Project description:A form of dwarfism known as Meier-Gorlin syndrome (MGS) is caused by recessive mutations in one of six different genes (ORC1, ORC4, ORC6, CDC6, CDT1, and MCM5). These genes encode components of the pre-replication complex, which assembles at origins of replication prior to S phase. Also, variants in two additional replication initiation genes have joined the list of causative mutations for MGS (Geminin and CDC45). The identity of the causative MGS genetic variants strongly suggests that some aspect of replication is amiss in MGS patients; however, little evidence has been obtained regarding what aspect of chromosome replication is faulty. Since the site of one of the missense mutations in the human ORC4 alleles is conserved between humans and yeast, we sought to determine in what way this single amino acid change affects the process of chromosome replication, by introducing the comparable mutation into yeast (orc4Y232C). To examine early replication dynamics on a genome-wide scale in orc4Y232C cells, we utilized an assay that was previously developed in our lab. This assay uses microarray hybridization to measure the levels of single stranded DNA exposed at replication forks. While we do not fully understand the molecular processes that give rise to peaks of different amplitudes—e.g., number of cells that have activated a particular origin vs. amount of ssDNA revealed at different forks—the results from different replicates of the experiment are highly reproducible. We find that origins that are known to fire early and are efficient produce the peaks of greatest magnitude, while later firing and less efficient origins produce smaller or no peaks in this assay. The characteristic time and/or efficiency of origin firing within the S phase is altered for at least 15% of the 300 yeast origins. Among the origins with delayed/reduced origin firing are normally early-firing origins adjacent to centromeres.
Project description:We have developed a method to analyze single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) formation on a genomic scale by using microarrays. Using this technique we have assessed the location and the amount of ssDNA in S. cerevisiae during DNA replication. We have observed that when replication is impeded by hydroxyurea, ssDNA formation can be detected in both wild type and the checkpoint-deficient rad53 cells. However, while wild type cells showed ssDNA formation at only a subset of origins, rad53 cells formed ssDNA at virtually all known origins. Moreover, in rad53 cells the ssDNA regions did not expand over time, presumably due to collapsed replication forks. We also applied this method to map origins in S. pombe, taking advantage of the conserved replication checkpoint function by Cds1, the homolog of Rad53 in S. pombe. Keywords: ssDNA, HU, replication, time course
Project description:Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) facilitates adaptive evolution by allowing rapid and extensive gene copy number variation, and is implicated in the pathology of cancer and ageing. Here, we demonstrate that yeast aged under environmental copper accumulate high levels of eccDNA containing the copper resistance gene CUP1. Transcription of CUP1 causes CUP1 eccDNA accumulation, which occurs in the absence of phenotypic selection. We have developed a sensitive and quantitative eccDNA sequencing pipeline that reveals CUP1 eccDNA accumulation on copper exposure to be exquisitely site specific, with no other detectable changes across the eccDNA complement. eccDNA forms de novo from the CUP1 locus through processing of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by Sae2 / Mre11 and Mus81, and genome-wide analyses show that other protein coding eccDNA species in aged yeast share a similar biogenesis pathway. Although abundant we find that CUP1 eccDNA does not replicate efficiently, and high copy numbers in aged cells arise through frequent formation events combined with asymmetric DNA segregation. The transcriptional stimulation of CUP1 eccDNA formation shows that age-linked genetic change varies with transcription pattern, resulting in gene copy number profiles tailored by environment.
Project description:Single Centre, open label assignment phase II clinical study.
To evaluate the effect of oral 200mg Methylene Blue tablets (administered 8x25mg) prior to endoscopy on double stranded DNA breaks in colonic biopsy samples assessed by histone gamma H2AX analysis, compared to control biopsies.
Project description:mRNAs are transcribed and processed in the nucleus before they are exported into the cytoplasm for translation. Export is mediated by the export receptor heterodimer Mex67-Mtr2 in yeast (TAP-p15 in humans). Interestingly, also many lncRNAs leave the nucleus but it is currently unclear why they travel into the cytoplasm. Here we show that antisense (as)RNAs accelerate mRNA export by annealing with their sense counterparts through the helicase Dbp2. These double-stranded (ds)RNAs dominate export compared to single-stranded (ss)RNA, as they have a higher capacity and affinity for the export receptor Mex67. In this way, asRNAs boost gene expression, which is beneficial for cells. This is particularly important upon expression program changes. Consequently, the degradation or prevention of the formation of dsRNA is toxic for cells. This mechanism illuminates the general cellular occurrence of asRNAs and explains their nuclear export.