Genome integrity is threatened by DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), which, if left unrepaired, can lead to permanent cell cycle arrest or death. Consequently, complex mechanisms exist for the efficient detection and repair of DNA ends created by DSBs. DNA ends are also encountered at natural chromosome termini, which, conversely, must be protected from DSB repair activities, such as nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), in order to preserve genome integrity. This is achieved through the specialized nucleoprotein structures known as telomeres. It is now clear that many of the activities that function in response to DNA DSBs also function in normal telomere structure, function, and maintenance. One such protein is the Ku heterodimer, a high affinity DNA end binding complex crucial for NHEJ and, notably, multiple aspects of telomere biology, such as the protection of telomeres from aberrant repair activities, the regulation of telomere length, and the formation of a repressive telomeric chromatin structure, which results in the transcriptional silencing of nearby genes, known as telomeric silencing. Paradoxically, Ku is also a principal effector of the catastrophic end-to-end fusions that can occur at dysfunctional telomeres. How Ku's NHEJ activity is inhibited at wild type telomeres remains poorly defined. Previous work by the PI and others has firmly established that Ku performs distinct activities at DSBs vs. telomeres, however the mechanisms of action at these sites have yet to be fully elucidated. Recently, the PI and co-workers have developed a `two-face' model for Ku's functions at DSBs and telomeres, in which there is an outward face, oriented toward the DNA terminus, which mediates NHEJ, and an inward face, oriented toward telomeric chromatin when bound to a telomere, which mediates telomeric functions. The overall goal of the proposed work is to elucidate the molecular determinants of Ku's activities at telomeres in the model organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, thereby expanding and testing the two-face model.
Specific Aim 1 will a) further define Ku's inward face, particularly with respect to Ku's telomere end protection property, via site-directed mutagenesis; b) determine whether one or more of Ku's telomeric activities require DNA end binding by generating and characterizing DNA end binding defective Ku proteins; and 3) determine the role of end binding in protecting broken as compared to telomeric ends by analyzing the properties of Ku mutants consisting of solely the DNA binding core.
Specific Aim 2 will identify and characterize proteins that interact with Ku in telomere end protection or other telomeric functions using genetic and biochemical approaches.
Specific Aim 3 will further define the function at Ku's repair-specific outward face by identifying the factor(s) that interact with an NHEJ-specific surface ?-helix it contains; these will include NHEJ-factors as well as telomeric factors that may inhibit Ku-mediated NHEJ at telomeres. Thus, through a combination of genetic and molecular approaches, this proposal offers to make a substantial contribution to the field's current understanding of the function of Ku, which may inform studies in human cells, where Ku is essential.

Public Health Relevance

Through a combination of genetic and molecular techniques, the proposed studies will provide important insight into how cells simultaneously deal with natural DNA termini present at the ends of chromosomes, which must be maintained and protected, and DNA ends that are created when chromosomes are broken, which must be repaired. Because of the importance of these processes to maintaining the stability of our chromosomes, the work has the potential to provide insight into mechanisms that contribute to the development of cancer and new avenues for cancer treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01GM077509-01A2S1
Application #
7629240
Study Section
Nuclear Dynamics and Transport (NDT)
Program Officer
Carter, Anthony D
Project Start
2007-09-21
Project End
2012-08-31
Budget Start
2007-09-21
Budget End
2008-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$19,868
Indirect Cost
Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
051113330
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
Emerson, Charlene H; Lopez, Christopher R; Ribes-Zamora, Albert et al. (2018) Ku DNA End-Binding Activity Promotes Repair Fidelity and Influences End-Processing During Nonhomologous End-Joining in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics 209:115-128
Chen, Hongwen; Xue, Jing; Churikov, Dmitri et al. (2018) Structural Insights into Yeast Telomerase Recruitment to Telomeres. Cell 172:331-343.e13
Emerson, Charlene H; Bertuch, Alison A (2016) Consider the workhorse: Nonhomologous end-joining in budding yeast. Biochem Cell Biol 94:396-406
Polleys, Erica J; Bertuch, Alison A (2015) Tryptophan-Dependent Control of Colony Formation After DNA Damage via Sea3-Regulated TORC1 Signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. G3 (Bethesda) 5:1379-89
Hang, Lisa E; Lopez, Christopher R; Liu, Xianpeng et al. (2014) Regulation of Ku-DNA association by Yku70 C-terminal tail and SUMO modification. J Biol Chem 289:10308-17
Williams, Jaime M; Ouenzar, Faissal; Lemon, Laramie D et al. (2014) The principal role of Ku in telomere length maintenance is promotion of Est1 association with telomeres. Genetics 197:1123-36
Ribes-Zamora, Albert; Indiviglio, Sandra M; Mihalek, Ivana et al. (2013) TRF2 interaction with Ku heterotetramerization interface gives insight into c-NHEJ prevention at human telomeres. Cell Rep 5:194-206
Nelson, Nya D; Bertuch, Alison A (2012) Dyskeratosis congenita as a disorder of telomere maintenance. Mutat Res 730:43-51
Sasa, G S; Ribes-Zamora, A; Nelson, N D et al. (2012) Three novel truncating TINF2 mutations causing severe dyskeratosis congenita in early childhood. Clin Genet 81:470-8
Lopez, Christopher R; Ribes-Zamora, Albert; Indiviglio, Sandra M et al. (2011) Ku must load directly onto the chromosome end in order to mediate its telomeric functions. PLoS Genet 7:e1002233

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