RESUMEN
Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) is one of two critical mechanisms utilized in humans to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Unrepaired or incorrect repair of DSBs can lead to apoptosis or cancer. NHEJ involves several proteins, including the Ku70/80 heterodimer, DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), X-ray cross-complementing protein 4 (XRCC4), XRCC4-like factor (XLF), and ligase IV. These core proteins bind DSBs and ligate the damaged DNA ends. However, details of the structural assembly of these proteins remain unclear. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of NHEJ supercomplexes that are composed of these core proteins and DNA, revealing the detailed structural architecture of this assembly. We describe monomeric and dimeric forms of this supercomplex and also propose the existence of alternate dimeric forms of long-range synaptic complexes. Finally, we show that mutational disruption of several structural features within these NHEJ complexes negatively affects DNA repair.
Asunto(s)
ADN Ligasa (ATP)/ultraestructura , Enzimas Reparadoras del ADN/ultraestructura , Proteína Quinasa Activada por ADN/ultraestructura , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/ultraestructura , Complejos Multiproteicos/ultraestructura , Apoptosis/genética , Microscopía por Crioelectrón , Roturas del ADN de Doble Cadena , Daño del ADN/genética , Reparación del ADN por Unión de Extremidades/genética , ADN Ligasa (ATP)/genética , Reparación del ADN/genética , Enzimas Reparadoras del ADN/genética , Proteína Quinasa Activada por ADN/genética , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/genética , Humanos , Autoantígeno Ku/genética , Autoantígeno Ku/ultraestructura , Complejos Multiproteicos/genética , Fosforilación/genéticaRESUMEN
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a highly cytotoxic form of DNA damage and the incorrect repair of DSBs is linked to carcinogenesis1,2. The conserved error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway has a key role in determining the effects of DSB-inducing agents that are used to treat cancer as well as the generation of the diversity in antibodies and T cell receptors2,3. Here we applied single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to visualize two key DNA-protein complexes that are formed by human NHEJ factors. The Ku70/80 heterodimer (Ku), the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs), DNA ligase IV (LigIV), XRCC4 and XLF form a long-range synaptic complex, in which the DNA ends are held approximately 115 Å apart. Two DNA end-bound subcomplexes comprising Ku and DNA-PKcs are linked by interactions between the DNA-PKcs subunits and a scaffold comprising LigIV, XRCC4, XLF, XRCC4 and LigIV. The relative orientation of the DNA-PKcs molecules suggests a mechanism for autophosphorylation in trans, which leads to the dissociation of DNA-PKcs and the transition into the short-range synaptic complex. Within this complex, the Ku-bound DNA ends are aligned for processing and ligation by the XLF-anchored scaffold, and a single catalytic domain of LigIV is stably associated with a nick between the two Ku molecules, which suggests that the joining of both strands of a DSB involves both LigIV molecules.
Asunto(s)
Microscopía por Crioelectrón , Roturas del ADN de Doble Cadena , Reparación del ADN por Unión de Extremidades , ADN/metabolismo , ADN/ultraestructura , ADN/química , ADN Ligasa (ATP)/metabolismo , ADN Ligasa (ATP)/ultraestructura , Enzimas Reparadoras del ADN/metabolismo , Enzimas Reparadoras del ADN/ultraestructura , Proteína Quinasa Activada por ADN/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa Activada por ADN/ultraestructura , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/metabolismo , Proteínas de Unión al ADN/ultraestructura , Humanos , Autoantígeno Ku/metabolismo , Autoantígeno Ku/ultraestructura , Modelos Moleculares , FosforilaciónRESUMEN
DNA ligases catalyze the joining of DNA strands to complete DNA replication, recombination and repair transactions. To protect the integrity of the genome, DNA ligase 1 (LIG1) discriminates against DNA junctions harboring mutagenic 3'-DNA mismatches or oxidative DNA damage, but how such high-fidelity ligation is enforced is unknown. Here, X-ray structures and kinetic analyses of LIG1 complexes with undamaged and oxidatively damaged DNA unveil that LIG1 employs Mg2+-reinforced DNA binding to validate DNA base pairing during the adenylyl transfer and nick-sealing ligation reaction steps. Our results support a model whereby LIG1 fidelity is governed by a high-fidelity (HiFi) interface between LIG1, Mg2+, and the DNA substrate that tunes the enzyme to release pro-mutagenic DNA nicks. In a second tier of protection, LIG1 activity is surveilled by Aprataxin (APTX), which suppresses mutagenic and abortive ligation at sites of oxidative DNA damage.
