A truncated MRE11 form induced by SPRTN is deficient in DNA repair and radiosensitises cancer cells

ABSTRACT: he human MRE11/RAD50/NBS1 (MRN) complex plays a crucial role in sensing and repairing DNA DSB. MRE11 possesses 3’-5’ exonuclease and endonuclease activity and forms the core of the multifunctional MRN complex. We previously identified a C-terminally truncated form of MRE11 (TR-MRE11) associated with post-translational MRE11 degradation. Here we identified the approximate cleavage site of TR-MRE11 at 559-580 amino acids, its DNA damage repair function and the factors regulating TR-MRE11 accumulation. The nuclease enzymatic activity of TR-MRE11 was dramatically reduced, associated with a lack of DNA binding efficiency, whilst TR-MRE11 still interacted efficiently with RAD50 and NBS1. Lack of the MRE11 C-terminal resulted in deficient HR repair and increased cellular radiosensitivity. Knockdown of SprT-like N-terminal domain (SPRTN), an essential metalloprotease for DNA-protein crosslink repair, resulted in failure of MRE11 cleavage, with TR-MRE11 protein levels being positively correlated with SPRTN protein expression. The presence of this DNA repair-defective C-terminal truncation could explain the finding of high MRE11 expression, by immunohistochemistry using an antibody against MRE11 prior to the C-terminal, being associated with survival following radical radiotherapy in cancer patients. Ultimately, understanding the functional differences between intact and repair-defective MRE11 may lead to improvements in patient outcomes through a more informed choice of treatment.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Fusion Lumos

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

SUBMITTER: iolanda Vendrell  

LAB HEAD: Professor Anne Kiltie

PROVIDER: PXD017964 | Pride | 2021-02-23

REPOSITORIES: Pride