Elizabeth Spehalski

Multiple functions of MRN in end-joining pathways during isotype class switching

The Mre11–Rad50–NBS1 (MRN) complex has many roles in response to DNA double-strand breaks, but its functions in repair by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways are poorly understood. We have investigated requirements for MRN in class switch recombination (CSR), a programmed DNA rearrangement in B lymphocytes that requires NHEJ. To this end, we have engineered mice that lack the entire MRN complex in B lymphocytes or that possess an intact complex that harbors mutant Mre11 lacking DNA nuclease activities. MRN deficiency confers a strong defect in CSR, affecting both the classic and the alternative NHEJ pathways. In contrast, absence of Mre11 nuclease activities causes a milder phenotype, revealing a separation of function within the complex. We propose a model in which MRN stabilizes distant breaks and processes DNA termini to facilitate repair by both the classical and alternative NHEJ pathways.

Mre11 regulates CtIP-dependent double-strand break repair by interaction with CDK2

Homologous recombination facilitates accurate repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) during the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle by using intact sister chromatids as sequence templates. Homologous recombination capacity is maximized in S and G2 by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) phosphorylation of CtIP, which subsequently interacts with BRCA1 and the Mre11–Rad50–NBS1 (MRN) complex. Here we show that, in human and mouse, Mre11 controls these events through a direct interaction with CDK2 that is required for CtIP phosphorylation and BRCA1 interaction in normally dividing cells. CDK2 binds the C terminus of Mre11, which is absent in an inherited allele causing ataxia telangiectasia–like disorder. This newly uncovered role for Mre11 does not require ATM activation or nuclease activities. Therefore, functions of MRN are not restricted to DNA damage responses but include regulating homologous recombination capacity during the normal mammalian cell cycle.

The MRE11 GAR motif regulates DNA double-strand break processing and ATR activation

The MRE11/RAD50/NBS1 complex is the primary sensor rapidly recruited to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). MRE11 is known to be arginine methylated by PRMT1 within its glycine-arginine-rich (GAR) motif. In this study, we report a mouse knock-in allele of Mre11 that substitutes the arginines with lysines in the GAR motif and generates the MRE11RK protein devoid of methylated arginines. The Mre11RK/RK mice were hypersensitive to γ-irradiation (IR) and the cells from these mice displayed cell cycle checkpoint defects and chromosome instability. Moreover, the Mre11RK/RK MEFs exhibited ATR/CHK1 signaling defects and impairment in the recruitment of RPA and RAD51 to the damaged sites. The MRKRN complex formed and localized to the sites of DNA damage and normally activated the ATM pathway in response to IR. The MRKRN complex exhibited exonuclease and DNA-binding defects in vitro responsible for the impaired DNA end resection and ATR activation observed in vivo in response to IR. Our findings provide genetic evidence for the critical role of the MRE11 GAR motif in DSB repair, and demonstrate a mechanistic link between post-translational modifications at the MRE11 GAR motif and DSB processing, as well as the ATR/CHK1 checkpoint signaling.

Serum S100A6 Concentration Predicts Peritoneal Tumor Burden in Mice with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Is Associated with Advanced Stage in Patients

Background Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. Five-year survival rates for early stage disease are greater than 94%, however most women are diagnosed in advanced stage with 5 year survival less than 28%. Improved means for early detection and reliable patient monitoring are needed to increase survival. Methodology and Principal Findings Applying mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we sought to elucidate an unanswered biomarker research question regarding ability to determine tumor burden detectable by an ovarian cancer biomarker protein emanating directly from the tumor cells. Since aggressive serous epithelial ovarian cancers account for most mortality, a xenograft model using human SKOV-3 serous ovarian cancer cells was established to model progression to disseminated carcinomatosis. Using a method for low molecular weight protein enrichment, followed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis, a human-specific peptide sequence of S100A6 was identified in sera from mice with advanced-stage experimental ovarian carcinoma. S100A6 expression was documented in cancer xenografts as well as from ovarian cancer patient tissues. Longitudinal study revealed that serum S100A6 concentration is directly related to tumor burden predictions from an inverse regression calibration analysis of data obtained from a detergent-supplemented antigen capture immunoassay and whole-animal bioluminescent optical imaging. The result from the animal model was confirmed in human clinical material as S100A6 was found to be significantly elevated in the sera from women with advanced stage ovarian cancer compared to those with early stage disease. Conclusions S100A6 is expressed in ovarian and other cancer tissues, but has not been documented previously in ovarian cancer disease sera. S100A6 is found in serum in concentrations that correlate with experimental tumor burden and with clinical disease stage. The data signify that S100A6 may prove useful in detecting and/or monitoring ovarian cancer, when used in concert with other biomarkers.

Oncogenic Myc translocations are independent of chromosomal location and orientation of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus

Many tumors are characterized by recurrent translocations between a tissue-specific gene and a proto-oncogene. The juxtaposition of the Ig heavy chain gene and Myc in Burkitt’s lymphoma and in murine plasmacytoma is a classic example. Regulatory elements within the heavy chain constant region locus are required for Myc translocation and/or deregulation. However, many genes are regulated by cis-acting elements at distances up to 1,000 kb outside the locus. Such putative distal elements have not been examined for the heavy chain locus, particularly in the context of Myc translocations. We demonstrate that a transgene containing the Ig heavy chain constant region locus, inserted into five different chromosomal locations, can undergo translocations involving Myc. Furthermore, these translocations are able to generate plasmacytomas in each transgenic line. We conclude that the heavy chain constant region locus itself includes all of the elements necessary for both the translocation and the deregulation of the proto-oncogene.

MRE11 promotes tumorigenesis by facilitating resistance to oncogene-induced replication stress

Hypomorphic mutations in the genes encoding the MRE11/RAD50/NBS1 (MRN) DNA repair complex lead to cancer-prone syndromes. MRN binds DNA double-strand breaks, where it functions in repair and triggers cell-cycle checkpoints via activation of the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase. To gain understanding of MRN in cancer, we engineered mice with B lymphocytes lacking MRN, or harboring MRN in which MRE11 lacks nuclease activities. Both forms of MRN deficiency led to hallmarks of cancer, including oncogenic translocations involving c-Myc and the immunoglobulin locus. These preneoplastic B lymphocytes did not progress to detectable B lineage lymphoma, even in the absence of p53. Moreover, Mre11 deficiencies prevented tumorigenesis in a mouse model strongly predisposed to spontaneous B-cell lymphomas. Our findings indicate that MRN cannot be considered a standard tumor suppressor and instead imply that nuclease activities of MRE11 are required for oncogenesis. Inhibition of MRE11 nuclease activity increased DNA damage and selectively induced apoptosis in cells overexpressing oncogenes, suggesting MRE11 serves an important role in countering oncogene-induced replication stress. Thus, MRE11 may offer a target for cancer therapeutic development. More broadly, our work supports the idea that subtle enhancements of endogenous genome instability can exceed the tolerance of cancer cells and be exploited for therapeutic ends. Cancer Res; 77(19); 5327-38. ©2017 AACR.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Tumor Radiosensitization

Current strategies to increase the radiosensitivity of tumor cells have focused on the molecules and pathways that regulate response to radiation at the cellular level. One group of processes that is generating considerable interest is the modification of DNA histones, with a particular focus on the inhibition of histone acetylation. Histone acetylation is the process by which an acetyl group is covalently affixed to lysine residues within the N-terminus of histone proteins. Acetylation levels are determined by the opposing actions of two families of enzymes: histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HDACs function to regulate both chromatin structure and gene expression, two factors that are important in determining the response of tumors to radiation. In an attempt to alter the histone acetylation status of cells, considerable efforts at the development of inhibitors of HDAC activity have occurred. The result is the development of a large and structurally diverse number of compounds that are able to inhibit HDAC activity, leading to the hyperacetylation of histones. In preclinical studies, these compounds have been found to enhance the in vitro and in vivo radiosensitivity of a spectrum of human tumor lines. Although the mechanism of HDAC inhibitor-induced radiosensitization has not been fully elucidated, HDAC inhibitors have shown promise in clinical trials when used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.