SUMMARY Defective DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR) is thought to be a major contributor to tumorigenesis in individuals carrying Brca1 mutations. Here we show that DNA breaks in Brca1-deficient cells are aberrantly joined into complex chromosome rearrangements by a process dependent on the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) factors, 53BP1 and DNA Ligase 4. Loss of 53BP1 alleviates hypersensitivity of Brca1 mutant cells to PARP inhibition and restores error-free repair by HR. Mechanistically, 53BP1 deletion promotes ATM-dependent processing of broken DNA ends to produce recombinogenic single-stranded DNA competent for HR. In contrast, Lig4 deficiency does not rescue the HR defect in Brca1 mutant cells, but prevents the joining of chromatid breaks into chromosome rearrangements. Our results illustrate that HR and NHEJ compete to process DNA breaks that arise during DNA replication, and that shifting the balance between these pathways can be exploited to selectively protect or kill cells harboring Brca1 mutations.

Akt kinase is activated by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β) in diabetic kidneys and plays important roles in fibrosis, hypertrophy and cell survival in glomerular mesangial cells (MC)1–11. However, the mechanisms of Akt activation by TGF-β are not fully understood. Here we show that TGF-β activates Akt in MC by inducing microRNA-216a (miR-216a) and miR-217, both of which target phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN). Both these miRs are located within the second intron of a non-coding RNA (RP23-298H6.1-001). The RP23 promoter was activated by TGF-β and also by miR-192 via E-box-regulated mechanisms as shown previously3. Akt activation by these miRs also led to MC survival and hypertrophy similar to TGF-β. These studies reveal a mechanism of Akt activation via PTEN downregulation by two miRs regulated by upstream miR-192 and TGF-β. Due to the diversity of PTEN function12, 13, this miR amplifying circuit may play key roles not only in kidney disorders, but also other diseases.

Chromosomal double strand breaks (DSBs) can be repaired by a number of mechanisms that result in diverse genetic outcomes. To examine distinct outcomes of chromosomal DSB repair, a panel of human cell lines has been developed that contain GFP-based reporters with recognition sites for the rare-cutting endonuclease I-SceI. One set of reporters is used to measure DSB repair events that require access to homology: homology-directed repair, homology-directed repair that requires the removal of a nonhomologous insertion, single strand annealing, and alternative end joining. An additional reporter (EJ5-GFP) is used to measure end joining (EJ) between distal DSB ends of two tandem I-SceI sites. These Distal-EJ events do not require access to homology, and thus are distinct from the repair events described above. Indeed, this assay provides a measure of DSB end protection during EJ, via physical analysis of Distal-EJ products to determine the frequency of I-SceI-restoration. The EJ5-GFP reporter can also be adapted to examine EJ of non-cohesive DSB ends, using co-expression of I-SceI with a non-processive 3' exonuclease (Trex2), which can cause partial degradation of the 4 nucleotide 3' cohesive overhangs generated by I-SceI. Such co-expression of I-SceI and Trex2 leads to measurable I-SceI-resistant EJ products that use proximal DSB ends (Proximal-EJ), as well as distal DSB ends (Distal-EJ). Therefore, this co-expression approach can be used to examine the relative frequency of Proximal-EJ versus Distal-EJ, and hence provide a measure of the fidelity of end utilization during repair of multiple DSBs. In this report, the repair outcomes examined by each reporter are described, along with methods for cell culture, transient expression of I-SceI and Trex2, and repair product analysis.

To characterize the repair pathways of chromosome double-strand breaks (DSBs), one approach involves monitoring the repair of site-specific DSBs generated by rare-cutting endonucleases, such as I-SceI. Using this method, we first describe the roles of Ercc1, Msh2, Nbs1, Xrcc4, and Brca1 in a set of distinct repair events. Subsequently, we considered that the outcome of such assays could be influenced by the persistent nature of I-SceI-induced DSBs, in that end-joining (EJ) products that restore the I-SceI site are prone to repeated cutting. To address this aspect of repair, we modified I-SceI-induced DSBs by co-expressing I-SceI with a non-processive 3′ exonuclease, Trex2, which we predicted would cause partial degradation of I-SceI 3′ overhangs. We find that Trex2 expression facilitates the formation of I-SceI-resistant EJ products, which reduces the potential for repeated cutting by I-SceI and, hence, limits the persistence of I-SceI-induced DSBs. Using this approach, we find that Trex2 expression causes a significant reduction in the frequency of repair pathways that result in substantial deletion mutations: EJ between distal ends of two tandem DSBs, single-strand annealing, and alternative-NHEJ. In contrast, Trex2 expression does not inhibit homology-directed repair. These results indicate that limiting the persistence of a DSB causes a reduction in the frequency of repair pathways that lead to significant genetic loss. Furthermore, we find that individual genetic factors play distinct roles during repair of non-cohesive DSB ends that are generated via co-expression of I-SceI with Trex2.

Background: Incorrect end use during repair can cause chromosome rearrangements. Results: DNA-PKcs and RAD50 limit incorrect end use, and a break downstream from an active promoter shows elevated incorrect end use; these factors and conditions have distinct effects on repair requiring end processing. Conclusion: DNA-PKcs, RAD50, and transcription context influence correct end use. Significance: Correct end use and end processing appear distinct processes.