Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instability

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Global hypomethylation and genomic instability are cardinal features of cancers. Recently, we established a method for the detection of DNA methylation levels at sites close to endogenous DNA double strand breaks (EDSBs), and found t...

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Main Authors: Pornthanakasem Wichai, Rattanatanyong Prakasit, Ponyeam Wanpen, Thongnak Araya, Phuangphairoj Chutipa, Kongruttanachok Narisorn, Mutirangura Apiwat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-03-01
Series:Molecular Cancer
Online Access:http://www.molecular-cancer.com/content/9/1/70
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author Pornthanakasem Wichai
Rattanatanyong Prakasit
Ponyeam Wanpen
Thongnak Araya
Phuangphairoj Chutipa
Kongruttanachok Narisorn
Mutirangura Apiwat
author_facet Pornthanakasem Wichai
Rattanatanyong Prakasit
Ponyeam Wanpen
Thongnak Araya
Phuangphairoj Chutipa
Kongruttanachok Narisorn
Mutirangura Apiwat
author_sort Pornthanakasem Wichai
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Global hypomethylation and genomic instability are cardinal features of cancers. Recently, we established a method for the detection of DNA methylation levels at sites close to endogenous DNA double strand breaks (EDSBs), and found that those sites have a higher level of methylation than the rest of the genome. Interestingly, the most significant differences between EDSBs and genomes were observed when cells were cultured in the absence of serum. DNA methylation levels on each genomic location are different. Therefore, there are more replication-independent EDSBs (RIND-EDSBs) located in methylated genomic regions. Moreover, methylated and unmethylated RIND-EDSBs are differentially processed. Euchromatins respond rapidly to DSBs induced by irradiation with the phosphorylation of H2AX, γ-H2AX, and these initiate the DSB repair process. During G0, most DSBs are repaired by non-homologous end-joining repair (NHEJ), mediated by at least two distinct pathways; the Ku-mediated and the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)-mediated. The ATM-mediated pathway is more precise. Here we explored how cells process methylated RIND-EDSBs and if RIND-EDSBs play a role in global hypomethylation-induced genomic instability.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed a significant number of methylated RIND-EDSBs that are retained within deacetylated chromatin and free from an immediate cellular response to DSBs, the γ-H2AX. When cells were treated with tricostatin A (TSA) and the histones became hyperacetylated, the amount of γ-H2AX-bound DNA increased and the retained RIND-EDSBs were rapidly repaired. When NHEJ was simultaneously inhibited in TSA-treated cells, more EDSBs were detected. Without TSA, a sporadic increase in unmethylated RIND-EDSBs could be observed when Ku-mediated NHEJ was inhibited. Finally, a remarkable increase in RIND-EDSB methylation levels was observed when cells were depleted of ATM, but not of Ku86 and RAD51.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Methylated RIND-EDSBs are retained in non-acetylated heterochromatin because there is a prolonged time lag between RIND-EDSB production and repair. The rapid cellular responses to DSBs may be blocked by compact heterochromatin structure which then allows these breaks to be repaired by a more precise ATM-dependent pathway. In contrast, Ku-mediated NHEJ can repair euchromatin-associated EDSBs. Consequently, spontaneous mutations in hypomethylated genome are produced at faster rates because unmethylated EDSBs are unable to avoid the more error-prone NHEJ mechanisms.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-2c8176c321224ceebf3e3a62e0c928cc2022-12-22T00:36:54ZengBMCMolecular Cancer1476-45982010-03-01917010.1186/1476-4598-9-70Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instabilityPornthanakasem WichaiRattanatanyong PrakasitPonyeam WanpenThongnak ArayaPhuangphairoj ChutipaKongruttanachok NarisornMutirangura Apiwat<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Global hypomethylation and genomic instability are cardinal features of cancers. Recently, we established a method for the detection of DNA methylation levels at sites close to endogenous DNA double strand breaks (EDSBs), and found that those sites have a higher level of methylation than the rest of the genome. Interestingly, the most significant differences between EDSBs and genomes were observed when cells were cultured in the absence of serum. DNA methylation levels on each genomic location are different. Therefore, there are more replication-independent EDSBs (RIND-EDSBs) located in methylated genomic regions. Moreover, methylated and unmethylated RIND-EDSBs are differentially processed. Euchromatins respond rapidly to DSBs induced by irradiation with the phosphorylation of H2AX, γ-H2AX, and these initiate the DSB repair process. During G0, most DSBs are repaired by non-homologous end-joining repair (NHEJ), mediated by at least two distinct pathways; the Ku-mediated and the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)-mediated. The ATM-mediated pathway is more precise. Here we explored how cells process methylated RIND-EDSBs and if RIND-EDSBs play a role in global hypomethylation-induced genomic instability.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed a significant number of methylated RIND-EDSBs that are retained within deacetylated chromatin and free from an immediate cellular response to DSBs, the γ-H2AX. When cells were treated with tricostatin A (TSA) and the histones became hyperacetylated, the amount of γ-H2AX-bound DNA increased and the retained RIND-EDSBs were rapidly repaired. When NHEJ was simultaneously inhibited in TSA-treated cells, more EDSBs were detected. Without TSA, a sporadic increase in unmethylated RIND-EDSBs could be observed when Ku-mediated NHEJ was inhibited. Finally, a remarkable increase in RIND-EDSB methylation levels was observed when cells were depleted of ATM, but not of Ku86 and RAD51.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Methylated RIND-EDSBs are retained in non-acetylated heterochromatin because there is a prolonged time lag between RIND-EDSB production and repair. The rapid cellular responses to DSBs may be blocked by compact heterochromatin structure which then allows these breaks to be repaired by a more precise ATM-dependent pathway. In contrast, Ku-mediated NHEJ can repair euchromatin-associated EDSBs. Consequently, spontaneous mutations in hypomethylated genome are produced at faster rates because unmethylated EDSBs are unable to avoid the more error-prone NHEJ mechanisms.</p>http://www.molecular-cancer.com/content/9/1/70
spellingShingle Pornthanakasem Wichai
Rattanatanyong Prakasit
Ponyeam Wanpen
Thongnak Araya
Phuangphairoj Chutipa
Kongruttanachok Narisorn
Mutirangura Apiwat
Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instability
Molecular Cancer
title Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instability
title_full Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instability
title_fullStr Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instability
title_full_unstemmed Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instability
title_short Replication independent DNA double-strand break retention may prevent genomic instability
title_sort replication independent dna double strand break retention may prevent genomic instability
url http://www.molecular-cancer.com/content/9/1/70
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AT ponyeamwanpen replicationindependentdnadoublestrandbreakretentionmaypreventgenomicinstability
AT thongnakaraya replicationindependentdnadoublestrandbreakretentionmaypreventgenomicinstability
AT phuangphairojchutipa replicationindependentdnadoublestrandbreakretentionmaypreventgenomicinstability
AT kongruttanachoknarisorn replicationindependentdnadoublestrandbreakretentionmaypreventgenomicinstability
AT mutiranguraapiwat replicationindependentdnadoublestrandbreakretentionmaypreventgenomicinstability