RESUMO
In recent years, various poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPis) have been approved for the treatment of several cancers to target the vulnerability of homologous recombination (HR) deficiency (e.g., due to BRCA1/2 dysfunction). In this review we analyze the ongoing debates and recent breakthroughs in the use of PARPis for BRCA1/2-deficient cancers, juxtaposing the 'double-strand break (DSB)' and 'single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) gap' models of synthetic lethality induced by PARPis. We spotlight the complexity of this interaction, highlighting emerging research on the role of DNA polymerase theta (POLθ) and ssDNA gaps in shaping therapy responses. We scrutinize the clinical ramifications of these findings, especially concerning PARPi efficacy and resistance mechanisms, underscoring the heterogeneity of BRCA-mutated tumors and the urgent need for advanced research to bridge the gap between laboratory models and patient outcomes.
RESUMO
DNA-PKcs is a DNA damage sensor kinase with established roles in DNA double-strand break repair via nonhomologous end joining. Recent studies have revealed additional roles of DNA-PKcs in the regulation of transcription, translation, and DNA replication. However, the substrates through which DNA-PKcs regulates these processes remain largely undefined. Here, we utilized quantitative phosphoproteomics to generate a high coverage map of DNA-PKcs signaling in response to ionizing radiation and mapped its interplay with the ATM kinase. Beyond the detection of the canonical S/T-Q phosphorylation motif, we uncovered a noncanonical mode of DNA-PKcs signaling targeting S/T-ψ-D/E motifs. Sequence and structural analyses of the DNA-PKcs substrate recognition pocket revealed unique features compared to closely related phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases that may explain its broader substrate preference. These findings expand the repertoire of DNA-PKcs and ATM substrates while establishing a novel preferential phosphorylation motif for DNA-PKcs.
RESUMO
Histone H2AX plays a key role in DNA damage signalling in the surrounding regions of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). In response to DNA damage, H2AX becomes phosphorylated on serine residue 139 (known as γH2AX), resulting in the recruitment of the DNA repair effectors 53BP1 and BRCA1. Here, by studying resistance to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in BRCA1/2-deficient mammary tumours, we identify a function for γH2AX in orchestrating drug-induced replication fork degradation. Mechanistically, γH2AX-driven replication fork degradation is elicited by suppressing CtIP-mediated fork protection. As a result, H2AX loss restores replication fork stability and increases chemoresistance in BRCA1/2-deficient tumour cells without restoring homology-directed DNA repair, as highlighted by the lack of DNA damage-induced RAD51 foci. Furthermore, in the attempt to discover acquired genetic vulnerabilities, we find that ATM but not ATR inhibition overcomes PARP inhibitor (PARPi) resistance in H2AX-deficient tumours by interfering with CtIP-mediated fork protection. In summary, our results demonstrate a role for H2AX in replication fork biology in BRCA-deficient tumours and establish a function of H2AX separable from its classical role in DNA damage signalling and DSB repair.
Assuntos
Proteína BRCA1 , Proteína BRCA2 , Replicação do DNA , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Histonas , Inibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Camundongos , Proteínas Mutadas de Ataxia Telangiectasia/metabolismo , Proteínas Mutadas de Ataxia Telangiectasia/genética , Proteína BRCA1/metabolismo , Proteína BRCA1/deficiência , Proteína BRCA1/genética , Proteína BRCA2/metabolismo , Proteína BRCA2/genética , Proteína BRCA2/deficiência , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Quebras de DNA de Cadeia Dupla , Dano ao DNA , Reparo do DNA , Replicação do DNA/efeitos dos fármacos , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Histonas/metabolismo , Inibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/farmacologia , Rad51 Recombinase/metabolismo , Rad51 Recombinase/genética , Proteína 1 de Ligação à Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Proteína 1 de Ligação à Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Camundongos NusRESUMO
Targeting poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) is currently explored as a therapeutic approach to treat various cancer types, but we have a poor understanding of the specific genetic vulnerabilities that would make cancer cells susceptible to such a tailored therapy. Moreover, the identification of such vulnerabilities is of interest for targeting BRCA2;p53-deficient tumors that have acquired resistance to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) through loss of PARG expression. Here, by performing whole-genome CRISPR/Cas9 drop-out screens, we identify various genes involved in DNA repair to be essential for the survival of PARG;BRCA2;p53-deficient cells. In particular, our findings reveal EXO1 and FEN1 as major synthetic lethal interactors of PARG loss. We provide evidence for compromised replication fork progression, DNA single-strand break repair, and Okazaki fragment processing in PARG;BRCA2;p53-deficient cells, alterations that exacerbate the effects of EXO1/FEN1 inhibition and become lethal in this context. Since this sensitivity is dependent on BRCA2 defects, we propose to target EXO1/FEN1 in PARPi-resistant tumors that have lost PARG activity. Moreover, EXO1/FEN1 targeting may be a useful strategy for enhancing the effect of PARG inhibitors in homologous recombination-deficient tumors.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53 , Humanos , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Reparo do DNA , Dano ao DNA , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias/genética , Inibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/farmacologia , Glicosídeo Hidrolases/genética , Glicosídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Endonucleases Flap/genética , Endonucleases Flap/metabolismo , Endonucleases Flap/uso terapêutico , Exodesoxirribonucleases/genética , Enzimas Reparadoras do DNA/genéticaRESUMO
In this issue of Molecular Cell, Lim et al.1 reveal new insights into the distinct roles of BRCA2 in coping with DNA breaks, highlighting homologous recombination as the pivotal function that affects tumorigenesis and therapy response.