Showing papers on "Nuclear DNA published in 2011"

53BP1 nuclear bodies form around DNA lesions generated by mitotic transmission of chromosomes under replication stress.

Abstract: Completion of genome duplication is challenged by structural and topological barriers that impede progression of replication forks. Although this can seriously undermine genome integrity, the fate of DNA with unresolved replication intermediates is not known. Here, we show that mild replication stress increases the frequency of chromosomal lesions that are transmitted to daughter cells. Throughout G1, these lesions are sequestered in nuclear compartments marked by p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) and other chromatin-associated genome caretakers. We show that the number of such 53BP1 nuclear bodies increases after genetic ablation of BLM, a DNA helicase associated with dissolution of entangled DNA. Conversely, 53BP1 nuclear bodies are partially suppressed by knocking down SMC2, a condensin subunit required for mechanical stability of mitotic chromosomes. Finally, we provide evidence that 53BP1 nuclear bodies shield chromosomal fragile sites sequestered in these compartments against erosion. Together, these data indicate that restoration of DNA or chromatin integrity at loci prone to replication problems requires mitotic transmission to the next cell generations.

High-efficiency homologous recombination in the oil-producing alga, nannochloropsis

Abstract: Transformation methods are provided for introducing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into the nucleus of an algal cell. A transformation construct may be prepared, with the transformation construct having a first sequence of DNA similar to a corresponding first sequence of nuclear DNA, a second sequence of DNA similar to a corresponding second sequence of the nuclear DNA, and a sequence of DNA inserted between the first and second sequences of DNA of the transformation construct. A target sequence of DNA inserted between the first and second corresponding sequences of the nuclear DNA may be transformed, resulting result in replacement of the target sequence of DNA with the sequence of DNA of interest.

Apoptosis and DNA damage in human spermatozoa.

Abstract: DNA damage is frequently encountered in spermatozoa of subfertile males and is correlated with a range of adverse clinical outcomes including impaired fertilization, disrupted preimplantation embryonic development, increased rates of miscarriage and an enhanced risk of disease in the progeny. The etiology of DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa is closely correlated with the appearance of oxidative base adducts and evidence of impaired spermiogenesis. We hypothesize that oxidative stress impedes spermiogenesis, resulting in the generation of spermatozoa with poorly remodelled chromatin. These defective cells have a tendency to default to an apoptotic pathway associated with motility loss, caspase activation, phosphatidylserine exteriorization and the activation of free radical generation by the mitochondria. The latter induces lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, which then leads to DNA fragmentation and cell death. The physical architecture of spermatozoa prevents any nucleases activated as a result of this apoptotic process from gaining access to the nuclear DNA and inducing its fragmentation. It is for this reason that a majority of the DNA damage encountered in human spermatozoa seems to be oxidative. Given the important role that oxidative stress seems to have in the etiology of DNA damage, there should be an important role for antioxidants in the treatment of this condition. If oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa is providing a sensitive readout of systemic oxidative stress, the implications of these findings could stretch beyond our immediate goal of trying to minimize DNA damage in spermatozoa as a prelude to assisted conception therapy.

Carcinogenic bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori triggers DNA double-strand breaks and a DNA damage response in its host cells.

Abstract: The bacterial pathogen Helicobacter pylori chronically infects the human gastric mucosa and is the leading risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. The molecular mechanisms of H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis remain ill defined. In this study, we examined the possibility that H. pylori directly compromises the genomic integrity of its host cells. We provide evidence that the infection introduces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in primary and transformed murine and human epithelial and mesenchymal cells. The induction of DSBs depends on the direct contact of live bacteria with mammalian cells. The infection-associated DNA damage is evident upon separation of nuclear DNA by pulse field gel electrophoresis and by high-magnification microscopy of metaphase chromosomes. Bacterial adhesion (e.g., via blood group antigen-binding adhesin) is required to induce DSBs; in contrast, the H. pylori virulence factors vacuolating cytotoxin A, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and the cytotoxin-associated gene (Cag) pathogenicity island are dispensable for DSB induction. The DNA discontinuities trigger a damage-signaling and repair response involving the sequential ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent recruitment of repair factors—p53-binding protein (53BP1) and mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1 (MDC1)—and histone H2A variant X (H2AX) phosphorylation. Although most breaks are repaired efficiently upon termination of the infection, we observe that prolonged active infection leads to saturation of cellular repair capabilities. In summary, we conclude that DNA damage followed by potentially imprecise repair is consistent with the carcinogenic properties of H. pylori and with its mutagenic properties in vitro and in vivo and may contribute to the genetic instability and frequent chromosomal aberrations that are a hallmark of gastric cancer.

Crucial role for DNA ligase III in mitochondria but not in Xrcc1-dependent repair

Abstract: Mammalian cells contain three different DNA ligase enzymes, each with different properties but all involved in DNA replication and repair. Ligase III (Lig3) is known to form a complex with the nuclear DNA repair protein Xrcc1, and Lig3 null animals cannot be made. This raises the question of whether this nuclear role in base-excision repair (BER) is the critical function of Lig3 that maintains viability. Two groups reporting in this issue of Nature investigate different aspects of Lig3 function in vivo, both concluding that the catalytic activity of Lig3 is critical for mitochondrial DNA maintenance and viability, but unexpectedly, is dispensable for Xrcc1-mediated nuclear BER. These findings suggest that Lig3 mutations might cause some of the human syndromes associated with defects in the replication and/or repair of mitochondrial DNA. Eukaryotic cells have several DNA ligases. DNA ligase III (Lig3) forms a complex with Xrcc1 that can function in nuclear repair. But, Lig3 null animals cannot be made; is this nuclear role in base excision repair its critical function? This is one of two papers showing that the role of Lig3 in the nucleus is non-essential. Rather, the catalytic activity of Lig3, but not Xrcc1, is essential for the maintenance of mitochondria. Mammalian cells have three ATP-dependent DNA ligases, which are required for DNA replication and repair1. Homologues of ligase I (Lig1) and ligase IV (Lig4) are ubiquitous in Eukarya, whereas ligase III (Lig3), which has nuclear and mitochondrial forms, appears to be restricted to vertebrates. Lig3 is implicated in various DNA repair pathways with its partner protein Xrcc1 (ref. 1). Deletion of Lig3 results in early embryonic lethality in mice, as well as apparent cellular lethality2, which has precluded definitive characterization of Lig3 function. Here we used pre-emptive complementation to determine the viability requirement for Lig3 in mammalian cells and its requirement in DNA repair. Various forms of Lig3 were introduced stably into mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells containing a conditional allele of Lig3 that could be deleted with Cre recombinase. With this approach, we find that the mitochondrial, but not nuclear, Lig3 is required for cellular viability. Although the catalytic function of Lig3 is required, the zinc finger (ZnF) and BRCA1 carboxy (C)-terminal-related (BRCT) domains of Lig3 are not. Remarkably, the viability requirement for Lig3 can be circumvented by targeting Lig1 to the mitochondria or expressing Chlorella virus DNA ligase, the minimal eukaryal nick-sealing enzyme3, or Escherichia coli LigA, an NAD+-dependent ligase1. Lig3-null cells are not sensitive to several DNA-damaging agents that sensitize Xrcc1-deficient cells4,5,6. Our results establish a role for Lig3 in mitochondria, but distinguish it from its interacting protein Xrcc1.

Extranuclear protection of chromosomal DNA from oxidative stress

Abstract: Eukaryotic organisms evolved under aerobic conditions subjecting nuclear DNA to damage provoked by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although ROS are thought to be a major cause of DNA damage, little is known about the molecular mechanisms protecting nuclear DNA from oxidative stress. Here we show that protection of nuclear DNA in plants requires a coordinated function of ROS-scavenging pathways residing in the cytosol and peroxisomes, demonstrating that nuclear ROS scavengers such as peroxiredoxin and glutathione are insufficient to safeguard DNA integrity. Both catalase (CAT2) and cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (APX1) play a key role in protecting the plant genome against photorespiratory-dependent H2O2-induced DNA damage. In apx1/cat2 double-mutant plants, a DNA damage response is activated, suppressing growth via a WEE1 kinase-dependent cell-cycle checkpoint. This response is correlated with enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress, DNA stress-causing agents, and inhibited programmed cell death.

Labeling nuclear DNA using DAPI.

Abstract: A number of fluorescent stains are available that label DNA and allow easy visualization of the nucleus in interphase cells and chromosomes in mitotic cells, including Hoechst, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), ethidium bromide, propidium iodide, and acridine orange. Although not as bright as the vital Hoechst stains for DNA, DAPI has greater photostability. It is believed that DAPI associates with the minor groove of double-stranded DNA, with a preference for the adenine-thymine clusters. Cells must be permeabilized and/or fixed for DAPI to enter the cell and to bind DNA. Fluorescence increases approximately 20-fold when DAPI is bound to double-stranded DNA. This protocol describes the use of DAPI to label nuclear DNA of cells grown in culture.

Somatic hypermutation of human mitochondrial and nuclear DNA by APOBEC3 cytidine deaminases, a pathway for DNA catabolism

Abstract: The human APOBEC3 (A3A-A3H) locus encodes six cytidine deaminases that edit single-stranded DNA, the result being DNA peppered with uridine. Although several cytidine deaminases are clearly restriction factors for retroviruses and hepadnaviruses, it is not known if APOBEC3 enzymes have roles outside of these settings. It is shown here that both human mitochondrial and nuclear DNA are vulnerable to somatic hypermutation by A3 deaminases, with APOBEC3A standing out among them. The degree of editing is much greater in patients lacking the uracil DNA-glycolyase gene, indicating that the observed levels of editing reflect a dynamic composed of A3 editing and DNA catabolism involving uracil DNA-glycolyase. Nonetheless, hyper- and lightly mutated sequences went hand in hand, raising the hypothesis that recurrent low-level mutation by APOBEC3A could catalyze the transition from a healthy to a cancer genome.

Identification of a de novo thymidylate biosynthesis pathway in mammalian mitochondria

Abstract: The de novo and salvage dTTP pathways are essential for maintaining cellular dTTP pools to ensure the faithful replication of both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Disregulation of dTTP pools results in mitochondrial dysfunction and nuclear genome instability due to an increase in uracil misincorporation. In this study, we identified a de novo dTMP synthesis pathway in mammalian mitochondria. Mitochondria purified from wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and HepG2 cells converted dUMP to dTMP in the presence of NADPH and serine, through the activities of mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT2), thymidylate synthase (TYMS), and a novel human mitochondrial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) previously thought to be a pseudogene known as dihydrofolate reductase-like protein 1 (DHFRL1). Human DHFRL1, SHMT2, and TYMS were localized to mitochondrial matrix and inner membrane, confirming the presence of this pathway in mitochondria. Knockdown of DHFRL1 using siRNA eliminated DHFR activity in mitochondria. DHFRL1 expression in CHO glyC, a previously uncharacterized mutant glycine auxotrophic cell line, rescued the glycine auxotrophy. De novo thymidylate synthesis activity was diminished in mitochondria isolated from glyA CHO cells that lack SHMT2 activity, as well as mitochondria isolated from wild-type CHO cells treated with methotrexate, a DHFR inhibitor. De novo thymidylate synthesis in mitochondria prevents uracil accumulation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), as uracil levels in mtDNA isolated from glyA CHO cells was 40% higher than observed in mtDNA isolated from wild-type CHO cells. These data indicate that unlike other nucleotides, de novo dTMP synthesis occurs within mitochondria and is essential for mtDNA integrity.

DNA Damage in Plant Herbarium Tissue

Abstract: Dried plant herbarium specimens are potentially a valuable source of DNA. Efforts to obtain genetic information from this source are often hindered by an inability to obtain amplifiable DNA as herbarium DNA is typically highly degraded. DNA post-mortem damage may not only reduce the number of amplifiable template molecules, but may also lead to the generation of erroneous sequence information. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of DNA post-mortem damage is essential to determine the accuracy of molecular data from herbarium specimens. In this study we present an assessment of DNA damage as miscoding lesions in herbarium specimens using 454-sequencing of amplicons derived from plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear DNA. In addition, we assess DNA degradation as a result of strand breaks and other types of polymerase non-bypassable damage by quantitative real-time PCR. Comparing four pairs of fresh and herbarium specimens of the same individuals we quantitatively assess post-mortem DNA damage, directly after specimen preparation, as well as after long-term herbarium storage. After specimen preparation we estimate the proportion of gene copy numbers of plastid, mitochondrial, and nuclear DNA to be 2.4-3.8% of fresh control DNA and 1.0-1.3% after long-term herbarium storage, indicating that nearly all DNA damage occurs on specimen preparation. In addition, there is no evidence of preferential degradation of organelle versus nuclear genomes. Increased levels of CRT/GRA transitions were observed in old herbarium plastid DNA, representing 21.8% of observed miscoding lesions. We interpret this type of post-mortem DNA damage-derived modification to have arisen from the hydrolytic deamination of cytosine during long-term herbarium storage. Our results suggest that reliable sequence data can be obtained from herbarium specimens.

Determination of the melon chloroplast and mitochondrial genome sequences reveals that the largest reported mitochondrial genome in plants contains a significant amount of DNA having a nuclear origin

Abstract: The melon belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, whose economic importance among vegetable crops is second only to Solanaceae. The melon has a small genome size (454 Mb), which makes it suitable for molecular and genetic studies. Despite similar nuclear and chloroplast genome sizes, cucurbits show great variation when their mitochondrial genomes are compared. The melon possesses the largest plant mitochondrial genome, as much as eight times larger than that of other cucurbits. The nucleotide sequences of the melon chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were determined. The chloroplast genome (156,017 bp) included 132 genes, with 98 single-copy genes dispersed between the small (SSC) and large (LSC) single-copy regions and 17 duplicated genes in the inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb). A comparison of the cucumber and melon chloroplast genomes showed differences in only approximately 5% of nucleotides, mainly due to short indels and SNPs. Additionally, 2.74 Mb of mitochondrial sequence, accounting for 95% of the estimated mitochondrial genome size, were assembled into five scaffolds and four additional unscaffolded contigs. An 84% of the mitochondrial genome is contained in a single scaffold. The gene-coding region accounted for 1.7% (45,926 bp) of the total sequence, including 51 protein-coding genes, 4 conserved ORFs, 3 rRNA genes and 24 tRNA genes. Despite the differences observed in the mitochondrial genome sizes of cucurbit species, Citrullus lanatus (379 kb), Cucurbita pepo (983 kb) and Cucumis melo (2,740 kb) share 120 kb of sequence, including the predicted protein-coding regions. Nevertheless, melon contained a high number of repetitive sequences and a high content of DNA of nuclear origin, which represented 42% and 47% of the total sequence, respectively. Whereas the size and gene organisation of chloroplast genomes are similar among the cucurbit species, mitochondrial genomes show a wide variety of sizes, with a non-conserved structure both in gene number and organisation, as well as in the features of the noncoding DNA. The transfer of nuclear DNA to the melon mitochondrial genome and the high proportion of repetitive DNA appear to explain the size of the largest mitochondrial genome reported so far.

Evidence that OGG1 glycosylase protects neurons against oxidative DNA damage and cell death under ischemic conditions

Abstract: 7,8-Dihydro-8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) is a major DNA glycosylase involved in base-excision repair (BER) of oxidative DNA damage to nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We used OGG1-deficient (OGG1−/−) mice to examine the possible roles of OGG1 in the vulnerability of neurons to ischemic and oxidative stress. After exposure of cultured neurons to oxidative and metabolic stress levels of OGG1 in the nucleus were elevated and mitochondria exhibited fragmentation and increased levels of the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and reduced membrane potential. Cortical neurons isolated from OGG1−/− mice were more vulnerable to oxidative insults than were OGG1+/+ neurons, and OGG1−/− mice developed larger cortical infarcts and behavioral deficits after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion compared with OGG1+/+ mice. Accumulations of oxidative DNA base lesions (8-oxoG, FapyAde, and FapyGua) were elevated in response to ischemia in both the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres, and to a greater extent in the contralateral cortex of OGG1−/− mice compared with OGG1+/+ mice. Ischemia-induced elevation of 8-oxoG incision activity involved increased levels of a nuclear isoform OGG1, suggesting an adaptive response to oxidative nuclear DNA damage. Thus, OGG1 has a pivotal role in repairing oxidative damage to nuclear DNA under ischemic conditions, thereby reducing brain damage and improving functional outcome.

Isolation and analysis of high quality nuclear DNA with reduced organellar DNA for plant genome sequencing and resequencing

Abstract: Background High throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have revolutionized the field of genomics by drastically reducing the cost of sequencing, making it feasible for individual labs to sequence or resequence plant genomes. Obtaining high quality, high molecular weight DNA from plants poses significant challenges due to the high copy number of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA, as well as high levels of phenolic compounds and polysaccharides. Multiple methods have been used to isolate DNA from plants; the CTAB method is commonly used to isolate total cellular DNA from plants that contain nuclear DNA, as well as chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA. Alternatively, DNA can be isolated from nuclei to minimize chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA contamination.

Mitochondrial DNA Mutations Regulate Metastasis of Human Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract: Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) might contribute to expression of the tumor phenotypes, such as metastatic potential, as well as to aging phenotypes and to clinical phenotypes of mitochondrial diseases by induction of mitochondrial respiration defects and the resultant overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To test whether mtDNA mutations mediate metastatic pathways in highly metastatic human tumor cells, we used human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells, which simultaneously expressed a highly metastatic potential, mitochondrial respiration defects, and ROS overproduction. Since mitochondrial respiratory function is controlled by both mtDNA and nuclear DNA, it is possible that nuclear DNA mutations contribute to the mitochondrial respiration defects and the highly metastatic potential found in MDA-MB-231 cells. To examine this possibility, we carried out mtDNA replacement of MDA-MB-231 cells by normal human mtDNA. For the complete mtDNA replacement, first we isolated mtDNA-less (ρ0) MDA-MB-231 cells, and then introduced normal human mtDNA into the ρ0 MDA-MB-231 cells, and isolated trans-mitochondrial cells (cybrids) carrying nuclear DNA from MDA-MB-231 cells and mtDNA from a normal subject. The normal mtDNA transfer simultaneously induced restoration of mitochondrial respiratory function and suppression of the highly metastatic potential expressed in MDA-MB-231 cells, but did not suppress ROS overproduction. These observations suggest that mitochondrial respiration defects observed in MDA-MB-231 cells are caused by mutations in mtDNA but not in nuclear DNA, and are responsible for expression of the high metastatic potential without using ROS-mediated pathways. Thus, human tumor cells possess an mtDNA-mediated metastatic pathway that is required for expression of the highly metastatic potential in the absence of ROS production.

Correlation between nuclear plastid DNA abundance and plastid number supports the limited transfer window hypothesis.

Abstract: The abundance of nuclear plastid DNA-like sequences (NUPTs) in nuclear genomes can vary immensely; however, the forces responsible for this variation are poorly understood. "The limited transfer window hypothesis" predicts that species with only one plastid per cell will have fewer NUPTs than those with many plastids per cell, but a lack of genome sequence data from monoplastidic species has made this hypothesis difficult to test. Here, by analyzing newly available genome sequences from diverse mono- and polyplastidic taxa, we show that the hypothesis holds. On average, the polyplastidic species we studied had 80 times more NUPTs than those that were monoplastidic. Moreover, NUPT content was positively related to nuclear genome size, indicating that in addition to plastid number, NUPTs are influenced by the forces controlling the expansion and contraction of noncoding nuclear DNA. These findings are consistent with data on nuclear DNAs of mitochondrial origin (NUMTs), suggesting that similar processes govern the abundance of both NUPTs and NUMTs.

Aprataxin localizes to mitochondria and preserves mitochondrial function

Abstract: Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia 1 is caused by mutation in the APTX gene, which encodes the DNA strand-break repair protein aprataxin. Aprataxin exhibits homology to the histidine triad superfamily of nucleotide hydrolases and transferases and removes 5′-adenylate groups from DNA that arise from aborted ligation reactions. We report herein that aprataxin localizes to mitochondria in human cells and we identify an N-terminal amino acid sequence that targets certain isoforms of the protein to this intracellular compartment. We also show that transcripts encoding this unique N-terminal stretch are expressed in the human brain, with highest production in the cerebellum. Depletion of aprataxin in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and primary skeletal muscle myoblasts results in mitochondrial dysfunction, which is revealed by reduced citrate synthase activity and mtDNA copy number. Moreover, mtDNA, not nuclear DNA, was found to have higher levels of background DNA damage on aprataxin knockdown, suggesting a direct role for the enzyme in mtDNA processing.

Labeling nuclear DNA with hoechst 33342.

Abstract: A number of fluorescent stains are available that label DNA and allow easy visualization of the nucleus in interphase cells and chromosomes in mitotic cells. One advantage of Hoechst 33342 is that it is membrane permeant and, thus, can stain live cells. Hoechst 33342 binds to adenine-thymine-rich regions of DNA in the minor groove. On binding to DNA, the fluorescence greatly increases. This protocol describes the use of Hoechst 33342 to label nuclear DNA of cells grown in culture.

Of circles, forks and humanity: Topological organisation and replication of mammalian mitochondrial DNA

Abstract: The organisation of mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more complex than usually assumed. Despite often being depicted as a simple circle, the topology of mtDNA can vary from supercoiled monomeric circles over catenanes and oligomers to complex multimeric networks. Replication of mtDNA is also not clear cut. Two different mechanisms of replication have been found in cultured cells and in most tissues: a strand-asynchronous mode involving temporary RNA coverage of one strand, and a strand-coupled mode rather resembling conventional nuclear DNA replication. In addition, a recombination-initiated replication mechanism is likely to be associated with the multimeric mtDNA networks found in human heart. Although an insight into the general principles and key factors of mtDNA organisation and maintenance has been gained over the last few years, there are many open questions regarding replication initiation, termination and physiological factors determining mtDNA organisation and replication mode. However, common themes in mtDNA maintenance across eukaryotic kingdoms can provide valuable lessons for future work.

Nucleolar disruption and cajal body disassembly are nuclear hallmarks of DNA damage-induced neurodegeneration in purkinje cells.

Abstract: The Purkinje cell (PC) degeneration (pcd) phenotype results from mutation in nna1 gene and is associated with the degeneration and death of PCs during the postnatal life. Although the pcd mutation is a model of the ataxic mouse, it shares clinical and pathological characteristics of inherited human spinocerebellar ataxias. PC degeneration in pcd mice provides a useful neuronal system to study nuclear mechanisms involved in DNA damage-dependent neurodegeneration, particularly the contribution of nucleoli and Cajal bodies (CBs). Both nuclear structures are engaged in housekeeping functions for neuronal survival, the biogenesis of ribosomes and the maturation of snRNPs and snoRNPs required for pre-mRNA and pre-rRNA processing, respectively. In this study, we use ultrastructural analysis, in situ transcription assay and molecular markers for DNA damage, nucleoli and CB components to demonstrate that PC degeneration involves the progressive accumulation of nuclear DNA damage associated with disruption of nucleoli and CBs, disassembly of polyribosomes into monoribosomes, ribophagy and shut down of nucleolar and extranucleolar transcription. Microarray analysis reveals that four genes encoding repressors of nucleolar rRNA synthesis (p53, Rb, PTEN and SNF2) are upregulated in the cerebellum of pcd mice. Collectively, these data support that nucleolar and CB alterations are hallmarks of DNA damage-induced neurodegeneration.

Age-Related Gene Response of Human Corneal Endothelium to Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage

Abstract: Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) exhibit both age-dependent and topographically dependent reduction in proliferative capacity.1–3 This reduction is mediated, at least in part, by an age-related increase in the expression of the G1-phase inhibitors, p21Cip1, and p16INK4a.4–6 Of importance to an understanding of the molecular basis for these differences in growth capacity is the fact that oxidative DNA damage can induce a p53-dependent increase in the expression of p21Cip1.7 Recent studies from this laboratory8 explored the relationship between oxidative DNA damage and reduced proliferation in HCECs. ELISA for 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage,9 found that 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher (P = 0.0031) in the endothelia of older donors than in young donors. Immunolocalization of 8-OHdG in ex vivo corneas showed intense staining in the nuclei of many, but not all, cells located in the central endothelia of older donors (50 years and older), and this staining was more intense than in central endothelia of young donors (30 years and younger). Nuclear 8-OHdG staining was not observed in peripheral cells, regardless of donor age; however, 8-OHdG was present in a punctate cytoplasmic pattern suggesting that, in peripheral HCECs, oxidative DNA damage is located primarily in mitochondria. Results of 8-OHdG immunolocalization studies in cultured HCECs paralleled those obtained in ex vivo corneas. Importantly, HCECs cultured from young donors and treated with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, an inducer of oxidative stress, exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in proliferative capacity very similar to that observed in untreated cells of older donors. Together, these data provide evidence that oxidative nuclear DNA damage plays a role in the age-dependent and topographically related decrease in proliferative capacity observed in HCECs. The current studies investigated whether HCECs respond to oxidative nuclear DNA damage by upregulating their expression of oxidative stress and DNA damage-signaling genes in an age-dependent manner. For these studies, commercially available real-time PCR microarrays were used to compare the relative expression of oxidative stress and antioxidant genes and genes involved in the DNA damage-signaling pathway in HCECs directly isolated from the corneas of young and older donors. Western blot analysis analyzed the relative expression of a subset of proteins to validate the microarray results. Immunostaining for the phosphorylated histone, H2AX-Ser139, was used to visualize nuclear DNA damage foci in the endothelia of corneas of young and older donors.

Effect of freezing on sperm nuclear DNA.

Abstract: Sperm DNA damage has a significant impact on reproductive outcomes. In recent years, the search for optimal molecular markers for the evaluation of semen quality has resulted in the increased focus on sperm nuclear DNA assessment. The primary aim of this article was to review and summarize the effects of freezing-thawing procedure on nuclear DNA integrity of boar spermatozoa. Using different sperm DNA integrity assays, it has been confirmed that the sperm DNA undergoes structural changes during the freezing-thawing process. Evidence has been shown that a significant proportion of frozen-thawed spermatozoa with compromised chromatin integrity was highly susceptible to DNA fragmentation. Moreover, the possible mechanisms responsible for post-thaw sperm DNA damage could be because of cryo-induced oxidative stress and, to a lesser extent, to the activation of an apoptotic-like phenomenon. This review also highlights the ongoing effort employed to develop optimal strategies to reduce sperm DNA damage following freezing-thawing of boar semen.

The role of mitochondrial DNA damage in the citotoxicity of reactive oxygen species

Abstract: Mitochondria contain their own genome, a small circular molecule of around 16.5 kbases. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes for only 13 polypeptides, but its integrity is essential for mitochondrial function, as all 13 proteins are regulatory subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes. Nonetheless, the mtDNA is physically associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane, where the majority of the cellular reactive oxygen species are generated. In fact, the mitochondrial DNA accumulates high levels of oxidized lesions, which have been associated with several pathological and degenerative processes. The cellular responses to nuclear DNA damage have been extensively studied, but so far little is known about the functional outcome and cellular responses to mtDNA damage. In this review we will discuss the mechanisms that lead to damage accumulation and the in vitro models we are establishing to dissect the cellular responses to oxidative damage in the mtDNA and to sort out the differential cellular consequences of accumulation of damage in each cellular genome, the nuclear and the mitochondrial genome.

Mre11 is expressed in mammalian mitochondria where it binds to mitochondrial DNA

Abstract: Mre11 is a critical participant in upkeep of nuclear DNA, its repair, replication, meiosis, and maintenance of telomeres. The upkeep of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is less well characterized, and whether Mre11 participates has been unknown. We previously found that high NaCl causes some of the Mre11 to leave the nucleus, but we did not then attempt to localize it within the cytoplasm. In the present studies, we find Mre11 in mitochondria isolated from primary renal cells and show that the amount of Mre11 in mitochondria increases with elevation of extracellular NaCl. We confirm the presence of Mre11 in the mitochondria of cells by confocal microscopy and show that some of the Mre11 colocalizes with mtDNA. Furthermore, crosslinking of Mre11 to DNA followed by Mre11 immunoprecipitation directly demonstrates that some Mre11 binds to mtDNA. Abundant Mre11 is also present in tissue sections from normal mouse kidneys, colocalized with mitochondria of proximal tubule and thick ascending limb cells. To explore whether distribution of Mre11 changes with cell differentiation, we used an experimental model of tubule formation by culturing primary kidney cells in Matrigel matrix. In nondifferentiated cells, Mre11 is mostly in the nucleus, but it becomes mostly cytoplasmic upon cell differentiation. We conclude that Mre11 is present in mitochondria where it binds to mtDNA and that the amount in mitochondria varies depending on cellular stress and differentiation. Our results suggest a role for Mre11 in the maintenance of genome integrity in mitochondria in addition to its previously known role in maintenance of nuclear DNA.

Genome size variation estimated by flow cytometry in Acipenser mikadoi, Huso dauricus in relation to other species of Acipenseriformes

Abstract: Summary In Acipenseriformes, extant species can be categorized into three ploidy groups based on their genome size inferred from chromosome numbers and/or nuclear DNA content. However, genome size is still inconclusive in some sturgeon species. Here, we reported genome size of Acipenser mikadoi, Huso dauricus, other seven sturgeon and one paddlefish species quantified by nuclear DNA content flow cytometry. We also measured DNA content of artificially propagated progenies of A. mikadoi and H. dauricus, and progenies from several hybrids using eggs of the two sturgeon species and the hybrid bester. Nuclear DNA content of A. mikadoi was 8.2 pg and thus this species was categorized into functional tetraploid or evolutionary octaploid species like closely related A. medirostris. Although H. dauricus has been considered to be functional diploid or evolutionary tetraploid species based on previous results, this species had 8.3 pg DNA content and was classified into the functional tetraploid or evolutionary octaploid group which includes A. mikadoi. Among artificially propagated A. mikadoi, high frequencies of triploid individuals (45%) and a little portion of tetraploid individuals (1.5%) were detected. The occurrence of polyploid larvae was also detected in hybrid progenies using eggs of A. mikadoi. All 1-year-old survivors (n = 3) of artificially propagated H. dauricus were triploid. The spontaneous occurrence of such genetic triploid and tetraploid progenies suggests that polyploidization event presumably occurs even at present and may cause intraspecific variation of genome size in Acipenseridae.

An efficient and rapid protocol for plant nuclear DNA preparation suitable for next generation sequencing methods

Abstract: Premise of the study : In this study, we developed a nuclear DNA extraction protocol for Next Generation Sequencers (NGS). Methods and Results : We applied this extraction method to grapevines and coffee trees, which are known to contain many secondary metabolites. The nuclear DNA obtained was sequenced by the 454/GS-FLX method. We obtained excellent results, with less than 4% cytoplasmic DNA, in a similar way to a BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome)-building protocol. We also compared our protocol with a classic DNA extraction using specific cytoplasmic DNA amplification. Results showed a lower cytoplasmic DNA contamination with the new protocol. Conclusions : The method presented here is fast and economical. The DNA obtained is of high quality, with a low level of cytoplasmic DNA contamination, and very efficient for the construction of sequencing libraries.