Project description:Homologous recombination (HR) requires the resection of DNA breaks and RAD51 filament formation. Protein complexes that control end resection have been characterized, but regulators of RAD51 loading are not well defined. PALB2 is a mediator of BRCA2-RAD51 DNA break localization; it can also bind BRCA1, or form homodimers with DNA binding activity, via its coiled-coil (CC) domain. Here, we created a CC mutated mouse allele (Palb2CC) that disrupts CC-mediated interactions. While Palb2CC/CC embryos were not viable; remarkably, intercrossing with mice lacking 53BP1, an inhibitor of PALB2-chromatin contacts, produced live-births. However, Palb2CC/CC53bp1-/- mice were tumor-prone and cells had limited RAD51 foci. HR remained inefficient because the CC domain was required for PALB2 to bind to single-stranded (ss)DNA overhangs and subsequently promote PALB2 and RAD51 accumulation. These findings underscore the role of ssDNA binding in localizing PALB2 to DNA breaks, while establishing genetic interactions that control post-end resection steps in mammalian HR.
Project description:53BP1 activity drives genome instability and embryonic lethality in BRCA1-deficient cells by inhibiting homologous recombination (HR).53BP1’s anti-recombinogenic functions require phosphorylation-dependent interactions with two effector complexes, PTIP and RIF1/Shieldin. While RIF1/Shieldin is thought to block 5’-3’ nucleolytic processing of DNA ends, it remains unclear how PTIP antagonizes HR. Here we show that mutation of the PTIP interaction site in 53BP1 (S25A) increases Shieldin association with DNA damage. Despite excessive Shieldin “end-blocking” activity, the mutant protein allows end resection sufficient to rescue the lethality of BRCA1D11 mice. End resection in BRCA1D1153BP1S25A mice is rewired in a manner driven by DNA2 since Shieldin blocks EXO1-mediated nucleolytic processing. Despite ample resection, mutant cells fail to complete HR, as 53BP1/Shieldin also inhibits RNF168-mediated loading of PALB2/RAD51 onto ssDNA post-resection. As a result, BRCA1D1153BP1S25A mice exhibit hallmark features of HR insufficiency, including increased developmental neuronal apoptosis, premature aging and hypersensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Disruption of Shieldin or forced targeting of PALB2 to ssDNA in BRCA1D1153BP1S25A cells restores RNF168 recruitment, RAD51 nucleofilament formation, and PARPi resistance. Our study supports a model in which RIF1/Shieldin and PTIP associate independently with 53BP1 to regulate distinct end-resection pathways, and reveals a critical function of 53BP1/Shieldin post-resection that limits RNF168-mediated loading of RAD51.
Project description:53BP1 activity drives genome instability and embryonic lethality in BRCA1-deficient cells by inhibiting homologous recombination (HR).53BP1’s anti-recombinogenic functions require phosphorylation-dependent interactions with two effector complexes, PTIP and RIF1/Shieldin. While RIF1/Shieldin is thought to block 5’-3’ nucleolytic processing of DNA ends, it remains unclear how PTIP antagonizes HR. Here we show that mutation of the PTIP interaction site in 53BP1 (S25A) increases Shieldin association with DNA damage. Despite excessive Shieldin “end-blocking” activity, the mutant protein allows end resection sufficient to rescue the lethality of BRCA1D11 mice. End resection in BRCA1D1153BP1S25A mice is rewired in a manner driven by DNA2 since Shieldin blocks EXO1-mediated nucleolytic processing. Despite ample resection, mutant cells fail to complete HR, as 53BP1/Shieldin also inhibits RNF168-mediated loading of PALB2/RAD51 onto ssDNA post-resection. As a result, BRCA1D1153BP1S25A mice exhibit hallmark features of HR insufficiency, including increased developmental neuronal apoptosis, premature aging and hypersensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Disruption of Shieldin or forced targeting of PALB2 to ssDNA in BRCA1D1153BP1S25A cells restores RNF168 recruitment, RAD51 nucleofilament formation, and PARPi resistance. Our study supports a model in which RIF1/Shieldin and PTIP associate independently with 53BP1 to regulate distinct end-resection pathways, and reveals a critical function of 53BP1/Shieldin post-resection that limits RNF168-mediated loading of RAD51.
Project description:Double-strand break (DSB) repair choice is greatly influenced by the initial processing of DNA ends. 53BP1 limits the formation of recombinogenic single strand DNA (ssDNA) in BRCA1-deficient cells leading to defects in homologous recombination (HR). However, the exact mechanisms by which 53BP1 inhibits DSB resection remain unclear. Previous studies have identified two potential pathways: protection against exonucleases presumably through the Shieldin (SHLD) complex binding to ssDNA, and localized DNA synthesis through the (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) CST and DNA polymerase alpha (Polα) to counteract resection. We present evidence here that 53BP1-mediated exonuclease protection plays a more significant role than CST/Polα synthesis in countering hyper-resection at DSBs in G1 phase. Using a combinatorial approach of END-seq, SAR-seq, and RPA ChIP-seq, we directly assessed the extent of resection, DNA synthesis, and ssDNA, respectively, at AsiSI-induced DSBs. We show that in the presence of 53BP1, Polα-dependent DNA synthesis reduces the fraction of resected DSBs and the resection lengths. However, in the absence of 53BP1, Polα activity is sustained on ssDNA yet does not substantially counter resection. In contrast, Exo1 nuclease activity is essential for hyperresection in the absence of 53BP1. Thus, 53BP1 inhibits resection mainly through end-protection rather than by promoting fill-in.
Project description:Double-strand break (DSB) repair choice is greatly influenced by the initial processing of DNA ends. 53BP1 limits the formation of recombinogenic single strand DNA (ssDNA) in BRCA1-deficient cells leading to defects in homologous recombination (HR). However, the exact mechanisms by which 53BP1 inhibits DSB resection remain unclear. Previous studies have identified two potential pathways: protection against exonucleases presumably through the Shieldin (SHLD) complex binding to ssDNA, and localized DNA synthesis through the (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) CST and DNA polymerase alpha (Polα) to counteract resection. We present evidence here that 53BP1-mediated exonuclease protection plays a more significant role than CST/Polα synthesis in countering hyper-resection at DSBs in G1 phase. Using a combinatorial approach of END-seq, SAR-seq, and RPA ChIP-seq, we directly assessed the extent of resection, DNA synthesis, and ssDNA, respectively, at AsiSI-induced DSBs. We show that in the presence of 53BP1, Polα-dependent DNA synthesis reduces the fraction of resected DSBs and the resection lengths. However, in the absence of 53BP1, Polα activity is sustained on ssDNA yet does not substantially counter resection. In contrast, Exo1 nuclease activity is essential for hyperresection in the absence of 53BP1. Thus, 53BP1 inhibits resection mainly through end-protection rather than by promoting fill-in.
Project description:Double-strand break (DSB) repair choice is greatly influenced by the initial processing of DNA ends. 53BP1 limits the formation of recombinogenic single strand DNA (ssDNA) in BRCA1-deficient cells leading to defects in homologous recombination (HR). However, the exact mechanisms by which 53BP1 inhibits DSB resection remain unclear. Previous studies have identified two potential pathways: protection against exonucleases presumably through the Shieldin (SHLD) complex binding to ssDNA, and localized DNA synthesis through the (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) CST and DNA polymerase alpha (Polα) to counteract resection. We present evidence here that 53BP1-mediated exonuclease protection plays a more significant role than CST/Polα synthesis in countering hyper-resection at DSBs in G1 phase. Using a combinatorial approach of END-seq, SAR-seq, and RPA ChIP-seq, we directly assessed the extent of resection, DNA synthesis, and ssDNA, respectively, at AsiSI-induced DSBs. We show that in the presence of 53BP1, Polα-dependent DNA synthesis reduces the fraction of resected DSBs and the resection lengths. However, in the absence of 53BP1, Polα activity is sustained on ssDNA yet does not substantially counter resection. In contrast, Exo1 nuclease activity is essential for hyperresection in the absence of 53BP1. Thus, 53BP1 inhibits resection mainly through end-protection rather than by promoting fill-in.
Project description:53BP1 nucleates the anti-end resection machinery at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), thereby countering BRCA1 activity. Loss of 53BP1 leads to DNA end processing and homologous recombination (HR) in BRCA1-deficient cells. Consequently, BRCA1-mutant tumors, typically sensitive to PARP inhibitors (PARPi), become resistant in the absence of 53BP1. Here, we demonstrate that the 'leaky' DNA end resection in the absence of 53BP1 results in increased micronuclei and cytoplasmic dsDNA, leading to activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and pro-inflammatory signaling. This enhances CD8+ T cell infiltration, activates macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, and impedes tumor growth. Loss of 53BP1 correlates with a response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and improved overall survival. Immunohistochemical assessment of 53BP1 in two malignancies, high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC)s and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)s, which are refractory to ICBs, revealed that lower 53BP1 levels correlated with an increased adaptive and innate immune response. Finally, BRCA1-deficient tumors that develop resistance to PARPi due to the loss of 53BP1 are susceptible to ICB. Therefore, we conclude that 53BP1 is critical for tumor immunogenicity and underpins the response to ICB. Our results support including 53BP1 expression as an exploratory biomarker in ICB trials for malignancies typically refractory to immunotherapy.