scholarly journals One end to rule them all: Non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination at DNA double-strand breaks

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (1115) ◽  
pp. 20191054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ensminger ◽  
Markus Löbrich
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Replication Fork ◽  
Dna Lesions ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining ◽  
Dna Double Helix

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent the most severe type of DNA damage since they can lead to genomic rearrangements, events that can initiate and promote tumorigenic processes. DSBs arise from various exogenous agents that induce two single-strand breaks at opposite locations in the DNA double helix. Such two-ended DSBs are repaired in mammalian cells by one of two conceptually different processes, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). NHEJ has the potential to form rearrangements while HR is believed to be error-free since it uses a homologous template for repair. DSBs can also arise from single-stranded DNA lesions if they lead to replication fork collapse. Such DSBs, however, have only one end and are repaired by HR and not by NHEJ. In fact, the majority of spontaneously arising DSBs are one-ended and HR has likely evolved to repair one-ended DSBs. HR of such DSBs demands the engagement of a second break end that is generated by an approaching replication fork. This HR process can cause rearrangements if a homologous template other than the sister chromatid is used. Thus, both NHEJ and HR have the potential to form rearrangements and the proper choice between them is governed by various factors, including cell cycle phase and genomic location of the lesion. We propose that the specific requirements for repairing one-ended DSBs have shaped HR in a way which makes NHEJ the better choice for the repair of some but not all two-ended DSBs.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of double-strand break repair in somatic mammalian cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 423 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea J. Hartlerode ◽  
Ralph Scully
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Information ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Dna Lesions ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

DNA chromosomal DSBs (double-strand breaks) are potentially hazardous DNA lesions, and their accurate repair is essential for the successful maintenance and propagation of genetic information. Two major pathways have evolved to repair DSBs: HR (homologous recombination) and NHEJ (non-homologous end-joining). Depending on the context in which the break is encountered, HR and NHEJ may either compete or co-operate to fix DSBs in eukaryotic cells. Defects in either pathway are strongly associated with human disease, including immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition. Here we review the current knowledge of how NHEJ and HR are controlled in somatic mammalian cells, and discuss the role of the chromatin context in regulating each pathway. We also review evidence for both co-operation and competition between the two pathways.

scholarly journals The non-homologous end joining factor Ku orchestrates replication fork resection and fine-tunes Rad51-mediated fork restart

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Teixeira-Silva ◽  
Anissia Ait Saada ◽  
Ismail Iraqui ◽  
Marina Charlotte Nocente ◽  
Karine Fréon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Replication Fork ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
List Type ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Replication Restart ◽  
Dna End Resection ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining ◽  
End Resection

AbstractReplication requires Homologous Recombination (HR) to stabilize and restart terminally-arrested forks. HR-mediated fork processing requires single stranded DNA (ssDNA) gaps and not necessarily Double Strand Breaks. We used genetic and molecular assays to investigate fork-resection and restart at dysfunctional, unbroken forks in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We found that fork-resection is a two-step process coordinated by the non-homologous end joining factor Ku. An initial resection mediated by MRN/Ctp1 removes Ku from terminally-arrested forks, generating ~ 110 bp sized gaps obligatory for subsequent Exo1-mediated long-range resection and replication restart. The lack of Ku results in slower fork restart, excessive resection, and impaired RPA recruitment. We propose that terminally-arrested forks undergo fork reversal, providing a single DNA end for Ku binding which primes RPA-coated ssDNA. We uncover an unprecedented role for Ku in orchestrating resection of unbroken forks and in fine-tuning HR-mediated replication restart.Ku orchestrates a two-steps DNA end-resection of terminally-arrested and unbroken forksMRN/Ctp1 removes Ku from terminally-arrested forks to initiate fork-resectiona ~110 bp sized ssDNA gap is sufficient and necessary to promote fork restart.The lack of Ku decreases ssDNA RPA-coating, and slows down replication fork restart.

scholarly journals Depletion of Akt1 and Akt2 Impairs the Repair of Radiation-Induced DNA Double Strand Breaks via Homologous Recombination

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahereh Mohammadian Gol ◽  
H. Peter Rodemann ◽  
Klaus Dittmann
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Major Protein ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

Homologous recombination repair (HRR), non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and alternative NHEJ are major pathways that are utilized by cells for processing DNA double strand breaks (DNA-DSBs); their function plays an important role in the radiation resistance of tumor cells. Conflicting data exist regarding the role of Akt in homologous recombination (HR), i.e., the regulation of Rad51 as a major protein of this pathway. This study was designed to investigate the specific involvement of Akt isoforms in HRR. HCT116 colon cancer cells with stable AKT-knock-out and siRNA-mediated AKT-knockdown phenotypes were used to investigate the role of Akt1 and Akt2 isoforms in HR. The results clearly demonstrated that HCT116 AKT1-KO and AKT2-KO cells have a significantly reduced Rad51 foci formation 6 h post irradiation versus parental cells. Depletion of Akt1 and Akt2 protein levels as well as inhibition of Akt kinase activity resulted in an increased number of residual-γH2AX in CENP-F positive cells mainly representing the S and G2 phase cells. Furthermore, inhibition of NHEJ and HR using DNA-PK and Rad51 antagonists resulted in stronger radiosensitivity of AKT1 and AKT2 knockout cells versus wild type cells. These data collectively show that both Akt1 and Akt2 are involved in DSBs repair through HRR.

scholarly journals In Vivo Blunt-End Cloning Through CRISPR/Cas9-Facilitated Non-Homologous End-Joining

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M Geisinger ◽  
Sören Turan ◽  
Sophia Hernandez ◽  
Laura P Spector ◽  
Michele P Calos
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Genome Engineering ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

The ability to precisely modify the genome in a site-specific manner is extremely useful. The CRISPR/Cas9 system facilitates precise modifications by generating RNA-guided double-strand breaks. We demonstrate that guide RNA pairs generate deletions that are repaired with a high level of precision by non-homologous end-joining in mammalian cells. We present a method called knock-in blunt ligation for exploiting this excision and repair to insert exogenous sequences in a homology-independent manner without loss of additional nucleotides. We successfully utilize this method in a human immortalized cell line and induced pluripotent stem cells to insert fluorescent protein cassettes into various loci, with efficiencies up to 35.8% in HEK293 cells. We also present a version of Cas9 fused to the FKBP12-L106P destabilization domain for investigating repair dynamics of Cas9-induced double-strand breaks. Our in vivo blunt-end cloning method and destabilization-domain-fused Cas9 variant increase the repertoire of precision genome engineering approaches.

scholarly journals Different Roles for Nonhomologous End Joining and Homologous Recombination following Replication Arrest in Mammalian Cells

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 5869-5878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Lundin ◽  
Klaus Erixon ◽  
Catherine Arnaudeau ◽  
Niklas Schultz ◽  
Dag Jenssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Nonhomologous End Joining ◽  
Replication Forks ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Lethal Effects ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Replication Arrest

ABSTRACT Homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) play overlapping roles in repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) generated during the S phase of the cell cycle. Here, we characterized the involvement of HR and NHEJ in the rescue of DNA replication forks arrested or slowed by treatment of hamster cells with hydroxyurea or thymidine. We show that the arrest of replication with hydroxyurea generates DNA fragmentation as a consequence of the formation of DSBs at newly replicated DNA. Both HR and NHEJ protected cells from the lethal effects of hydroxyurea, and this agent also increased the frequency of recombination mediated by both homologous and nonhomologous exchanges. Thymidine induced a less stringent arrest of replication and did not generate detectable DSBs. HR alone rescued cells from the lethal effects of thymidine. Furthermore, thymidine increased the frequency of DNA exchange mediated solely by HR in the absence of detectable DSBs. Our data suggest that both NHEJ and HR are involved in repair of arrested replication forks that include a DSB, while HR alone is required for the repair of slowed replication forks in the absence of detectable DSBs.

scholarly journals Repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks by non-homologous end-joining

2009 ◽  
Vol 417 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandi L. Mahaney ◽  
Katheryn Meek ◽  
Susan P. Lees-Miller
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
End Joining ◽  
Strand Breaks ◽  
Dna Lesion ◽  
Topoisomerase Poisons ◽  
Non Homologous End Joining

DNA DSBs (double-strand breaks) are considered the most cytotoxic type of DNA lesion. They can be introduced by external sources such as IR (ionizing radiation), by chemotherapeutic drugs such as topoisomerase poisons and by normal biological processes such as V(D)J recombination. If left unrepaired, DSBs can cause cell death. If misrepaired, DSBs may lead to chromosomal translocations and genomic instability. One of the major pathways for the repair of IR-induced DSBs in mammalian cells is NHEJ (non-homologous end-joining). The main proteins required for NHEJ in mammalian cells are the Ku heterodimer (Ku70/80 heterodimer), DNA-PKcs [the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase)], Artemis, XRCC4 (X-ray-complementing Chinese hamster gene 4), DNA ligase IV and XLF (XRCC4-like factor; also called Cernunnos). Additional proteins, including DNA polymerases μ and λ, PNK (polynucleotide kinase) and WRN (Werner's Syndrome helicase), may also play a role. In the present review, we will discuss our current understanding of the mechanism of NHEJ in mammalian cells and discuss the roles of DNA-PKcs and DNA-PK-mediated phosphorylation in NHEJ.

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