Project description:The Shieldin complex, consisting of SHLD1, SHLD2, SHLD3 and REV7, shields double strand DNA breaks (DSBs) from nucleolytic resection. The end-protecting activity of Shieldin promotes productive non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) in G1 but can threaten genome integrity during S-phase by blocking homologous recombination (HR). Curiously, the penultimate Shieldin component, SHLD1 is one of the least abundant mammalian proteins. Here, we report that the transcription factors THAP1, YY1 and HCF1 bind directly to the SHLD1 promoter, where they cooperatively maintain the low basal expression of SHLD1. Functionally, this transcriptional network ensures that SHLD1 protein levels are kept in check to enable a proper balance between end protection and end resection during physiological DSB repair. In the context of BRCA1 deficiency, loss of THAP1 dependent SHLD1 expression confers cross resistance to PARP inhibitor and cisplatin, and shorter progression free survival in ovarian cancer patients. In contrast, loss of THAP1 in BRCA2 deficient cells increases genome instability and correlates with improved responses to chemotherapy. Pathogenic THAP1 mutations are causatively linked to adult-onset torsion dystonia type 6 (DYT6) movement disorder, but the critical disease targets are unknown. We further demonstrate that murine models of Thap1-associated dystonia show reduced Shld1 expression concomitant with elevated levels of unresolved DNA damage in the brain. In summary, our study provides the first example of a transcriptional network that directly controls DSB repair choice and reveals a previously unsuspected link between DNA damage and dystonia.
Project description:The Shieldin complex, consisting of SHLD1, SHLD2, SHLD3 and REV7, shields double strand DNA breaks (DSBs) from nucleolytic resection. The end-protecting activity of Shieldin promotes productive non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) in G1 but can threaten genome integrity during S-phase by blocking homologous recombination (HR). Curiously, the penultimate Shieldin component, SHLD1 is one of the least abundant mammalian proteins. Here, we report that the transcription factors THAP1, YY1 and HCF1 bind directly to the SHLD1 promoter, where they cooperatively maintain the low basal expression of SHLD1. Functionally, this transcriptional network ensures that SHLD1 protein levels are kept in check to enable a proper balance between end protection and end resection during physiological DSB repair. In the context of BRCA1 deficiency, loss of THAP1 dependent SHLD1 expression confers cross resistance to PARP inhibitor and cisplatin, and shorter progression free survival in ovarian cancer patients. In contrast, loss of THAP1 in BRCA2 deficient cells increases genome instability and correlates with improved responses to chemotherapy. Pathogenic THAP1 mutations are causatively linked to adult-onset torsion dystonia type 6 (DYT6) movement disorder, but the critical disease targets are unknown. We further demonstrate that murine models of Thap1-associated dystonia show reduced Shld1 expression concomitant with elevated levels of unresolved DNA damage in the brain. In summary, our study provides the first example of a transcriptional network that directly controls DSB repair choice and reveals a previously unsuspected link between DNA damage and dystonia.
Project description:The Shieldin complex, consisting of SHLD1, SHLD2, SHLD3 and REV7, shields double strand DNA breaks (DSBs) from nucleolytic resection. The end-protecting activity of Shieldin promotes productive non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) in G1 but can threaten genome integrity during S-phase by blocking homologous recombination (HR). Curiously, the penultimate Shieldin component, SHLD1 is one of the least abundant mammalian proteins. Here, we report that the transcription factors THAP1, YY1 and HCF1 bind directly to the SHLD1 promoter, where they cooperatively maintain the low basal expression of SHLD1. Functionally, this transcriptional network ensures that SHLD1 protein levels are kept in check to enable a proper balance between end protection and end resection during physiological DSB repair. In the context of BRCA1 deficiency, loss of THAP1 dependent SHLD1 expression confers cross resistance to PARP inhibitor and cisplatin, and shorter progression free survival in ovarian cancer patients. In contrast, loss of THAP1 in BRCA2 deficient cells increases genome instability and correlates with improved responses to chemotherapy. Pathogenic THAP1 mutations are causatively linked to adult-onset torsion dystonia type 6 (DYT6) movement disorder, but the critical disease targets are unknown. We further demonstrate that murine models of Thap1-associated dystonia show reduced Shld1 expression concomitant with elevated levels of unresolved DNA damage in the brain. In summary, our study provides the first example of a transcriptional network that directly controls DSB repair choice and reveals a previously unsuspected link between DNA damage and dystonia.
Project description:The Shieldin complex shields double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) from nucleolytic resection. Curiously, the penultimate Shieldin component, SHLD1, is one of the least abundant mammalian proteins. Here, we report that the transcription factors THAP1, YY1, and HCF1 bind directly to the SHLD1 promoter, where they cooperatively maintain the low basal expression of SHLD1, thereby ensuring a proper balance between end protection and resection during DSB repair. The loss of THAP1-dependent SHLD1 expression confers cross-resistance to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor and cisplatin in BRCA1-deficient cells and shorter progression-free survival in ovarian cancer patients. Moreover, the embryonic lethality and PARPi sensitivity of BRCA1-deficient mice is rescued by ablation of SHLD1. Our study uncovers a transcriptional network that directly controls DSB repair choice and suggests a potential link between DNA damage and pathogenic THAP1 mutations, found in patients with the neurodevelopmental movement disorder adult-onset torsion dystonia type 6.
Project description:THAP1 is a transcription factor and its mutations are responsible for DYT6 dystonia. However, how THAP1 mutations lead to these gene expression alterations and whether the gene expression changes are also reflected in the brain of THAP1 patients are still unclear. In this study we used epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches combined with multiple model systems to uncover the function of THAP1 and the potential pathogenesis of DYT6 dystonia. THAP1 mutations lead to dysregulation of genes mainly through regulation of SP1 family members, SP1 and SP4, in a cell type dependent manner.
Project description:THAP1 is a transcription factor and its mutations are responsible for DYT6 dystonia. However, how THAP1 mutations lead to these gene expression alterations and whether the gene expression changes are also reflected in the brain of THAP1 patients are still unclear. In this study we used epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches combined with multiple model systems to uncover the function of THAP1 and the potential pathogenesis of DYT6 dystonia. THAP1 mutations lead to dysregulation of genes mainly through regulation of SP1 family members, SP1 and SP4, in a cell type dependent manner.