DNA DAMAGE
The faithful conservation of genomic information is an essential process for cell survival. Every day more than 10^5 DNA lesions are generated in each cell of our body as a consequence of DNA damage either spontaneously induced during cellular metabolism (e.g., ROS-induced DNA lesions, DNA decay, DNA replication errors) or caused by environmental agents, such as UV radiation (e.g., sunlight), ionizing radiation (e.g., radiotherapy, X-rays, cosmic radiation) and chemical agents (e.g., chemotherapy, tobacco smoking) (Table 1) (Ciccia and Elledge, Mol Cell, 2010).
Table 1. DNA lesions generated by exogenous and endogenous DNA damage (Ciccia and Elledge, Mol Cell, 2010)
THE DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE
To maintain genomic integrity, the signal transduction pathway of the DNA Damage Response (DDR) is activated following DNA damage (Ciccia and Elledge, Mol Cell, 2010). The ATM and ATR kinases are central components of the DDR (Figure 1). ATM is primarily activated by DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), while ATR is activated by aberrant replication fork intermediates formed under conditions of DNA replication stress. The DDR promotes genomic stability by regulating a large network of cellular activities, ranging from DNA replication and repair to transcription, RNA splicing and metabolism.
Figure 1. Simplified representation of the DNA damage response
THE DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE IN HUMAN DISEASE
The DDR plays a critical role in human disease. Indeed, mutations in DDR genes cause more than 40 genetic disorders affecting the development of nervous, reproductive and immune systems and predisposing individuals to premature aging and cancer (Table 2) (Ciccia and Elledge, Mol Cell, 2010).
Table 2. Human genetic diseases associated with DDR defects (adapted from Ciccia and Elledge, Mol Cell, 2010)
CURRENT STUDIES
Identification of novel genetic and proteomic interactions of the DNA damage response
We are currently conducting genetic and proteomic screens to identify novel components of the DNA damage response and define new interactions between DDR pathways. These studies will provide greater insights into the complex mechanisms by which the DDR maintains genomic stability.
​
In initial studies, we identified C17orf53/HROB/MCM8IP, an OB-fold containing protein that binds ssDNA, as a novel DDR factor involved in homologous recombination (HR) (Huang et al, Nature Comm, 2019; Figure 2). MCM8IP-deficient cells exhibit HR defects, especially in long-tract gene conversion, occurring downstream of RAD51 loading, consistent with a role for MCM8IP in HR-dependent DNA synthesis. Moreover, loss of MCM8IP confers cellular sensitivity to crosslinking agents and PARP inhibition. Importantly, MCM8IP directly associates with MCM8-9, a helicase complex mutated in primary ovarian insufficiency, and RPA1. The interactions of MCM8IP with MCM8-9 and RPA facilitate HR and promote replication fork progression and cellular viability in response to treatment with crosslinking agents. Mechanistically, MCM8IP stimulates the helicase activity of MCM8-9. These studies identified MCM8IP as a key regulator of DNA damage-associated DNA synthesis during DNA recombination and replication.
​
​
Figure 2. MCM8IP activates MCM8-9 to promote HR-dependent DNA synthesis