mTert induction in p21-positive cells counteracts capillary rarefaction and pulmonary emphysema.

Lung diseases develop when telomeres shorten beyond a critical point. We constructed a mouse model in which the catalytic subunit of telomerase (mTert), or its catalytically inactive form (mTert), is expressed from the p21 locus. Expression of either TERT or TERT reduces global p21 levels in the lungs of aged mice, highlighting TERT non-canonical function.

The COMPASS subunit Spp1 protects nascent DNA at the Tus/Ter replication fork barrier by limiting DNA availability to nucleases.

Homologous recombination factors play a crucial role in protecting nascent DNA during DNA replication, but the role of chromatin in this process is largely unknown. Here, we used the bacterial Tus/Ter barrier known to induce a site-specific replication fork stalling in S. cerevisiae.

Chromatin assembly factor-1 preserves genome stability in Δ cells by promoting sister chromatid cohesion.

Chromatin assembly and the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion are intimately connected to the progression of DNA replication forks. Here we examined the genetic interaction between the heterotrimeric chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), a central component of chromatin assembly during replication, and the core replisome component Ctf4. We find that CAF-1 deficient cells as well as cells affected in newly-synthesized H3-H4 histones deposition during DNA replication exhibit a severe negative growth with Δ mutant.

Generation of five induced pluripotent stem cells lines from four members of the same family carrying a C9orf72 repeat expansion and one wild-type member.

The most common genetic cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the expansion of a G4C2 hexanucleotide repeat in the C9orf72 gene. The size of the repeat expansion is highly variable and a cut-off of 30 repeats has been suggested as the lower pathological limit. Repeat size variability has been observed intergenerationally and intraindividually in tissues from different organs and within the same tissue, suggesting instability of the pathological repeat expansion.

p53/p21 pathway activation contributes to the ependymal fate decision downstream of GemC1.

Multiciliated ependymal cells and adult neural stem cells are components of the adult neurogenic niche, essential for brain homeostasis. These cells share a common glial cell lineage regulated by the Geminin family members Geminin and GemC1/Mcidas. Ependymal precursors require GemC1/Mcidas expression to massively amplify centrioles and become multiciliated cells.

TOP3A amplification and ATRX inactivation are mutually exclusive events in pediatric osteosarcomas using ALT.

In some types of cancer, telomere length is maintained by the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism. In many ALT cancers, the α-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) gene is mutated leading to the conclusion that the ATRX complex represses ALT. Here, we report that most high-grade pediatric osteosarcomas maintain their telomeres by ALT, and that the majority of these ALT tumors are ATRX wild-type (wt) and instead carry an amplified 17p11.

Investigation of Molecular Features Involved in Clinical Responses and Survival in Advanced Endometrial Carcinoma Treated by Hormone Therapy.

Hormone therapy (HT) is an effective treatment for metastatic endometrial carcinoma (mEC), with limited toxicity and low cost. We focused on molecular analysis of mECs treated by HT and, for the first time to date, we compared the genomic profiles of paired metastasis and primary ECs. The main objective was to identify predictive factors of the response to HT as well as specific altered signaling pathways driving mEC biology.

RAP1 moonlights to activate NF-κB and Notch in ALT.

Cancer cells activate either telomerase or telomere recombination (ALT) to maintain telomere length and achieve immortalization. In this issue of , Robinson reveal an unanticipated role of the protein SLX4IP in the SUMOylation of RAP1, which enhances its extratelomeric function in activating an NF-κB-Notch signaling axis that favors ALT.

Telomerase Repairs Collapsed Replication Forks at Telomeres.

Telomeres are difficult-to-replicate sites whereby replication itself may threaten telomere integrity. We investigate, in fission yeast, telomere replication dynamics in telomerase-negative cells to unmask problems associated with telomere replication. Two-dimensional gel analysis reveals that replication of telomeres is severely impaired and correlates with an accumulation of replication intermediates that arises from stalled and collapsed forks.

Histone stress: an unexplored source of chromosomal instability in cancer?

Ploidy is stably maintained in most human somatic cells by a sequential and tight coordination of cell cycle events. Undesired whole genome doublings or duplications are frequent in tumours and have been quite recently described as macro-evolutionary events associated with poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that polyploidy can favour genome instability, facilitate the formation and progression of tumours, and modify their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents.