R环的形成及对基因组稳定性的影响

R-环是由一个RNA:DNA杂交体和一条单链状态的DNA分子共同组成的三链核酸结构。其中, RNA:DNA杂交体的形成起因于基因转录所合成的RNA分子不能与模板分开, 或RNA分子重新与一段双链DNA分子中的一条链杂交。在基因转录过程中, 当转录泡遇到富含G碱基的非模板链区或位于某些与人类疾病有关的三核苷酸卫星DNA时, 转录泡后方累积的负超螺旋可促进R环形成。同时, 新生RNA分子未被及时加工、成熟或未被快速转运到细胞质等因素也会催生R环。研究表明, 细胞拥有多种管理R环的方法, 可以有效地管理R环的形成和处理已经形成的R环, 以尽量避免R环对DNA复制、基因突变和同源重组产生不利影响。文章重点分析了R-环的形成机制及R环对DNA复制、基因突变和同源重组的影响, 并针对R-环诱导的DNA复制在某些三核苷酸重复扩增有关的神经肌肉退行性疾病发生过程中的作用进行了分析和讨论。     

The design of single-stranded nucleic acid knots

A general strategy is described for the synthesis of single-stranded nucleic acid knots. Control of nucleic acid sequence is used to direct the formation of secondary structures that produce the target topology. The key feature of the strategy is the equation of a half-turn of double helical DNA or RNA with a node in a knot. By forming nodes from complementary DNA sequences, it appears possible to direct the assembly of any simple knot. Stabilization of individual nodes may be achieved by constructing them from long regions containing both B-DNA and Z-DNA. Control over the braiding of DNA that acts as a link between node-forming domains can be realized by condensing the nodes into well-defined DNA structures, such as extended domains of linear duplex, branched junctions, antijunctions or mesojunctions. Further topological control may be derived from the pairing of linker regions to complementary single-stranded molecules, thereby preventing them from braiding in an undesirable fashion.     

FBH1 Helicase Disrupts RAD51 Filaments in Vitro and Modulates Homologous Recombination in Mammalian Cells

Efficient repair of DNA double strand breaks and interstrand cross-links requires the homologous recombination (HR) pathway, a potentially error-free process that utilizes a homologous sequence as a repair template. A key player in HR is RAD51, the eukaryotic ortholog of bacterial RecA protein. RAD51 can polymerize on DNA to form a nucleoprotein filament that facilitates both the search for the homologous DNA sequences and the subsequent DNA strand invasion required to initiate HR. Because of its pivotal role in HR, RAD51 is subject to numerous positive and negative regulatory influences. Using a combination of molecular genetic, biochemical, and single-molecule biophysical techniques, we provide mechanistic insight into the mode of action of the FBH1 helicase as a regulator of RAD51-dependent HR in mammalian cells. We show that FBH1 binds directly to RAD51 and is able to disrupt RAD51 filaments on DNA through its ssDNA translocase function. Consistent with this, a mutant mouse embryonic stem cell line with a deletion in the FBH1 helicase domain fails to limit RAD51 chromatin association and shows hyper-recombination. Our data are consistent with FBH1 restraining RAD51 DNA binding under unperturbed growth conditions to prevent unwanted or unscheduled DNA recombination.     

Organization of DNA Partners and Strand Exchange Mechanisms during Flp Site-Specific Recombination Analyzed by Difference Topology,Single Molecule FRET and Single Molecule TPM

Flp site-specific recombination between two target sites (FRTs) harboring non-homology within the strand exchange region does not yield stable recombinant products. In negatively supercoiled plasmids containing head-to-tail sites, the reaction produces a series of knots with odd-numbered crossings. When the sites are in head-to-head orientation, the knot products contain even-numbered crossings. Both types of knots retain parental DNA configuration. By carrying out Flp recombination after first assembling the topologically well defined Tn3 resolvase synapse, it is possible to determine whether these knots arise by a processive or a dissociative mechanism. The nearly exclusive products from head-to-head and head-to-tail oriented “non-homologous” FRT partners are a 4-noded knot and a 5-noded knot, respectively. The corresponding products from a pair of native (homologous) FRT sites are a 3-noded knot and a 4-noded catenane, respectively. These results are consistent with non-homology-induced two rounds of dissociative recombination by Flp, the first to generate reciprocal recombinants containing non-complementary base pairs and the second to produce parental molecules with restored base pairing. Single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) analysis of geometrically restricted FRTs, together with single molecule tethered particle motion (smTPM) assays of unconstrained FRTs, suggests that the sites are preferentially synapsed in an anti-parallel fashion. This selectivity in synapse geometry occurs prior to the chemical steps of recombination, signifying early commitment to a productive reaction path. The cumulative topological, smFRET and smTPM results have implications for the relative orientation of DNA partners and the directionality of strand exchange during recombination mediated by tyrosine site-specific recombinases.     

精准高效外源DNA整合技术研究进展

精准高效整合技术是将外源DNA片段插入到目的细胞基因组特定位置的一项转基因技术。早期通过细胞基因组与外源DNA同源序列发生重组来完成靶向整合的目的。伴随基因编辑技术发展,特别是CRISPR/Cas9技术的出现,精准高效的外源DNA整合技术日益成熟,广泛应用到功能基因组学、转基因动物及遗传疾病治疗的研究中。围绕基因编辑研究进展、引导RNA修饰技术、单碱基整合技术、转座子技术和外源DNA整合效率等方面对精准靶向和高效整合技术进行综述。     

Sister chromatid gene conversion is a prominent double-strand break repair pathway in mammalian cells

In mammalian cells, repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) occurs by both homologous and non-homologous mechanisms. By definition, homologous recombination requires a template with sufficient sequence identity to the damaged molecule in order to direct repair. We now show that the sister chromatid acts as a repair template in a substantial proportion of DSB repair events. The outcome of sister chromatid repair is primarily gene conversion unassociated with reciprocal exchange. This contrasts with expectations from the classical DSB repair model originally proposed for yeast meiotic recombination, but is consistent with models in which recombination is coupled intimately with replication. These results may explain why cytologically observable sister chromatid exchanges are induced only weakly by DNA-damaging agents that cause strand breaks, since most homologous repair events would not be observed. A preference for non-crossover events between sister chromatids suggests that crossovers, although genetically silent, may be disfavored for other reasons. Possibly, a general bias against crossing over in mitotic cells exists to reduce the potential for genome alterations when other homologous repair templates are utilized.     

snRNA and heterochromatin formation are involved in DNA excision during macronuclear development in stichotrichous ciliates

Several models for specific excision of micronucleus-specific DNA sequences during macronuclear development in ciliates exist. While the template-guided recombination model suggests recombination events resulting in specific DNA excision and reordering of macronucleus-destined sequences (MDS) guided by a template, there is evidence that an RNA interference-related mechanism is involved in DNA elimination in holotrichous ciliates. We describe that in the stichotrichous ciliate Stylonychia, snRNAs homologous to micronucleus-specific sequences are synthesized during macronuclear differentiation. Western and in situ analyses demonstrate that histone H3 becomes methylated at K9 de novo during macronuclear differentiation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that micronucleus-specific sequences are associated with methylated H3. To link both observations, expression of a PIWI homolog, member of the RNA-induced silencing complex, was silenced. In these cells, the methylated micronucleus-specific histone H3 variant "X" is still present in macronuclear anlagen and no K9 methylation of histone H3 is observed. We suggest that snRNA recruits chromatin-modifying enzymes to sequences to be excised. Based on our and earlier observations, we believe that this mechanism is not sufficient for specific excision of sequences and reordering of MDS in the developing macronucleus and propose a model for internal eliminated sequence excision and MDS reordering in stichotrichous ciliates.     

Histone deacetylases 9 and 10 are required for homologous recombination

We tested the role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in the homologous recombination process. A tissue-culture based homology-directed repair assay was used in which repair of a double-stranded break by homologous recombination results in gene conversion of an inactive GFP allele to an active GFP gene. Our rationale was that hyperacetylation caused by HDAC inhibitor treatment would increase chromatin accessibility to repair factors, thereby increasing homologous recombination. Contrary to expectation, treatment of cells with the inhibitors significantly reduced homologous recombination activity. Using RNA interference to deplete each HDAC, we found that depletion of either HDAC9 or HDAC10 specifically inhibited homologous recombination. By assaying for sensitivity of cells to the interstrand cross-linker mitomycin C, we found that treatment of cells with HDAC inhibitors or depletion of HDAC9 or HDAC10 resulted in increased sensitivity to mitomycin C. Our data reveal an unanticipated function of HDAC9 and HDAC10 in the homologous recombination process.     

利用Red同源重组系统构建兔次黄嘌呤-鸟嘌呤磷酸核糖转移酶基因打靶载体

利用EL350基因工程菌进行同源重组,成功进行基因敲除已有报道,但利用该系统进行兔次黄嘌呤-鸟嘌呤磷酸核糖转移酶(Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase,HPRT)基因突变和基因打靶方面的研究还没有报道。本实验首先在已经筛选到含有兔全长HPRT基因BAC克隆（LBNL1-304M19）的基础上,利用Red重组系统,通过Gap-Repair方式从此克隆上将一段47Kb无启动子的HPRT基因组片段（不含有第1个外显子）克隆到pBACLinkSp质粒上,产生pBACLinkSp-rHPRT质粒。然后基于pBACLinkSp-rHPRT质粒,设计不同的同源臂,从而删除了HPRT基因的不同编码区,成功构建了三个不同的HPRT基因打靶载体。同时对利用同源重组技术敲除不同大小的DNA片段的效率进行了研究。基于本实验所构建的三个不同的兔HPRT基因打靶载体,为探索兔成纤维细胞和胚胎干细胞基因打靶的适宜条件,及进一步获得兔HPRT基因敲除动物疾病模型奠定了基础。     

Bacterial DNA repair genes and their eukaryotic homologues: 5. The role of recombination in DNA repair and genome stability

Recombinational repair is a well conserved DNA repair mechanism present in all living organisms. Repair by homologous recombination is generally accurate as it uses undamaged homologous DNA molecule as a repair template. In Escherichia coli homologous recombination repairs both the double-strand breaks and single-strand gaps in DNA. DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) can be induced upon exposure to exogenous sources such as ionizing radiation or endogenous DNA-damaging agents including reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as during natural biological processes like conjugation. However, the bulk of double strand breaks are formed during replication fork collapse encountering an unrepaired single strand gap in DNA. Under such circumstances DNA replication on the damaged template can be resumed only if supported by homologous recombination. This functional cooperation of homologous recombination with replication machinery enables successful completion of genome duplication and faithful transmission of genetic material to a daughter cell. In eukaryotes, homologous recombination is also involved in essential biological processes such as preservation of genome integrity, DNA damage checkpoint activation, DNA damage repair, DNA replication, mating type switching, transposition, immune system development and meiosis. When unregulated, recombination can lead to genome instability and carcinogenesis.     

Enhanced oligonucleotide-directed gene targeting in mammalian cells following treatment with DNA damaging agents

Targeted gene repair, a form of oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, employs end-modified single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides to mediate single-base changes in chromosomal DNA. In this work, we use a specific 72-mer to direct the repair of a mutated eGFP gene stably integrated in the genome of DLD-1 cells. Corrected cells express eGFP that can be identified and quantitated by FACS. The repair of this mutant gene is dependent on the presence of a specifically designed oligonucleotide and the frequency with which the mutation is reversed is affected by the induction of DNA damage. We used hydroxyurea, VP16 (etoposide), and thymidine to modulate the rate of DNA replication through the stalling of the replication forks or the introduction of lesions. Addition of hydroxyurea or VP16 before the electroporation of the oligonucleotide, results in an accumulation of double-strand breaks (DSB) whose repair is facilitated by either nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). The addition of thymidine results in DNA damage within replication forks, damage that is repaired through the process of homologous recombination. Our data suggest that gene repair activity is elevated when DNA damage induces or activates the homologous recombination pathway.     

Tolerance of DNA Mismatches in Dmc1 Recombinase-mediated DNA Strand Exchange

Recombination between homologous chromosomes is required for the faithful meiotic segregation of chromosomes and leads to the generation of genetic diversity. The conserved meiosis-specific Dmc1 recombinase catalyzes homologous recombination triggered by DNA double strand breaks through the exchange of parental DNA sequences. Although providing an efficient rate of DNA strand exchange between polymorphic alleles, Dmc1 must also guard against recombination between divergent sequences. How DNA mismatches affect Dmc1-mediated DNA strand exchange is not understood. We have used fluorescence resonance energy transfer to study the mechanism of Dmc1-mediated strand exchange between DNA oligonucleotides with different degrees of heterology. The efficiency of strand exchange is highly sensitive to the location, type, and distribution of mismatches. Mismatches near the 3′ end of the initiating DNA strand have a small effect, whereas most mismatches near the 5′ end impede strand exchange dramatically. The Hop2-Mnd1 protein complex stimulates Dmc1-catalyzed strand exchange on homologous DNA or containing a single mismatch. We observed that Dmc1 can reject divergent DNA sequences while bypassing a few mismatches in the DNA sequence. Our findings have important implications in understanding meiotic recombination. First, Dmc1 acts as an initial barrier for heterologous recombination, with the mismatch repair system providing a second level of proofreading, to ensure that ectopic sequences are not recombined. Second, Dmc1 stepping over infrequent mismatches is likely critical for allowing recombination between the polymorphic sequences of homologous chromosomes, thus contributing to gene conversion and genetic diversity.     

Gene conversion in transgenic maize plants expressing FLP/FRT and Cre/loxP site-specific recombination systems

DNA recombination reactions (site-specific and homologous) were monitored in the progeny of transgenic maize plants by bringing together two recombination substrates (docking sites and shuttle vectors) in the zygotes. In one combination of transgenic events, the recombination marker gene (yellow fluorescent protein gene, YFP) was activated in 1%-2% of the zygotes receiving both substrates. In other crosses, chimeric embryos and plants were identified, indicative of late recombination events taking place after the first mitotic division of the zygotes. The docking site structure remained unchanged; therefore, all recovered recombination events were classified as gene conversions. The recombinant YFP-r gene segregated as a single locus in subsequent generations. The recombination products showed evidence of homologous recombination at the 5' end of the YFP marker gene and recombinational rearrangements at the other end, consistent with the conclusion that DNA replication was involved in generation of the recombination products. Here, we demonstrate that maize zygotes are efficient at generating homologous recombination products and that the homologous recombination pathways may successfully compete with other possible DNA repair/recombination mechanisms such as site-specific recombination. These results indicate that maize zygotes provide a permissive environment for homologous recombination, offering a new strategy for gene targeting in maize.     

Elevated levels of intrachromosomal homologous recombination in Arabidopsis overexpressing the MIM gene

The Arabidopsis MIM gene encodes a protein belonging to the SMC family (structure maintenance of chromosomes) which is required for intrachromosomal homologous recombination (ICR). Both ICR and MIM gene expression are enhanced by DNA-damaging treatments, suggesting that MIM is a factor limiting DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR) under genotoxic stress. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the levels of recombination in the mim mutant under genotoxic stress, using methyl methanesulfonate. Although the mutant clearly showed diminished basal and induced levels of ICR, enhancement of ICR by DNA-damaging treatments was similar to that observed in the wild type. This suggests that the MIM gene product is required for DNA repair by HR, but is not critical for HR induction. To determine whether enhanced availability of MIM would increase basal HR levels in Arabidopsis, we examined ICR frequencies in transgenic Arabidopsis strains overexpressing the MIM gene after ectopic insertion of additional MIM copies. Two independent lines showed a twofold increase in ICR frequency relative to the wild type. Thus MIM is required for efficient ICR in plants, and its manipulation can be used to change homologous recombination frequencies. Since MIM is one of the components responsible for chromatin dynamics, our results suggest that the chromatin environment determines the frequency of homologous recombination.     

Focus: 50 Years of DNA Repair: The Yale Symposium Reports: BRCA2: One Small Step for DNA Repair,One Giant Protein Purified

DNA damage, malfunctions in DNA repair, and genomic instability are processes that intersect at the crossroads of carcinogenesis. Underscoring the importance of DNA repair in breast and ovarian tumorigenesis is the familial inherited cancer predisposition gene BRCA2. The role of BRCA2 in DNA double-strand break repair was first revealed based on its interaction with RAD51, a central player in homologous recombination. The RAD51 protein forms a nucleoprotein filament on single-stranded DNA, invades a DNA duplex, and initiates a search for homology. Once a homologous DNA sequence is found, the DNA is used as a template for the high-fidelity repair of the DNA break. Many of the biochemical features that allow BRCA2 to choreograph the activities of RAD51 have been elucidated and include: targeting RAD51 to single-stranded DNA while inhibiting binding to dsDNA, reducing the ATPase activity of RAD51, and facilitating the displacement of the single-strand DNA binding protein, Replication Protein A. These reinforcing activities of BRCA2 culminate in the correct positioning of RAD51 onto a processed DNA double-strand break and initiate its faithful repair by homologous recombination. In this review, I will address current biochemical data concerning the BRCA2 protein and highlight unanswered questions regarding BRCA2 function in homologous recombination and cancer.     

Concerted nicking of donor and chromosomal acceptor DNA promotes homology-directed gene targeting in human cells

The exchange of genetic information between donor and acceptor DNA molecules by homologous recombination (HR) depends on the cleavage of phosphodiester bonds. Although double-stranded and single-stranded DNA breaks (SSBs) have both been invoked as triggers of HR, until very recently the focus has been primarily on the former type of DNA lesions mainly due to the paucity of SSB-based recombination models. Here, to investigate the role of nicked DNA molecules as HR-initiating substrates in human somatic cells, we devised a homology-directed gene targeting system based on exogenous donor and chromosomal target DNA containing recognition sequences for the adeno-associated virus sequence- and strand-specific endonucleases Rep78 and Rep68. We found that HR is greatly fostered if a SSB is not only introduced in the chromosomal acceptor but also in the donor DNA template. Our data are consistent with HR models postulating the occurrence of SSBs or single-stranded gaps in both donor and acceptor molecules during the genetic exchange process. These findings can guide the development of improved HR-based genome editing strategies in which sequence- and strand-specific endonucleolytic cleavage of the chromosomal target site is combined with that of the targeting vector.