Academic literature on the topic 'XRCC4/ADN ligase IV/Cernunnos-XLF'

ABSTRACT The core nonhomologous end-joining DNA repair pathway is composed of seven factors: Ku70, Ku80, DNA-PKcs, Artemis, XRCC4 (X4), DNA ligase IV (L4), and Cernunnos/XLF (Cernunnos). Although Cernunnos and X4 are structurally related and participate in the same complex together with L4, they have distinct functions during DNA repair. L4 relies on X4 but not on Cernunnos for its stability, and L4 is required for optimal interaction of Cernunnos with X4. We demonstrate here, using in vitro-generated Cernunnos mutants and a series of functional assays in vivo, that the C-terminal region of Cernunnos is dispensable for its activity during DNA repair.

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), induced by ionizing radiation (IR) and endogenous stress including replication failure, are the most cytotoxic form of DNA damage. In human cells, most IR-induced DSBs are repaired by the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. One of the most critical steps in NHEJ is ligation of DNA ends by DNA ligase IV (LIG4), which interacts with, and is stabilized by, the scaffolding protein X-ray cross-complementing gene 4 (XRCC4). XRCC4 also interacts with XRCC4-like factor (XLF, also called Cernunnos); yet, XLF has been one of the least mechanistically understood proteins and precisely how XLF functions in NHEJ has been enigmatic. Here, we examine current combined structural and mutational findings that uncover integrated functions of XRCC4 and XLF and reveal their interactions to form long, helical protein filaments suitable to protect and align DSB ends. XLF–XRCC4 provides a global structural scaffold for ligating DSBs without requiring long DNA ends, thus ensuring accurate and efficient ligation and repair. The assembly of these XRCC4–XLF filaments, providing both DNA end protection and alignment, may commit cells to NHEJ with general biological implications for NHEJ and DSB repair processes and their links to cancer predispositions and interventions.

Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) plays a major role in double-strand break DNA repair, which involves a series of steps mediated by multiprotein complexes. A ring-shaped Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer forms first at broken DNA ends, DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) binds to mediate synapsis and nucleases process DNA overhangs. DNA ligase IV (LigIV) is recruited as a complex with XRCC4 for ligation, with XLF/Cernunnos, playing a role in enhancing activity of LigIV. We describe how a combination of methods—X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering—can give insights into the transient multicomponent complexes that mediate NHEJ. We first consider the organisation of DNA-PKcs/Ku70/Ku80/DNA complex (DNA-PK) and then discuss emerging evidence concerning LigIV/XRCC4/XLF/DNA and higher-order complexes. We conclude by discussing roles of multiprotein systems in maintaining high signal-to-noise and the value of structural studies in developing new therapies in oncology and elsewhere.

Nonhomologous end joining is the primary deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double-strand break repair pathway in multicellular eukaryotes. To initiate repair, Ku binds DNA ends and recruits the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) forming the holoenzyme. Early end synapsis is associated with kinase autophosphorylation. The XRCC4 (X4)–DNA Ligase IV (LIG4) complex (X4LIG4) executes the final ligation promoted by Cernunnos (Cer)–X4-like factor (XLF). In this paper, using a cell-free system that recapitulates end synapsis and DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation, we found a defect in both activities in human cell extracts lacking LIG4. LIG4 also stimulated the DNA-PKcs autophosphorylation in a reconstitution assay with purified components. We additionally uncovered a kinase autophosphorylation defect in LIG4-defective cells that was corrected by ectopic expression of catalytically dead LIG4. Finally, our data support a contribution of Cer-XLF to this unexpected early role of the ligation complex in end joining. We propose that productive end joining occurs by early formation of a supramolecular entity containing both DNA-PK and X4LIG4–Cer-XLF complexes on DNA ends.

DNA DSBs (double-strand breaks) are considered the most cytotoxic type of DNA lesion. They can be introduced by external sources such as IR (ionizing radiation), by chemotherapeutic drugs such as topoisomerase poisons and by normal biological processes such as V(D)J recombination. If left unrepaired, DSBs can cause cell death. If misrepaired, DSBs may lead to chromosomal translocations and genomic instability. One of the major pathways for the repair of IR-induced DSBs in mammalian cells is NHEJ (non-homologous end-joining). The main proteins required for NHEJ in mammalian cells are the Ku heterodimer (Ku70/80 heterodimer), DNA-PKcs [the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase)], Artemis, XRCC4 (X-ray-complementing Chinese hamster gene 4), DNA ligase IV and XLF (XRCC4-like factor; also called Cernunnos). Additional proteins, including DNA polymerases μ and λ, PNK (polynucleotide kinase) and WRN (Werner's Syndrome helicase), may also play a role. In the present review, we will discuss our current understanding of the mechanism of NHEJ in mammalian cells and discuss the roles of DNA-PKcs and DNA-PK-mediated phosphorylation in NHEJ.

We developed a Xrcc4M61R separation of function mouse line to overcome the embryonic lethality of Xrcc4 deficient mice. XRCC4M61R protein does not interact with Xlf, thus obliterating XRCC4-Xlf filament formation while preserving the ability to stabilize DNA Ligase IV. X4M61R mice, which are DNA repair deficient, phenocopy the Nhej1-/- (known as Xlf -/-) setting with a minor impact on the development of the adaptive immune system. The core NHEJ DNA repair factor XRCC4 is therefore not mandatory for V(D)J recombination aside from its role in stabilizing DNA ligase IV. In contrast, Xrcc4M61R mice crossed on Paxx-/-, Nhej1-/-, or Atm-/- backgrounds are severely immunocompromised, owing to aborted V(D)J recombination as in Xlf-Paxx and Xlf-Atm double KO settings. Furthermore, massive apoptosis of post-mitotic neurons causes embryonic lethality of Xrcc4M61R -Nhej1-/- double mutants. These in vivo results reveal new functional interplays between XRCC4 and PAXX, ATM and Xlf in mouse development and provide new insights in the understanding of the clinical manifestations of human XRCC4 deficient condition, in particular its absence of immune deficiency.

Non-homologous end joining (cNHEJ) is a major pathway to repair double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. Several core cNHEJ are involved in the progress of the repair such as KU70 and 80, DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), Artemis, X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 4 (XRCC4), DNA ligase IV, and XRCC4-like factor (XLF). Recent studies have added a number of new proteins during cNHEJ. One of the newly identified proteins is Paralogue of XRCC4 and XLF (PAXX), which acts as a scaffold that is required to stabilize the KU70/80 heterodimer at DSBs sites and promotes the assembly and/or stability of the cNHEJ machinery. PAXX plays an essential role in lymphocyte development in XLF-deficient background, while XLF/PAXX double-deficient mouse embryo died before birth. Emerging evidence also shows a connection between the expression levels of PAXX and cancer development in human patients, indicating a prognosis role of the protein. This review will summarize and discuss the function of PAXX in DSBs repair and its potential role in cancer development.

En cancérologie, la radiothérapie est une des armes essentielles pour éradiquer les cellules tumorales. Les cassures des deux brins de l'ADN dites "double-brin" qu'elle induit sont particulièrement toxiques et constituent la principale cause de mort cellulaire. La NHEJ (Jonction d'Extrémités Non-Homologues) est la voie métabolique majeure de réparation de ces cassures double-brin de l'ADN et par ce mécanisme, les cellules humaines adoptent une résistance à la radiothérapie. Ce mécanisme de réparation constitue donc une cible de choix pour un traitement anticancéreux combiné en vue d'augmenter la sensibilité des cellules cancéreuses aux rayons ionisants (radiosensibilisation). Au cours du mécanisme NHEJ, la ligature finale des extrémités d'ADN est assurée par le complexe protéique tripartite: XRCC4/ADN Ligase IV/Cernunnos-XLF. Les interfaces protéiques concernées représentent toutes des cibles potentielles dans une stratégie rationnelle d'isolement de molécules inhibitrices, guidée par les structures tridimensionnelles de chaque protéine. A travers des expériences de criblage virtuel et de validation à la fois biophysique et biochimique, nous avons isolé les premières molécules capable de prévenir in vitro les interactions protéine-protéine pour les complexes XRCC4/Lig4 et XRCC4/Cer-XLF, respectivement. Ces composés sont des points de départ pour l'élaboration d'inhibiteurs potentiels de plus haute affinité grâce à l'apport de la biologie structurale, en vue d'un effet radiosensibilisant cellulaire
Radiotherapy is a major weapon used against cancer. Radio-induced DNA double strand breaks (DSB) are the main lesions responsible for cell death. Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is a predominant DSB repair mechanism which contributes to cancer cells resistance to radiotherapy. NHEJ is thus a good target for strategies which aim at increasing the radio-sensitivity of tumors. Through in silico screening and biophysical and biochemical assays, our objective was to find specific ligands for the XRCC4/Lig4 and XRCC4/Cer-XLF protein-protein interactions involved in NHEJ. Here, we isolated the first compounds able to prevent their interaction in vitro. These early stage inhibitors are promising tools for cancer therapy with the hope to develop more specific compounds for cellular assays through the 3D structure of the protein/inhibitor complexes

Les défauts dans la réparation des cassures double-brin de l'ADN (DSBs) peuvent avoir d'importantes conséquences pouvant entrainer une instabilité génomique et conduire à la mort cellulaire ou au développement de cancers. Dans la plupart des cellules mammifères, le mécanisme de Jonction des Extrémités Non Homologues (NHEJ) est le principal mécanisme de réparation des DSBs. L'ADN Ligase IV (LigIV) est une protéine unique dans sa capacité à promouvoir la NHEJ classique. Elle s'associe avec deux autres protéines structuralement similaires, XRCC4 et XLF (ou Cernunnos). LigIV interagit directement avec XRCC4 pour former un complexe stable, tandis que l'interaction entre XLF et ce complexe est médiée par XRCC4. XLF stimule fortement l'activité de ligation du complexe LigIV/XRCC4 par un mécanisme encore indéterminé. Récemment, un rôle structurel non catalytique a été attribué à LigIV (Cottarel et al., 2013). Dans le travail de thèse présenté ici, nous avons reconstitué l'étape de ligation de la NHEJ en utilisant des protéines recombinantes produites dans des bactéries afin d’une part, d'explorer les bases moléculaires du rôle structural de LigIV, d’autre part de comprendre le mécanisme par lequel XLF stimule le complexe de ligation, et enfin de mieux comprendre comment ces trois protéines coopèrent au cours de la NHEJ. Nos analyses biochimiques suggèrent que XLF via son interaction avec XRCC4 lié à LigIV, pourrait induire un changement conformationnel dans la LigIV. Ce réarrangement de la ligase exposerait son interface de liaison à l'ADN ce qui lui permettrait alors de ponter deux molécules indépendantes d'ADN, une capacité indépendante de l'activité catalytique de LigIV
Failure to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) may have deleterious consequences inducing genomic instability and even cell death. In most mammalian cells, Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) is a prominent DSB repair pathway. DNA ligase IV (LigIV) is unique in its ability to promote classical NHEJ. It associates with two structurally related proteins called XRCC4 and XLF (aka Cernunnos). LigIV directly interacts with XRCC4 forming a stable complex while the XLF interaction with this complex is mediated by XRCC4. XLF strongly stimulates the ligation activity of the LigIV/XRCC4 complex by an unknown mechanism. Recently, a structural noncatalytic role of LigIV has been uncovered (Cottarel et al., 2013). Here, we have reconstituted the end joining ligation step using recombinant proteins produced in bacteria to explore not only the molecular basis for the structural role of LigIV, but also to understand the mechanism by which XLF stimulates the ligation complex, and how these three proteins work together during NHEJ. Our biochemical analysis suggests that XLF, through interactions with LigIV/XRCC4 complex, could induce a conformational change in LigIV. Rearrangement of the LigIV would expose its DNA binding interface that is able to bridge two independent DNA molecules. This bridging ability is fully independent of LigIV’s catalytic activity. We have mutated this interface in order to attempt to disrupt the newly identified DNA bridging ability. In vitro analysis of this LigIV mutant will be presented as well as a preliminary in vivo analysis

La voie de réparation NHEJ (Non-Homologous End-Joining) est une voie majeure de réparation des cassures double-brin chez l’homme. Les protéines de cette voie interagissent et forment des complexes dynamiques dont les mécanismes moléculaires sont encore largement méconnus. Nous avons dans un premier temps mis au point des protocoles de production à l’échelle de plusieurs milligrammes des protéines cœur de la voie NHEJ en cellules d’insecte à l’aide du système MultiBac. Nous avons ainsi purifié les complexes Ku70/Ku80 et Ligase4/XRCC4 et les protéines Cernunnos et Artemis à homogénéité. Des essais de cristallisation, des études par SAXS et des analyses par microscopie électronique ont été réalisés sur différents complexes formés par ces protéines cœur du NHEJ. Nous avons également caractérisé par chromatographie d’exclusion de taille et calorimétrie, les interactions effectuées entre les protéines de la voie NHEJ. L’ensemble de ces travaux a permis d’établir des bases biochimiques solides en vue des études structurales et fonctionnelles de la voie NHEJ chez l’homme
Human DNA repair pathway NHEJ (Non-Homologous End-Joining) is a major pathway of double-strand breaks repair. The proteins involved in this pathway interact and form dynamic complexes whose molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Firstly, we established protocols to be able to purify milligrams of those NHEJ pathway core proteins using MultiBac insect cells system. We then purified Ku70/Ku80 and Ligase4/XRCC4 complexes, Artemis and Cernunnos to homogeneity. Crystallogenesis assays, SAXS experiments and Transmission Electronic Microscopy experiments have been performed on several complexes formed by these core NHEJ proteins. We also characterized the interactions between these proteins by Size Exclusion Chromatography and Isothermal Calorimetry. These experiments have led to biochemical results sufficient to establish a solid basis to initiate the structural and functional study of the Human NHEJ Pathway