Recently, more than 1000 large intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) have been reported. These RNAs are evolutionarily conserved in mammalian genomes and thus presumably function in diverse biological processes. Here, we report the identification of lincRNAs that are regulated by p53. One of these lincRNAs (lincRNA-p21) serves as a repressor in p53-dependent transcriptional responses. Inhibition of lincRNA-p21 affects the expression of hundreds of gene targets enriched for genes normally repressed by p53. The observed transcriptional repression by lincRNA-p21 is mediated through the physical association with hnRNP-K. This interaction is required for proper genomic localization of hnRNP-K at repressed genes and regulation of p53 mediates apoptosis. We propose a model whereby transcription factors activate lincRNAs that serve as key repressors by physically associating with repressive complexes and modulate their localization to sets of previously active genes.

A Large Intergenic Noncoding RNA Induced by p53 Mediates Global Gene Repression in the p53 Response

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are cytotoxic lesions that can result in mutagenic events or cell death if left unrepaired or repaired inappropriately. Cells use two major pathways for DSB repair: nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). The choice between these pathways depends on the phase of the cell cycle and the nature of the DSB ends. A critical determinant of repair pathway choice is the initiation of 5′-3′ resection of DNA ends, which commits cells to homology-dependent repair, and prevents repair by classical NHEJ. Here, we review the components of the end resection machinery, the role of end structure, and the cell-cycle phase on resection and the interplay of end processing with NHEJ.

Double-Strand Break End Resection and Repair Pathway Choice

The protein kinase ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is best known for its role as an apical activator of the DNA damage response in the face of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Following induction of DSBs, ATM mobilizes one of the most extensive signalling networks that responds to specific stimuli and modifies directly or indirectly a broad range of targets. Although most ATM research has focused on this function, evidence suggests that ATM-mediated phosphorylation has a role in the response to other types of genotoxic stress. Moreover, it has become apparent that ATM is active in other cell signalling pathways involved in maintaining cellular homeostasis.

The ATM protein kinase: regulating the cellular response to genotoxic stress, and more

ATM, ATR, and DNA-PK: The Trinity at the Heart of the DNA Damage Response.

https://www.cell.com/trends/cell-biology/pdf/S0962-8924(15)00142-7.pdf

Repair Pathway Choices and Consequences at the Double-Strand Break

A key cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is 5'-to-3' DSB resection by nucleases to generate regions of ssDNA that then trigger cell cycle checkpoint signaling and DSB repair by homologous recombination (HR). Here, we reveal that in the absence of exonuclease Exo1 activity, deletion or mutation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RecQ-family helicase, Sgs1, causes pronounced hypersensitivity to DSB-inducing agents. Moreover, we establish that this reflects severely compromised DSB resection, deficient DNA damage signaling, and strongly impaired HR-mediated repair. Furthermore, we show that the mammalian Sgs1 ortholog, BLM--whose deficiency causes cancer predisposition and infertility in people--also functions in parallel with Exo1 to promote DSB resection, DSB signaling and resistance to DSB-generating agents. Collectively, these data establish evolutionarily conserved roles for the BLM and Sgs1 helicases in DSB processing, signaling, and repair.

http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/22/20/2767.full.pdf

DNA helicases Sgs1 and BLM promote DNA double-strand break resection

Phosphorylation of histone H2A or H2AX is an early and sensitive marker of DNA damage in eukaryotic cells, although mutation of the conserved damage-dependent phosphorylation site is well tolerated. Here, we show that H2A phosphorylation is required for cell-cycle arrest in response to DNA damage at the G1/S transition in budding yeast. Furthermore, we show that the tandem BRCT domain of Rad9 interacts directly with phosphorylated H2A in vitro and that a rad9 point mutation that abolishes this interaction results in in vivo phenotypes that are similar to those caused by an H2A phosphorylation site mutation. Remarkably, similar checkpoint defects are also caused by a Rad9 Tudor domain mutation that impairs Rad9 chromatin association already in undamaged cells. These findings indicate that constitutive Tudor domain-mediated and damage-specific BRCT domain–phospho-H2A-dependent interactions of Rad9 with chromatin cooperate to establish G1 checkpoint arrest.

/pdf/rad9-brct-domain-interaction-with-phosphorylated-h2ax-a19uqm9oxf.pdf

Rad9 BRCT domain interaction with phosphorylated H2AX regulates the G1 checkpoint in budding yeast

The basal transcription machinery of Archaea is fundamentally related to the eucaryal RNA polymerase (RNAP) II apparatus. In addition to a 12-subunit RNAP, Archaea possess two general transcription factors, the activities of which are required for accurate and efficient in vitro transcription. These factors, TBP and TFB, are homologues of the eucaryal TATA-box binding protein and TFIIB respectively. Archaea also possess TFE, a homologue of the eucaryal RNAP II general transcription factor TFIIE. Although not absolutely required for transcription in vitro , TFE nonetheless plays a stimulatory role under conditions where promoter recognition by TBP is sub-optimal. The basal transcription apparatus of Archaea is closely related to that of Eucarya but archaeal transcriptional regulators resemble those of bacteria. The mode of action of two such regulators has been characterized to determine how these ‘bacterial-like’ regulators impinge on the ‘eucaryal-like’ basal machinery.

Basal and regulated transcription in Archaea

Previous work has established that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) is stabilized in an ATM-dependent manner in response to DNA damage and acts as a cofactor for p53-mediated transcription. Here, we show that in response to DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation, hnRNP K is phosphorylated in an ATM-dependent manner. Furthermore, our data indicate that ATM-dependent hnRNP K phosphorylation is required for its stabilization and its function as a p53 transcriptional cofactor in response to DNA damage. These findings thereby establish hnRNP K as an ATM target and help define how ATM orchestrates p53-dependent transcriptional responses in response to genotoxic stress.

Christine Magill

Papers

DNA helicases Sgs1 and BLM promote DNA double-strand break resection

Rad9 BRCT domain interaction with phosphorylated H2AX regulates the G1 checkpoint in budding yeast

Basal and regulated transcription in Archaea

ATM-dependent phosphorylation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K promotes p53 transcriptional activation in response to DNA damage.

Identification of a Conserved Archaeal RNA Polymerase Subunit Contacted by the Basal Transcription Factor TFB