UBQLN4 Represses Homologous Recombination and Is Overexpressed in Aggressive Tumors.

Genomic instability can be a hallmark of both human genetic disease and cancer. We identify a deleterious UBQLN4 mutation in families with an autosomal recessive syndrome reminiscent of genome instability disorders. UBQLN4 deficiency leads to increased sensitivity to genotoxic stress and delayed DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair.

The Ubiquitin E3/E4 Ligase UBE4A Adjusts Protein Ubiquitylation and Accumulation at Sites of DNA Damage, Facilitating Double-Strand Break Repair.

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are critical DNA lesions that robustly activate the elaborate DNA damage response (DDR) network. We identified a critical player in DDR fine-tuning: the E3/E4 ubiquitin ligase UBE4A. UBE4A's recruitment to sites of DNA damage is dependent on primary E3 ligases in the DDR and promotes enhancement and sustainment of K48- and K63-linked ubiquitin chains at these sites.

ATM-mediated phosphorylation of polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase is required for effective DNA double-strand break repair.

The cellular response to double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA is a complex signalling network, mobilized by the nuclear protein kinase ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), which phosphorylates many factors in the various branches of this network. A main question is how ATM regulates DSB repair. Here, we identify the DNA repair enzyme polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase (PNKP) as an ATM target.

Tubulin chaperone E binds microtubules and proteasomes and protects against misfolded protein stress.

Mutation of tubulin chaperone E (TBCE) underlies hypoparathyroidism, retardation, and dysmorphism (HRD) syndrome with defective microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton. TBCE/yeast Pac2 comprises CAP-Gly, LRR (leucine-rich region), and UbL (ubiquitin-like) domains. TBCE folds alpha-tubulin and promotes alpha/beta dimerization.

New interacting partners of the F-box protein Ufo1 of yeast.

The yeast F-box protein Ufo1 recruits proteins for ubiquitylation by the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex preparing them for proteasomal degradation. Ufo1 has a role in maintenance of genome stability; its substrates include Ho endonuclease and Rad30 polymerase of error-prone DNA repair. Ufo1 is an unusual F-box protein, as it has three ubiquitin interacting motifs (UIMs).

Nuclear export of Ho endonuclease of yeast via Msn5.

Exportin-5, an evolutionarily conserved nuclear export factor of the beta-karyopherin family, exports phosphorylated proteins and small noncoding RNAs. Msn5, the yeast ortholog, exports primarily phosphorylated cargoes including Ho endonuclease and a number of transcription factors and regulatory proteins. The Msn5-mediated nuclear export of Ho is dependent on phosphorylation of Thr225 by kinases of the DNA damage response pathway.