Early recruitment of PARP-dependent m8A RNA methylation at DNA lesions is subsequently accompanied by active DNA demethylation.

RNA methylation, especially 6-methyladenosine (m6A)-modified RNAs, plays a specific role in DNA damage response (DDR). Here, we also observe that RNA modified at 8-methyladenosine (m8A) is recruited to UVA-damaged chromatin immediately after microirradiation. Interestingly, the level of m8A RNA at genomic lesions was reduced after inhibition of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases. It appears in later phases of DNA damage response, accompanied by active DNA demethylation. Also, PARP inhibitor (PARPi), Olaparib, prevented adenosine methylation at microirradiated chromatin. PARPi abrogated not only m6A and m8A RNA positivity at genomic lesions, but also XRCC1, the factor of base excision repair (BER), did not recognize lesions in DNA. To this effect, Olaparib enhanced the genome-wide level of γH2AX. This histone modification interacted with m8A RNAs to a similar extent as m8A RNAs with DNA. Pronounced interaction properties we did not observe for m6A RNAs and DNA; however, m6A RNA interacted with XRCC1 with the highest efficiency, especially in microirradiated cells. Together, we show that the recruitment of m6A RNA and m8A RNA to DNA lesions is PARP dependent. We suggest that modified RNAs likely play a role in the BER mechanism accompanied by active DNA demethylation. In this process, γH2AX stabilizes m6A/m8A-positive RNA-DNA hybrid loops via its interaction with m8A RNAs. R-loops could represent basic three-stranded structures recognized by PARP-dependent non-canonical m6A/m8A-mediated DNA repair pathway.

G-Quadruplex Structures Colocalize with Transcription Factories and Nuclear Speckles Surrounded by Acetylated and Dimethylated Histones H3.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded helical structures that regulate several nuclear processes, including gene expression and telomere maintenance. We observed that G4s are located in GC-rich (euchromatin) regions and outside the fibrillarin-positive compartment of nucleoli. Genomic regions around G4s were preferentially H3K9 acetylated and H3K9 dimethylated, but H3K9me3 rarely decorated G4 structures. We additionally observed the variability in the number of G4s in selected human and mouse cell lines. We found the highest number of G4s in human embryonic stem cells. We observed the highest degree of colocalization between G4s and transcription factories, positive on the phosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II). Similarly, a high colocalization rate was between G4s and nuclear speckles, enriched in pre-mRNA splicing factor SC-35. PML bodies, the replication protein SMD1, and Cajal bodies colocalized with G4s to a lesser extent. Thus, G4 structures seem to appear mainly in nuclear compartments transcribed via RNAP II, and pre-mRNA is spliced via the SC-35 protein. However, α-amanitin, an inhibitor of RNAP II, did not affect colocalization between G4s and transcription factories as well as G4s and SC-35-positive domains. In addition, irradiation by γ-rays did not change a mutual link between G4s and DNA repair proteins (G4s/γH2AX, G4s/53BP1, and G4s/MDC1), accumulated into DNA damage foci. Described characteristics of G4s seem to be the manifestation of pronounced G4s stability that is likely maintained not only via a high-order organization of these structures but also by a specific histone signature, including H3K9me2, responsible for chromatin compaction.

UVA irradiation strengthened an interaction between UBF1/2 proteins and H4K20 di-/tri-methylation.

Repair of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is a very important nuclear process due to the most active transcription of ribosomal genes. Proper repair of rDNA is required for physiological biogenesis of ribosomes. Here, we analyzed the epigenetics of the DNA damage response in a nucleolar compartment, thus in the ribosomal genes studied in nonirradiated and UVA-irradiated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We found that the promoter of ribosomal genes is not abundant on H4K20me2, but it is densely occupied by H4K20me3. Ribosomal genes, regulated via UBF1/2 proteins, were characterized by an interaction between UBF1/2 and H4K20me2/me3. This interaction was strengthened by UVA irradiation that additionally causes a focal accumulation of H4K20me3 in the nucleolus. No interaction has been found between UBF1/2 and H3K9me3. Interestingly, UVA irradiation decreases the levels of H3K9me3 and H4K20me3 at 28S rDNA. Altogether, the UVA light affects the epigenetic status of ribosomal genes at 28S rDNA and strengthens an interaction between UBF1/2 proteins and H4K20me2/me3.

MicroRNA Biogenesis Pathway Genes Are Deregulated in Colorectal Cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Each step of their production and maturation has to be strictly regulated, as any disruption of control mechanisms may lead to cancer. Thus, we have measured the expression of 19 genes involved in miRNAs biogenesis pathway in tumor tissues of 239 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, 17 CRC patients with liver metastases and 239 adjacent tissues using real-time PCR. Subsequently, the expression of analyzed genes was correlated with the clinical-pathological features as well as with the survival of patients. In total, significant over-expression of all analyzed genes was observed in tumor tissues as well as in liver metastases except for LIN28A/B. Furthermore, it was shown that the deregulated levels of some of the analyzed genes significantly correlate with tumor stage, grade, location, size and lymph node positivity. Finally, high levels of DROSHA and TARBP2 were associated with shorter disease-free survival, while the over-expression of XPO5, TNRC6A and DDX17 was detected in tissues of patients with shorter overall survival and poor prognosis. Our data indicate that changed levels of miRNA biogenesis genes may contribute to origin as well as progression of CRC; thus, these molecules could serve as potential therapeutic targets.

PARP-dependent and NAT10-independent acetylation of N4-cytidine in RNA appears in UV-damaged chromatin.

RNA modifications have been known for many years, but their function has not been fully elucidated yet. For instance, the regulatory role of acetylation on N4-cytidine (ac4C) in RNA can be explored not only in terms of RNA stability and mRNA translation but also in DNA repair. Here, we observe a high level of ac4C RNA at DNA lesions in interphase cells and irradiated cells in telophase. Ac4C RNA appears in the damaged genome from 2 to 45 min after microirradiation. However, RNA cytidine acetyltransferase NAT10 did not accumulate to damaged sites, and NAT10 depletion did not affect the pronounced recruitment of ac4C RNA to DNA lesions. This process was not dependent on the G1, S, and G2 cell cycle phases. In addition, we observed that the PARP inhibitor, olaparib, prevents the recruitment of ac4C RNA to damaged chromatin. Our data imply that the acetylation of N4-cytidine, especially in small RNAs, has an important role in mediating DNA damage repair. Ac4C RNA likely causes de-condensation of chromatin in the vicinity of DNA lesions, making it accessible for other DNA repair factors involved in the DNA damage response. Alternatively, RNA modifications, including ac4C, could be direct markers of damaged RNAs.

Localization of METTL16 at the Nuclear Periphery and the Nucleolus Is Cell Cycle-Specific and METTL16 Interacts with Several Nucleolar Proteins.

METTL16 methyltransferase is responsible for the methylation of N6-adenosine (m6A) in several RNAs. In mouse cells, we showed that the nuclear distribution of METTL16 is cell cycle-specific. In the G1/S phases, METTL16 accumulates to the nucleolus, while in the G2 phase, the level of METTL16 increases in the nucleoplasm. In metaphase and anaphase, there is a very low pool of the METTL16 protein, but in telophase, residual METTL16 appears to be associated with the newly formed nuclear lamina. In A-type lamin-depleted cells, we observed a reduction of METTL16 when compared with the wild-type counterpart. However, METTL16 does not interact with A-type and B-type lamins, but interacts with Lamin B Receptor (LBR) and Lap2α. Additionally, Lap2α depletion caused METTL16 downregulation in the nuclear pool. Furthermore, METTL16 interacted with DDB2, a key protein of the nucleotide excision repair (NER), and also with nucleolar proteins, including TCOF, NOLC1, and UBF1/2, but not fibrillarin. From this view, the METTL16 protein may also regulate the transcription of ribosomal genes because we observed that the high level of m6A in 18S rRNA appeared in cells with upregulated METTL16.

Spatiotemporal Mislocalization of Nuclear Membrane-Associated Proteins in γ-Irradiation-Induced Senescent Cells.

Cellular senescence, induced by genotoxic or replication stress, is accompanied by defects in nuclear morphology and nuclear membrane-heterochromatin disruption. In this work, we analyzed cytological and molecular changes in the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex proteins in senescence triggered by γ-irradiation. We used human mammary carcinoma and osteosarcoma cell lines, both original and shRNA knockdown clones targeting lamin B receptor (LBR) and leading to LBR and lamin B (LB1) reduction. The expression status and integrity of LINC complex proteins (nesprin-1, SUN1, SUN2), lamin A/C, and emerin were analyzed by immunodetection using confocal microscopy and Western blot. The results show frequent mislocalization of these proteins from the nuclear membrane to cytoplasm and micronuclei and, in some cases, their fragmentation and amplification. The timing of these changes clearly preceded the onset of senescence. The LBR deficiency triggered neither senescence nor changes in the LINC protein distribution before irradiation. However, the cytological changes following irradiation were more pronounced in shRNA knockdown cells compared to original cell lines. We conclude that mislocalization of LINC complex proteins is a significant characteristic of cellular senescence phenotypes and may influence complex events at the nuclear membrane, including trafficking and heterochromatin attachment.

N6-Adenosine Methylation in RNA and a Reduced m3G/TMG Level in Non-Coding RNAs Appear at Microirradiation-Induced DNA Lesions.

The DNA damage response is mediated by both DNA repair proteins and epigenetic markers. Here, we observe that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a mark of the epitranscriptome, was common in RNAs accumulated at UV-damaged chromatin; however, inhibitors of RNA polymerases I and II did not affect the m6A RNA level at the irradiated genomic regions. After genome injury, m6A RNAs either diffused to the damaged chromatin or appeared at the lesions enzymatically. DNA damage did not change the levels of METTL3 and METTL14 methyltransferases. In a subset of irradiated cells, only the METTL16 enzyme, responsible for m6A in non-coding RNAs as well as for splicing regulation, was recruited to microirradiated sites. Importantly, the levels of the studied splicing factors were not changed by UVA light. Overall, if the appearance of m6A RNAs at DNA lesions is regulated enzymatically, this process must be mediated via the coregulatory function of METTL-like enzymes. This event is additionally accompanied by radiation-induced depletion of 2,2,7-methylguanosine (m3G/TMG) in RNA. Moreover, UV-irradiation also decreases the global cellular level of N1-methyladenosine (m1A) in RNAs. Based on these results, we prefer a model in which m6A RNAs rapidly respond to radiation-induced stress and diffuse to the damaged sites. The level of both (m1A) RNAs and m3G/TMG in RNAs is reduced as a consequence of DNA damage, recognized by the nucleotide excision repair mechanism.

H3K9me3 and H4K20me3 represent the epigenetic landscape for 53BP1 binding to DNA lesions.

Methylation of histones H4 at lysine 20 position (H4K20me), which is functional in DNA repair, represents a binding site for the 53BP1 protein. Here, we show a radiation-induced increase in the level of H4K20me3 while the levels of H4K20me1 and H4K20me2 remained intact. H4K20me3 was significantly pronounced at DNA lesions in only the G1 phase of the cycle, while this histone mark was reduced in very late S and G2 phases when PCNA was recruited to locally micro-irradiated chromatin. H4K20me3 was diminished in locally irradiated Suv39h1/h2 double knockout (dn) fibroblasts, and the same phenomenon was observed for H3K9me3 and its binding partner, the HP1ß protein. Immunoprecipitation showed the existence of an interaction between H3K9me3-53BP1 and H4K20me3-53BP1; however, HP1ß did not interact with 53BP1. Together, H3K9me3 and H4K20me3 represent epigenetic markers that are important for the function of the 53BP1 protein in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. The very late S phase represents the cell cycle breakpoint when a DDR function of the H4K20me3-53BP1 complex is abrogated due to recruitment of the PCNA protein and other DNA repair factors of homologous recombination to DNA lesions.