Fancd2-deficient hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells depend on augmented mitochondrial translation for survival and proliferation.

Members of the Fanconi anemia (FA) protein family are involved in multiple cellular processes including response to DNA damage and oxidative stress. Here we show that a major FA protein, Fancd2, plays a role in mitochondrial biosynthesis through regulation of mitochondrial translation. Fancd2 interacts with Atad3 and Tufm, which are among the most frequently identified components of the mitochondrial nucleoid complex essential for mitochondrion biosynthesis. Deletion of Fancd2 in mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) leads to increase in mitochondrial number, and enzyme activity of mitochondrion-encoded respiratory complexes. Fancd2 deficiency increases mitochondrial protein synthesis and induces mitonuclear protein imbalance. Furthermore, Fancd2-deficient HSPCs show increased mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. By using a cell-free assay with mitochondria isolated from WT and Fancd2-KO HSPCs, we demonstrate that the increased mitochondrial protein synthesis observed in Fancd2-KO HSPCs was directly linked to augmented mitochondrial translation. Finally, Fancd2-deficient HSPCs are selectively sensitive to mitochondrial translation inhibition and depend on augmented mitochondrial translation for survival and proliferation. Collectively, these results suggest that Fancd2 restricts mitochondrial activity through regulation of mitochondrial translation, and that augmented mitochondrial translation and mitochondrial respiration may contribute to HSC defect and bone marrow failure in FA.

Remodeling of Interstrand Crosslink Proximal Replisomes Is Dependent on ATR, FANCM, and FANCD2.

Eukaryotic replisomes are driven by the mini chromosome maintenance (MCM [M]) helicase complex, an offset ring locked around the template for leading strand synthesis by CDC45 (C) and GINS (G) proteins. Although the CDC45 MCM GINS (CMG) structure implies that interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are absolute blocks to replisomes, recent studies indicate that cells can restart DNA synthesis on the side of the ICL distal to the initial encounter. Here, we report that restart requires ATR and is promoted by FANCD2 and phosphorylated FANCM. Following introduction of genomic ICLs and dependent on ATR and FANCD2 but not on the Fanconi anemia core proteins or FAAP24, FANCM binds the replisome complex, with concomitant release of the GINS proteins. In situ analysis of replisomes proximal to ICLs confirms the ATR-dependent release of GINS proteins while CDC45 is retained on the remodeled replisome. The results demonstrate the plasticity of CMG composition in response to replication stress.

Fancd2 in vivo interaction network reveals a non-canonical role in mitochondrial function.

Fancd2 is a component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA repair pathway, which is frequently found defective in human cancers. The full repertoire of Fancd2 functions in normal development and tumorigenesis remains to be determined. Here we developed a Flag- and hemagglutinin-tagged Fancd2 knock-in mouse strain that allowed a high throughput mass spectrometry approach to search for Fancd2-binding proteins in different mouse organs. In addition to DNA repair partners, we observed that many Fancd2-interacting proteins are mitochondrion-specific. Fancd2 localizes in the mitochondrion and associates with the nucleoid complex components Atad3 and Tufm. The Atad3-Tufm complex is disrupted in Fancd2-/- mice and those deficient for the FA core component Fanca. Fancd2 mitochondrial localization requires Atad3. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for Fancd2 as a crucial regulator of mitochondrion biosynthesis, and of a molecular link between FA and mitochondrial homeostasis.

Instructive Role of MLL-Fusion Proteins Revealed by a Model of t(4;11) Pro-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The t(4;11)(q21;q23) fuses mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) to AF4, the most common MLL-fusion partner. Here we show that MLL fused to murine Af4, highly conserved with human AF4, produces high-titer retrovirus permitting efficient transduction of human CD34+ cells, thereby generating a model of t(4;11) pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that fully recapitulates the immunophenotypic and molecular aspects of the disease. MLL-Af4 induces a B ALL distinct from MLL-AF9 through differential genomic target binding of the fusion proteins leading to specific gene expression patterns. MLL-Af4 cells can assume a myeloid state under environmental pressure but retain lymphoid-lineage potential. Such incongruity was also observed in t(4;11) patients in whom leukemia evaded CD19-directed therapy by undergoing myeloid-lineage switch. Our model provides a valuable tool to unravel the pathogenesis of MLL-AF4 leukemogenesis.

Fancb deficiency impairs hematopoietic stem cell function.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure, variable congenital malformations and a predisposition to malignancies. FANCB (also known as FAAP95), is the only X-linked FA gene discovered thus far. In the present study, we investigated hematopoiesis in adult Fancb deficient (Fancb(-/y)) mice and found that Fancb(-/y) mice have decreased hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) quiescence accompanied by reduced progenitor activity in vitro and reduced repopulating capacity in vivo. Like other FA mouse models previously reported, the hematopoietic system of Fancb(-/y) mice is hypersensitive to DNA cross-linking agent mitomycin C (MMC), which induces bone marrow failure in Fancb(-/y) mice. Furthermore, Fancb(-/y) BM exhibits slower recovery kinetics and less tolerance to myelotoxic stress induced by 5-fluorouracil than wild-type littermates. RNA-seq analysis reveals altered expression of genes involved in HSC function and cell cycle regulation in Fancb(-/y) HSC and progenitor cells. Thus, this Fancb(-/y) mouse model provides a novel approach for studying the critical role of the FA pathway not only in germ cell development but also in the maintenance of HSC function.

FANCB is essential in the male germline and regulates H3K9 methylation on the sex chromosomes during meiosis.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a recessive X-linked and autosomal genetic disease associated with bone marrow failure and increased cancer, as well as severe germline defects such as hypogonadism and germ cell depletion. Although deficiencies in FA factors are commonly associated with germ cell defects, it remains unknown whether the FA pathway is involved in unique epigenetic events in germ cells. In this study, we generated Fancb mutant mice, the first mouse model of X-linked FA, and identified a novel function of the FA pathway in epigenetic regulation during mammalian gametogenesis. Fancb mutant mice were infertile and exhibited primordial germ cell (PGC) defects during embryogenesis. Further, Fancb mutation resulted in the reduction of undifferentiated spermatogonia in spermatogenesis, suggesting that FANCB regulates the maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Additionally, based on functional studies, we dissected the pathway in which FANCB functions during meiosis. The localization of FANCB on sex chromosomes is dependent on MDC1, a binding partner of H2AX phosphorylated at serine 139 (γH2AX), which initiates chromosome-wide silencing. Also, FANCB is required for FANCD2 localization during meiosis, suggesting that the role of FANCB in the activation of the FA pathway is common to both meiosis and somatic DNA damage responses. H3K9me2, a silent epigenetic mark, was decreased on sex chromosomes, whereas H3K9me3 was increased on sex chromosomes in Fancb mutant spermatocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that FANCB functions at critical stages of germ cell development and reveal a novel function of the FA pathway in the regulation of H3K9 methylation in the germline.

The MHF complex senses branched DNA by binding a pair of crossover DNA duplexes.

The conserved MHF1-MHF2 (MHF) complex functions in the activation of the Fanconi anaemia pathway of the DNA damage response, in regulating homologous recombination, and in DNA replication fork maintenance. MHF facilitates the processing of multiple types of branched DNAs by the DNA translocase FANCM. Here we report the crystal structure of a human MHF-DNA complex that reveals the DNA-binding mode of MHF. The structure suggests that MHF prefers branched DNA over double-stranded DNA because it engages two duplex arms. Biochemical analyses verify that MHF preferentially engages DNA forks or various four-way junctions independent of the junction-site structure. Furthermore, genetic experiments provide evidence that the observed DNA-binding interface of MHF is important for cellular resistance to DNA damage. These results offer insights into how the MHF complex recognizes branched DNA and stimulates FANCM activity at such a structure to promote genome maintenance.

Monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1) protein-dependent phosphorylation of RecQ-mediated genome instability protein 2 (RMI2) at serine 112 is essential for BLM-Topo III α-RMI1-RMI2 (BTR) protein complex function upon spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) activation during mitosis.

Genomic instability and a predisposition to cancer are hallmarks of Bloom syndrome, an autosomal recessive disease arising from mutations in the BLM gene. BLM is a RecQ helicase component of the BLM-Topo III α-RMI1-RMI2 (BTR) complex, which maintains chromosome stability at the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Other members of the BTR complex include Topo IIIa, RMI1, and RMI2. All members of the BTR complex are essential for maintaining the stable genome. Interestingly, the BTR complex is posttranslationally modified upon SAC activation during mitosis, but its significance remains unknown. In this study, we show that two proteins that interact with BLM, RMI1 and RMI2, are phosphorylated upon SAC activation, and, like BLM, RMI1, and RMI2, are phosphorylated in an MPS1-dependent manner. An S112A mutant of RMI2 localized normally in cells and was found in SAC-induced coimmunoprecipitations of the BTR complex. However, in RMI2-depleted cells, an S112A mutant disrupted the mitotic arrest upon SAC activation. The failure of cells to maintain mitotic arrest, due to lack of phosphorylation at Ser-112, results in high genomic instability characterized by micronuclei, multiple nuclei, and a wide distribution of aberrantly segregating chromosomes. We found that the S112A mutant of RMI2 showed defects in redistribution between the nucleoplasm and nuclear matrix. The phosphorylation at Ser-112 of RMI2 is independent of BLM and is not required for the stability of the BTR complex, BLM focus formation, and chromatin targeting in response to replication stress. Overall, this study suggests that the phosphorylation of the BTR complex is essential to maintain a stable genome.

A novel interplay between the Fanconi anemia core complex and ATR-ATRIP kinase during DNA cross-link repair.

When DNA replication is stalled at sites of DNA damage, a cascade of responses is activated in the cell to halt cell cycle progression and promote DNA repair. A pathway initiated by the kinase Ataxia teleangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) and its partner ATR interacting protein (ATRIP) plays an important role in this response. The Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway is also activated following genomic stress, and defects in this pathway cause a cancer-prone hematologic disorder in humans. Little is known about how these two pathways are coordinated. We report here that following cellular exposure to DNA cross-linking damage, the FA core complex enhances binding and localization of ATRIP within damaged chromatin. In cells lacking the core complex, ATR-mediated phosphorylation of two functional response targets, ATRIP and FANCI, is defective. We also provide evidence that the canonical ATR activation pathway involving RAD17 and TOPBP1 is largely dispensable for the FA pathway activation. Indeed DT40 mutant cells lacking both RAD17 and FANCD2 were synergistically more sensitive to cisplatin compared with either single mutant. Collectively, these data reveal new aspects of the interplay between regulation of ATR-ATRIP kinase and activation of the FA pathway.

ATR-dependent phosphorylation of FANCM at serine 1045 is essential for FANCM functions.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genome instability syndrome that has been associated with both cancer predisposition and bone marrow failure. FA proteins are involved in cellular response to replication stress in which they coordinate DNA repair with DNA replication and cell-cycle progression. One regulator of the replication stress response is the ATP-dependent DNA translocase FANCM, which we have shown to be hyperphosphorylated in response to various genotoxic agents. However, the significance of this phosphorylation remained unclear. Here, we show that genotoxic stress-induced FANCM phosphorylation is ATR-dependent and that this modification is highly significant for the cellular response to replication stress. We identified serine (S1045) residue of FANCM that is phosphorylated in response to genotoxic stress and this effect is ATR-dependent. We show that S1045 is required for FANCM functions including its role in FA pathway integrity, recruiting FANCM to the site of interstrand cross links, preventing the cells from entering mitosis prematurely, and efficient activation of the CHK1 and G2-M checkpoints. Overall, our data suggest that an ATR-FANCM feedback loop is present in the FA and replication stress response pathways and that it is required for both efficient ATR/CHK1 checkpoint activation and FANCM function.

FAAP20: a novel ubiquitin-binding FA nuclear core-complex protein required for functional integrity of the FA-BRCA DNA repair pathway.

Fanconi anemia (FA) nuclear core complex is a multiprotein complex required for the functional integrity of the FA-BRCA pathway regulating DNA repair. This pathway is inactivated in FA, a devastating genetic disease, which leads to hematologic defects and cancer in patients. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel 20-kDa FANCA-associated protein (FAAP20). We show that FAAP20 is an integral component of the FA nuclear core complex. We identify a region on FANCA that physically interacts with FAAP20, and show that FANCA regulates stability of this protein. FAAP20 contains a conserved ubiquitin-binding zinc-finger domain (UBZ), and binds K-63-linked ubiquitin chains in vitro. The FAAP20-UBZ domain is not required for interaction with FANCA, but is required for DNA-damage-induced chromatin loading of FANCA and the functional integrity of the FA pathway. These findings reveal critical roles for FAAP20 in the FA-BRCA pathway of DNA damage repair and genome maintenance.

Human MutS and FANCM complexes function as redundant DNA damage sensors in the Fanconi Anemia pathway.

The Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway encodes a DNA damage response activated by DNA damage-stalled replication forks. Current evidence suggests that the FA pathway initiates with DNA damage recognition by the FANCM complex (FANCM/FAAP24/MHF). However, genetic inactivation of FANCM in mouse and DT40 cells causes only a partial defect in the FA pathway activation, suggesting the existence of redundant DNA damage sensors. Here we show that the MutS homologs function in this capacity. A RNAi screen revealed that MSH2 silencing caused defective FA pathway activation, as assessed by damage-induced FANCD2 mono-ubiquitination. A similar FA pathway defect was observed with MSH3 or MSH6 silencing. MSH2 depletion caused cellular phenotypes associated with defective FA pathway, including mitomycin C hypersensitivity and chromosomal instability. Further, silencing of FANCM in MSH2 deficient HEC59 cells caused a more severe FA defect relative to comparable silencing in MSH2 complemented HEC59+Chr2 cells, suggesting redundant functions between MSH2 and FANCM. Consistent with this hypothesis, depletion of MSH2 resulted in defective chromatin localization of the FA core complex upon DNA damage. Further, MSH2 was co-purified and co-immunoprecipitated with FA core complex components. Taken together, our results suggest that human MutS homologs and FANCM complexes function as redundant DNA damage sensors of the FA pathway.

Crystal structures of RMI1 and RMI2, two OB-fold regulatory subunits of the BLM complex.

Mutations in BLM, a RecQ-like helicase, are linked to the autosomal recessive cancer-prone disorder Bloom's syndrome. BLM associates with topoisomerase (Topo) IIIα, RMI1, and RMI2 to form the BLM complex that is essential for genome stability. The RMI1-RMI2 heterodimer stimulates the dissolution of double Holliday junction into non-crossover recombinants mediated by BLM-Topo IIIα and is essential for stabilizing the BLM complex. However, the molecular basis of these functions of RMI1 and RMI2 remains unclear. Here we report the crystal structures of multiple domains of RMI1-RMI2, providing direct confirmation of the existence of three oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding (OB)-folds in RMI1-RMI2. Our structural and biochemical analyses revealed an unexpected insertion motif in RMI1N-OB, which is important for stimulating the dHJ dissolution. We also revealed the structural basis of the interaction between RMI1C-OB and RMI2-OB and demonstrated the functional importance of the RMI1-RMI2 interaction in genome stability maintenance.

Rif1 provides a new DNA-binding interface for the Bloom syndrome complex to maintain normal replication.

BLM, the helicase defective in Bloom syndrome, is part of a multiprotein complex that protects genome stability. Here, we show that Rif1 is a novel component of the BLM complex and works with BLM to promote recovery of stalled replication forks. First, Rif1 physically interacts with the BLM complex through a conserved C-terminal domain, and the stability of Rif1 depends on the presence of the BLM complex. Second, Rif1 and BLM are recruited with similar kinetics to stalled replication forks, and the Rif1 recruitment is delayed in BLM-deficient cells. Third, genetic analyses in vertebrate DT40 cells suggest that BLM and Rif1 work in a common pathway to resist replication stress and promote recovery of stalled forks. Importantly, vertebrate Rif1 contains a DNA-binding domain that resembles the αCTD domain of bacterial RNA polymerase α; and this domain preferentially binds fork and Holliday junction (HJ) DNA in vitro and is required for Rif1 to resist replication stress in vivo. Our data suggest that Rif1 provides a new DNA-binding interface for the BLM complex to restart stalled replication forks.

MHF1-MHF2, a histone-fold-containing protein complex, participates in the Fanconi anemia pathway via FANCM.

FANCM is a Fanconi anemia nuclear core complex protein required for the functional integrity of the FANC-BRCA pathway of DNA damage response and repair. Here we report the isolation and characterization of two histone-fold-containing FANCM-associated proteins, MHF1 and MHF2. We show that suppression of MHF1 expression results in (1) destabilization of FANCM and MHF2, (2) impairment of DNA damage-induced monoubiquitination and foci formation of FANCD2, (3) defective chromatin localization of FA nuclear core complex proteins, (4) elevated MMC-induced chromosome aberrations, and (5) sensitivity to MMC and camptothecin. We also provide biochemical evidence that MHF1 and MHF2 assemble into a heterodimer that binds DNA and enhances the DNA branch migration activity of FANCM. These findings reveal critical roles of the MHF1-MHF2 dimer in DNA damage repair and genome maintenance through FANCM.

Impaired FANCD2 monoubiquitination and hypersensitivity to camptothecin uniquely characterize Fanconi anemia complementation group M.

FANCM is a component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) core complex and one FA patient (EUFA867) with biallelic mutations in FANCM has been described. Strikingly, we found that EUFA867 also carries biallelic mutations in FANCA. After correcting the FANCA defect in EUFA867 lymphoblasts, a "clean" FA-M cell line was generated. These cells were hypersensitive to mitomycin C, but unlike cells defective in other core complex members, FANCM(-/-) cells were proficient in monoubiquitinating FANCD2 and were sensitive to the topoisomerase inhibitor camptothecin, a feature shared only with the FA subtype D1 and N. In addition, FANCM(-/-) cells were sensitive to UV light. FANCM and a C-terminal deletion mutant rescued the cross-linker sensitivity of FANCM(-/-) cells, whereas a FANCM ATPase mutant did not. Because both mutants restored the formation of FANCD2 foci, we conclude that FANCM functions in an FA core complex-dependent and -independent manner.

Identification and characterization of mutations in FANCL gene: a second case of Fanconi anemia belonging to FA-L complementation group.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive or X-linked disorder characterized by aplastic anemia, cancer susceptibility and cellular sensitivity to DNA crosslinking agents. Eight FA proteins (FANCA, FANCB, FANCC, FANCE, FANCF, FANCG, FANCL and FANCM) and three non-FA proteins (FAAP100, FAAP24 and HES1) form an FA nuclear core complex, which is required for monoubiquitination of the FANCD2-FANCI dimer upon DNA damage. FANCL possesses a PHD/RING-finger domain and is a putative E3 ubiquitin ligase subunit of the core complex. In this study, we report an FA patient with an unusual presentation belonging to the FA-L complementation group. The patient lacks an obvious FA phenotype except for the presence of a café-au-lait spot, mild hypocellularity and a family history of leukemia. The molecular diagnosis and identification of the FA subgroup was achieved by FA complementation assay. We identified bi-allelic novel mutations in the FANCL gene and functionally characterized them. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case belonging to the FA-L complementation group.

FANCM-FAAP24 and FANCJ: FA proteins that metabolize DNA.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive or X-linked disorder characterized by aplastic anemia, cancer susceptibility and cellular sensitivity to DNA-crosslinking agents. Eight FA proteins (FANCA, -B, -C, -E, -F, -G, -L and -M) and three non-FA proteins (FAAP100, FAAP24 and HES1) form the FA nuclear core complex that is required for monoubiquitination of the FANCD2-FANCI dimer upon DNA damage. The other three FA proteins, FANCD1/BRCA2, FANCJ/BACH1/BRIP1 and FANCN/PALB2, act in parallel or downstream of the FANCD2-FANCI dimer. Despite the isolation and characterization of several FA proteins, the mechanism by which these proteins protect cells from DNA interstrand crosslinking agents has been unclear. This is because a majority of the FA proteins lack any recognizable functional domains that can provide insight into their function. The recently discovered FANCM (Hef) and FANCJ (BRIP1/BACH1) proteins contain helicase domains, providing potential insight into the role of FA proteins in DNA repair. FANCM with its partner, FAAP24, and FANCJ bind and metabolize a variety of DNA substrates. In this review, we focus on the discovery, structure, and function of the FANCM-FAAP24 and FANCJ proteins.

BLAP18/RMI2, a novel OB-fold-containing protein, is an essential component of the Bloom helicase-double Holliday junction dissolvasome.

Bloom Syndrome is an autosomal recessive cancer-prone disorder caused by mutations in the BLM gene. BLM encodes a DNA helicase of the RECQ family, and associates with Topo IIIalpha and BLAP75/RMI1 (BLAP for BLM-associated polypeptide/RecQ-mediated genome instability) to form the BTB (BLM-Topo IIIalpha-BLAP75/RMI1) complex. This complex can resolve the double Holliday junction (dHJ), a DNA intermediate generated during homologous recombination, to yield noncrossover recombinants exclusively. This attribute of the BTB complex likely serves to prevent chromosomal aberrations and rearrangements. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel member of the BTB complex termed BLAP18/RMI2. BLAP18/RMI2 contains a putative OB-fold domain, and several lines of evidence suggest that it is essential for BTB complex function. First, the majority of BLAP18/RMI2 exists in complex with Topo IIIalpha and BLAP75/RMI1. Second, depletion of BLAP18/RMI2 results in the destabilization of the BTB complex. Third, BLAP18/RMI2-depleted cells show spontaneous chromosomal breaks and are sensitive to methyl methanesulfonate treatment. Fourth, BLAP18/RMI2 is required to target BLM to chromatin and for the assembly of BLM foci upon hydroxyurea treatment. Finally, BLAP18/RMI2 stimulates the dHJ resolution capability of the BTB complex. Together, these results establish BLAP18/RMI2 as an essential member of the BTB dHJ dissolvasome that is required for the maintenance of a stable genome.