Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Suppression by WEE1 Kinase Protects the Genome through Control of Replication Initiation and Nucleotide Consumption |
| |
| Authors: | Halfdan Beck Viola N?hse-Kumpf Marie Sofie Yoo Larsen Karen A O'Hanlon Sebastian Patzke Christian Holmberg Jakob Mejlvang Anja Groth Olaf Nielsen Randi G Sylju?sen Claus Storgaard S?rensen |
| |
| Institution: | aBiotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;bDepartment of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;cDepartment of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| |
| Abstract: | Activation of oncogenes or inhibition of WEE1 kinase deregulates cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity and leads to replication stress; however, the underlying mechanism is not understood. We now show that elevation of CDK activity by inhibition of WEE1 kinase rapidly increases initiation of replication. This leads to nucleotide shortage and reduces replication fork speed, which is followed by SLX4/MUS81-mediated DNA double-strand breakage. Fork speed is normalized and DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation is suppressed when CDT1, a key factor for replication initiation, is depleted. Furthermore, addition of nucleosides counteracts the effects of unscheduled CDK activity on fork speed and DNA DSB formation. Finally, we show that WEE1 regulates the ionizing radiation (IR)-induced S-phase checkpoint, consistent with its role in control of replication initiation. In conclusion, these results suggest that deregulated CDK activity, such as that occurring following inhibition of WEE1 kinase or activation of oncogenes, induces replication stress and loss of genomic integrity through increased firing of replication origins and subsequent nucleotide shortage. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
