIPA complex in a cell cycle independent manner. Interestingly, this phosphorylation site lies within a consensus site of the Chk1/Chk2 checkpoint kinases. These kinases are central to DNA damage checkpoint signaling. Chk1 is activated by ATR in response to blocked replication forks as they occur after treatment with UV. We performed experiments using the ATM/ATR inhibitor caffeine and the Chk1 inhibitor SB218078 to investigate a potential role of Chk1 in NIPA phosphorylation. Indeed, we found both inhibitors to prevent UV-induced phosphorylation of NIPA. Current experiments applying Chk1 knock-out cells will unravel the role of Chk1 in NIPA phosphorylation. Additional experiments were performed to investigate a function for NIPA in DNA-damage induced apoptosis. In this regard, we observed overexpression of NIPA WT to induce apoptosis in response to UV, whereas no proapoptotic effect was seen with the phosphorylation deficient NIPA mutant. Therefore, the phosphorylated form of NIPA may be involved in apoptotic signaling pathways. In summary, we present data suggesting a cell cycle independent function for NIPA. This activity is involved in DNA damage response and may be involved in regulating apoptosis upon genotoxic stress.

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