MYD88L265P augments proximal B-cell receptor signaling in large B-cell lymphomas via an interaction with DOCK8.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease with at least 5 recognized molecular subtypes. Cluster 5 (C5)/MCD tumors frequently exhibit concurrent alterations in the toll-like receptor (TLR) and B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway members, MYD88L265P and CD79B, and have a less favorable prognosis. In healthy B cells, the synergy between TLR and BCR signaling pathways integrates innate and adaptive immune responses and augments downstream NF-κB activation. In addition, physiologic TLR9 pathway engagement via MYD88, protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), and dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) increases proximal BCR signaling in healthy murine B cells. Although C5/MCD DLBCLs are selectively sensitive to Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibition in in vitro studies and certain clinical trials, the role of mutated MYD88 in proximal BCR signaling remains undefined. Using engineered DLBCL cell line models, we found that concurrent MYD88L265P and CD79B alterations significantly increased the magnitude and duration of proximal BCR signaling, at the level of spleen tyrosine kinase and BTK, and augmented PYK2-dependent DOCK8 phosphorylation. MYD88L265P DLBCLs have significantly increased colocalization of DOCK8 with both MYD88 and the proximal BCR-associated Src kinase, LYN, in comparison with MYD88WT DLBCLs, implicating DOCK8 in MYD88L265P/proximal BCR cross talk. Additionally, DOCK8 depletion selectively decreased proximal BCR signaling, cellular proliferation, and viability of DLBCLs with endogenous MYD88L265P/CD79BY196F alterations and increased the efficacy of BTK blockade in these lymphomas. Therefore, MYD88L265P/DOCK8-enhanced proximal BCR signaling is a likely mechanism for the increased sensitivity of C5/MCD DLBCLs to BTK blockade.

DTX3L E3 ligase targets p53 for degradation at poly ADP-ribose polymerase-associated DNA damage sites.

P53 is a master transcriptional regulator and effector of the DNA damage response (DDR) that localizes to DNA damage sites, in part, via an interaction with PARP1. However, the mechanisms that regulate p53 abundance and activity at PARP1-decorated DNA damage sites remain undefined. The PARP9 (BAL1) macrodomain-containing protein and its partner DTX3L (BBAP) E3 ligase are rapidly recruited to PARP1-PARylated DNA damage sites. During an initial DDR, we found that DTX3L rapidly colocalized with p53, polyubiquitylated its lysine-rich C-terminal domain, and targeted p53 for proteasomal degradation. DTX3L knockout significantly increased and prolonged p53 retention at PARP-decorated DNA damage sites. These findings reveal a non-redundant, PARP- and PARylation-dependent role for DTX3L in the spatiotemporal regulation of p53 during an initial DDR. Our studies suggest that targeted inhibition of DTX3L may augment the efficacy of certain DNA-damaging agents by increasing p53 abundance and activity.

Succession dynamics of microbial communities responding to the exogenous microalgae ZM-5 and analysis of the environmental sustainability of a constructed wetland system.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are economical and effective swine tailwater treatment systems. However, nitrogen removal in CWs is limited by the lack of carbon source for denitrification. In this study, we studied the feasibility of dosing the microalgae ZM-5 to improve the nitrogen removal ability in CWs. Compared to the control CW, a 20 % higher removal capacity of COD and TN was observed for the coupled system (EG). The microalgae ZM-5 could interact with denitrifying bacteria to compensate for the deficiency of denitrifying stage in CWs. HT-qPCR chip analysis also provided evidence that denitrification genes significantly increased (p < 0.05). According to the life cycle assessment (LCA), ultrasonic extraction had the best environmental sustainability among four lipid extraction processes. As an improvement strategy, clean energy could be utilized to optimize the electricity source to reduce environmental load (45 %-60 %). These findings offer new insights into the feasibility of EG for environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment.

BAL1 and its partner E3 ligase, BBAP, link Poly(ADP-ribose) activation, ubiquitylation, and double-strand DNA repair independent of ATM, MDC1, and RNF8.

The BAL1 macrodomain-containing protein and its partner E3 ligase, BBAP, are overexpressed in chemotherapy-resistant lymphomas. BBAP selectively ubiquitylates histone H4 and indirectly promotes early 53BP1 recruitment to DNA damage sites. However, neither BBAP nor BAL1 has been directly associated with a DNA damage response (DDR), and the function of BAL1 remains undefined. Herein, we describe a direct link between rapid and short-lived poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase 1 (PARP1) activation and PARylation at DNA damage sites, PAR-dependent recruitment of the BAL1 macrodomain-containing protein and its partner E3 ligase, local BBAP-mediated ubiquitylation, and subsequent recruitment of the checkpoint mediators 53BP1 and BRCA1. The PARP1-dependent localization of BAL1-BBAP functionally limits both early and delayed DNA damage and enhances cellular viability independent of ATM, MDC1, and RNF8. These data establish that BAL1 and BBAP are bona fide members of a DNA damage response pathway and are directly associated with PARP1 activation, BRCA1 recruitment, and double-strand break repair.

BBAP monoubiquitylates histone H4 at lysine 91 and selectively modulates the DNA damage response.

Although the BBAP E3 ligase and its binding partner BAL are overexpressed in chemotherapy-resistant lymphomas, the role of these proteins in DNA damage responses remains undefined. Because BAL proteins modulate promoter-coupled transcription and contain structural motifs associated with chromatin remodeling and DNA repair, we reasoned that the BBAP E3 ligase might target nucleosomal proteins. Herein, we demonstrate that BBAP selectively monoubiquitylates histone H4 lysine 91 and protects cells exposed to DNA-damaging agents. Disruption of BBAP-mediated monoubiquitylation of histone H4K91 is associated with the loss of chromatin-associated H4K20 methylase, mono- and dimethyl H4K20, and a delay in the kinetics of 53BP1 foci formation at sites of DNA damage. Because 53BP1 localizes to DNA damage sites, in part, via an interaction with dimethyl H4K20, these data directly implicate BBAP in the monoubiquitylation and additional posttranslational modification of histone H4 and an associated DNA damage response.

Lsh, an epigenetic guardian of repetitive elements.

The genome is burdened with repetitive sequences that are generally embedded in silenced chromatin. We have previously demonstrated that Lsh (lymphoid-specific helicase) is crucial for the control of heterochromatin at pericentromeric regions consisting of satellite repeats. In this study, we searched for additional genomic targets of Lsh by examining the effects of Lsh deletion on repeat regions and single copy gene sequences. We found that the absence of Lsh resulted in an increased association of acetylated histones with repeat sequences and transcriptional reactivation of their silenced state. In contrast, selected single copy genes displayed no change in histone acetylation levels, and their transcriptional rate was indistinguishable compared to Lsh-deficient cells and wild-type controls. Microarray analysis of total RNA derived from brain and liver tissues revealed that <0.4% of the 15 247 examined loci were abnormally expressed in Lsh-/-embryos and almost two-thirds of these deregulated sequences contained repeats, mainly retroviral LTR (long terminal repeat) elements. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated a direct interaction of Lsh with repetitive sites in the genome. These data suggest that the repetitive sites are direct targets of Lsh action and that Lsh plays an important role as 'epigenetic guardian' of the genome to protect against deregulation of parasitic retroviral elements.

Association of Lsh, a regulator of DNA methylation, with pericentromeric heterochromatin is dependent on intact heterochromatin.

The eukaryotic genome is packaged into distinct domains of transcriptionally active euchromatin and silent heterochromatin. A hallmark of mammalian heterochromatin is CpG methylation. Lsh, a member of the SNF2 family, is a major regulator of DNA methylation in mice and thus crucial for normal heterochromatin formation. In order to define the molecular function of Lsh, we examined its cellular localization and its association with chromatin. Our studies demonstrate that Lsh is an exclusively nuclear protein, and we define a nuclear localization domain within the N-terminal portion of Lsh. Lsh strongly associates with chromatin and requires the internal and C-terminal regions for this interaction. Lsh accumulates at pericentromeric heterochromatin, suggesting a direct role for Lsh in the methylation of centromeric DNA sequences and the formation of heterochromatin. In search of a signal that is responsible for Lsh recruitment to pericentromeric heterochromatin, we found that histone tail modifications were critical. Prolonged treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors has been reported to disrupt higher-order heterochromatin organization, and this was accompanied by dissociation of Lsh from pericentromeric heterochromatin. These results are consistent with a model in which Lsh is recruited by intact heterochromatin structure and then assists in maintaining heterochromatin organization by establishing CpG methylation patterns.

Lsh, a modulator of CpG methylation, is crucial for normal histone methylation.

Methylation of histone tails and CpG methylation are involved in determining heterochromatin structure, but their cause and effect relationship has not been resolved as yet in mammals. Here we report that Lsh, a member of the SNF2 chromatin remodeling family, controls both types of epigenetic modifications. Lsh has been shown to be associated with pericentromeric heterochromatin and to be required for normal CpG methylation at pericentromeric sequences. Loss of Lsh, in Lsh-deficient mice, results in accumulation of di- and tri-methylated histone 3 at lysine 4 (H3-K4me) at pericentromeric DNA and other repetitive sequences. In contrast, di- or tri-methylation of H3-K9 and distribution of HP1 appear unchanged after Lsh deletion, suggesting independent regulatory mechanisms for H3-K4 or K9 methylation. Experimental DNA demethylation with 5'-azacytidine results in a similar increase of H3-K4me. These results support the model that loss of CpG methylation caused by Lsh deficiency antecedes elevation of H3-K4me. Thus, Lsh is crucial for the formation of normal heterochromatin, implying a functional role for Lsh in the regulation of transcription and mitosis.

Lsh-deficient murine embryonal fibroblasts show reduced proliferation with signs of abnormal mitosis.

Genomic hypomethylation and chromosomal instability are frequent characteristics of human cancer cells. Targeted deletion of Lsh leads to a global defect in genomic methylation, and Lsh-deficient mice die at birth with a reduced body weight. Here, we examine the growth pattern of embryonal fibroblasts derived from Lsh-/- mice. The absence of Lsh leads to a severe proliferative defect of fibroblasts with lower saturation density, early signs of senescence, and a lower frequency of immortalization. The impaired growth rate in vitro may be in part responsible for the small size of Lsh-deficient mice. In addition, Lsh-/- fibroblasts accumulated high centrosome numbers, formed multipolar spindles, displayed micronuclei formation, and elevated nuclear DNA content. A similar increase in centrosome abnormalities was observed when wild-type fibroblasts were treated with a DNA-demethylating agent, suggesting that genomic hypomethylation plays an important role in mitotic defects of Lsh-/- murine embryonal fibroblasts, possibly by altering chromatin structure. Because supernumerary centrosomes are a common feature in cancer cells, this Lsh-dependent pathway has the potential to contribute to genetic instability and chromosomal aberrations during tumor progression.