Eros Lazzerini Denchi

Suz12 is essential for mouse development and for EZH2 histone methyltransferase activity

SUZ12 is a recently identified Polycomb group (PcG) protein, which together with EZH2 and EED forms different Polycomb repressive complexes (PRC2/3). These complexes contain histone H3 lysine (K) 27/9 and histone H1 K26 methyltransferase activity specified by the EZH2 SET domain. Here we show that mice lacking Suz12, like Ezh2 and Eed mutant mice, are not viable and die during early postimplantation stages displaying severe developmental and proliferative defects. Consistent with this, we demonstrate that SUZ12 is required for proliferation of cells in tissue culture. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SUZ12 is essential for the activity and stability of the PRC2/3 complexes in mouse embryos, in tissue culture cells and in vitro. Strikingly, Suz12‐deficient embryos show a specific loss of di‐ and trimethylated H3K27, demonstrating that Suz12 is indeed essential for EZH2 activity in vivo. In conclusion, our data demonstrate an essential role of SUZ12 in regulating the activity of the PRC2/3 complexes, which are required for regulating proliferation and embryogenesis.

Protection of telomeres through independent control of ATM and ATR by TRF2 and POT1

When telomeres are rendered dysfunctional through replicative attrition of the telomeric DNA or by inhibition of shelterin, cells show the hallmarks of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase signalling. In addition, dysfunctional telomeres might induce an ATM-independent pathway, such as ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase signalling, as indicated by the phosphorylation of the ATR target CHK1 in senescent cells and the response of ATM-deficient cells to telomere dysfunction. However, because telomere attrition is accompanied by secondary DNA damage, it has remained unclear whether there is an ATM-independent pathway for the detection of damaged telomeres. Here we show that damaged mammalian telomeres can activate both ATM and ATR and address the mechanism by which the shelterin complex represses these two important DNA damage signalling pathways. We analysed the telomere damage response on depletion of either or both of the shelterin proteins telomeric repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) and protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) from cells lacking ATM and/or ATR kinase signalling. The data indicate that TRF2 and POT1 act independently to repress these two DNA damage response pathways. TRF2 represses ATM, whereas POT1 prevents activation of ATR. Unexpectedly, we found that either ATM or ATR signalling is required for efficient non-homologous end-joining of dysfunctional telomeres. The results reveal how mammalian telomeres use multiple mechanisms to avoid DNA damage surveillance and provide an explanation for the induction of replicative senescence and genome instability by shortened telomeres.

Apaf-1 is a transcriptional target for E2F and p53

Loss of function of the retinoblastoma protein, pRB, leads to lack of differentiation, hyperproliferation and apoptosis. Inactivation of pRB results in deregulated E2F activity, which in turn induces entry to S-phase and apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis by either the loss of pRB or the deregulation of E2F activity occurs via both p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms. The mechanism by which E2F induces apoptosis is still unclear. Here we show that E2F1 directly regulates the expression of Apaf-1, the gene for apoptosis protease-activating factor 1. These results provide a direct link between the deregulation of the pRB pathway and apoptosis. Furthermore, because the pRB pathway is functionally inactivated in most cancers, the identification of Apaf-1 as a transcriptional target for E2F might explain the increased sensitivity of tumour cells to chemotherapy. We also show that, independently of the pRB pathway, Apaf-1 is a direct transcriptional target of p53, suggesting that p53 might sensitize cells to apoptosis by increasing Apaf-1 levels.

The E2F family: specific functions and overlapping interests

The E2F transcription factors are key regulators of cell cycle progression and the E2F field has made rapid advances since its advent in 1986. Yet, while our understanding of the roles and functions of the E2F family has made enormous progress, with each discovery new questions arise. In this review, we summarise the most recent advances in the field and discuss the remaining key questions. In particular, we will focus on how specificity is achieved among the E2Fs.

Ku70 stimulates fusion of dysfunctional telomeres yet protects chromosome ends from homologous recombination.

Ku70–Ku80 heterodimers promote the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) of DNA breaks and, as shown here, the fusion of dysfunctional telomeres. Paradoxically, this heterodimer is also located at functional mammalian telomeres and interacts with components of shelterin, the protein complex that protects telomeres. To determine whether Ku contributes to telomere protection, we analysed Ku70−/− mouse cells. Telomeres of Ku70−/− cells had a normal DNA structure and did not activate a DNA damage signal. However, Ku70 repressed exchanges between sister telomeres — a form of homologous recombination implicated in the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Sister telomere exchanges occurred at approximately 15% of the chromosome ends when Ku70 and the telomeric protein TRF2 were absent. Combined deficiency of TRF2 and another NHEJ factor, DNA ligase IV, did not elicit this phenotype. Sister telomere exchanges were not elevated at telomeres with functional TRF2, indicating that TRF2 and Ku70 act in parallel to repress recombination. We conclude that mammalian chromosome ends are highly susceptible to homologous recombination, which can endanger cell viability if an unequal exchange generates a critically shortened telomere. Therefore, Ku- and TRF2-mediated repression of homologous recombination is an important aspect of telomere protection.

Mdm4 (Mdmx) Regulates p53-Induced Growth Arrest and Neuronal Cell Death during Early Embryonic Mouse Development

ABSTRACT We report here the characterization of a mutant mouse line with a specific gene trap event in the Mdm4 locus. Absence of Mdm4 expression results in embryonic lethality (10.5 days postcoitum [dpc]), which was rescued by transferring the Mdm4 mutation into a Trp53-null background. Mutant embryos were characterized by overall growth deficiency, anemia, improper neural tube closure, and dilation of lateral ventricles. In situ analysis demonstrated increased levels of p21CIP1/Waf1 and lower levels of Cyclin E and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. Consistent with lack of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation, these data suggest a block of mutant embryo cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Accordingly, Mdm4-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts manifested a greatly reduced proliferative capacity in culture. Moreover, extensive p53-dependent cell death was specifically detected in the developing central nervous system of the Mdm4 mutant embryos. These findings unambiguously assign a critical role for Mdm4 as a negative regulator of p53 and suggest that Mdm4 could contribute to neoplasias retaining wild-type Trp53. Finally, we provide evidence indicating that Mdm4 plays no role on cell proliferation or cell cycle control that is distinct from its ability to modulate p53 function.

Persistent Telomere Damage Induces Bypass of Mitosis and Tetraploidy

Tetraploidization has been proposed as an intermediate step toward aneuploidy in human cancer but a general mechanism for the induction of tetraploidy during tumorigenesis is lacking. We report that tetraploidization occurs in p53-deficient cells experiencing a prolonged DNA damage signal due to persistent telomere dysfunction. Live-cell imaging revealed that these cells have an extended G2 due to ATM/ATR- and Chk1/Chk2-mediated inhibition of Cdk1/CyclinB and eventually bypass mitosis. Despite their lack of mitosis, the cells showed APC/Cdh1-dependent degradation of the replication inhibitor geminin, followed by accumulation of Cdt1, which is required for origin licensing. Cells then entered a second S phase resulting in whole-genome reduplication and tetraploidy. Upon restoration of telomere protection, these tetraploid cells resumed cell division cycles and proliferated. These observations suggest a general mechanism for the induction of tetraploidization in the early stages of tumorigenesis when telomere dysfunction can result from excessive telomere shortening.

Nucleophosmin Is Required for DNA Integrity and p19Arf Protein Stability

ABSTRACT Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a nucleolar phosphoprotein that binds the tumor suppressors p53 and p19Arf and is thought to be indispensable for ribogenesis, cell proliferation, and survival after DNA damage. The NPM gene is the most frequent target of genetic alterations in leukemias and lymphomas, though its role in tumorigenesis is unknown. We report here the first characterization of a mouse NPM knockout strain. Lack of NPM expression results in accumulation of DNA damage, activation of p53, widespread apoptosis, and mid-stage embryonic lethality. Fibroblasts explanted from null embryos fail to grow and rapidly acquire a senescent phenotype. Transfer of the NPM mutation into a p53-null background rescued apoptosis in vivo and fibroblast proliferation in vitro. Cells null for both p53 and NPM grow faster than control cells and are more susceptible to transformation by activated oncogenes, such as mutated Ras or overexpressed Myc. In the absence of NPM, Arf protein is excluded from nucleoli and is markedly less stable. Our data demonstrate that NPM regulates DNA integrity and, through Arf, inhibits cell proliferation and are consistent with a putative tumor-suppressive function of NPM.

Deregulated E2F Activity Induces Hyperplasia and Senescence-Like Features in the Mouse Pituitary Gland†

ABSTRACT The retinoblastoma gene, RB1, is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancer. Rb heterozygous mice develop pituitary tumors with 100% incidence, and the E2F transcription factors are required for this. To assess whether deregulated E2F activity is sufficient to induce pituitary tumors, we generated transgenic mice expressing an inducible E2F3 protein in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland. We found that short-term deregulation of E2F activity, similar to the earliest stages of Rb loss, is able to induce abnormal proliferation of otherwise quiescent melanotrophs. However, while long-term exposure to deregulated E2F activity results in hyperplasia of the intermediate lobe, it did not lead to tumor formation. In fact, melanotrophs become insensitive to sustained E2F stimulation and enter an irreversible senescence-like state. Thus, although deregulated E2F activity results in hyperproliferation, it is not sufficient to mimic loss of Rb, sustain proliferation of melanotrophs, and ultimately induce pituitary tumors. Similarly, we found that primary cells in tissue culture become insensitive to sustained E2F3 activation and undergo premature senescence in a pRB-, p16Ink4a-, and p19Arf-dependent manner. Thus, we conclude that deregulated E2F activity is not sufficient to fully mimic loss of Rb due to the engagement of a senescence response.

A two-step mechanism for TRF2-mediated chromosome-end protection

Mammalian telomeres repress DNA-damage activation at natural chromosome ends by recruiting specific inhibitors of the DNA-damage machinery that form a protective complex termed shelterin. Within this complex, TRF2 (also known as TERF2) has a crucial role in end protection through the suppression of ATM activation and the formation of end-to-end chromosome fusions. Here we address the molecular properties of TRF2 that are both necessary and sufficient to protect chromosome ends in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our data support a two-step mechanism for TRF2-mediated end protection. First, the dimerization domain of TRF2 is required to inhibit ATM activation, the key initial step involved in the activation of a DNA-damage response (DDR). Next, TRF2 independently suppresses the propagation of DNA-damage signalling downstream of ATM activation. This novel modulation of the DDR at telomeres occurs at the level of the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF168 (ref. 3). Inhibition of RNF168 at telomeres involves the deubiquitinating enzyme BRCC3 and the ubiquitin ligase UBR5, and is sufficient to suppress chromosome end-to-end fusions. This two-step mechanism for TRF2-mediated end protection helps to explain the apparent paradox of frequent localization of DDR proteins at functional telomeres without concurrent induction of detrimental DNA-repair activities.