RPA provides checkpoint-independent cell cycle arrest and prevents recombination at uncapped telomeres of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Replication Protein A (RPA) is an evolutionary conserved essential complex with single-stranded DNA binding properties that has been implicated in numerous DNA transactions. At damaged telomeres, Saccharomyces cerevisiae RPA recruits the Mec1–Ddc2 module of the DNA damage checkpoint network, its only known function in DNA damage signaling. Here, we describe rfa1 mutants (rfa1-1, rfa1-9, rfa1-10, rfa1-11 and rfa1-12) that are proficient in this checkpoint but nevertheless exhibit deregulation of cell cycle control upon telomere uncapping induced by the cdc13-1 mutation. Overriding of this damage-induced checkpoint-independent cell cycle block in the rfa1 mutants was suppressed following genetic inactivation of either TEL1 or EST2/telomerase. Altogether, our results suggest that a previously non-suspected function of RPA is to block cell cycle progression upon telomere uncapping using a yet unidentified pathway that functions in a Mec1–Ddc2-independent manner. We propose that in the rfa1 mutants, ill-masking of uncapped telomeres provokes inappropriate access of Tel1 and inappropriate functioning of telomerase, which, by yet unknown mechanisms, allows cell division to take place in spite of the block established by the DNA damage checkpoint. In the present study, we also observed that upon telomere uncapping, rfa1-12, but not the other studied rfa1 mutants, triggered telomeric recombination in the presence of functional telomerase. In conclusion, the present study identifies a novel pathway of telomere end protection that utilizes a previously unsuspected function of RPA at the telomeres.