GEMIN2 promotes accumulation of RAD51 at double-strand breaks in homologous recombination.

RAD51 is a key factor in homologous recombination (HR) and plays an essential role in cellular proliferation by repairing DNA damage during replication. The assembly of RAD51 at DNA damage is strictly controlled by RAD51 mediators, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. We found that human RAD51 directly binds GEMIN2/SIP1, a protein involved in spliceosome biogenesis. Biochemical analyses indicated that GEMIN2 enhances the RAD51-DNA complex formation by inhibiting RAD51 dissociation from DNA, and thereby stimulates RAD51-mediated homologous pairing. GEMIN2 also enhanced the RAD51-mediated strand exchange, when RPA was pre-bound to ssDNA before the addition of RAD51. To analyze the function of GEMIN2, we depleted GEMIN2 in the chicken DT40 line and in human cells. The loss of GEMIN2 reduced HR efficiency and resulted in a significant decrease in the number of RAD51 subnuclear foci, as observed in cells deficient in BRCA1 and BRCA2. These observations and our biochemical analyses reveal that GEMIN2 regulates HR as a novel RAD51 mediator.

DIDS, a chemical compound that inhibits RAD51-mediated homologous pairing and strand exchange.

RAD51, an essential eukaryotic DNA recombinase, promotes homologous pairing and strand exchange during homologous recombination and the recombinational repair of double strand breaks. Mutations that up- or down-regulate RAD51 gene expression have been identified in several tumors, suggesting that inappropriate expression of the RAD51 activity may cause tumorigenesis. To identify chemical compounds that affect the RAD51 activity, in the present study, we performed the RAD51-mediated strand exchange assay in the presence of 185 chemical compounds. We found that 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) efficiently inhibited the RAD51-mediated strand exchange. DIDS also inhibited the RAD51-mediated homologous pairing in the absence of RPA. A surface plasmon resonance analysis revealed that DIDS directly binds to RAD51. A gel mobility shift assay showed that DIDS significantly inhibited the DNA-binding activity of RAD51. Therefore, DIDS may bind near the DNA binding site(s) of RAD51 and compete with DNA for RAD51 binding.

Altered DNA binding by the human Rad51-R150Q mutant found in breast cancer patients.

The human Rad51 protein (HsRad51) catalyzes homologous pairing and strand exchange between single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) during recombinational repair of double-stranded DNA breaks. An HsRad51 mutation that results in the substitution of Gln for Arg150 (R150Q) was found in bilateral breast cancer patients; however, the consequences of this R150Q mutation have not been elucidated. To determine how this HsRad51(R150Q) mutation affects HsRad51 function, in the present study, we purified the HsRad51(R150Q) mutant. The purified HsRad51(R150Q) was completely proficient in the ATP-hydrolyzing activity. A gel filtration analysis revealed that HsRad51(R150Q) also retained the polymer formation ability. In contrast, the ssDNA- and dsDNA-binding abilities of HsRad51(R150Q) were clearly reduced, as compared to those of HsRad51. These differences in the DNA-binding properties between HsRad51(R150Q) and HsRad51 may be important to account for the tumorigenesis in breast cancer patients with the HsRad51(R150Q) mutation.