Nuclear alpha spectrin: Critical roles in DNA interstrand cross-link repair and genomic stability.
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ABSTRACT: Non-erythroid alpha spectrin (?IISp) is a structural protein which we have shown is present in the nucleus of human cells. It interacts with a number of nuclear proteins such as actin, lamin, emerin, chromatin remodeling factors, and DNA repair proteins. ?IISp's interaction with DNA repair proteins has been extensively studied. We have demonstrated that nuclear ?IISp is critical in DNA interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair in S phase, in both genomic (non-telomeric) and telomeric DNA, and in maintenance of genomic stability following ICL damage to DNA. We have proposed that ?IISp acts as a scaffold aiding to recruit repair proteins to sites of damage. This involvement of ?IISp in ICL repair and telomere maintenance after ICL damage represents new and critical functions for ?IISp. These studies have led to development of a model for the role of ?IISp in DNA ICL repair. They have been aided by examination of cells from patients with Fanconi anemia (FA), a repair-deficient genetic disorder in which a deficiency in ?IISp leads to defective ICL repair in genomic and telomeric DNA, telomere dysfunction, and chromosome instability following DNA ICL damage. We have shown that loss of ?IISp in FA cells is due to increased breakdown by the protease, µ-calpain. Importantly, we have demonstrated that this deficiency can be corrected by knockdown of µ-calpain and restoring ?IISp levels to normal. This corrects a number of the phenotypic deficiencies in FA after ICL damage. These studies suggest a new and unexplored direction for therapeutically restoring genomic stability in FA cells and for correcting numerous phenotypic deficiencies occurring after ICL damage. Developing a more in-depth understanding of the importance of the interaction of ?IISp with other nuclear proteins could significantly enhance our knowledge of the consequences of loss of ?IISp on critical nuclear processes.
SUBMITTER: Lambert MW
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4999628 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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