Antonio M. Reis

Defective nucleotide excision repair in xpc mutant mice and its association with cancer predisposition.

Mice that are genetically engineered are becoming increasingly more powerful tools for understanding the molecular pathology of many human hereditary diseases, especially those that confer an increased predisposition to cancer. We have generated mouse strains defective in the Xpc gene, which is required for nucleotide excision repair (NER) of DNA. Homozygous mutant mice are highly prone to skin cancer following exposure to UVB radiation, and to liver and lung cancer following exposure to the chemical carcinogen acetylaminofluorene (AAF). Skin cancer predisposition is significantly augmented when mice are additionally defective in Trp53 (p53) gene function. We also present the results of studies with mice that are heterozygous mutant in the Apex (Hap1, Ref-1) gene required for base excision repair and with mice that are defective in the mismatch repair gene Msh2. Double and triple mutant mice mutated in multiple DNA repair genes have revealed several interesting overlapping roles of DNA repair pathways in the prevention of mutation and cancer.

Mice defective in the mismatch repair gene Msh2 show increased predisposition to UVB radiation-induced skin cancer

Mice defective in the mismatch repair (MMR) gene Msh2 manifest an enhanced predisposition to skin cancer associated with exposure to UVB radiation. This predisposition is further heightened if the mice are additionally defective for the nucleotide excision repair gene Xpc. To test the hypothesis that the predisposition of Msh2 mutant mice to skin cancer reflects a mutator phenotype associated with increased proliferation of skin cells following exposure to UV radiation, Msh2 mutant mice were exposed to the tumor promoter TPA. Such mice showed a robust proliferative response in the skin, but did not manifest evidence of dysplasia or neoplasia. We conclude that the predisposition of Msh2 mice to UVB radiation-induced skin cancer reflects an interaction between the processes of mismatch repair and some other excision repair mode, the exact nature of which remains to be established.

Cancer predisposition in mutant mice defective in multiple genetic pathways: uncovering important genetic interactions

Mouse models that mimic the human skin cancer-prone disease xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) provide an useful experimental system with which to study the relationship between the DNA repair process of nucleotide excision repair (NER) and ultraviolet- (UV) induced skin carcinogenesis. We have generated Xpc mutant mice and documented their deficiency in the process of NER of UV-induced DNA damage. Xpc mutant mice are highly predisposed to UV-B radiation-induced skin cancer, both in the homozygous and the heterozygous state. The combination of Xpc and Trp53 mutations enhances this predisposition and alters the tumor spectrum observed in single mutant mice. These results suggest a synergism between NER and the function of Trp53 in suppression of cancer. We have examined the mutational spectrum in the Trp53 gene from skin cancers in Trp53+/+ and Trp53+/- mice of all three Xpc genotypes and have found evidence for signature mutations associated with defective NER. In addition, we have demonstrated that Xpc mutant mice are highly predisposed to the induction of lung and liver cancers by treatment with 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and N-OH-2-AAF. By combining the Xpc mutation with other mutations in genes involved in repair of DNA damage we have identified additional genetic interactions important in carcinogenesis. The mouse Apex gene is a critical component of the base excision repair (BER) pathway as well as the redox regulation of transcription factors important in growth control and the cellular response to DNA damage. By combining mutations in Xpc, Trp53 and Apex we have obtained genetic evidence for a functional interaction between Apex and Trp53 which probably involves the activation of the Trp53 protein by Apex. Mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) gene Msh2 also influence the carcinogenesis observed in Xpc Trp53 mutant mice. Our results demonstrate that multiple repair pathways operate in prevention of tumor formation.

Targeted detection of in vivo endogenous DNA base damage reveals preferential base excision repair in the transcribed strand

Endogenous DNA damage is removed mainly via base excision repair (BER), however, whether there is preferential strand repair of endogenous DNA damage is still under intense debate. We developed a highly sensitive primer-anchored DNA damage detection assay (PADDA) to map and quantify in vivo endogenous DNA damage. Using PADDA, we documented significantly higher levels of endogenous damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells in stationary phase than in exponential phase. We also documented that yeast BER-defective cells have significantly higher levels of endogenous DNA damage than isogenic wild-type cells at any phase of growth. PADDA provided detailed fingerprint analysis at the single-nucleotide level, documenting for the first time that persistent endogenous nucleotide damage in CAN1 co-localizes with previously reported spontaneous CAN1 mutations. To quickly and reliably quantify endogenous strand-specific DNA damage in the constitutively expressed CAN1 gene, we used PADDA on a real-time PCR setting. We demonstrate that wild-type cells repair endogenous damage preferentially on the CAN1 transcribed strand. In contrast, yeast BER-defective cells accumulate endogenous damage preferentially on the CAN1 transcribed strand. These data provide the first direct evidence for preferential strand repair of endogenous DNA damage and documents the major role of BER in this process.

Abstract 5625: Wnt inhibitory factor 1 is a potent growth inhibitory agent for salivary gland tumor cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background: Aberrant activation of the Wingless-type (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in many human cancers. We have shown that Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1), a Wnt antagonist, is rearranged in salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas and down-regulated in carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenomas. Here, we studied the mechanisms of WIF1 down-regulation and also the potential therapeutic implications of WIF1 in human salivary gland tumor cells. Aims: To characterize the mechanisms of WIF1 down-regulation in salivary gland tumor cells and to determine the effects of restoration of WIF1 expression on salivary gland tumor cell growth. Methods: Salivary gland tumor cell lines were treated with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (50 µM) for 4 days. Then we isolated total RNA and performed real-time RT-PCR to determine WIF1 mRNA expression. To determine the growth suppressive effects of WIF1, salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma cells were stably or transiently transfected with either empty vector or pCI blast-WIF1. The growth inhibitory role of WIF1 was also assessed by exposure of salivary gland tumor cells to pure WIF1 protein. Cell proliferation was assessed at different time points by MTT assay. We performed cell cycle analysis after 72 h of WIF1 transfection by flow cytometry using FACSCalibur analyzer. Results: Treatment with DAC caused about 30-fold and 6-fold increase in WIF1 mRNA expression in salivary gland carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma cells and pleomorphic adenoma cells, respectively compared with vehicle treatment. Stable transfection of salivary gland tumor cells with WIF1 vector induced dramatic nuclear fragmentation and cell death. No viable colonies were observed. Transient transfection with pCI blast-WIF1 or exposure to WIF1 protein significantly decreased the proliferation of salivary gland tumor cells. Cell cycle analysis showed a significant accumulation of cells in G1 phase suggesting that WIF1 re-expression induces G1 arrest in salivary gland tumor cells. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that WIF1 is epigenetically silenced by promoter hypermethylation in carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma cells and pleomorphic adenoma cells. Importantly, salivary gland tumor cells stably transfected with WIF1 are non-viable, and exposure to high levels of WIF1 protein resulted in significant growth inhibition. These data show that WIF1 is a potent growth inhibitory agent for salivary gland tumor cells and may serve as a potential therapeutic drug for salivary gland cancer. Grant support: This work was supported by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology (LQ) (HR08-018). LQ holds a Presbyterian Health Foundation Endowed Chair in Otorhinolaryngology. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5625. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5625

Abstract 2546: A novel DNA damage detection assay reveals a critical role of XPF in the repair of endogenous damage

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Introduction: DNA damage, notably that resulting from defective nucleotide excision repair (NER), can lead to a number of diseases including those associated with neurodegeneration and cancer. XPF, a gene essential for effective NER, is typically associated with the repair of chemically and UV induced bulky DNA lesions as well as crosslinks. Recently, we developed a novel DNA damage detection assay (PADDA) capable of detecting at the nucleotide level, on a high-throughput scale, endogenous and induced DNA damage. We have previously validated this assay using multiple in vitro and in vivo approaches. By applying this assay to the study of wild-type (WT) and base excision repair (BER) defective cells, we have also reported the first direct evidence for preferential strand repair of endogenous DNA damage and documented the major role of BER in this process. In this study, we used PADDA to determine the role of XPF in the repair of endogenous DNA damage. Methods: Endogenous DNA damage was detected in the CAN1 gene by PADDA in wild-type and XPF defective S. cerevisiae cells in stationary phases of growth. Levels and locations of lesions were compared between strains. Locations of DNA damage were then compared to sites of previously reported mutations in the CAN1 gene using statistical approaches based on Chi-square goodness of fit and exact nonparametric tests. Results: PADDA revealed higher levels of endogenous DNA damage in XPF defective yeast cells compared to WT. Furthermore, a significantly higher rate of polymerase by-passable DNA damage was observed in XPF defective yeast cells compared to WT. There was a high association between the sites of by-passable endogenous DNA damage found in XPF defective cells to sites of previously reported mutations in the CAN1 gene. Conclusions: Our results establish yet another novel role for XPF protein: a major function in the repair of endogenous DNA damage. Furthermore, our results suggest a key XPF role in the repair of highly mutagenic by-passable DNA damage and therefore in the prevention of mutations caused by endogenous DNA damage. Given this important role, XPF may become a biomarker of cancer risk or even a suitable target for strategies aimed at preventing cancer and other diseases associated with DNA damage. Additionally, the ability of PADDA to map and quantify many different types of DNA damage suggests it may become a very important clinical tool to assess cancer risk and response to chemotherapy. Funding: This work was supported by the National Institute of Health \[R03 CA117316-01\] (AR) and the OUHSC Vice President for Research Fund (LQ). L.Q. holds a Presbyterian Health Foundation Endowed Chair in Otorhinolaryngology. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2546. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2546

Erratum to "Mice defective in the mismatch repair gene Msh2 show increased predisposition to UVB radiation-induced skin cancer" (DNA Repair 1 (2002) 929-934)

The publisher regrets that in the above article Fig. 1should have been produced in colour.In the Material and Methods Section of themanuscript “Mice defective in the mismatch repairgene Msh2 show increased predisposition to UVBradiation-induced skin cancer”, details on the UV ir-radiation protocol were incorrectly given. All animalswere irradiated on 5 consecutive days each week ata dose rate of 120 J/m