CtIP is essential for early B cell proliferation and development in mice
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: B cell development requires efficient proliferation and successful assembly and modifications of the immunoglobulin gene products. CtIP is an essential gene implicated in end-resection and DNA repair. Here we show that CtIP is essential for early B cell development, while dispensable in naïve B cells. CtIP loss is well-tolerated in G1 arrested B cells and during V(D)J recombination. But, in proliferating B cells, CtIP loss leads to a progressive cell death characterized by ATM hyper-activation, G2/M arrest, genomic instability, and 53BP1 nuclear body formation, indicating that the essential role of CtIP during proliferation underscores its stage-specific requirement in B cells. B cell proliferation requires phosphorylation of CtIP at T847 presumably by CDK, but not its interaction with CtBP, Rb, nor its nuclease activity. CtIP phosphorylation by ATM/ATR at T859 (T855 in mice) promotes end-resection in G1 arrested cells, but dispensable for B cell development and class switch recombination, suggesting distinct roles for T859 and T847 phosphorylation in B cell development.
Project description:Human lymphoid malignancies are often characterized by oncogenic translocations involving the antigen receptor gene loci. CtIP is a DNA end-resection factor that has been widely implicated in alternative end-joining (A-EJ) mediated chromosomal translocations in reporters. The ATM and ATR kinases phosphorylate CtIP at T859 (T855 in mouse) and other sites to promote DNA end-resection. Using two classical non-homologous end-joining (cNHEJ) and Tp53-double deficient mouse models, we identified a role of CtIP T855 phosphorylation in the neonatal development of Xrcc4-/-Tp53-/- mice and the IgH-Myc translocation driven lymphomagenesis in DNA-PKcs-/-Tp53-/- mice. Mechanistically, we found that CtIP T855 phosphorylation is important for the progression of DNA end-resection, while dispensable for hairpin opening and inter-sister DNA break ligation. Moreover, we found that CtIP-T855 phosphorylation supports the proliferation of Myc-driven lymphoma cells by promoting the transition from ATM-mediated to ATR-mediated G2/M cell cycle checkpoint. Correspondingly, the CtIP-T855A mutation delays splenomegaly in l-Myc mice. Collectively, our findings suggest that DNA damage-induced CtIP phosphorylation has a checkpoint function during lymphomagenesis independent of its role in A-EJ-mediated chromosomal translocation
Project description:To generate antibodies with different effector functions, B cells undergo Immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR). The ligation step of CSR is usually mediated by the classical non-homologous end-joining (cNHEJ) pathway. In cNHEJ-deficient cells, a remarkable ~25% CSR can be achieved by the alternative end-joining (A-EJ) pathway that preferentially uses microhomology (MH) at the junctions. While A-EJ mediated repair of endonuclease generated breaks requires DNA end-resection, we show that CtIP-mediated DNA end-resection is dispensable for A-EJ-mediated CSR using cNHEJ-deficient B cells. High-throughput sequencing analyses revealed that loss of ATM/ATR phosphorylation of CtIP at T855 or ATM kinase inhibition suppress resection without altering the MH-pattern of the A-EJ-mediated switch junctions. Moreover, we found that ATM kinase promotes Alt-EJ mediated CSR by suppressing inter-chromosomal translocations independent of end-resection. Finally, temperol analyses reveal that MHs are enriched in early internal deletions even in cNHEJ-proficient B cells. Thus, we propose that repetitive IgH switch regions represent favoriate substrates for MH-mediated end-joining contributing to the robustness and resection-indepndence of A-EJ-mediated CSR.
Project description:Classical non-homologous end-joining (C-NHEJ) is a major mammalian DNA double strand break (DSB) repair pathway. Core C-NHEJ factors, such as XRCC4, are required for joining DSB intermediates of the G1 phase-specific V(D)J recombination reaction in progenitor lymphocytes. Core factors also contribute to joining DSBs in cycling mature B-lineage cells, including DSBs generated during antibody class switch recombination (CSR) and DSBs generated by ionizing radiation (IR). The XLF C-NHEJ factor is dispensable for V(D)J recombination in normal cells, but, due to functional redundancy, is absolutely required for this process in cells deficient for the ATM DSB response factor. The recently identified PAralogue of XRCC4 and XLF (PAXX) factor has homology to these two proteins and variably contributes to IR-induced DSB repair in human and chicken cells. We now report that PAXX is dispensable for joining V(D)J recombination DSBs in G1-arrested mouse pro-B cell lines, dispensable for joining CSR-associated DSBs in a cycling mouse B cell line, and dispensable for normal IR-resistance in both G1-arrested and cycling pro-B lines. However, we find that combined deficiency for PAXX and XLF in G1-arrested pro-B lines abrogates DSB joining during V(D)J recombination and sensitizes the cells to IR exposure. Thus, PAXX provides core C-NHEJ factor-associated functions in the absence of XLF and vice versa in G1-arrested Pro-B cell lines. Finally, we also find that PAXX-deficiency has no impact on V(D)J recombination DSB joining in ATM-deficient pro-B lines. We discuss implications of these findings with respect to potential PAXX and XLF functions in C-NHEJ. Examination of CSR Switch mu-to-alpha junctions from mu bait DSBs using LAM-HTGTS and Illumina Miseq. Two clones of PAXX-/- and XLF-/- and 1 clone of Ligase4-/- were derived from the parental CH12F3 line; the second Ligase4-/- clone was acquired from Keifei Yu. Two clones of XLF-/-PAXX-/-CH12 cells were derived from one of the PAXX-/- clones. Three biological replicates were analyzed for each clone.
Project description:Classical non-homologous end-joining (C-NHEJ) is a major mammalian DNA double strand break (DSB) repair pathway. Core C-NHEJ factors, such as XRCC4, are required for joining DSB intermediates of the G1 phase-specific V(D)J recombination reaction in progenitor lymphocytes. Core factors also contribute to joining DSBs in cycling mature B-lineage cells, including DSBs generated during antibody class switch recombination (CSR) and DSBs generated by ionizing radiation (IR). The XLF C-NHEJ factor is dispensable for V(D)J recombination in normal cells, but, due to functional redundancy, is absolutely required for this process in cells deficient for the ATM DSB response factor. The recently identified PAralogue of XRCC4 and XLF (PAXX) factor has homology to these two proteins and variably contributes to IR-induced DSB repair in human and chicken cells. We now report that PAXX is dispensable for joining V(D)J recombination DSBs in G1-arrested mouse pro-B cell lines, dispensable for joining CSR-associated DSBs in a cycling mouse B cell line, and dispensable for normal IR-resistance in both G1-arrested and cycling pro-B lines. However, we find that combined deficiency for PAXX and XLF in G1-arrested pro-B lines abrogates DSB joining during V(D)J recombination and sensitizes the cells to IR exposure. Thus, PAXX provides core C-NHEJ factor-associated functions in the absence of XLF and vice versa in G1-arrested Pro-B cell lines. Finally, we also find that PAXX-deficiency has no impact on V(D)J recombination DSB joining in ATM-deficient pro-B lines. We discuss implications of these findings with respect to potential PAXX and XLF functions in C-NHEJ.
Project description:DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination is confined to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle partly due to 53BP1 antagonizing DNA end resection in G1 phase and non-cycling quiescent (G0) cells where DSBs must be repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Unexpectedly, we uncovered extensive MRE11- and CtIP-dependent DNA end resection at DSBs in G0 mammalian cells. A whole genome CRISPR/Cas9 screen revealed the DNA-dependent kinase (DNA-PK) complex as a key factor in promoting DNA end resection in G0 cells. In agreement, depletion of FBXL12, which promotes ubiquitylation and removal of the KU70/KU80 subunits of DNA-PK from DSBs, promotes even more extensive resection in G0 cells. In contrast, a requirement for DNA-PK in promoting DNA end resection in cycling cells at the G1 or G2 phase cells was not observed. Our findings establish that DNA-PK uniquely promotes DNA end resection in G0, but not in G1 or G2 phase cells, and has important implications for DNA DSB repair in quiescent cells.
Project description:DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination is confined to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle partly due to 53BP1 antagonizing DNA end resection in G1 phase and non-cycling quiescent (G0) cells where DSBs must be repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Unexpectedly, we uncovered extensive MRE11- and CtIP-dependent DNA end resection at DSBs in G0 mammalian cells. A whole genome CRISPR/Cas9 screen revealed the DNA-dependent kinase (DNA-PK) complex as a key factor in promoting DNA end resection in G0 cells. In agreement, depletion of FBXL12, which promotes ubiquitylation and removal of the KU70/KU80 subunits of DNA-PK from DSBs, promotes even more extensive resection in G0 cells. In contrast, a requirement for DNA-PK in promoting DNA end resection in cycling cells at the G1 or G2 phase cells was not observed. Our findings establish that DNA-PK uniquely promotes DNA end resection in G0, but not in G1 or G2 phase cells, and has important implications for DNA DSB repair in quiescent cells.
Project description:The pleiotropic CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) plays a role in homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, the precise mechanistic role of CTCF in HR remains largely unclear. Here, we show that CTCF engages in DNA end resection, which is the initial, crucial step in HR, through its interactions with MRE11 and CtIP. Depletion of CTCF profoundly impairs HR and attenuates CtIP recruitment at DSBs. CTCF physically interacts with MRE11 and CtIP and promotes CtIP recruitment to sites of DNA damage. Subsequently, CTCF facilitates DNA end resection to allow HR, in conjunction with MRE11-CtIP. Notably, the zinc finger domain of CTCF binds to both MRE11 and CtIP and enables proficient CtIP recruitment, DNA end resection, and HR. The N-terminus of CTCF is able to bind to only MRE11 and its C-terminus is incapable of binding to MRE11 and CtIP, thereby resulting in compromised CtIP recruitment, DSB resection, and HR. Overall, this suggests an important function of CTCF in DNA end resection through the recruitment of CtIP at DSBs. Collectively, our findings identify a critical role of CTCF at the first control point in selecting the HR repair pathway
Project description:DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent a threat to the genome because they can lead to loss of genetic information and chromosome rearrangements. The DNA repair protein p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) protects the genome by limiting nucleolytic processing of DSBs by a mechanism that requires its phosphorylation, but whether it does so directly is not known. Here we identify Rapl-interacting factor 1 (Rif1) as an Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) phosphorylation-dependent interactor of 53BP1, and show that absence of Rif1 results in 5’-3’ DNA end resection in mice. Consistent with enhanced DNA resection, Rif1 deficiency impairs DNA repair in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle, interferes with class switch recombination (CSR) in B lymphocytes, and leads to accumulation of chromosome DSBs.
Project description:DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) represent a threat to the genome because they can lead to loss of genetic information and chromosome rearrangements. The DNA repair protein p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) protects the genome by limiting nucleolytic processing of DSBs by a mechanism that requires its phosphorylation, but whether it does so directly is not known. Here we identify Rapl-interacting factor 1 (Rif1) as an Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) phosphorylation-dependent interactor of 53BP1, and show that absence of Rif1 results in 5M-bM-^@M-^Y-3M-bM-^@M-^Y DNA end resection in mice. Consistent with enhanced DNA resection, Rif1 deficiency impairs DNA repair in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle, interferes with class switch recombination (CSR) in B lymphocytes, and leads to accumulation of chromosome DSBs. Study of Rif1 DNA-end protection activity against resection via analysis of single-stranded DNA binding protein RPA and Rad51 accumulation at sites of AID-induced DNA damage by ChIP-seq. All samples shown in Fig. 4 are included (controls and test samples, 7 samples in total).
Project description:RIF1 is a multifunctional protein that plays key roles in the regulation of DNA processing. During repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), RIF1 functions in the 53BP1-Shieldin pathway that inhibits resection of DNA ends to modulate the cellular decision on which repair pathway to engage. Under conditions of replication stress, RIF1 protects nascent DNA at stalled replication forks from degradation by the DNA2 nuclease. How these RIF1 activities are regulated at the post-translational level has not yet been elucidated. Here, we identified a cluster of conserved ATM/ATR consensus SQ motifs within the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of mouse RIF1 that are phosphorylated in proliferating B lymphocytes. We found that phosphorylation of the conserved IDR SQ cluster is dispensable for the inhibition of DSB resection by RIF1, but is essential to counteract DNA2-dependent degradation of nascent DNA at stalled replication forks. Therefore, our study identifies a key molecular feature that enables the genome-protective function of RIF1 during DNA replication stress.