Single-molecule imaging reveals the mechanism of bidirectional replication initiation in metazoa.

Metazoan genomes are copied bidirectionally from thousands of replication origins. Replication initiation entails the assembly and activation of two CMG helicases (Cdc45⋅Mcm2-7⋅GINS) at each origin. This requires several replication firing factors (including TopBP1, RecQL4, and DONSON) whose exact roles are still under debate. How two helicases are correctly assembled and activated at each origin is a long-standing question. By visualizing the recruitment of GINS, Cdc45, TopBP1, RecQL4, and DONSON in real time, we uncovered that replication initiation is surprisingly dynamic. First, TopBP1 transiently binds to the origin and dissociates before the start of DNA synthesis. Second, two Cdc45 are recruited together, even though Cdc45 alone cannot dimerize. Next, two copies of DONSON and two GINS simultaneously arrive at the origin, completing the assembly of two CMG helicases. Finally, RecQL4 is recruited to the CMG⋅DONSON⋅DONSON⋅CMG complex and promotes DONSON dissociation and CMG activation via its ATPase activity.

A PARylation-phosphorylation cascade promotes TOPBP1 loading and RPA-RAD51 exchange in homologous recombination.

The efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is closely associated with genome stability and tumor response to chemotherapy. While many factors have been functionally characterized in HR, such as TOPBP1, their precise regulation remains unclear. Here, we report that TOPBP1 interacts with the RNA-binding protein HTATSF1 in a cell-cycle- and phosphorylation-dependent manner. Mechanistically, CK2 phosphorylates HTATSF1 to facilitate binding to TOPBP1, which promotes S-phase-specific TOPBP1 recruitment to damaged chromatin and subsequent RPA/RAD51-dependent HR, genome integrity, and cancer-cell viability. The localization of HTATSF1-TOPBP1 to DSBs is potentially independent of the transcription-coupled RNA-binding and processing capacity of HTATSF1 but rather relies on the recognition of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated RPA by HTATSF1, which can be blunted with PARP inhibitors. Together, our study provides a mechanistic insight into TOPBP1 loading at HR-prone DSB sites via HTATSF1 and reveals how RPA-RAD51 exchange is tuned by a PARylation-phosphorylation cascade.

TopBP1 assembles nuclear condensates to switch on ATR signaling.

ATR checkpoint signaling is crucial for cellular responses to DNA replication impediments. Using an optogenetic platform, we show that TopBP1, the main activator of ATR, self-assembles extensively to yield micrometer-sized condensates. These opto-TopBP1 condensates are functional entities organized in tightly packed clusters of spherical nano-particles. TopBP1 condensates are reversible, occasionally fuse, and co-localize with TopBP1 partner proteins. We provide evidence that TopBP1 condensation is a molecular switch that amplifies ATR activity to phosphorylate checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) and slow down replication forks. Single amino acid substitutions of key residues in the intrinsically disordered ATR activation domain disrupt TopBP1 condensation and consequently ATR/Chk1 signaling. In physiologic salt concentration and pH, purified TopBP1 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation in vitro. We propose that the actuation mechanism of ATR signaling is the assembly of TopBP1 condensates driven by highly regulated multivalent and cooperative interactions.

A small-molecule inhibitor of TopBP1 exerts anti-MYC activity and synergy with PARP inhibitors.

We have previously identified TopBP1 (topoisomerase IIß-binding protein 1) as a promising target for cancer therapy, given its role in the convergence of Rb, PI(3)K/Akt, and p53 pathways. Based on this, we conducted a large-scale molecular docking screening to identify a small-molecule inhibitor that specifically targets the BRCT7/8 domains of TopBP1, which we have named 5D4. Our studies show that 5D4 inhibits TopBP1 interactions with E2F1, mutant p53, and Cancerous Inhibitor of Protein Phosphatase 2A. This leads to the activation of E2F1-mediated apoptosis and the inhibition of mutant p53 gain of function. In addition, 5D4 disrupts the interaction of TopBP1 with MIZ1, which in turn allows MIZ1 to bind to its target gene promoters and repress MYC activity. Moreover, 5D4 inhibits the association of the TopBP1-PLK1 complex and prevents the formation of Rad51 foci. When combined with inhibitors of PARP1/2 or PARP14, 5D4 synergizes to effectively block cancer cell proliferation. Our animal studies have demonstrated the antitumor activity of 5D4 in breast and ovarian cancer xenograft models. Moreover, the effectiveness of 5D4 is further enhanced when combined with a PARP1/2 inhibitor talazoparib. Taken together, our findings strongly support the potential use of TopBP1-BRCT7/8 inhibitors as a targeted cancer therapy.

CK2-HTATSF1-TOPBP1 signaling axis modulates tumor chemotherapy response.

Homologous recombination (HR) plays a key role in maintaining genomic stability, and the efficiency of the HR system is closely associated with tumor response to chemotherapy. Our previous work reported that CK2 kinase phosphorylates HIV Tat-specific factor 1 (HTATSF1) Ser748 to facilitate HTATSF1 interaction with TOPBP1, which in turn, promotes RAD51 recruitment and HR repair. However, the clinical implication of the CK2-HTATSF1-TOPBP1 pathway in tumorigenesis and chemotherapeutic response remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that the CK2-HTATSF1-TOPBP1 axis is generally hyperactivated in multiple malignancies and renders breast tumors less responsive to chemotherapy. In contrast, deletion mutations of each gene in this axis, which also occur in breast and lung tumor samples, predict higher HR deficiency scores, and tumor cells bearing a loss-of-function mutation of HTATSF1 are vulnerable to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors or platinum drugs. Taken together, our study suggests that the integrity of the CK2-HTATSF1-TOPBP1 axis is closely linked to tumorigenesis and serves as an indicator of tumor HR status and modulates chemotherapy response.

Direct interaction with the BRD4 carboxyl-terminal motif (CTM) and TopBP1 is required for human papillomavirus 16 E2 association with mitotic chromatin and plasmid segregation function.

IMPORTANCE: Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is a causative agent in around 3%-4% of all human cancers, and currently, there are no anti-viral therapeutics available for combating this disease burden. In order to identify new therapeutic targets, we must increase our understanding of the HPV16 life cycle. Previously, we demonstrated that an interaction between E2 and the cellular protein TopBP1 mediates the plasmid segregation function of E2, allowing distribution of viral genomes into daughter nuclei following cell division. Here, we demonstrate that E2 interaction with an additional host protein, BRD4, is also essential for E2 segregation function, and that BRD4 exists in a complex with TopBP1. Overall, these results enhance our understanding of a critical part of the HPV16 life cycle and presents several therapeutic targets for disruption of the viral life cycle.

Human Papillomavirus 16 E2 Interaction with TopBP1 Is Required for E2 and Viral Genome Stability during the Viral Life Cycle.

CK2 phosphorylation of HPV16 E2 at serine 23 promotes interaction with TopBP1, and this interaction is important for E2 plasmid segregation function. Here, we demonstrate that the E2-TopBP1 interaction is critical for E2 and viral genome stability during the viral life cycle. Introduction of the S23A mutation into the HPV16 genome results in a loss of E2 expression and viral genome integration during organotypic rafting. Coculture of N/Tert-1+E2-S23A cells with J2 fibroblasts results in E2-S23A degradation via the proteasome; wild-type E2 is not degraded. TopBP1 siRNA treatment of N/Tert-1+E2-WT cells results in E2 degradation only in the presence of J2 cells demonstrating the critical role for TopBP1 in maintaining E2 stability. The CK2 inhibitor CX4945 promotes E2-WT degradation in the presence of fibroblasts as it disrupts E2-TopBP1 interaction. siRNA targeting SIRT1 rescues E2-S23A stability in N/Tert-1 cells treated with J2 fibroblasts, with an increased E2-S23A acetylation. The results demonstrate that the E2-TopBP1 interaction is critical during the viral life cycle as it prevents fibroblast stimulated SIRT1 mediated deacetylation of E2 that promotes protein degradation. This means that the E2-TopBP1 complex maintains E2 and viral genome stability and that disruption of this complex can promote viral genome integration. Finally, we demonstrate that HPV11 E2 also interacts with TopBP1 and that this interaction is critical for HPV11 E2 stability in the presence of J2 cells. Treatment of N/Tert-1 + 11E2-WT cells with CX4945 results in 11E2 degradation. Therefore, CK2 inhibition is a therapeutic strategy for alleviating HPV11 diseases, including juvenile respiratory papillomatosis. IMPORTANCE Human papillomaviruses are pathogens that cause a host of diseases ranging from benign warts to cancers. There are no therapeutics available for combating these diseases that directly target viral proteins or processes; therefore, we must enhance our understanding of HPV life cycles to assist with identifying novel treatments. In this report, we demonstrate that HPV16 and HPV11 E2 protein expression is dependent upon TopBP1 interaction in keratinocytes interacting with fibroblasts, which recapitulate stromal interactions in culture. The degradation of 16E2 promotes HPV16 genome integration; therefore, the E2-TopBP1 interaction is critical during the viral life cycle. We demonstrate that the CK2 inhibitor CX4945 disrupts HPV11 interaction with TopBP1 and destabilizes HPV11 E2 protein in the presence of J2 fibroblasts; we propose that CX4945 could alleviate HPV11 disease burden.

Functions of TopBP1 in preserving genome integrity during mitosis.

TopBP1/Rad4/Dpb11 is an essential eukaryotic protein with important roles in DNA replication, DNA repair, DNA damage checkpoint activation, and chromosome segregation. TopBP1 serves as a scaffold to assemble protein complexes in a phosphorylation-dependent manner via its multiple BRCT-repeats. Recently, it has become clear that TopBP1 is repurposed to scaffold different processes dependent on cell cycle regulated changes in phosphorylation of client proteins. Here we review the functions of human TopBP1 in maintaining genome integrity during mitosis.

Intra-S phase checkpoint kinase Chk1 dissociates replication proteins Treslin and TopBP1 through multiple mechanisms during replication stress.

Replication stress impedes DNA polymerase progression causing activation of the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related signaling pathway, which promotes the intra-S phase checkpoint activity through phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1). Chk1 suppresses replication origin firing, in part, by disrupting the interaction between the preinitiation complex components Treslin and TopBP1, an interaction that is mediated by TopBP1 BRCT domain-binding to two cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) phosphorylation sites, T968 and S1000, in Treslin. Two nonexclusive models for how Chk1 regulates the Treslin-TopBP1 interaction have been proposed in the literature: in one model, these proteins dissociate due to a Chk1-induced decrease in CDK activity that reduces phosphorylation of the Treslin sites that bind TopBP1 and in the second model, Chk1 directly phosphorylates Treslin, resulting in dissociation of TopBP1. However, these models have not been formally examined. We show here that Treslin T968 phosphorylation was decreased in a Chk1-dependent manner, while Treslin S1000 phosphorylation was unchanged, demonstrating that T968 and S1000 are differentially regulated. However, CDK2-mediated phosphorylation alone did not fully account for Chk1 regulation of the Treslin-TopBP1 interaction. We also identified additional Chk1 phosphorylation sites on Treslin that contributed to disruption of the Treslin-TopBP1 interaction, including S1114. Finally, we showed that both of the proposed mechanisms regulate origin firing in cancer cell line models undergoing replication stress, with the relative roles of each mechanism varying among cell lines. This study demonstrates that Chk1 regulates Treslin through multiple mechanisms to promote efficient dissociation of Treslin and TopBP1 and furthers our understanding of Treslin regulation during the intra-S phase checkpoint.

Delineation of a minimal topoisomerase II binding protein 1 for regulated activation of ATR at DNA double-strand breaks.

Topoisomerase II Binding Protein 1 (TOPBP1) is an important activator of the DNA damage response kinase Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR), although the mechanism by which this activation occurs is not yet known. TOPBP1 contains nine copies of the BRCA1 C-terminal repeat (BRCT) motif, which allows protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. TOPBP1 also contains an ATR activation domain (AAD), which physically interacts with ATR and its partner ATR-interacting protein (ATRIP) in a manner that stimulates ATR kinase activity. It is unclear which of TOPBP1's nine BRCT domains participate in the reaction, as well as the individual roles played by these relevant BRCT domains. To address this knowledge gap, here, we delineated a minimal TOPBP1 that can activate ATR at DNA double-strand breaks in a regulated manner. We named this minimal TOPBP1 "Junior" and we show that Junior is composed of just three regions: BRCT0-2, the AAD, and BRCT7&8. We further defined the individual functions of these three regions by showing that BRCT0-2 is required for recruitment to DNA double-strand breaks and is dispensable thereafter, and that BRCT7&8 is dispensable for recruitment but essential to allow the AAD to multimerize and activate ATR. The delineation of TOPBP1 Junior creates a leaner, simplified, and better understood TOPBP1 and provides insight into the mechanism of ATR activation.

Interaction with TopBP1 Is Required for Human Papillomavirus 16 E2 Plasmid Segregation/Retention Function during Mitosis.

Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) E2 is a DNA-binding protein that regulates transcription, replication and potentially, segregation of the HPV16 genome during the viral life cycle. In the segregation model, E2 simultaneously binds to viral and host chromatin, acting as a bridge to ensure that viral genomes reside in daughter nuclei following cell division. The host chromatin receptor for E2 mediating this function is unknown. Recently, we demonstrated that CK2 phosphorylation of E2 on serine 23 (S23) is required for interaction with TopBP1, and that this interaction promotes E2 and TopBP1 recruitment to mitotic chromatin. Here, we demonstrate that in U2OS cells expressing wild-type E2 and a non-TopBP1-binding mutant (S23A, serine 23 mutated to alanine), interaction with TopBP1 is essential for E2 recruitment of plasmids to mitotic chromatin. Using novel quantitative segregation assays, we demonstrate that interaction with TopBP1 is required for E2 plasmid segregation function in U2OS and N/Tert-1 cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of TopBP1 or CK2 enzyme components disrupts E2 segregation/retention function. The interaction of E2 with TopBP1 promotes increased levels of E2 protein during mitosis in U2OS and N/Tert-1 cells, as well as in human foreskin keratinocytes (HFK) immortalized by the HPV16 genome. Overall, our results demonstrate that E2 has plasmid segregation activity, and that the E2-TopBP1 interaction is essential for this E2 function. IMPORTANCE HPV16 causes 3% to 4% of all human cancers. It is proposed that during the viral life cycle, the viral genome is actively segregated into daughter nuclei, ensuring viral replication in the subsequent S phase. The E2 protein potentially bridges the viral and host genomes during mitosis to mediate segregation of the circular viral plasmid. Here, we demonstrate that E2 has the ability to mediate plasmid segregation, and that this function is dependent upon interaction with the host protein TopBP1. Additionally, we demonstrate that the E2-TopBP1 interaction promotes enhanced E2 expression during mitosis, which likely promotes the plasmid segregation function of E2. Overall, our results present a mechanism of how HPV16 can segregate its viral genome during an active infection, a critical aspect of the viral life cycle.

Overexpression of TopBP1, a canonical ATR/Chk1 activator, paradoxically hinders ATR/Chk1 activation in cancer.

Topoisomerase IIß-binding protein 1 (TopBP1) is involved in cellular replication among other functions and is known to activate ATR/Chk1 during replicative stress. TopBP1 is also expressed at high levels in many cancers. However, the impact of TopBP1 overexpression on ATR/Chk1 activation and cancer development has not been investigated. Here we demonstrate that the degree of ATR/Chk1 activation is regulated by TopBP1 in a biphasic, concentration-dependent manner in a nontransformed MCF10A cell line and several cancer cell lines, including H1299, MDA-MB468, and U2OS. At low levels, TopBP1 activates ATR/Chk1, but once TopBP1 protein accumulates above an optimal level, it paradoxically leads to lower activation of ATR/Chk1. This is due to the perturbation of ATR-TopBP1 interaction and ATR chromatin loading by excessive TopBP1. Overexpression of TopBP1 thus hinders the ATR/Chk1 checkpoint response, leading to the impairment of genome integrity as demonstrated by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. In contrast, moderate depletion of TopBP1 by shRNA in TopBP1-overexpressing cancer cells enhanced ATR/Chk1 activation and S-phase checkpoint response after replicative stress. The clinical significance of these findings is supported by an association between TopBP1 overexpression and genome instability in many types of human cancer. Taken together, our study illustrates an unexpected relationship between the levels of TopBP1 and the final functional outcome and suggests TopBP1 overexpression as a new mechanism directly contributing to genomic instability during tumorigenesis.

ATR activation is regulated by dimerization of ATR activating proteins.

The checkpoint kinase ATR regulates DNA repair, cell cycle progression, and other DNA damage and replication stress responses. ATR signaling is stimulated by an ATR activating protein, and in metazoan cells, there are at least two ATR activators: TOPBP1 and ETAA1. Current evidence indicates TOPBP1 and ETAA1 activate ATR via the same biochemical mechanism, but several aspects of this mechanism remain undefined. For example, ATR and its obligate binding partner ATR interacting protein (ATRIP) form a tetrameric complex consisting of two ATR and two ATRIP molecules, but whether TOPBP1 or ETAA1 dimerization is similarly required for ATR function is unclear. Here, we show that fusion of the TOPBP1 and ETAA1 ATR activation domains (AADs) to dimeric tags makes them more potent activators of ATR in vitro. Furthermore, induced dimerization of both AADs using chemical dimerization of a modified FKBP tag enhances ATR kinase activation and signaling in cells. ETAA1 forms oligomeric complexes mediated by regions of the protein that are predicted to be intrinsically disordered. Induced dimerization of a "mini-ETAA1" protein that contains the AAD and Replication Protein A (RPA) interaction motifs enhances ATR signaling, rescues cellular hypersensitivity to DNA damaging agents, and suppresses micronuclei formation in ETAA1-deficient cells. Together, our results indicate that TOPBP1 and ETAA1 dimerization is important for optimal ATR signaling and genome stability.

Common motifs in ETAA1 and TOPBP1 required for ATR kinase activation.

DNA damage response Ser/Thr kinases, including ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and Rad3-related (ATR), control cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and apoptosis. ATR is activated by ETAA1 activator of ATR kinase (ETAA1) or DNA topoisomerase II binding protein 1 (TOPBP1). Both ETAA1 and TOPBP1 contain experimentally defined ATR activation domains (AADs) that are mostly unstructured and have minimal sequence similarity. A tryptophan residue in both AADs is required for ATR activation, but the other features of these domains and the mechanism by which they activate ATR are unknown. In this study, using bioinformatic analyses, kinase assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence measures of signaling, we more specifically defined the TOPBP1 and ETAA1 AADs and identified additional features of the AADs needed for ATR activation. We found that both ETAA1 and TOPBP1 contain a predicted coiled-coil motif that is required for ATR activation in vitro and in cells. Mutation of the predicted coiled coils does not alter AAD oligomerization but does impair binding of the AADs to ATR. These results suggest that TOPBP1 and ETAA1 activate ATR using similar motifs and mechanisms.

A role for the yeast PCNA unloader Elg1 in eliciting the DNA damage checkpoint.

During cell proliferation, the genome is constantly threatened by cellular and external factors. When the DNA is damaged, or when its faithful duplication is delayed by DNA polymerase stalling, the cells induce a coordinated response termed the DNA damage response (DDR) or checkpoint. Elg1 forms an RFC-like complex in charge of unloading the DNA polymerase processively factor PCNA during DNA replication and DNA repair. Using checkpoint-inducible strains, a recently published paper (Sau et al. in mBio 10(3):e01159-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01159-19, 2019) uncovered a role for Elg1 in eliciting the DNA damage checkpoint (DC), one of the branches of the DDR. The apical kinase Mec1/ATR phosphorylates Elg1, as well as the adaptor proteins Rad9/53BP1 and Dpb11/TopBP1, which are recruited to the site of DNA damage to amplify the checkpoint signal. In the absence of Elg1, Rad9 and Dpb11 are recruited but fail to be phosphorylated and the signal is therefore not amplified. Thus, Elg1 appears to coordinate DNA repair and the induction of the DNA damage checkpoint.

DNA damage response protein TOPBP1 regulates X chromosome silencing in the mammalian germ line.

Meiotic synapsis and recombination between homologs permits the formation of cross-overs that are essential for generating chromosomally balanced sperm and eggs. In mammals, surveillance mechanisms eliminate meiotic cells with defective synapsis, thereby minimizing transmission of aneuploidy. One such surveillance mechanism is meiotic silencing, the inactivation of genes located on asynapsed chromosomes, via ATR-dependent serine-139 phosphorylation of histone H2AFX (γH2AFX). Stimulation of ATR activity requires direct interaction with an ATR activation domain (AAD)-containing partner. However, which partner facilitates the meiotic silencing properties of ATR is unknown. Focusing on the best-characterized example of meiotic silencing, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, we reveal this AAD-containing partner to be the DNA damage and checkpoint protein TOPBP1. Conditional TOPBP1 deletion during pachynema causes germ cell elimination associated with defective X chromosome gene silencing and sex chromosome condensation. TOPBP1 is essential for localization to the X chromosome of silencing "sensors," including BRCA1, and effectors, including ATR, γH2AFX, and canonical repressive histone marks. We present evidence that persistent DNA double-strand breaks act as silencing initiation sites. Our study identifies TOPBP1 as a critical factor in meiotic sex chromosome silencing.

Mutant p53 perturbs DNA replication checkpoint control through TopBP1 and Treslin.

Accumulating evidence supports the gain-of-function of mutant forms of p53 (mutp53s). However, whether mutp53 directly perturbs the DNA replication checkpoint remains unclear. Previously, we have demonstrated that TopBP1 forms a complex with mutp53s and mediates their gain-of-function through NF-Y and p63/p73. Akt phosphorylates TopBP1 and induces its oligomerization, which inhibits its ATR-activating function. Here we show that various contact and conformational mutp53s bypass Akt to induce TopBP1 oligomerization and attenuate ATR checkpoint response during replication stress. The effect on ATR response caused by mutp53 can be exploited in a synthetic lethality strategy, as depletion of another ATR activator, DNA2, in mutp53-R273H-expressing cancer cells renders cells hypersensitive to cisplatin. Expression of mutp53-R273H also makes cancer cells more sensitive to DNA2 depletion or DNA2 inhibitors. In addition to ATR-activating function during replication stress, TopBP1 interacts with Treslin in a Cdk-dependent manner to initiate DNA replication during normal growth. We find that mutp53 also interferes with TopBP1 replication function. Several contact, but not conformational, mutp53s enhance the interaction between TopBP1 and Treslin and promote DNA replication despite the presence of a Cdk2 inhibitor. Together, these data uncover two distinct mechanisms by which mutp53 enhances DNA replication: (i) Both contact and conformational mutp53s can bind TopBP1 and attenuate the checkpoint response to replication stress, and (ii) during normal growth, contact (but not conformational) mutp53s can override the Cdk2 requirement to promote replication by facilitating the TopBP1/Treslin interaction.

TopBP1 deficiency impairs the localization of proteins involved in early recombination and results in meiotic chromosome defects during spermatogenesis.

Topoisomerase IIß-binding protein 1 (TopBP1) is BRCT domain-containing protein that is required for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and DNA damage responses; however, its function during the early stage of spermatogenesis is still unclear. To investigate the physiological role of TopBP1, we have generated germ cell-specific TopBP1-depleted mouse model. TopBP1-deleted mice were infertile, showed a loss of germ cells and had meiotic defects. Conditional TopBP1 deletion resulted in reduced testis size, reduced number of epididymal sperm, increased apoptosis, and severely compromised fertility. TopBP1 deficiency caused defects in DMC1 and Rad51 foci formation, abnormal synaptonemal complexes and meiotic chromosome defects. Collectively, these results suggest that TopBP1 deficiency during spermatogenesis impairs the localization of proteins involved in early recombination at DSBs, results in meiotic chromosome defects and leads to infertility.

The ATR-Activation Domain of TopBP1 Is Required for the Suppression of Origin Firing during the S Phase.

The mammalian DNA replication program is controlled at two phases, the licensing of potential origins of DNA replication in early gap 1 (G1), and the selective firing of a subset of licenced origins in the synthesis (S) phase. Upon entry into the S phase, serine/threonine-protein kinase ATR (ATR) is required for successful completion of the DNA replication program by limiting unnecessary dormant origin activation. Equally important is its activator, DNA topoisomerase 2-binding protein 1 (TopBP1), which is also required for the initiation of DNA replication after a rise in S-phase kinase levels. However, it is unknown how the ATR activation domain of TopBP1 affects DNA replication dynamics. Using human cells conditionally expressing a TopBP1 mutant deficient for ATR activation, we show that functional TopBP1 is required in suppressing local dormant origin activation. Our results demonstrate a regulatory role for TopBP1 in the local balancing of replication fork firing within the S phase.

Direct Binding to Replication Protein A (RPA)-coated Single-stranded DNA Allows Recruitment of the ATR Activator TopBP1 to Sites of DNA Damage.

A critical event for the ability of cells to tolerate DNA damage and replication stress is activation of the ATR kinase. ATR activation is dependent on the BRCT (BRCA1 C terminus) repeat-containing protein TopBP1. Previous work has shown that recruitment of TopBP1 to sites of DNA damage and stalled replication forks is necessary for downstream events in ATR activation; however, the mechanism for this recruitment was not known. Here, we use protein binding assays and functional studies in Xenopus egg extracts to show that TopBP1 makes a direct interaction, via its BRCT2 domain, with RPA-coated single-stranded DNA. We identify a point mutant that abrogates this interaction and show that this mutant fails to accumulate at sites of DNA damage and that the mutant cannot activate ATR. These data thus supply a mechanism for how the critical ATR activator, TopBP1, senses DNA damage and stalled replication forks to initiate assembly of checkpoint signaling complexes.