Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the major DNA repair machinery that removes DNA damage induced by ultraviolet light (UV) and chemical mutagens to prevent genomic instability and tumorigenesis. While the enzymatic reactions for excision and repair of DNA photolesions are well studied, regulatory pathways governing the temporal and spatial control of DNA damage recognition remains poorly understood, and the physiological functions of such regulation on tumor suppression have not been explored due to the unavailability of animal models. The cullin 4A (CUL-4A) ubiquitin ligase has recently emerged as a key regulator of two DNA damage sensors: the damaged DNA binding proteins (DDBs, heterodimers of DDB1 and DDB2) and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) protein. Interestingly, recent studies revealed a second function of DDBs as integral components of the CUL-4A ubiquitin ligase complex. During the previous funding period, our biochemical and structural biology studies provided mechanistic insight into the assembly of the CUL-4A-DDB complex, and a novel kinase-independent function of c-Abl in activating CUL-4A-dependent ubiquitination of DDBs both under normal conditions and upon UV irradiation. Importantly, we generated conditional CUL-4A knockout mice and showed that skin-specific CUL-4A knockout mice were resistant to UV-induced skin carcinogenesis, suggesting an intriguing possibility of pharmacological inhibition of CUL-4A as a prevention strategy for UV-induced skin cancer. While CUL-4B shares overlapping functions with CUL-4A in cell growth and survival, its role on DDB2 degradation and NER appears less pronounced than that of CUL-4A. We also collaborated with Dr. Stephan Goff to determine the physiological functions of DDB1 in NER and in controlling cell cycle and genomic integrity in the conditional DDB1 knockout mice. Interestingly, our in vivo studies revealed dramatic upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21/CIP1/WAF1 in CUL-4A-/- and DDB1-/- mice, as well as in MEF cells and keratinocytes derived from these mice. Our long-term goal is to understand how the ubiquitin pathway regulates DNA repair and affects tumor development. We hypothesize that the CUL-4A and CUL-4B ubiquitin ligase activity is precisely controlled both to ensure proper execution of NER and to halt cell cycle events to allow time for efficient repair. We are uniquely positioned to test this hypothesis since we have generated specific ubiquitination-resistant DDB2 mutants, identified a novel modulator (BRAP2) in the temporal control of CUL-4A activity following UV irradiation, and have CUL-4A, DDB1 and p21 (or CIP1 or WAF1) knockout mice in hand. We propose to employ a combination of biochemical, genetic and cell biological approaches to address the following three specific aims: (1) establish the mechanism by which DDB2 ubiquitination regulates damage recognition and repair;(2) To determine the temporal control of CUL-4A and CUL-4B ubiquitin ligase activity by BRAP2 during NER;(3) To determine the mechanistic basis and functional significance of p21 accumulation in protecting CUL-4A-deficient mice against UV-induced carcinogenesis. Successful completion of these aims will significantly contribute to our understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in DNA repair and tumorigenesis. Knowledge gained from these efforts could be exploited to devise novel strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of UV- and chemical mutagen-induced skin cancer or skin-related disorders, and thus improve the health and well-being of humans.

Public Health Relevance

DNA damage contributes to the development of 80-90% of human cancers. Ubiquitin- dependent proteolysis of DNA repair proteins is crucial for modulating functions of DNA damage recognition and removal in both normal cells and cancer cells. This study will characterize the roles of cullin 4A ubiquitin ligase in controlling the stability of damage sensors of the nucleotide excision repair apparatus. Knowledge gained from these efforts could be exploited to devise novel strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of UV- and chemical mutagen-induced skin cancer or skin-related disorders, and thus improve the health and well-being of humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA098210-07
Application #
7784492
Study Section
Cancer Etiology Study Section (CE)
Program Officer
Okano, Paul
Project Start
2002-12-01
Project End
2014-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-01
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$330,512
Indirect Cost
Name
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
060217502
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10065
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Yin, Yan; Liu, Liren; Yang, Chenyi et al. (2016) Cell Autonomous and Nonautonomous Function of CUL4B in Mouse Spermatogenesis. J Biol Chem 291:6923-35
Hannah, Jeffrey; Zhou, Pengbo (2015) Distinct and overlapping functions of the cullin E3 ligase scaffolding proteins CUL4A and CUL4B. Gene 573:33-45
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Kong, F; Zhang, J; Li, Y et al. (2014) Engineering a single ubiquitin ligase for the selective degradation of all activated ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases. Oncogene 33:986-95
D'Alfonso, Timothy M; Hannah, Jeffrey; Chen, Zhengming et al. (2014) Axl receptor tyrosine kinase expression in breast cancer. J Clin Pathol 67:690-6
Zhang, Sufang; Zhao, Hong; Darzynkiewicz, Zbiegniew et al. (2013) A novel function of CRL4(Cdt2): regulation of the subunit structure of DNA polymerase ? in response to DNA damage and during the S phase. J Biol Chem 288:29550-61
Lee, Jennifer; Shieh, Jae-Hung; Zhang, Jianxuan et al. (2013) Improved ex vivo expansion of adult hematopoietic stem cells by overcoming CUL4-mediated degradation of HOXB4. Blood 121:4082-9
Malatesta, M; Peschiaroli, A; Memmi, E M et al. (2013) The Cul4A-DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex represses p73 transcriptional activity. Oncogene 32:4721-6
Hannah, Jeffrey; Zhou, Peng-Bo (2013) The CUL4A ubiquitin ligase is a potential therapeutic target in skin cancer and other malignancies. Chin J Cancer 32:478-82

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