Sustained E2F-Dependent Transcription Is a Key Mechanism to Prevent Replication-Stress-Induced DNA Damage

Summary: Recent work established DNA replication stress as a crucial driver of genomic instability and a key event at the onset of cancer. Post-translational modifications play an important role in the cellular response to replication stress by regulating the activity of key components to prevent re...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cosetta Bertoli, Anna E. Herlihy, Betheney R. Pennycook, Janos Kriston-Vizi, Robertus A.M. de Bruin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2016-05-01
Series:Cell Reports
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124716304636
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Summary:Summary: Recent work established DNA replication stress as a crucial driver of genomic instability and a key event at the onset of cancer. Post-translational modifications play an important role in the cellular response to replication stress by regulating the activity of key components to prevent replication-stress-induced DNA damage. Here, we establish a far greater role for transcriptional control in determining the outcome of replication-stress-induced events than previously suspected. Sustained E2F-dependent transcription is both required and sufficient for many crucial checkpoint functions, including fork stalling, stabilization, and resolution. Importantly, we also find that, in the context of oncogene-induced replication stress, where increased E2F activity is thought to cause replication stress, E2F activity is required to limit levels of DNA damage. These data suggest a model in which cells experiencing oncogene-induced replication stress through deregulation of E2F-dependent transcription become addicted to E2F activity to cope with high levels of replication stress. : Bertoli et al. establish a far greater role for transcriptional control in determining the outcome of replication-stress-induced events than previously suspected. Their data predict a model in which cells that experience oncogene-induced replication stress become addicted to E2F-dependent transcription to cope with high levels of replication stress.
ISSN:2211-1247