Telomeres cooperate with the nuclear envelope to maintain genome stability.

Mammalian telomeres have evolved safeguards to prevent their recognition as DNA double-stranded breaks by suppressing the activation of various DNA sensing and repair proteins. We have shown that the telomere-binding proteins TRF2 and RAP1 cooperate to prevent telomeres from undergoing aberrant homology-directed recombination by mediating t-loop protection. Our recent findings also suggest that mammalian telomere-binding proteins interact with the nuclear envelope to maintain chromosome stability.

Homology directed telomere clustering, ultrabright telomere formation and nuclear envelope rupture in cells lacking TRF2 and RAP1.

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) due to genotoxic stress represent potential threats to genome stability. Dysfunctional telomeres are recognized as DSBs and are repaired by distinct DNA repair mechanisms. RAP1 and TRF2 are telomere binding proteins essential to protect telomeres from engaging in homology directed repair (HDR), but how this occurs remains unclear.

Microcephalin 1/BRIT1-TRF2 interaction promotes telomere replication and repair, linking telomere dysfunction to primary microcephaly.

Telomeres protect chromosome ends from inappropriately activating the DNA damage and repair responses. Primary microcephaly is a key clinical feature of several human telomere disorder syndromes, but how microcephaly is linked to dysfunctional telomeres is not known. Here, we show that the microcephalin 1/BRCT-repeats inhibitor of hTERT (MCPH1/BRIT1) protein, mutated in primary microcephaly, specifically interacts with the TRFH domain of the telomere binding protein TRF2.

The Replisome Mediates A-NHEJ Repair of Telomeres Lacking POT1-TPP1 Independently of MRN Function.

Telomeres use shelterin to protect chromosome ends from activating the DNA damage sensor MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN), repressing ataxia-telangiectasia, mutated (ATM) and ATM and Rad3-related (ATR) dependent DNA damage checkpoint responses. The MRE11 nuclease is thought to be essential for the resection of the 5' C-strand to generate the microhomologies necessary for alternative non-homologous end joining (A-NHEJ) repair. In the present study, we uncover DNA damage signaling and repair pathways engaged by components of the replisome complex to repair dysfunctional telomeres.

Structural and functional analyses of the mammalian TIN2-TPP1-TRF2 telomeric complex.

Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes that play essential roles in protecting chromosome ends. Mammalian telomeres consist of repetitive DNA sequences bound by the shelterin complex. In this complex, the POT1-TPP1 heterodimer binds to single-stranded telomeric DNAs, while TRF1 and TRF2-RAP1 interact with double-stranded telomeric DNAs.

Structural insights into POT1-TPP1 interaction and POT1 C-terminal mutations in human cancer.

Mammalian shelterin proteins POT1 and TPP1 form a stable heterodimer that protects chromosome ends and regulates telomerase-mediated telomere extension. However, how POT1 interacts with TPP1 remains unknown. Here we present the crystal structure of the C-terminal portion of human POT1 (POT1C) complexed with the POT1-binding motif of TPP1.

Probing the Telomere Damage Response.

Telomere dysfunctions, rendered through replicative attrition of telomeric DNA or due to the removal of shelterin components, are recognized as DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) by the DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway. This leads to the activation of DNA damage checkpoint sensors, including the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, γ-H2AX and 53BP1, the ATM and ATR signal-transducing kinases, and downstream effectors, including Chk1, Chk2, and p53. Robust DNA damage response signals at dysfunctional telomeres, achieved by the complete deletion of TRF2 or by expressing dominant-negative mutant TPP1ΔRD, can be detected by their association with γ-H2AX and 53BP1 forming "telomere dysfunction induced foci (TIFs).

Cytogenetic Analysis of Telomere Dysfunction.

Dysfunctional telomeres arising either through natural attrition due to telomerase deficiency or by the removal of telomere-binding proteins are recognized as double-stranded breaks (DSBs). Repair of DSBs is crucial for the maintenance of genome stability. In mammals, DSBs are repaired by either error-prone nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) or error-free homologous recombination (HR) and can be visualized as chromosomal fusions.

NBS1 Phosphorylation Status Dictates Repair Choice of Dysfunctional Telomeres.

Telomeres employ TRF2 to protect chromosome ends from activating the DNA damage sensor MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN), thereby repressing ATM-dependent DNA damage checkpoint responses. How TRF2 prevents MRN activation at dysfunctional telomeres is unclear. Here, we show that the phosphorylation status of NBS1 determines the repair pathway choice of dysfunctional telomeres.

TRF2-RAP1 is required to protect telomeres from engaging in homologous recombination-mediated deletions and fusions.

Repressor/activator protein 1 (RAP1) is a highly conserved telomere-interacting protein. Yeast Rap1 protects telomeres from non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), plays important roles in telomere length control and is involved in transcriptional gene regulation. However, a role for mammalian RAP1 in telomere end protection remains controversial.

Monitoring the DNA Damage Response at Dysfunctional Telomeres.

Telomeres are repetitive DNA repeats that cap the ends of all eukaryotic chromosomes. Their proper maintenance is essential for genomic stability and cellular viability. Dysfunctional telomeres could arise through natural attrition of telomeric DNA or due to the removal of shelterin components.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Rnf8 stabilizes Tpp1 to promote telomere end protection.

The mammalian shelterin component TPP1 has essential roles in telomere maintenance and, together with POT1, is required for the repression of DNA damage signaling at telomeres. Here we show that in Mus musculus, the E3 ubiquitin ligase Rnf8 localizes to uncapped telomeres and promotes the accumulation of DNA damage proteins 53Bp1 and γ-H2ax. In the absence of Rnf8, Tpp1 is unstable, resulting in telomere shortening and chromosome fusions through the alternative nonhomologous end-joining (A-NHEJ) repair pathway.

Probing the telomere damage response.

Telomere dysfunctions, rendered through replicative attrition of telomeric DNA or due to the inhibition of shelterin components, are recognized as DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) by the DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway. This leads to the activation of DNA damage checkpoint sensors, including the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, γ-H2AX and 53BP1, the ATM and ATR signal-transducing kinases and downstream effectors, including Chk1, Chk2, and p53. Robust DNA damage response signals at dysfunctional telomeres, achieved by the complete deletion of TRF2 or by expressing dominant negative mutant TPP1(ΔRD), can be detected by their association with γ-H2AX and 53BP1 forming "telomere dysfunction induced foci (TIFs).

TERRA and hnRNPA1 orchestrate an RPA-to-POT1 switch on telomeric single-stranded DNA.

Maintenance of telomeres requires both DNA replication and telomere 'capping' by shelterin. These two processes use two single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding proteins, replication protein A (RPA) and protection of telomeres 1 (POT1). Although RPA and POT1 each have a critical role at telomeres, how they function in concert is not clear.

A conserved motif within RAP1 has diversified roles in telomere protection and regulation in different organisms.

Repressor activator protein 1 (RAP1) is the most highly conserved telomere protein. It is involved in protecting chromosome ends in fission yeast and promoting gene silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whereas it represses homology-directed recombination at telomeres in mammals. To understand how RAP1 has such diverse functions at telomeres, we solved the crystal or solution structures of the RAP1 C-terminal (RCT) domains of RAP1 from multiple organisms in complex with their respective protein-binding partners.

The function of classical and alternative non-homologous end-joining pathways in the fusion of dysfunctional telomeres.

Repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) is crucial for the maintenance of genome stability. DSBs are repaired by either error prone non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) or error-free homologous recombination. NHEJ precedes either by a classic, Lig4-dependent process (C-NHEJ) or an alternative, Lig4-independent one (A-NHEJ).

Differential regulation of centrosome integrity by DNA damage response proteins.

MDC1 and BRIT1 have been shown to function as key regulators in response to DNA damage. However, their roles in centrosomal regulation haven't been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated the novel functions of these two molecules in regulating centrosome duplication and mitosis.

DNA damage response: the players, the network and the role in tumor suppression.

One of the most common features of cancer is genetic instability. In response to numerous DNA-damaging insults, normal cells have evolved a complex mechanism to monitor and repair DNA damage lesions to maintain genomic integrity. The defects in DNA damage response, indeed, have been shown to associate closely with tumorigenesis.

BRIT1/MCPH1: a guardian of genome and an enemy of tumors.

The DNA of every cell is constantly exposed to insult mediated by endogenous and environmental factors that induced damage in its structure. To react to these attacks and maintain the integrity of the genome, eukaryotic cells are equipped with sophisticated mechanisms to detect, signal the presence of and repair DNA damage. The cellular response to DNA damage is a critical event for maintaining genomic stability and limiting neoplastic transformation.

BRIT1 regulates early DNA damage response, chromosomal integrity, and cancer.

BRIT1, initially identified as an hTERT repressor, has additional functions at DNA damage checkpoints. Here, we demonstrate that BRIT1 formed nuclear foci minutes after irradiation. The foci of BRIT1 colocalized with 53BP1, MDC1, NBS1, ATM, RPA, and ATR.

BRIT1/MCPH1 is a DNA damage responsive protein that regulates the Brca1-Chk1 pathway, implicating checkpoint dysfunction in microcephaly.

BRIT1 [BRCT-repeat inhibitor of hTERT expression], a repressor of human telomerase function, is implicated in cellular immortalization. Here, we find that BRIT1 acts as a regulator of both the intra-S and G2/M checkpoints. When BRIT1 expression is depleted, cells lose the ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell cycle arrest and become IR sensitive.

Genome wide instability scanning in chewing-tobacco associated oral cancer using inter simple sequence repeat PCR.

Genomic instability plays a major role in cancer, facilitating tumour progression and tumour heterogeneity. Inter simple sequence repeat PCR (ISSR-PCR) is a sensitive tool for detection of whole genome scanning. In fifteen oral cancer patients, using tumor tissue and adjacent normal tissue DNA, we investigated genomic instability regions using ISSR-PCR assay.

Molecular cloning, isolation and characterisation of ERK3 gene from chewing-tobacco induced oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The mitogen activated serine/threonine kinases (MAPKs) constitute extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 MAPK, with an important role in cell proliferation and transformation. Earlier studies from our laboratory had indicated a role for MAPK pathway in oral cancer. Our current study was aimed at examining the role of a MAPK-ERK3, in chewing-tobacco associated oral squamous cell carcinoma.