DEK is required for homologous recombination repair of DNA breaks.

Abstract

DEK is a highly conserved chromatin-bound protein whose upregulation across cancer types correlates with genotoxic therapy resistance. Loss of DEK induces genome instability and sensitizes cells to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), suggesting defects in DNA repair. While these DEK-deficiency phenotypes were thought to arise from a moderate attenuation of non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair, the role of DEK in DNA repair remains incompletely understood. We present new evidence demonstrating the observed decrease in NHEJ is insufficient to impact immunoglobulin class switching in DEK knockout mice. Furthermore, DEK knockout cells were sensitive to apoptosis with NHEJ inhibition. Thus, we hypothesized DEK plays additional roles in homologous recombination (HR). Using episomal and integrated reporters, we demonstrate that HR repair of conventional DSBs is severely compromised in DEK-deficient cells. To define responsible mechanisms, we tested the role of DEK in the HR repair cascade. DEK-deficient cells were impaired for γH2AX phosphorylation and attenuated for RAD51 filament formation. Additionally, DEK formed a complex with RAD51, but not BRCA1, suggesting a potential role regarding RAD51 filament formation, stability, or function. These findings define DEK as an important and multifunctional mediator of HR, and establish a synthetic lethal relationship between DEK loss and NHEJ inhibition.

• Authors: Eric A Smith, Boris Gole, Nicholas A Willis, Rebeca Soria, Linda M Starnes, Eric F Krumpelbeck, Anil G Jegga, Abdullah M Ali, Haihong Guo, Amom R Meetei, Paul R Andreassen, Ferdinand Kappes, Lisa M Privette Vinnedge, Jeremy A Daniel, Ralph Scully, Lisa Wiesmüller, Susanne I Wells
• Journal: Scientific reports (Sci Rep) Vol. 7 Pg. 44662 (03 20 2017) ISSN: 2045-2322 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 28317934 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
• DEK protein, mouse
• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Dek protein, human
• Histones
• Oncogene Proteins
• Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• Replication Protein A
• gamma-H2AX protein, mouse
• Rad51 Recombinase

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone (metabolism)
• DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded (drug effects, radiation effects)
• DNA Repair (drug effects, radiation effects)
• DNA-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Female
• HeLa Cells
• Histones (metabolism)
• Homologous Recombination (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Mice, Knockout
• Oncogene Proteins (metabolism)
• Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Protein Binding (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Rad51 Recombinase (metabolism)
• Radiation, Ionizing
• Replication Protein A (metabolism)