Interaction of the Ku heterodimer with the DNA ligase IV/Xrcc4 complex and its regulation by DNA-PK

DNA non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is a major mechanism for repairing DNA double-stranded (ds) breaks in mammalian cells. Here, we characterize the interaction between two key components of the NHEJ machinery, the Ku heterodimer and the DNA ligase IV/Xrcc4 complex. Our results demonstrate that Ku interacts with DNA ligase IV via its tandem BRCT domain and that this interaction is enhanced in the presence of Xrcc4 and dsDNA. Moreover, residues 644-748 of DNA ligase IV encompassing the first BRCT motif are necessary for binding. We show that Ku needs to be in its heterodimeric form to bind DNA ligase IV and that the C-terminal tail of Ku80, which mediates binding to DNA-PKcs, is dispensable for DNA ligase IV recognition. Although the interaction between Ku and DNA ligase IV/Xrcc4 occurs in the absence of DNA-PKcs, the presence of the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK kinase enhances complex formation. Previous studies have shown that DNA-PK kinase activity causes disassembly of DNA-PKcs from Ku at the DNA end. Here, we show that DNA-PK kinase activity also results in disassembly of the Ku/DNA ligase IV/Xrcc4 complex. Collectively, our findings provide novel information on the protein-protein interactions that regulate NHEJ in cells.     

Mapping of protein-protein interactions within the DNA-dependent protein kinase complex.

In mammalian cells, the Ku and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) proteins are required for the correct and efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Ku comprises two tightly-associated subunits of approximately 69 and approximately 83 kDa, which are termed Ku70 and Ku80 (or Ku86), respectively. Previously, a number of regions of both Ku subunits have been demonstrated to be involved in their interaction, but the molecular mechanism of this interaction remains unknown. We have identified a region in Ku70 (amino acid residues 449-578) and a region in Ku80 (residues 439-592) that participate in Ku subunit interaction. Sequence analysis reveals that these interaction regions share sequence homology and suggests that the Ku subunits are structurally related. On binding to a DNA double-strand break, Ku is able to interact with DNA-PKcs, but how this interaction is mediated has not been defined. We show that the extreme C-terminus of Ku80, specifically the final 12 amino acid residues, mediates a highly specific interaction with DNA-PKcs. Strikingly, these residues appear to be conserved only in Ku80 sequences from vertebrate organisms. These data suggest that Ku has evolved to become part of the DNA-PK holo-enzyme by acquisition of a protein-protein interaction motif at the C-terminus of Ku80.     

The C terminus of Ku80 activates the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit

Ku is a heterodimeric protein with double-stranded DNA end-binding activity that operates in the process of nonhomologous end joining. Ku is thought to target the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex to the DNA and, when DNA bound, can interact and activate the DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). We have carried out a 3' deletion analysis of Ku80, the larger subunit of Ku, and shown that the C-terminal 178 amino acid residues are dispensable for DNA end-binding activity but are required for efficient interaction of Ku with DNA-PKcs. Cells expressing Ku80 proteins that lack the terminal 178 residues have low DNA-PK activity, are radiation sensitive, and can recombine the signal junctions but not the coding junctions during V(D)J recombination. These cells have therefore acquired the phenotype of mouse SCID cells despite expressing DNA-PKcs protein, suggesting that an interaction between DNA-PKcs and Ku, involving the C-terminal region of Ku80, is required for DNA double-strand break rejoining and coding but not signal joint formation. To gain further insight into important domains in Ku80, we report a point mutational change in Ku80 in the defective xrs-2 cell line. This residue is conserved among species and lies outside of the previously reported Ku70-Ku80 interaction domain. The mutational change nonetheless abrogates the Ku70-Ku80 interaction and DNA end-binding activity.     

The N-terminal Region of the DNA-dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit Is Required for Its DNA Double-stranded Break-mediated Activation

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays an essential role in the repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) mediated by the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. DNA-PK is a holoenzyme consisting of a DNA-binding (Ku70/Ku80) and catalytic (DNA-PKcs) subunit. DNA-PKcs is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is recruited to DSBs via Ku70/80 and is activated once the kinase is bound to the DSB ends. In this study, two large, distinct fragments of DNA-PKcs, consisting of the N terminus (amino acids 1–2713), termed N-PKcs, and the C terminus (amino acids 2714–4128), termed C-PKcs, were produced to determine the role of each terminal region in regulating the activity of DNA-PKcs. N-PKcs but not C-PKcs interacts with the Ku-DNA complex and is required for the ability of DNA-PKcs to localize to DSBs. C-PKcs has increased basal kinase activity compared with DNA-PKcs, suggesting that the N-terminal region of DNA-PKcs keeps basal activity low. The kinase activity of C-PKcs is not stimulated by Ku70/80 and DNA, further supporting that the N-terminal region is required for binding to the Ku-DNA complex and full activation of kinase activity. Collectively, the results show the N-terminal region mediates the interaction between DNA-PKcs and the Ku-DNA complex and is required for its DSB-induced enzymatic activity.     

The 3D solution structure of the C-terminal region of Ku86 (Ku86CTR)

In eukaryotes the non-homologous end-joining repair of double strand breaks in DNA is executed by a series of proteins that bring about the synapsis, preparation and ligation of the broken DNA ends. The mechanism of this process appears to be initiated by the obligate heterodimer (Ku70/Ku86) protein complex Ku that has affinity for DNA ends. Ku then recruits the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). The three-dimensional structures of the major part of the Ku heterodimer, representing the DNA-binding core, both free and bound to DNA are known from X-ray crystallography. However, these structures lack a region of ca 190 residues from the C-terminal region (CTR) of the Ku86 subunit (also known as Lupus Ku autoantigen p86, Ku80, or XRCC5) that includes the extreme C-terminal tail that is reported to be sufficient for DNA-PKcs-binding. We have examined the structural characteristics of the Ku86CTR protein expressed in bacteria. By deletion mutagenesis and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy we localised a globular domain consisting of residues 592-709. Constructs comprising additional residues either to the N-terminal side (residues 543-709), or the C-terminal side (residues 592-732), which includes the putative DNA-PKcs-binding motif, yielded NMR spectra consistent with these extra regions lacking ordered structure. The three-dimensional solution structure of the core globular domain of the C-terminal region of Ku86 (Ku86CTR(592-709)) has been determined using heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and dynamical simulated annealing using structural restraints from nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, and scalar and residual dipolar couplings. The polypeptide fold comprises six regions of alpha-helical secondary structure that has an overall superhelical topology remotely homologous to the MIF4G homology domain of the human nuclear cap binding protein 80 kDa subunit and the VHS domain of the Drosophila protein Hrs, though strict analysis of the structures suggests that these domains are not functionally related. Two prominent hydrophobic pockets in the gap between helices alpha2 and alpha4 suggest a potential ligand-binding characteristic for this globular domain.     

Requirement for the kinase activity of human DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit in DNA strand break rejoining

The catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) is an enormous, 470-kDa protein serine/threonine kinase that has homology with members of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase superfamily. This protein contributes to the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by assembling broken ends of DNA molecules in combination with the DNA-binding factors Ku70 and Ku80. It may also serve as a molecular scaffold for recruiting DNA repair factors to DNA strand breaks. This study attempts to better define the role of protein kinase activity in the repair of DNA DSBs. We constructed a contiguous 14-kb human DNA-PKcs cDNA and demonstrated that it can complement the DNA DSB repair defects of two mutant cell lines known to be deficient in DNA-PKcs (M059J and V3). We then created deletion and site-directed mutations within the conserved PI 3-kinase domain of the DNA-PKcs gene to test the importance of protein kinase activity for DSB rejoining. These DNA-PKcs mutant constructs are able to express the protein but fail to complement the DNA DSB or V(D)J recombination defects of DNA-PKcs mutant cells. These results indicate that the protein kinase activity of DNA-PKcs is essential for the rejoining of DNA DSBs in mammalian cells. We have also determined a model structure for the DNA-PKcs kinase domain based on comparisons to the crystallographic structure of a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. This structure gives some insight into which amino acid residues are crucial for the kinase activity in DNA-PKcs.     

Structural model of full-length human Ku70-Ku80 heterodimer and its recognition of DNA and DNA-PKcs

Recognition of DNA double-strand breaks during non-homologous end joining is carried out by the Ku70-Ku80 protein, a 150 kDa heterodimer that recruits the DNA repair kinase DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) to the lesion. The atomic structure of a truncated Ku70-Ku80 was determined; however, the subunit-specific carboxy-terminal domain of Ku80--essential for binding to DNA-PKcs--was determined only in isolation, and the C-terminal domain of Ku70 was not resolved in its DNA-bound conformation. Both regions are conserved and mediate protein-protein interactions specific to mammals. Here, we reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of the human full-length Ku70-Ku80 dimer at 25 A resolution, alone and in complex with DNA, by using single-particle electron microscopy. We map the C-terminal regions of both subunits, and their conformational changes after DNA and DNA-PKcs binding to define a molecular model of the functions of these domains during DNA repair in the context of full-length Ku70-Ku80 protein.     

Multiple protein-protein interactions within the DNA-PK complex are mediated by the C-terminus of Ku 80

DNA double strand breaks (DSB) are among the most lethal forms of DNA damage and, in humans, are repaired predominantly by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. NHEJ is initiated by the Ku70/80 heterodimer binding free DNA termini and then recruiting the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) to form the catalytically active DNA-PK holoenzyme. The extreme C-terminus of Ku80 (Ku80CTD) has been shown to be important for in vitro stimulation of DNA-PK activity and NHEJ in vivo. To better define the mechanism by which the Ku80CTD elicits these activities, we assessed its functional and physical interactions with DNA-PKcs and Ku70/80. The results demonstrate that DNA-PKcs activity could not be complemented by addition of a Ku80CTD suggesting that the physical connection of the C-terminus to the DNA binding domain of Ku70/80 is required for DNA -PKcs activation. Analysis of protein-protein interactions revealed a low but measurable binding of the Ku80CTD for Ku70/80ΔC and for DNA-PKcs while dimer formation and the formation of higher ordered structures of the Ku80CTD was readily apparent. Ku has been shown to tether DNA termini possibly due to protein/protein interactions. Results demonstrate that the presence of the Ku80CTD stimulates this activity possibly through Ku80CTD/Ku80CTD interactions.     

DNA-dependent conformational changes in the Ku heterodimer

Ionizing radiation induces DNA double-strand breaks which are repaired by the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. NHEJ is initiated upon Ku binding to the DNA ends and facilitating an interaction with the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). This heterotrimeric DNA-PK complex is then active as a serine/threonine protein kinase. The molecular mechanisms involved in DNA-PK activation are unknown. Considering the crucial role of Ku in this process, we therefore determined the influence of DNA binding on the structure of the Ku heterodimer. Chemical modification with NHS-biotin and mass spectrometry were used to identify sites of modification. Biotinylation of free Ku revealed several reactive lysines on Ku70 and Ku80 which were reduced or eliminated upon DNA binding. Interestingly, in the predicted C-terminal SAP domain of Ku70, biotinylation patterns were observed which suggest a structural change in this region of the protein induced by DNA binding. Limited proteolytic digests of free and DNA-bound Ku revealed a series of unique peptides, again, indicative of a change in the accessibility of the Ku70 and Ku80 C-terminal domains. A 10 kDa peptide was also identified which was preferentially generated under non-DNA-bound conditions and mapped to the C-terminus of Ku70. These results indicate a DNA-dependent movement or structural change in the C-terminal domains of Ku70 and Ku80 that may contribute to DNA-PKcs binding and activation. These results represent the first demonstration of DNA-induced changes in Ku structure and provide a framework for analysis of DNA-PKcs and the mechanism of DNA-PK activation.     

DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. Structural requirements for kinase activation by DNA ends.

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a DNA end-activated protein kinase composed of a catalytic subunit, DNA-PKcs, and a DNA binding subunit, Ku, that is involved in repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). We have previously shown that DNA-PKcs interacts with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) ends with a separate ssDNA binding site to be activated for its kinase activity. Here, the properties of the ssDNA binding site were examined by using DNA fragments with modified ssDNA extensions. DNA fragments with a wide range of ssDNA modifictations activated DNA-PKcs, indicating a relaxed specificity for the chemical structure of terminal nucleotides of a DSB. Methyl substitution of the phosphate backbone impaired kinase activation but not binding, indicating that interaction with the DNA backbone was involved in kinase activation. Experiments with RNA and RNA/DNA hybrid fragments suggested that the discrimination between RNA and DNA ends resides in the double-stranded DNA binding function of DNA-PKcs. DNA fragments exposing only one ssDNA end activated DNA-PKcs poorly, suggesting that DNA-PKcs distinguishes between DSBs and ssDNA breaks by simultaneous interaction with two ssDNA ends. These properties potentially explain how DNA-PKcs can be specifically activated by DSBs but still recognize the diverse chemical structures exposed when DSBs are introduced by ionizing radiation.     

DNA-dependent protein kinase complex: a multifunctional protein in DNA repair and damage checkpoint

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a nuclear serine/threonine protein kinase that is activated upon DNA damage generated by ionizing radiation or UV-irradiation. It is a three-protein complex consisting of a 470-kDa catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and the regulatory DNA binding subunits, Ku heterodimer (Ku70 and Ku80). Mouse and human cells deficient in DNA-PKcs are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation and defective in V(D)J recombination, suggesting a role for the kinase in double-strand break repair and recombination. The Ku heterodimer binds to double-strand DNA breaks produced by either DNA damage or recombination, protects DNA ends from degradation, orients DNA ends for re-ligation, and recruits its catalytic subunit and additional factors necessary for successful end-joining. DNA-PK is also involved in an early stage of damage-induced cell cycle arrest, however, it remains unclear how the enzyme senses DNA damage and transmits signals to downstream gene(s) and proteins.     

Geometry of a complex formed by double strand break repair proteins at a single DNA end: recruitment of DNA-PKcs induces inward translocation of Ku protein

Ku protein and the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) are essential components of the double-strand break repair machinery in higher eukaryotic cells. Ku protein binds to broken DNA ends and recruits DNA-PKcs to form an enzymatically active complex. To characterize the arrangement of proteins in this complex, we developed a set of photocross-linking probes, each with a single free end. We have previously used this approach to characterize the contacts in an initial Ku-DNA complex, and we have now applied the same technology to define the events that occur when Ku recruits DNA-PKcs. The new probes allow the binding of one molecule of Ku protein and one molecule of DNA-PKcs in a defined position and orientation. Photocross-linking reveals that DNA-PKcs makes direct contact with the DNA termini, occupying an approximately 10 bp region proximal to the free end. Characterization of the Ku protein cross-linking pattern in the presence and absence of DNA-PKcs suggests that Ku binds to form an initial complex at the DNA ends, and that recruitment of DNA-PKcs induces an inward translocation of this Ku molecule by about one helical turn. The presence of ATP had no effect on protein-DNA contacts, suggesting that neither DNA-PK-mediated phosphorylation nor a putative Ku helicase activity plays a role in modulating protein conformation under the conditions tested.     

KARP-1: a novel leucine zipper protein expressed from the Ku86 autoantigen locus is implicated in the control of DNA-dependent protein kinase activity.

The Ku autoantigen plays an integral role in mammalian DNA double-strand break repair as the DNA binding component of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) complex. Here, we demonstrate that a second gene, KARP-1 (Ku86 Autoantigen Related Protein-1), is expressed from the Ku86 locus. The KARP-1 gene utilizes an upstream promoter and additional exons which results in an extra 9 kDa of protein appended onto the normal Ku86 polypeptide. The KARP-1-specific domain encodes interdigitating hexa- and penta-heptad repeats of leucine residues flanked by a very basic region. Intriguingly, the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK also contains a hexa-heptad repeat of leucines. Consistent with this observation, we observed that human cell lines stably expressing dominant-negative constructs of KARP-1 resulted in diminished DNA-PK activity and X-ray hypersensitivity and that a KARP-1 antibody significantly neutralized DNA-PK activity in vitro. Finally, we present data which suggests that KARP-1 may be primate-specific. These observations have important repercussions for mammalian DNA double-strand break repair.     

细胞周期监控点蛋白Rad9与非同源末端连接修复蛋白Ku70的相互作用研究

Rad9是一种重要的细胞周期监控点调控蛋白．越来越多的证据显示,Rad9也可与多种DNA损伤修复通路中的蛋白质相互作用,并调节其功能,在DNA损伤修复中发挥重要作用．非同源末端连接修复是DNA双链断裂的一条重要修复途径．Ku70、Ku80和DNA依赖的蛋白激酶催化亚基(DNA-PKcs)共同组成DNA依赖的蛋白激酶复合物(DNA-PK),在非同源末端修复连接中起重要作用．本研究中,检测到Rad9与Ku70有直接的物理相互作用和功能相互作用．我们在不同的细胞模型中发现,Rad9基因敲除、Rad9蛋白去除或Rad9表达降低会导致非同源末端连接效率明显下降．已有的研究表明,DNA损伤可导致细胞中Ku70与染色质结合增加及DNA-PKcs激酶活性增强．我们的结果显示,与野生小鼠细胞相比,Rad9基因敲除的小鼠细胞中, DNA损伤诱导的上述效应均减弱．综上所述,我们的研究首次报道了Rad9与非同源末端连接修复蛋白Ku70间有相互作用,并提示Rad9可通过调节Ku70/Ku80/DNA-PKcs复合物功能参与非同源末端连接修复．     

Ku and DNA-dependent Protein Kinase Dynamic Conformations and Assembly Regulate DNA Binding and the Initial Non-homologous End Joining Complex

DNA double strand break (DSB) repair by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is initiated by DSB detection by Ku70/80 (Ku) and DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) recruitment, which promotes pathway progression through poorly defined mechanisms. Here, Ku and DNA-PKcs solution structures alone and in complex with DNA, defined by x-ray scattering, reveal major structural reorganizations that choreograph NHEJ initiation. The Ku80 C-terminal region forms a flexible arm that extends from the DNA-binding core to recruit and retain DNA-PKcs at DSBs. Furthermore, Ku- and DNA-promoted assembly of a DNA-PKcs dimer facilitates trans-autophosphorylation at the DSB. The resulting site-specific autophosphorylation induces a large conformational change that opens DNA-PKcs and promotes its release from DNA ends. These results show how protein and DNA interactions initiate large Ku and DNA-PKcs rearrangements to control DNA-PK biological functions as a macromolecular machine orchestrating assembly and disassembly of the initial NHEJ complex on DNA.     

The DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit is phosphorylated in vivo on threonine 3950, a highly conserved amino acid in the protein kinase domain

The protein kinase activity of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is required for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) via the process of nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). However, to date, the only target shown to be functionally relevant for the enzymatic role of DNA-PK in NHEJ is the large catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs itself. In vitro, autophosphorylation of DNA-PKcs induces kinase inactivation and dissociation of DNA-PKcs from the DNA end-binding component Ku70/Ku80. Phosphorylation within the two previously identified clusters of phosphorylation sites does not mediate inactivation of the assembled complex and only partially regulates kinase disassembly, suggesting that additional autophosphorylation sites may be important for DNA-PK function. Here, we show that DNA-PKcs contains a highly conserved amino acid (threonine 3950) in a region similar to the activation loop or t-loop found in the protein kinase domain of members of the typical eukaryotic protein kinase family. We demonstrate that threonine 3950 is an in vitro autophosphorylation site and that this residue, as well as other previously identified sites in the ABCDE cluster, is phosphorylated in vivo in irradiated cells. Moreover, we show that mutation of threonine 3950 to the phosphomimic aspartic acid abrogates V(D)J recombination and leads to radiation sensitivity. Together, these data suggest that threonine 3950 is a functionally important, DNA damage-inducible phosphorylation site and that phosphorylation of this site regulates the activity of DNA-PKcs.     

Visualization of DNA-induced conformational changes in the DNA repair kinase DNA-PKcs

The catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) is essential for the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) in non- homologous end joining (NHEJ) and during V(D)J recombination. DNA-PKcs binds single- and double-stranded DNA in vitro, and in vivo the Ku heterodimer probably helps recruit it to DSBs with high affinity. Once loaded onto DNA, DNA-PKcs acts as a scaffold for other repair factors to generate a multiprotein complex that brings the two DNA ends together. Human DNA-PKcs has been analysed by electron microscopy in the absence and presence of double-stranded DNA, and the three-dimensional reconstruction of DNA-bound DNA-PKcs displays large conformational changes when compared with the unbound protein. DNA-PKcs seems to use a palm-like domain to clip onto the DNA, and this new conformation correlates with the activation of the kinase. We suggest that the observed domain movements might help the binding and maintenance of DNA-PKcs' interaction with DNA at the sites of damage, and that these conformational changes activate the kinase.     

The DNA-dependent protein kinase interacts with DNA to form a protein-DNA complex that is disrupted by phosphorylation

DNA double-strand breaks are a serious threat to genome stability and cell viability. One of the major pathways for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in human cells is nonhomologous end-joining. Biochemical and genetic studies have shown that the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), XRCC4, DNA ligase IV, and Artemis are essential components of the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. DNA-PK is composed of a large catalytic subunit, DNA-PKcs, and a heterodimer of Ku70 and Ku80 subunits. Current models predict that the Ku heterodimer binds to ends of double-stranded DNA, then recruits DNA-PKcs to form the active protein kinase complex. XRCC4 and DNA ligase IV are subsequently required for ligation of the DNA ends. Magnesium-ATP and the protein kinase activity of DNA-PKcs are essential for DNA double-strand break repair. However, little is known about the physiological targets of DNA-PK. We have previously shown that DNA-PKcs and Ku undergo autophosphorylation, and that this correlates with loss of protein kinase activity. Here we show, using electron spectroscopic imaging, that DNA-PKcs and Ku interact with multiple DNA molecules to form large protein-DNA complexes that converge at the base of multiple DNA loops. The number of large protein complexes and the amount of DNA associated with them were dramatically reduced under conditions that promote phosphorylation of DNA-PK. Moreover, treatment of autophosphorylated DNA-PK with the protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit restored complex formation. We propose that autophosphorylation of DNA-PK plays an important regulatory role in DNA double-strand break repair by regulating the assembly and disassembly of the DNA-PK-DNA complex.