Early embryonic lethality due to targeted inactivation of DNA ligase III

DNA ligases catalyze the joining of strand breaks in the phosphodiester backbone of duplex DNA and play essential roles in DNA replication, recombination, repair, and maintenance of genomic integrity. Three mammalian DNA ligase genes have been identified, and their corresponding ligases play distinct roles in DNA metabolism. DNA ligase III is proposed to be involved in the repairing of DNA single-strand breaks, but its precise role has not yet been demonstrated directly. To determine its role in DNA repair, cellular growth, and embryonic development, we introduced targeted interruption of the DNA ligase III (LIG3) gene into the mouse. Mice homozygous for LIG3 disruption showed early embryonic lethality. We found that the mutant embryonic developmental process stops at 8.5 days postcoitum (dpc), and excessive cell death occurs at 9.5 dpc. LIG3 mutant cells have relatively normal XRCC1 levels but elevated sister chromatid exchange. These findings indicate that DNA ligase III is involved in essential DNA repair activities required for early embryonic development and therefore cannot be replaced by other DNA ligases.     

An alternative splicing event which occurs in mouse pachytene spermatocytes generates a form of DNA ligase III with distinct biochemical properties that may function in meiotic recombination.

Three mammalian genes encoding DNA ligases have been identified. However, the role of each of these enzymes in mammalian DNA metabolism has not been established. In this study, we show that two forms of mammalian DNA ligase III, alpha and beta, are produced by a conserved tissue-specific alternative splicing mechanism involving exons encoding the C termini of the polypeptides. DNA ligase III-alpha cDNA, which encodes a 103-kDa polypeptide, is expressed in all tissues and cells, whereas DNA ligase III-beta cDNA, which encodes a 96-kDa polypeptide, is expressed only in the testis. During male germ cell differentiation, elevated expression of DNA ligase III-beta mRNA is restricted, beginning only in the latter stages of meiotic prophase and ending in the round spermatid stage. In 96-kDa DNA ligase III-beta, the C-terminal 77 amino acids of DNA ligase III-alpha are replaced by a different 17- to 18-amino acid sequence. As reported previously, the 103-kDa DNA ligase III-alpha interacts with the DNA strand break repair protein encoded by the human XRCC1 gene. In contrast, the 96-kDa DNA ligase III-beta does not interact with XRCC1, indicating that DNA ligase III-beta may play a role in cellular functions distinct from the DNA repair pathways involving the DNA ligase III-alpha x XRCC1 complex. The distinct biochemical properties of DNA ligase III-beta, in combination with the tissue- and cell-type-specific expression of DNA ligase III-beta mRNA, suggest that this form of DNA ligase III is specifically involved in the completion of homologous recombination events that occur during meiotic prophase.     

Targeted disruption of the gene encoding DNA ligase IV leads to lethality in embryonic mice

DNA ligase IV is the most recently identified member of a family of enzymes joining DNA strand breaks in mammalian cell nuclei [1] and [2]. The enzyme occurs in a complex with the XRCC4 gene product [3], an interaction mediated via its unique carboxyl terminus [4] and [5]. Cells lacking XRCC4 are hypersensitive to ionising radiation and defective in V(D)J recombination [3] and [6], implicating DNA ligase IV in the pathway of nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) of DNA double-strand breaks mediated by XRCC4, the Ku70/80 heterodimer and the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) in mammalian cells (reviewed in [7]). The phenotype of a null mutant of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA ligase IV homologue indicates that the enzyme is non-essential and functions in yeast NHEJ [8], [9] and [10]. Unlike other mammalian DNA ligases for which cDNAs have been characterised, DNA ligase IV is encoded by an intronless gene (LIG4). Here, we show that targeted disruption of LIG4 in the mouse leads to lethality associated with extensive apoptotic cell death in the embryonic central nervous system. Thus, unlike Ku70/80 and DNA-PKcs [11], [12], [13] and [14], DNA ligase IV has an essential function in early mammalian development.     

Structure and function of the DNA ligases encoded by the mammalian LIG3 gene

Among the mammalian genes encoding DNA ligases (LIG), the LIG3 gene is unique in that it encodes multiple DNA ligase polypeptides with different cellular functions. Notably, this nuclear gene encodes the only mitochondrial DNA ligase and so is essential for this organelle. In the nucleus, there is significant functional redundancy between DNA ligase IIIα and DNA ligase I in excision repair. In addition, DNA ligase IIIα is essential for DNA replication in the absence of the replicative DNA ligase, DNA ligase I. DNA ligase IIIα is a component of an alternative non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair that is more active when the major DNA ligase IV-dependent pathway is defective. Unlike its other nuclear functions, the role of DNA ligase IIIα in alternative NHEJ is independent of its nuclear partner protein, X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1). DNA ligase IIIα is frequently overexpressed in cancer cells, acting as a biomarker for increased dependence upon alternative NHEJ for DSB repair and it is a promising novel therapeutic target.     

ATM mediates oxidative stress-induced dephosphorylation of DNA ligase IIIalpha

Among the three mammalian genes encoding DNA ligases, only the LIG3 gene does not have a homolog in lower eukaryotes. In somatic mammalian cells, the nuclear form of DNA ligase IIIα forms a stable complex with the DNA repair protein XRCC1 that is also found only in higher eukaryotes. Recent studies have shown that XRCC1 participates in S phase-specific DNA repair pathways independently of DNA ligase IIIα and is constitutively phosphorylated by casein kinase II. In this study we demonstrate that DNA ligase IIIα, unlike XRCC1, is phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Specifically, DNA ligase IIIα is phosphorylated on Ser123 by the cell division cycle kinase Cdk2 beginning early in S phase and continuing into M phase. Interestingly, treatment of S phase cells with agents that cause oxygen free radicals induces the dephosphorylation of DNA ligase IIIα. This oxidative stress-induced dephosphorylation of DNA ligase IIIα is dependent upon the ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) kinase and appears to involve inhibition of Cdk2 and probably activation of a phosphatase.     

Ku recruits the XRCC4-ligase IV complex to DNA ends

Genetic experiments have determined that Ku, XRCC4, and ligase IV are required for repair of double-strand breaks by the end-joining pathway. The last two factors form a tight complex in cells. However, ligase IV is only one of three known mammalian ligases and is intrinsically the least active in intermolecular ligation; thus, the biochemical basis for requiring this ligase has been unclear. We demonstrate here a direct physical interaction between the XRCC4-ligase IV complex and Ku. This interaction is stimulated once Ku binds to DNA ends. Since XRCC4-ligase IV alone has very low DNA binding activity, Ku is required for effective recruitment of this ligase to DNA ends. We further show that this recruitment is critical for efficient end-joining activity in vitro. Preformation of a complex containing Ku and XRCC4-ligase IV increases the initial ligation rate 20-fold, indicating that recruitment of the ligase is an important limiting step in intermolecular ligation. Recruitment by Ku also allows XRCC4-ligase IV to use Ku's high affinity for DNA ends to rapidly locate and ligate ends in an excess of unbroken DNA, a necessity for end joining in cells. These properties are conferred only on ligase IV, because Ku does not similarly interact with the other mammalian ligases. We have therefore defined cell-free conditions that reflect the genetic requirement for ligase IV in cellular end joining and consequently can explain in molecular terms why this factor is required.     

Human DNA ligase IV and the ligase IV/XRCC4 complex: analysis of nick ligation fidelity

In addition to linking nicked/fragmented DNA molecules back into a contiguous duplex, DNA ligases also have the capacity to influence the accuracy of DNA repair pathways via their tolerance/intolerance of nicks containing mismatched base pairs. Although human DNA ligase I (Okazaki fragment processing) and the human DNA ligase III/XRCC1 complex (general DNA repair) have been shown to be relatively intolerant of nicks containing mismatched base pairs, the human DNA ligase IV/XRCC4 complex has not been studied in this regard. Ligase IV/XRCC4 is the sole DNA ligase involved in the repair of double strand breaks (DSBs) via the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. During the repair of DSBs generated by chemical/physical damage as well as the repair of the programmed DSB intermediates of V(D)J recombination, there are scenarios where, at least conceptually, a capacity for ligating nicks containing mismatched base pairs would appear to be advantageous. Herein we examine whether ligase IV/XRCC4 can contribute a mismatched nick ligation activity to NHEJ. Toward this end, we (i) describe an E. coli-based coexpression system that provides relatively high yields of the ligase IV/XRCC4 complex, (ii) describe a unique rate-limiting step, which has bearing on how the complex is assayed, (iii) specifically analyze how XRCC4 influences ligase IV catalysis and substrate specificity, and (iv) probe the mismatch tolerance/intolerance of DNA ligase IV/XRCC4 via quantitative in vitro kinetic analyses. Analogous to most other DNA ligases, ligase IV/XRCC4 is shown to be fairly intolerant of nicks containing mismatched base pairs. These results are discussed in light of the biological roles of NHEJ.     

Disconnecting XRCC1 and DNA ligase III

DNA strand break repair is essential for the prevention of multiple human diseases, particularly those which feature neuropathology. To further understand the pathogenesis of these syndromes, we recently developed animal models in which the DNA single-strand break repair (SSBR) components, XRCC1 and DNA Ligase III (LIG3), were inactivated in the developing nervous system. Although biochemical evidence suggests that inactivation of XRCC1 and LIG3 should share common biological defects, we found profound phenotypic differences between these two models, implying distinct biological roles for XRCC1 and LIG3 during DNA repair. Rather than a key role in nuclear DNA repair, we found LIG3 function was central to mitochondrial DNA maintenance. Instead, our data indicate that DNA Ligase 1 is the main DNA ligase for XRCC1-mediated DNA repair. These studies refine our understanding of DNA SSBR and the etiology of neurological disease.Key words: DNA repair, nervous system, neurodegeneration, DNA ligase III, DNA damage, XRCC1, mitochondria, mtDNA     

Functional redundancy between DNA ligases I and III in DNA replication in vertebrate cells

In eukaryotes, the three families of ATP-dependent DNA ligases are associated with specific functions in DNA metabolism. DNA ligase I (LigI) catalyzes Okazaki-fragment ligation at the replication fork and nucleotide excision repair (NER). DNA ligase IV (LigIV) mediates repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSB) via the canonical non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway. The evolutionary younger DNA ligase III (LigIII) is restricted to higher eukaryotes and has been associated with base excision (BER) and single strand break repair (SSBR). Here, using conditional knockout strategies for LIG3 and concomitant inactivation of the LIG1 and LIG4 genes, we show that in DT40 cells LigIII efficiently supports semi-conservative DNA replication. Our observations demonstrate a high functional versatility for the evolutionary new LigIII in DNA replication and mitochondrial metabolism, and suggest the presence of an alternative pathway for Okazaki fragment ligation.     

Impact of DNA ligase IV on the fidelity of end joining in human cells

A DNA ligase IV (LIG4)-null human pre-B cell line and human cell lines with hypomorphic mutations in LIG4 are significantly impaired in the frequency and fidelity of end joining using an in vivo plasmid assay. Analysis of the null line demonstrates the existence of an error-prone DNA ligase IV-independent rejoining mechanism in mammalian cells. Analysis of lines with hypomorphic mutations demonstrates that residual DNA ligase IV activity, which is sufficient to promote efficient end joining, nevertheless can result in decreased fidelity of rejoining. Thus, DNA ligase IV is an important factor influencing the fidelity of end joining in vivo. The LIG4-defective cell lines also showed impaired end joining in an in vitro assay using cell-free extracts. Elevated degradation of the terminal nucleotide was observed in a LIG4-defective line, and addition of the DNA ligase IV–XRCC4 complex restored end protection. End protection by DNA ligase IV was not dependent upon ligation. Finally, using purified proteins, we demonstrate that DNA ligase IV–XRCC4 is able to protect DNA ends from degradation by T7 exonuclease. Thus, the ability of DNA ligase IV–XRCC4 to protect DNA ends may contribute to the ability of DNA ligase IV to promote accurate rejoining in vivo.     

Identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA ligase IV: involvement in DNA double-strand break repair.

DNA ligases catalyse the joining of single and double-strand DNA breaks, which is an essential final step in DNA replication, recombination and repair. Mammalian cells have four DNA ligases, termed ligases I-IV. In contrast, other than a DNA ligase I homologue (encoded by CDC9), no other DNA ligases have hitherto been identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a novel gene, LIG4, which encodes a protein with strong homology to mammalian DNA ligase IV. Unlike CDC9, LIG4 is not essential for DNA replication, RAD52-dependent homologous recombination nor the repair of UV light-induced DNA damage. Instead, it encodes a crucial component of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) apparatus, which repairs DNA double-strand breaks that are generated by ionizing radiation or restriction enzyme digestion: a function which cannot be complemented by CDC9. Lig4p acts in the same DNA repair pathway as the DNA end-binding protein Ku. However, unlike Ku, it does not function in telomere length homeostasis. These findings indicate diversification of function between different eukaryotic DNA ligases. Furthermore, they provide insights into mechanisms of DNA repair and suggest that the NHEJ pathway is highly conserved throughout the eukaryotic kingdom.     

DNA ligases in the repair and replication of DNA

DNA ligases are critical enzymes of DNA metabolism. The reaction they catalyse (the joining of nicked DNA) is required in DNA replication and in DNA repair pathways that require the re-synthesis of DNA.Most organisms express DNA ligases powered by ATP, but eubacteria appear to be unique in having ligases driven by NAD(+). Interestingly, despite protein sequence and biochemical differences between the two classes of ligase, the structure of the adenylation domain is remarkably similar. Higher organisms express a variety of different ligases, which appear to be targetted to specific functions. DNA ligase I is required for Okazaki fragment joining and some repair pathways; DNA ligase II appears to be a degradation product of ligase III; DNA ligase III has several isoforms, which are involved in repair and recombination and DNA ligase IV is necessary for V(D)J recombination and non-homologous end-joining. Sequence and structural analysis of DNA ligases has shown that these enzymes are built around a common catalytic core, which is likely to be similar in three-dimensional structure to that of T7-bacteriophage ligase. The differences between the various ligases are likely to be mediated by regions outside of this common core, the structures of which are not known. Therefore, the determination of these structures, along with the structures of ligases bound to substrate DNAs and partner proteins ought to be seen as a priority.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae LIF1: a function involved in DNA double-strand break repair related to mammalian XRCC4.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA ligase IV (LIG4) has been shown previously to be involved in non-homologous DNA end joining and meiosis. The homologous mammalian DNA ligase IV interacts with XRCC4, a protein implicated in V(D)J recombination and double-strand break repair. Here, we report the discovery of LIF1, a S.cerevisiae protein that strongly interacts with the C-terminal BRCT domain of yeast LIG4. LIG4 and LIF1 apparently occur as a heterodimer in vivo. LIF1 shares limited sequence homology with mammalian XRCC4. Disruption of the LIF1 gene abolishes the capacity of cells to recircularize transformed linearized plasmids correctly by non-homologous DNA end joining. Loss of LIF1 is also associated with conditional hypersensitivity of cells to ionizing irradiation and with reduced sporulation efficiency. Thus, with respect to their phenotype, lif1 strains are similar to the previously described lig4 mutants. One function of LIF1 is the stabilization of the LIG4 enzyme. The finding of a XRCC4 homologue in S.cerevisiae now allows for mutational analyses of structure-function relationships in XRCC4-like proteins to define their role in DNA double-strand break repair.     

C-terminal region of DNA ligase IV drives XRCC4/DNA ligase IV complex to chromatin

DNA ligase IV (LIG4) and XRCC4 form a complex to ligate two DNA ends at the final step of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair through non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). It is not fully understood how these proteins are recruited to DSBs. We recently demonstrated radiation-induced chromatin binding of XRCC4 by biochemical fractionation using detergent Nonidet P-40. In the present study, we examined the role of LIG4 in the recruitment of XRCC4/LIG4 complex to chromatin. The chromatin binding of XRCC4 was dependent on the presence of LIG4. The mutations in two BRCT domains (W725R and W893R, respectively) of LIG4 reduced the chromatin binding of LIG4 and XRCC4. The C-terminal fragment of LIG4 (LIG4-CT) without N-terminal catalytic domains could bind to chromatin with XRCC4. LIG4-CT with W725R or W893R mutation could bind to chromatin but could not support the chromatin binding of XRCC4. The ability of C-terminal region of LIG4 to interact with chromatin might provide us with an insight into the mechanisms of DSB repair through NHEJ.     

Low levels of DNA ligases III and IV sufficient for effective NHEJ

Cells of higher eukaryotes rejoin double strand breaks (DSBs) in their DNA predominantly by a non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) pathway that utilizes the products of DNA-PKcs, Ku, LIG4, XRCC4, XLF/Cernunnos, Artemis as well as DNA polymerase lambda (termed D-NHEJ). Mutants with defects in these proteins remove a large proportion of DSBs from their genome utilizing an alternative pathway of NHEJ that operates as a backup (B-NHEJ). While D-NHEJ relies exclusively on DNA ligase IV, recent work points to DNA ligase III as a component of B-NHEJ. Here, we use RNA interference (RNAi) to further investigate the activity requirements for DNA ligase III and IV in the pathways of NHEJ. We report that 70-80% knock down of LIG3 expression has no detectable effect on DSB rejoining, either in D-NHEJ proficient cells, or in cells where D-NHEJ has been chemically or genetically compromised. Surprisingly, also LIG4 knock down has no effect on repair proficient cells, but inhibits DSB rejoining in a radiosensitive cell line with a hypomorphic LIG4 mutation that severely compromises its activity. The results suggest that complete coverage for D-NHEJ or B-NHEJ is afforded by very low ligase levels and demonstrate residual end joining by DNA ligase IV in cells of patients with mutations in LIG4.     

Knockdown of DNA ligase IV/XRCC4 by RNA interference inhibits herpes simplex virus type I DNA replication

Herpes simplex virus has a linear double-stranded DNA genome with directly repeated terminal sequences needed for cleavage and packaging of replicated DNA. In infected cells, linear genomes rapidly become endless. It is currently a matter of discussion whether the endless genomes are circles supporting rolling circle replication or arise by recombination of linear genomes forming concatemers. Here, we have examined the role of mammalian DNA ligases in the herpes simplex virus, type I (HSV-1) life cycle by employing RNA interference (RNAi) in human 1BR.3.N fibroblasts. We find that RNAi-mediated knockdown of DNA ligase IV and its co-factor XRCC4 causes a hundred-fold reduction of virus yield, a small plaque phenotype, and reduced DNA synthesis. The effect is specific because RNAi against DNA ligase I or DNA ligase III fail to reduce HSV-1 replication. Furthermore, RNAi against DNA ligase IV and XRCC4 does not affect replication of adenovirus. In addition, high multiplicity infections of HSV-1 in human DNA ligase IV-deficient cells reveal a pronounced delay of production of infectious virus. Finally, we demonstrate that formation of endless genomes is inhibited by RNAi-mediated depletion of DNA ligase IV and XRCC4. Our results suggests that DNA ligase IV/XRCC4 serves an important role in the replication cycle of herpes viruses and is likely to be required for the formation of the endless genomes early during productive infection.     

Human DNA ligases I and III, but not ligase IV, are required for microhomology-mediated end joining of DNA double-strand breaks

DNA nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination are two distinct pathways of DNA double-strand break repair in mammalian cells. Biochemical and genetic studies showed that DNA ends can also be joined via microhomology-mediated end joining (MHEJ), especially when proteins responsible for NHEJ, such as Ku, are reduced or absent. While it has been known that Ku-dependent NHEJ requires DNA ligase IV, it is unclear which DNA ligase(s) is required for Ku-independent MHEJ. In this study, we used a cell-free assay to determine the roles of DNA ligases I, III and IV in MHEJ and NHEJ. We found that siRNA mediated down-regulation of DNA ligase I or ligase III in human HTD114 cells led to impaired end joining that was mediated by 2-, 3- or 10-bp microhomology. In addition, nuclear extract from human fibroblasts harboring a mutation in DNA ligase I displayed reduced MHEJ activity. Furthermore, treatment of HTD114 nuclear extracts with an antibody against DNA ligase I or III also significantly reduced MHEJ. These data indicate that DNA ligases I and III are required in MHEJ. DNA ligase IV, on the contrary, is not required in MHEJ but facilitates Ku-dependent NHEJ. Therefore, MHEJ and NHEJ require different DNA ligases.     

Disconnecting XRCC1 and DNA ligase III

DNA strand break repair is essential for the prevention of multiple human diseases, particularly those which feature neuropathology. To further understand the pathogenesis of these syndromes, we recently developed animal models in which the DNA single-strand break repair (SSBR) components, XRCC1 and DNA Ligase III (LIG3), were inactivated in the developing nervous system. Although biochemical evidence suggests that inactivation of XRCC1 and LIG3 should share common biological defects, we found profound phenotypic differences between these two models, implying distinct biological roles for XRCC1 and LIG3 during DNA repair. Rather than a key role in nuclear DNA repair, we found LIG3 function was central to mitochondrial DNA maintenance. Instead, our data indicate that DNA Ligase 1 is the main DNA ligase for XRCC1-mediated DNA repair. These studies refine our understanding of DNA SSBR and the etiology of neurological disease.     

ATP-dependent DNA ligases

SUMMARY: By catalyzing the joining of breaks in the phosphodiester backbone of duplex DNA, DNA ligases play a vital role in the diverse processes of DNA replication, recombination and repair. Three related classes of ATP-dependent DNA ligase are readily apparent in eukaryotic cells. Enzymes of each class comprise catalytic and non-catalytic domains together with additional domains of varying function. DNA ligase I is required for the ligation of Okazaki fragments during lagging-strand DNA synthesis, as well as for several DNA-repair pathways; these functions are mediated, at least in part, by interactions between DNA ligase I and the sliding-clamp protein PCNA. DNA ligase III, which is unique to vertebrates, functions both in the nucleus and in mitochondria. Two distinct isoforms of this enzyme, differing in their carboxy-terminal sequences, are produced by alternative splicing: DNA ligase IIIalpha has a carboxy-terminal BRCT domain that interacts with the mammalian DNA-repair factor XrccI, but both alpha and beta isoforms have an amino-terminal zinc-finger motif that appears to play a role in the recognition of DNA secondary structures that resemble intermediates in DNA metabolism. DNA ligase IV is required for DNA non-homologous end joining pathways, including recombination of the V(D)J immunoglobulin gene segments in cells of the mammalian immune system. DNA ligase IV forms a tight complex with Xrcc4 through an interaction motif located between a pair of carboxy-terminal BRCT domains in the ligase. Recent structural studies have shed light on the catalytic function of DNA ligases, as well as illuminating protein-protein interactions involving DNA ligases IIIalpha and IV.     

Two distinct DNA ligase activities in mitotic extracts of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Four biochemically distinct DNA ligases have been identified in mammalian cells. One of these enzymes, DNA ligase I, is functionally homologous to the DNA ligase encoded by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC9 gene. Cdc9 DNA ligase has been assumed to be the only species of DNA ligase in this organism. In the present study we have identified a second DNA ligase activity in mitotic extracts of S. cerevisiae with chromatographic properties different from Cdc9 DNA ligase, which is the major DNA joining activity. This minor DNA joining activity, which contributes 5-10% of the total cellular DNA joining activity, forms a 90 kDa enzyme-adenylate intermediate which, unlike the Cdc9 enzyme-adenylate intermediate, reacts with an oligo (pdT)/poly (rA) substrate. The levels of the minor DNA joining activity are not altered by mutation or by overexpression of the CDC9 gene. Furthermore, the 90 kDa polypeptide is not recognized by a Cdc9 antiserum. Since this minor species does not appear to be a modified form of Cdc9 DNA ligase, it has been designated as S. cerevisiae DNA ligase II. Based on the similarities in polynucleotide substrate specificity, this enzyme may be the functional homolog of mammalian DNA ligase III or IV.