The anaphase promoting complex promotes NHEJ repair through stabilizing Ku80 at DNA damage sites

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired through two major pathways, homology-directed recombination (HDR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). The choice between these two pathways is largely influenced by cell cycle phases. HDR can occur only in S/G2 when sister chromatid can provide homologous templates, whereas NHEJ can take place in all phases of the cell cycle except mitosis. Central to NHEJ repair is the Ku70/80 heterodimer which forms a ring structure that binds DSB ends and serves as a platform to recruit factors involved in NHEJ. Upon completion of NHEJ repair, DNA double strand-encircling Ku dimers have to be removed. The removal depends on ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of Ku80 by the ubiquitin E3 ligases RNF8. Here we report that RNF8 is a substrate of APC^Cdh1 and the latter keeps RNF8 level in check at DSBs to prevent premature turnover of Ku80.     

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．     

Phosphorylation of Ku dictates DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway choice in S phase

Multiple DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathways are active in S phase of the cell cycle; however, DSBs are primarily repaired by homologous recombination (HR) in this cell cycle phase. As the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) factor, Ku70/80 (Ku), is quickly recruited to DSBs in S phase, we hypothesized that an orchestrated mechanism modulates pathway choice between HR and NHEJ via displacement of the Ku heterodimer from DSBs to allow HR. Here, we provide evidence that phosphorylation at a cluster of sites in the junction of the pillar and bridge regions of Ku70 mediates the dissociation of Ku from DSBs. Mimicking phosphorylation at these sites reduces Ku''s affinity for DSB ends, suggesting that phosphorylation of Ku70 induces a conformational change responsible for the dissociation of the Ku heterodimer from DNA ends. Ablating phosphorylation of Ku70 leads to the sustained retention of Ku at DSBs, resulting in a significant decrease in DNA end resection and HR, specifically in S phase. This decrease in HR is specific as these phosphorylation sites are not required for NHEJ. Our results demonstrate that the phosphorylation-mediated dissociation of Ku70/80 from DSBs frees DNA ends, allowing the initiation of HR in S phase and providing a mechanism of DSB repair pathway choice in mammalian cells.     

A novel small molecule inhibitor of the DNA repair protein Ku70/80

Non-Homologous End-Joining (NHEJ) is the predominant pathway for the repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in human cells. The NHEJ pathway is frequently upregulated in several solid cancers as a compensatory mechanism for a separate DSB repair defect or for innate genomic instability, making this pathway a powerful target for synthetic lethality approaches. In addition, NHEJ reduces the efficacy of cancer treatment modalities which rely on the introduction of DSBs, like radiation therapy or genotoxic chemotherapy. Consequently, inhibition of the NHEJ pathway can modulate a radiation- or chemo-refractory disease presentation. The Ku70/80 heterodimer protein plays a pivotal role in the NHEJ process. It possesses a ring-shaped structure with high affinity for DSBs and serves as the first responder and central scaffold around which the rest of the repair complex is assembled. Because of this central position, the Ku70/80 dimer is a logical target for the disruption of the entire NHEJ pathway. Surprisingly, specific inhibitors of the Ku70/80 heterodimer are currently not available. We here describe an in silico, pocket-based drug discovery methodology utilizing the crystal structure of the Ku70/80 heterodimer. We identified a novel putative small molecule binding pocket and selected several potential inhibitors by computational screening. Subsequent biological screening resulted in the first identification of a compound with confirmed Ku-inhibitory activity in the low micro-molar range, capable of disrupting the binding of Ku70/80 to DNA substrates and impairing Ku-dependent activation of another NHEJ factor, the DNA-PK_CS kinase. Importantly, this compound synergistically sensitized human cell lines to radiation treatment, indicating a clear potential to diminish DSB repair. The chemical scaffold we here describe can be utilized as a lead-generating platform for the design and development of a novel class of anti-cancer agents.     

Persistently bound Ku at DNA ends attenuates DNA end resection and homologous recombination

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). The DNA cell cycle stage and resection of the DSB ends are two key mechanisms which are believed to push DSB repair to the HR pathway. Here, we show that the NHEJ factor Ku80 associates with DSBs in S phase, when HR is thought to be the preferred repair pathway, and its dynamics/kinetics at DSBs is similar to those observed for Ku80 in non-S phase in mammalian cells. A Ku homolog from Mycobacterium tuberculosis binds to and is retained at DSBs in S phase and was used as a tool to determine if blocking DNA ends affects end resection and HR in mammalian cells. A decrease in DNA end resection, as marked by IR-induced RPA, BrdU, and Rad51 focus formation, and HR are observed when Ku deficient rodent cells are complemented with Mt-Ku. Together, this data suggests that Ku70/80 binds to DSBs in all cell cycle stages and is likely actively displaced from DSB ends to free the DNA ends for DNA end resection and thus HR to occur.     

Oxidative stress induces nuclear loss of DNA repair proteins Ku70 and Ku80 and apoptosis in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells

Cell death linked to oxidative DNA damage has been implicated in acute pancreatitis. The severe DNA damage, which is beyond the capacity of the DNA repair proteins, triggers apoptosis. It has been hypothesized that oxidative stress may induce a decrease in the Ku70 and Ku80 levels and apoptosis in pancreatic acinar cells. In this study, it was found that oxidative stress caused by glucose oxidase (GO) acting on beta-d-glucose, glucose/glucose oxidase (G/GO), induced slight changes in cytoplasmic Ku70 and Ku80 but drastically induced a decrease in nuclear Ku70 and Ku80 both time- and concentration-dependently in AR42J cells. G/GO induced apoptosis determined by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, an increase in expression of p53 and Bax, and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression. G/GO-induced apoptosis was in parallel with the loss of nuclear Ku proteins in AR42J cells. Caspase-3 inhibitor prevented G/GO-induced nuclear Ku loss and cell death. G/GO did not induce apoptosis in the cells transfected with either the Ku70 or Ku80 expression gene but increased apoptosis in those transfected with the Ku dominant negative mutant. Pulse and pulse-chase results show that G/GO induced Ku70 and Ku80 syntheses, even though Ku70 and Ku80 were degraded both in cytoplasm and nucleus. G/GO-induced decrease in Ku binding to importin alpha and importin beta reflects possible modification of nuclear import of Ku proteins. The importin beta level was not changed by G/GO. These results demonstrate that nuclear decrease in Ku70 and Ku80 may result from the decrease in Ku binding to nuclear transporter importins and the degradation of Ku proteins. The nuclear loss of Ku proteins may underlie the mechanism of apoptosis in pancreatic acinar cells after oxidative stress.     

Ku counteracts mobilization of PARP1 and MRN in chromatin damaged with DNA double-strand breaks

In mammalian cells, the main pathway for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) repair is classical non-homologous end joining (C-NHEJ). An alternative or back-up NHEJ (B-NHEJ) pathway has emerged which operates preferentially under C-NHEJ defective conditions. Although B-NHEJ appears particularly relevant to genomic instability associated with cancer, its components and regulation are still largely unknown. To get insights into this pathway, we have knocked-down Ku, the main contributor to C-NHEJ. Thus, models of human cell lines have been engineered in which the expression of Ku70/80 heterodimer can be significantly lowered by the conditional induction of a shRNA against Ku70. On Ku reduction in cells, resulting NHEJ competent protein extracts showed a shift from C- to B-NHEJ that could be reversed by addition of purified Ku protein. Using a cellular fractionation protocol after treatment with a strong DSBs inducer followed by western blotting or immunostaining, we established that, among C-NHEJ factors, Ku is the main counteracting factor against mobilization of PARP1 and the MRN complex to damaged chromatin. In addition, Ku limits PAR synthesis and single-stranded DNA production in response to DSBs. These data support the involvement of PARP1 and the MRN proteins in the B-NHEJ route for the repair of DNA DSBs.     

KARP-1 works as a heterodimer with Ku70, but the function of KARP-1 cannot perfectly replace that of Ku80 in DSB repair

Ku, the heterodimer of Ku70 and Ku80, plays an essential role in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway, i.e., non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). Two isoforms of Ku80 encoded by the same genes, namely, Ku80 and KARP-1 are expressed and function in primate cells, but not in rodent cells. Ku80 works as a heterodimer with Ku70. However, it is not yet clear whether KARP-1 forms a heterodimer with Ku70 and works as a heterodimer. Although KARP-1 appears to work in NHEJ, its physiological role remains unclear. In this study, we established and characterized EGFP-KARP-1-expressing xrs-6 cell lines, EGFP-KARP-1/xrs-6. We found that nuclear localization signal (NLS) of KARP-1 is localized in the C-terminal region. Our data showed that KARP-1 localizes within the nucleus in NLS-dependent and NLS-independent manner and forms a heterodimer with Ku70, and stabilizes Ku70. On the other hand, EGFP-KARP-1 could not perfectly complement the radiosensitivity and DSB repair activity of Ku80-deficient xrs-6 cells. Furthermore, KARP-1 could not accumulate at DSBs faster than Ku80, although EGFP-KARP-1 accumulates at DSBs. Our data demonstrate that the function of KARP-1 could not perfectly replace that of Ku80 in DSB repair, although KARP-1 has some biochemical properties, which resemble those of Ku80, and works as a heterodimer with Ku70. On the other hand, the number of EGFP-KARP-1-expressing xrs-6 cells showing pan-nuclear γ-H2AX staining significantly increases following X-irradiation, suggesting that KARP-1 may have a novel role in DSB response.     

Evidence for Ku70/Ku80 association with full-length RAG1

Antigen receptor genes are assembled by a site-specific DNA rearrangement process called V(D)J recombination. This process proceeds through two distinct phases: a cleavage phase in which the RAG1 and RAG2 proteins introduce DNA double-strand breaks at antigen receptor gene segments, and a joining phase in which the resulting DNA breaks are processed and repaired via the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair pathway. Genetic and biochemical evidence suggest that the RAG proteins play an active role in guiding the repair of DNA breaks introduced during V(D)J recombination to the NHEJ pathway. However, evidence for specific association between the RAG proteins and any of the factors involved in NHEJ remains elusive. Here we present evidence that two components of the NHEJ pathway, Ku70 and Ku80, interact with full-length RAG1, providing a biochemical link between the two phases of V(D)J recombination.     

Ku80 removal from DNA through double strand break-induced ubiquitylation

The Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer, or Ku, is the central component of the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway of double strand break (DSB) repair. Because Ku forms a ring through which the DSB threads, it likely becomes topologically attached to DNA during repair. The mechanism for its removal was unknown. Using a method to identify proteins recruited to DSBs in Xenopus laevis egg extract, we show that DSB-containing DNAs accumulate members of the Skp1-Cul1-F-box complex and K48-linked polyubiquitylated proteins in addition to known repair proteins. We demonstrate that Ku80 is degraded in response to DSBs in a ubiquitin-mediated manner. Strikingly, K48-linked polyubiquitylation, but not proteasomal degradation, is required for the efficient removal of Ku80 from DNA. This removal is DNA length dependent, as Ku80 is retained on duplex oligonucleotides. Finally, NHEJ completion and removal of Ku80 from DNA are independent from one another. We propose that DSB-induced ubiquitylation of Ku80 provides a mechanism to efficiently eliminate Ku from DNA for pre- and postrepair processes.     

Ivermectin induces PAK1-mediated cytostatic autophagy in breast cancer

Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug that has recently been demonstrated to exhibit potent anticancer activity against colon cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma and leukemia. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this anticancer effect remains poorly understood. We recently found that ivermectin markedly inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells by stimulating cytostatic macroautophagy/autophagy in vitro and in vivo. Ivermectin inhibits the AKT-MTOR signaling pathway by promoting ubiquitination-mediated degradation of PAK1 (p21 [RAC1] activated kinase 1), leading to increased autophagic flux. Together, our work unravels the molecular mechanism underpinning ivermectin-induced cytostatic autophagy in breast cancer, and characterizes ivermectin as a potential therapeutic option for breast cancer treatment.     

The nonhomologous DNA end joining pathway is important for chromosome stability in primary fibroblasts

There are two types of chromosome instability, structural and numerical, and these are important in cancer. Many structural abnormalities are likely to involve double-strand DNA (dsDNA) breaks. Nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination are the major pathways for repairing dsDNA breaks. NHEJ is the primary pathway for repairing dsDNA breaks throughout the G0, G1 and early S phases of the cell cycle [1]. Ku86 and DNA ligase IV are two major proteins in the NHEJ pathway. We examined primary dermal fibroblasts from mice (wild type, Ku86(+/-), Ku86(-/-), and DNA ligase IV(+/-)) for chromosome breaks. Fibroblasts from Ku86(+/-) or DNA ligase IV(+/-) mice have elevated frequencies of chromosome breaks compared with those from wild-type mice. Fibroblasts from Ku86(-/-) mice have even higher levels of chromosome breaks. Primary pre-B cells from the same animals did not show significant accumulation of chromosome breaks. Rather the pre-B cells showed increased cell death. These studies demonstrate that chromosome breaks arise frequently and that NHEJ is required to repair this constant spontaneous damage.     

Heterozygous inactivation of human Ku70/Ku86 heterodimer does not affect cell growth, double-strand break repair, or genome integrity

Ku, the heterodimer of Ku70 and Ku86, plays crucial roles in non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), a major pathway for repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. It has recently been reported that heterozygous disruption of the human KU86 locus results in haploinsufficient phenotypes, including retarded growth, increased radiosensitivity, elevated p53 levels and shortened telomeres. In this paper, however, we show that heterozygous inactivation of either the KU70 or KU86 gene does not cause any defects in cell proliferation or DSB repair in human somatic cells. Moreover, although these heterozygous cell lines express reduced levels of both Ku70 and Ku86, they appear to maintain overall genome integrity with no elevated p53 levels or telomere shortening. These results clearly indicate that Ku haploinsufficiency is not a commonly observed phenomenon in human cells. Our data also suggest that the impact of KU70/KU86 mutations on telomere metabolism varies between cell types in humans.     

Accumulation of Ku70 at DNA double-strand breaks in living epithelial cells

Ku70 and Ku80 play an essential role in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway, i.e., nonhomologous DNA-end-joining (NHEJ). No accumulation mechanisms of Ku70 at DSBs have been clarified in detail, although the accumulation mechanism of Ku70 at DSBs plays key roles in regulating the NHEJ activity. Here, we show the essential domains for the accumulation and function of Ku70 at DSBs in living lung epithelial cells. Our results showed that EGFP-Ku70 accumulation at DSBs began immediately after irradiation. Our findings demonstrate that three domains of Ku70, i.e., the α/β, DNA-binding, and Ku80-binding domains, but not the SAP domain, are necessary for the accumulation at or recognition of DSBs in the early stage after irradiation. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that the leucine at amino acid 385 of Ku70 in the Ku80-binding domain, but not the three target amino acids for acetylation in the DNA-binding domain, is involved in the localization and accumulation of Ku70 at DSBs. Furthermore, accumulations of XRCC4 and XLF, but not that of Artemis, at DSBs are dependent on the presence of Ku70. These findings suggest that Artemis can work in not only the Ku-dependent repair process, but also the Ku-independent process at DSBs in living epithelial cells.     

2-Step purification of the Ku DNA repair protein expressed in Escherichia coli

The Ku protein is involved in DNA double-strand break repair by non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), which is crucial to the maintenance of genomic integrity in mammals. To study the role of Ku in NHEJ we developed a bicistronic Escherichia coli expression system for the Ku70 and Ku80 subunits. Association of the Ku70 and Ku80 subunits buries a substantial amount of surface area (approximately 9000 A2 [J.R. Walker, R.A. Corpina, J. Goldberg, Structure of the Ku heterodimer bound to DNA and its implications for double-strand break repair, Nature 412 (2001) 607-614]), which suggests that herterodimerization may be important for protein stability. N-terminally His6-tagged Ku80 was soluble in the presence, but not in the absence, of bicistronically expressed untagged Ku70. In a 2-step purification, metal chelating affinity chromatography was followed by step-gradient elution from heparin-agarose. Co-purification of equimolar amounts of His6-tagged Ku80 and untagged Ku70 was observed, which indicated heterodimerization. Recombinant Ku bound dsDNA, activated the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent kinase (DNA-PKcs) and functioned in NHEJ reactions in vitro. Our results demonstrate that while the heterodimeric interface of Ku is extensive it is nonetheless possible to produce biologically active Ku protein in E. coli.     

Electron microscopy visualization of DNA-protein complexes formed by Ku and DNA ligase IV

The repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) is essential for cell viability and genome stability. Aberrant repair of DSBs has been linked with cancer predisposition and aging. During the repair of DSBs by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), DNA ends are brought together, processed and then joined. In eukaryotes, this repair pathway is initiated by the binding of the ring-shaped Ku heterodimer and completed by DNA ligase IV. The DNA ligase IV complex, DNA ligase IV/XRRC4 in humans and Dnl4/Lif1 in yeast, is recruited to DNA ends in vitro and in vivo by an interaction with Ku and, in yeast, Dnl4/Lif1 stabilizes the binding of yKu to in vivo DSBs. Here we have analyzed the interactions of these functionally conserved eukaryotic NHEJ factors with DNA by electron microscopy. As expected, the ring-shaped Ku complex bound stably and specifically to DNA ends at physiological salt concentrations. At a ratio of 1 Ku molecule per DNA end, the majority of DNA ends were occupied by a single Ku complex with no significant formation of linear DNA multimers or circular loops. Both Dnl4/Lif1 and DNA ligase IV/XRCC4 formed complexes with Ku-bound DNA ends, resulting in intra- and intermolecular DNA end bridging, even with non-ligatable DNA ends. Together, these studies, which provide the first visualization of the conserved complex formed by Ku and DNA ligase IV at juxtaposed DNA ends by electron microscopy, suggest that the DNA ligase IV complex mediates end-bridging by engaging two Ku-bound DNA ends.