Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is an abundant DNA end-sensing and binding molecule. Inactivation of PARP-1 by chemicals and genetic mutations slows cell proliferation, increases sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei formation and chromosome instability, and shortens telomeres. Given its affinity to DNA breaks and temporal occupation on DNA strand break sites, PARP-1 is proposed to prevent inappropriate DNA recombination. We investigated the potential role of PARP-1 in repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and stalled replication forks. PARP-1À/À embryonic stem cells and embryonic fibroblast cells exhibited normal repair of DNA DSBs by either homologous recombination (HR) or nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathways. Inactivation of PARP-1 did not interfere with gene-targeting efficiency in ES cells. However, PARP-1À/À cells were hypersensitive to the replication damage agent hydroxyurea (HU)-induced cell death and exhibited enhanced SCE formation. Ablation of PARP-1 delayed reactivation of stalled replication forks imposed by HU and re-entry into the G2-M phase after HU release. These data indicate that PARP-1 is dispensable in HR induced by DSBs, but is involved in the repair and reactivation of stalled replication forks.

Key words: p53 polymorphism; HPV; oral cancerOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy and is a major cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. The overall survival percentage has not changed in recent years, despite extensive research on the biological and molecular aspects of oral SCC. Among the more pressing problems in clinical management are the lack of early detection and the high incidence of local-regional recurrence, even with aggressive surgical therapy. OSCC incidence accounts for up to 40% of all malignancies in India and South East Asia. 1 Moreover differences have been observed in the clinico-pathological and molecular pathological profile in the tobacco smoking and alcoholassociated oral cancers in the USA, UK, France, Japan, etc. and the chewing tobacco-associated oral cancers, particularly in the Indian sub-continent. 2 In India, oral leukoplakias have been reported to show a significant tendency to malignant transformation from 0.13 to 6% and rising to 14% or higher in cases of dysplasia. 3,4 Epidemiological studies reveal the betel quid and tobacco chewing habit as an important risk factor in the etiology of oral cancer in India. Since carcinogenesis is a multi-step process, therefore, in addition to insult by tobacco-associated intra oral carcinogens, several additional factors, such as genetic susceptibility of individuals and external agents, such as dietary factors and viruses (human papillomavirus, HPV, and Epstein-Baar virus, EBV), may play a synergetic role in oral tumorigenesis. [5][6][7][8] HPVs are a very heterogenous group of DNA viruses. Almost 90 HPV types have been described; 30 of these types are associated with anogenital cancers, forming either the high-risk types (HPV16 and HPV18) that are associated with anogenital invasive tumour and their precursor lesions or the low-risk types (HPV6 and HPV11) that rarely progress to malignancy. Analysis of viral genome has revealed that 2 early genes, E6 and E7, of high risk HPVs (16/18) are transforming genes that are responsible for maintenance of tumorigenic phenotype. 6,9,10 Genetic polymorphism at the genes involved in tumorigenesis may determine individual susceptibility of cancer. The genotype distribution of p53 codon 72 polymorphism is significantly different among ethnic groups. 11 Storey et al. 12 recently reported the probable correlation between p53 polymorphism and HPV associated cervical tumorigenesis. They showed that population homozygous for Arg-72 (arginine) is about 7 times more susceptible to development of cervical cancer than heterozygotes. However, this has been subject of much debate. Makni et al. 13 recently showed the substantial inter-laboratory variation in the proportion of Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro (proline) and Pro/Pro.In spite of its great relevance, so far only 2 contradictory reports have been proposed on the status of HPV in oral cancer on Indian population. The work on South Indian population has indicated 42% HPV-16 infection and 47% of HPV-18 infection, 7 whereas the r...

Genetic variations along with epigenetic modifications of DNA are involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression. CRC is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Initiation and progression of CRC is the cumulation of a variety of genetic and epigenetic changes in colonic epithelial cells. Colorectal carcinogenesis is associated with epigenetic aberrations including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. Recently, epigenetic modifications have been identified like association of hypermethylated gene Claudin11 (CLDN11) with metastasis and prognosis of poor survival of CRC. DNA methylation of genes CMTM3, SSTR2, MDF1, NDRG4 and TGFB2 are potential epigenetic biomarkers for the early detection of CRC. Tumor suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3) mRNA expression is silenced by promoter methylation, which promotes epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and rescues the CRC cells from apoptosis and hence leading to poor survival rate. Previous scientific evidences strongly suggest epigenetic modifications that contribute to anticancer drug resistance. Recent research studies emphasize development of drugs targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors as an emerging anticancer strategy. This review covers potential epigenetic modification targeting chemotherapeutic drugs and probable implementation for the treatment of CRC, which offers a strong rationale to explore therapeutic strategies and provides a basis to develop potent antitumor drugs.

The ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system (UPS) promotes the proteasomal degradation of target proteins by decorating them with Ub labels. Emerging evidence indicates a role of UPS in regulating gene transcription. In this study, we provided evidence for the involvement of UPS in the transcriptional activation function of tumor suppressor p53. We showed that both ubiquitylation and proteasomal functions are required for efficient transcription mediated by p53. Disruption of transcription by actinomycin D, 5,6-dichloro-1-b-D-ribofuranosyl-benzimadazole or a-amanitin leads to accumulation of cellular p53 protein. Proteasome inhibition by MG132 increases the occupancy of p53 protein at p53-responsive p21 waf1 promoter. In addition, the Sug-1 component of 19S proteasome physically interacts with p53 in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in response to ultraviolet-induced DNA damage, both the 19S proteasomal components, Sug1 and S1, are recruited to p21 waf1 promoter region in a kinetic pattern similar to that of p53. These results suggested that UPS positively regulates p53-mediated transcription at p21 waf1 promoter.

The Xeroderma Pigmentosum group C (XPC) protein is indispensable to global genomic repair (GGR), a subpathway of nucleotide excision repair (NER), and plays an important role in the initial damage recognition. XPC can be modified by both ubiquitin and SUMO in response to UV irradiation of cells. Here, we show that XPC undergoes degradation upon UV irradiation, and this is independent of protein ubiquitylation. The subunits of DDB-Cul4A E3 ligase differentially regulate UV-induced XPC degradation, e.g DDB2 is required and promotes, whereas DDB1 and Cul4A protect the protein degradation. Mutation of XPC K655 to alanine abolishes both UV-induced XPC modification and degradation. XPC degradation is necessary for recruiting XPG and efficient NER. The overall results provide crucial insights regarding the fate and role of XPC protein in the initiation of excision repair.