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Abnormal kinetics of induction of UV-stimulated recombination in human DNA repair disorders.

Recombination can result in genetic instability, and thus constitutes an important factor in the carcinogenic conversion of mammalian cells. Here we describe the occurrence of UV-stimulated recombination called enhanced recombination (EREC), measured with the use of Herpes Simplex Viruses type 1 mutants. In normal diploid human cells, EREC is induced by UV-C, mitomycin C and ENU, but not by X-ray or MMS. The kinetics of induction of EREC is similar to that of other SOS-like responses such as enhanced reactivation (ER) and enhanced mutagenesis (EM). In contrast to the latter responses, EREC is induced to higher levels and persists for longer periods in DNA repair deficient fibroblasts derived from xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne syndrome (CS) and Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) patients. This observation indicates that EREC is a distinct SOS-like response. Apparently, the presence of unrepaired DNA lesions in the host genome is a strongly inducing signal for EREC. On the other hand, in cells derived from patients suffering from Bloom, Werner or Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) the EREC response is absent. These data indicate that determining EREC is a useful assay to investigate diploid human fibroblasts for abnormalities in UV-stimulated recombination.

Animals↗

Reverse branch migration of Holliday junctions by RecG protein: a new mechanism for resolution of intermediates in recombination and DNA repair.

The RecG protein of E. coli is a junction-specific DNA helicase involved in recombination and DNA repair. The function of the protein was investigated using an in vitro recombination reaction catalyzed by RecA. We show that RecG counters RecA-driven strand exchange by catalyzing branch migration of the Holliday junction in the reverse direction. This activity represents a new mechanism for resolving recombination intermediates that is independent of junction cleavage. We discuss how reverse branch migration can facilitate DNA repair, promote recombination in conjugational crosses, and confine the distribution of Chi-stimulated cross-overs. We suggest that the RecG mechanism for resolution of junctions is universal and provides a simple system that allows gene conversion without associated crossing over.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Molecular cloning and expression of human cDNAs encoding a novel DNA ligase IV and DNA ligase III, an enzyme active in DNA repair and recombination.

Three distinct DNA ligases, I to III, have been found previously in mammalian cells, but a cloned cDNA has been identified only for DNA ligase I, an essential enzyme active in DNA replication. A short peptide sequence conserved close to the C terminus of all known eukaryotic DNA ligases was used to search for additional homologous sequences in human cDNA libraries. Two different incomplete cDNA clones that showed partial homology to the conserved peptide were identified. Full-length cDNAs were obtained and expressed by in vitro transcription and translation. The 103-kDa product of one cDNA clone formed a characteristic complex with the XRCC1 DNA repair protein and was identical with the previously described DNA ligase III. DNA ligase III appears closely related to the smaller DNA ligase II. The 96-kDa in vitro translation product of the second cDNA clone was also shown to be an ATP-dependent DNA ligase. A fourth DNA ligase (DNA ligase IV) has been purified from human cells and shown to be identical to the 96-kDa DNA ligase by unique agreement between mass spectrometry data on tryptic peptides from the purified enzyme and the predicted open reading frame of the cloned cDNA. The amino acid sequences of DNA ligases III and IV share a related active-site motif and several short regions of homology with DNA ligase I, other DNA ligases, and RNA capping enzymes. DNA ligases III and IV are encoded by distinct genes located on human chromosomes 17q11.2-12 and 13q33-34, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA repair and recombination functions in Arabidopsis telomere maintenance.

In this review, we discuss recent advances in the knowledge of plant telomere maintenance, focusing on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and, in particular, on the roles of proteins involved in DNA repair and recombination. The question of the interrelationships between DNA repair and recombination pathways and proteins with telomere function and maintenance is of increasing interest and has been the subject of a number of recent reviews (Cech 2004, d'Adda di Fagagna et al. 2004, Hande 2004, Harrington 2004, Maser and DePinho 2004). Understanding of telomere biology, DNA repair and recombination in plants has rapidly progressed over the last decade, substantially due to genetic approaches in Arabidopsis, and we feel that this is an appropriate time to review current knowledge in this field. A number of recent reviews have dealt more generally with the subject of plant telomere structure and evolution (Riha et al. 2001, McKnight et al. 2002, Riha and Shippen 2003b, McKnight and Shippen 2004, Fajkus et al. 2005) and we thus focus specifically on plant telomere biology in the context of DNA repair and recombination in Arabidopsis.

Arabidopsis↗

Genetic analysis of the recG locus of Escherichia coli K-12 and of its role in recombination and DNA repair.

We describe a transposon insertion that reduces the efficiency of homologous recombination and DNA repair in Escherichia coli. The insertion, rec-258, was located between pyrE and dgo at min 82.1 on the current linkage map. On the basis of linkage to pyrE and complementation studies with the cloned rec+ gene, rec-258 was identified as an allele of the recG locus first reported by Storm et al. (P. K. Storm, W. P. M. Hoekstra, P. G. De Haan, and C. Verhoef, Mutat. Res. 13:9-17, 1971). The recG258 mutation confers sensitivity to mitomycin C and UV light and a 3- to 10-fold deficiency in conjugational recombination in wild-type, recB recC sbcA, and recB recC sbcB sbcC genetic backgrounds. It does not appear to affect plasmid recombination in the wild-type. A recG258 single mutant is also sensitive to ionizing radiation. The SOS response is induced normally, although the basal level of expression is elevated two- to threefold. Further genetic studies revealed that recB recG and recG recJ double mutants are much more sensitive to UV light than the respective single mutants in each case. However, no synergistic interactions were discovered between recG258 and mutations in recF, recN, or recQ. It is concluded that recG does not fall within any of the accepted groups of genes that affect recombination and DNA repair.

Alleles↗

Recent advances in DNA repair and recombination.

The subjects of the talks at this 1-day DNA Repair Network meeting, held at City University, London on December 15, 1997, encompassed a range of topics and reflected some of the current areas of research in the United Kingdom. Topics included DNA double-strand break repair, V(D)J recombination, DNA ligases, the RecQ family of helicases and Bloom's syndrome, UVB and immunosuppression, the repair of oxidative damage and mismatch repair mechanisms.

DNA Repair↗

Structure and regulation of the Escherichia coli ruv operon involved in DNA repair and recombination.

The ruv gene of Escherichia coli, which is involved in DNA repair and recombination, was cloned on a plasmid vector. The DNA of the ruv region was sequenced; it had two open reading frames in tandem that could code for 22- and 37-kilodalton proteins. The proteins encoded by these open reading frames were identified by the maxicell method. The two genes were aligned in the same orientation and regulated by the SOS system, so the two genes probably constitute an operon. The distal one complemented the ruv mutations. Transcription of the operon was studied both in vivo and in vitro. Two transcription initiation sites were identified upstream of the coding frames, and the transcription from both sites was repressed by the LexA repressor. A DNA sequence that is homologous to the SOS box and bound by LexA protein was found in the regulatory region of the operon. The amino acid sequence of Ruv protein deduced from the DNA sequence shows a high degree of homology to the consensus sequence shared by ATP-binding proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Yeast DNA repair and recombination proteins Rad1 and Rad10 constitute a single-stranded-DNA endonuclease.

Damage-specific recognition and incision of DNA during nucleotide excision repair in yeast and mammalian cells requires multiple gene products. Amino-acid sequence homology between several yeast and mammalian genes suggests that the mechanism of nucleotide excision repair is conserved in eukaryotes, but very little is known about its biochemistry. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae at least 6 genes are needed for this process, including RAD1 and RAD10 (ref. 1). Mutations in the two genes inactivate nucleotide excision repair and result in a reduced efficiency of mitotic recombinational events between repeated sequences. The Rad10 protein has a stable and specific interaction with Rad1 protein and also binds to single-stranded DNA and promotes annealing of homologous single-stranded DNA. The amino-acid sequence of the yeast Rad10 protein is homologous with that of the human excision repair gene ERCC1 (ref. 3). Here we demonstrate that a complex of purified Rad1 and Rad10 proteins specifically degrades single-stranded DNA by an endonucleolytic mechanism. This endonuclease activity is presumably required to remove non-homologous regions of single-stranded DNA during mitotic recombination between repeated sequences as previously suggested, and may also be responsible for the specific incision of damaged DNA during nucleotide excision repair.

Bacteriophages↗

The RAD52 epistasis group in mammalian double strand break repair.

The S. cerevisiae RAD52 epistasis group gene products mediate DNA double strand break repair and recombination. These proteins and their modes of action have been extensively characterized. The existence of highly conserved mammalian RAD52 epistasis group homologues suggests that information regarding the functions and mechanisms of double strand break repair proteins in yeast may be applicable to mammalian recombinational DNA repair. Herein, we provide an overview of the S. cerevisiae RAD52 epistasis group and describe the characterization of the five mammalian RAD52 epistasis group homologues identified to date. In the context of their expression patterns and other functional analyses, we discuss potential roles for these proteins in mammalian recombinational DNA repair and specialized recombination events such as V(D)J recombination.

Cell Division↗

Yeast DNA recombination and repair proteins Rad1 and Rad10 constitute a complex in vivo mediated by localized hydrophobic domains.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad1 and Rad10 proteins are required for damage-specific incision during nucleotide excision repair and also for certain mitotic recombination events between repeated sequences. Previously we have demonstrated that Rad1 and Rad10 form a specific complex in vitro. Using the 'two-hybrid' genetic assay system we now report that Rad1 and Rad10 proteins are subunits of a specific complex in the cell nucleus. The Rad10-binding domain of Rad1 protein maps to a localized region between amino acids 809-997. The Rad1-binding domain of Rad10 protein maps between amino acids 90-210. These domains are evolutionarily conserved and are hydrophobic in character. Although significant homology exists between Rad10 and the human-DNA-repair protein Ercc1 in this region, we were unable to detect any interaction between Ercc1 and Rad1 proteins. We conclude that Rad1 and Rad10 operate in DNA repair and mitotic recombination as a constitutive complex.

Base Sequence↗

Inhibition of the Escherichia coli RecA protein: zinc(II), copper(II) and mercury(II) trap RecA as inactive aggregates.

In bacteria, the RecA protein plays important roles in a number of DNA recombination and repair processes, including homologous recombination, SOS induction and recombinational DNA repair. We have explored the idea that the Escherichia coli RecA protein's functions could be controlled by small molecules. We investigated the 2:1 complex of zinc(II) with 1,4-dithio-l-threitol (l-DTT) that inhibits the E. coli rho transcription terminator, which is a hexameric ATP motor protein and is structurally homologous to RecA. We found that both the complex and ZnCl(2) inhibit the single-stranded DNA-dependent ATPase activity of RecA at sub-millimolar concentrations. Investigation of a variety of metal dications (0.4 mM final concentration) determined that zinc(II), copper(II) and mercury(II) all induce the precipitation of RecA, while the dichloride salts of calcium, manganese, barium, cobalt, and nickel do not. The inhibition of RecA activity by Zn(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) results from the metal-dependent initiation of RecA aggregation. These observations may have implications for the design of biophysical experiments requiring solid-phase RecA protein, for a more complete understanding of metal toxicities, and for the design of metal-chelate inhibitors of prokaryotic DNA repair.

Chlorides↗

Mechanisms of genome maintenance and rearrangement: current research and recent advances in DNA repair and recombination.

The topics of the talks at the annual DNA Repair Network Meeting at City University, London were as usual wide-ranging and provided an absorbing programme. Covered in the 17 talks were the autoproteolysis of O(6)-methylguanine DNA alkyltransferase in Escherichia coli; identification of new intermediates in meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; the SMC (structural maintenance of chromosomes) family of proteins in Schizosaccharomyces pombe; transposition and V(D)J recombination; mammalian Rad51 foci formation in Rad54, Rad52, XRCC2 and XRCC3 mutants; biochemical analysis of DNA-PK, ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and ATR (AT related); other human DNA repair deficiencies and their incidence, including xeroderma pigmentosum and a new DNA ligase IV-deficient patient, and back, once again, to alkyltransferase, this time in humans and its manipulation for engineering drug resistance in bone marrow for cancer treatment.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of the Drosophila DNA repair and recombination gene mei-9.

Drosophila mei-9 is essential for several DNA repair and recombination pathways, including nucleotide excision repair (NER), interstrand crosslink repair, and meiotic recombination. To better understand the role of MEI-9 in these processes, we characterized 10 unique mutant alleles of mei-9. These include a P-element insertion that disrupts repair functions but not the meiotic function; three nonsense mutations, one of which has nearly wild-type levels of protein; three missense mutations, one of which disrupts the meiotic function but not repair functions; two small in-frame deletions; and one frameshift.

Alleles↗

Genetic recombination in Bacillus subtilis 168: effect of recN, recF, recH and addAB mutations on DNA repair and recombination.

A recN- (recN1) strain of Bacillus subtilis was constructed. The effects of this and recF, recH and addAB mutations on recombination proficiency were tested. Mutations in the recN, recF, recH and addAB genes, when present in an otherwise Rec+ B. subtilis strain, did not affect genetic exchange. Strains carrying different combinations of mutations in these genes were constructed and examined for their sensitivity to 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) and recombination proficiency. The recH mutation did not affect the 4NQO sensitivity of recN and recF cells and it only marginally affected that of addA addB cells. However, it reduced genetic recombination in these cells 10(2)- to 10(4)-fold. The addA addB mutations increased the 4NQO sensitivity of recF and recN cells, but completely blocked genetic recombination of recF cells and marginally affected recombination in recN cells. The recN mutation did not affect the recombinational capacity of recF cells. These data indicate that the recN gene product is required for DNA repair and recombination and that the recF, recH and addAB genes provide overlapping activities that compensate for the effects of single mutants proficiency. We proposed that the recF, recH, recB and addA gene products define four different epistatic groups.

Bacillus subtilis↗

The DNA damage checkpoint pathways exert multiple controls on the efficiency and outcome of the repair of a double-stranded DNA gap.

A DNA gap repair assay was used to determine the effect of mutations in the DNA damage checkpoint system on the efficiency and outcome (crossover/non-crossover) of recombinational DNA repair. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae gap repair is largely achieved by homologous recombination. As a result the plasmid either integrates into the chromosome (indicative of a crossover outcome) or remains extrachromosomal (indicative of a non-crossover outcome). Deletion mutants of the MEC1 and RAD53 checkpoint kinase genes exhibited a 5-fold decrease in gap repair efficiency, showing that 80% of the gap repair events depended on functional DNA damage checkpoints. Epistasis analysis suggests that the DNA damage checkpoints affect gap repair by modulating Rad51 protein-mediated homologous recombination. While in wild-type cells only approximately 25% of the gap repair events were associated with a crossover outcome, Mec1-deficient cells exhibited a >80% crossover association. Also mutations in the effector kinases Rad53, Chk1 and Dun1 were found to affect crossover association of DNA gap repair to various degrees. The data suggest that the DNA damage checkpoints are important for the optimal functioning of recombinational DNA repair with multiple terminal targets to modulate the efficiency and outcome of homologous recombination.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Effect of ruv mutations on recombination and DNA repair in Escherichia coli K12.

Mutation of the ruv gene of E. coli is associated with sensitivity to radiation, and filamentous growth after transient inhibition of DNA synthesis. The filamentation of ruv strains is abolished by mutations in sfiA or sfiB that prevent SOS induced inhibition of cell division, but this does not restore resistance to UV radiation. Double mutants carrying both ruv and uvr mutations are considerably more sensitive to UV radiation than the single mutants, but there is no additive effect of ruv with recA, recF, recB, or recC mutations. ruv mutations have little effect on conjugal recombination in wild-type strains but confer recombination deficiency and extreme sensitivity to ionizing radiation in recBC sbcB strains. These results, together with the fact that ruv strains are excision proficient and mutable by UV light, are interpreted to suggest that the ruv + product is involved in recombinational repair of damaged DNA rather than in cell division as suggested by Otsuji et al. (1974).

Bacterial Proteins↗

Synergistic actions of Rad51 and Rad52 in recombination and DNA repair.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutations in the genes RAD51 or RAD52 result in severe defects in genetic recombination and the repair of double-strand DNA breaks. These genes, and others of the RAD52 epistasis group (RAD50, RAD54, RAD55, RAD57, RAD59, MRE11 and XRS2), were first identified by their sensitivity to X-rays. They were subsequently shown to be required for spontaneous and induced mitotic recombination, meiotic recombination, and mating-type switching. Human homologues of RAD50, RAD51, RAD52, RAD54 and MRE11 have been identified. Targeted disruption of the murine RAD51 gene results in an embryonic lethal phenotype, indicating that Rad51 protein is required during cell proliferation. Biochemical studies have shown that human RAD51 encodes a protein of relative molecular mass 36,966 (hRad51) that promotes ATP-dependent homologous pairing and DNA strand exchange. As a structural and functional homologue of the RecA protein from Escherichia coli, hRad51 is thought to play a central role in recombination. Yeast Rad51 has been shown to interact with Rad52 protein, as does the human homologue. Here we show that hRad52 stimulates homologous pairing by hRad51. The DNA-binding properties of hRad52 indicate that Rad52 is involved in an early stage of Rad51-mediated recombination.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Two DNA repair and recombination genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, RAD52 and RAD54, are induced during meiosis.

The DNA repair and recombination genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, RAD52 and RAD54, were transcriptionally induced approximately 10- to 15-fold in sporulating MATa/alpha cells. Congenic MATa/a cells, which did not sporulate, did not show similar increases. Assays of beta-galactosidase activity in strains harboring either a RAD52- or RAD54-lacZ gene fusion indicated that this induction occurred at a time concomitant with a commitment to meiotic recombination, as measured by prototroph formation from his1 heteroalleles.

DNA Repair↗