S-phase checkpoint proteins Tof1 and Mrc1 form a stable replication-pausing complex.
The checkpoint regulatory mechanism has an important role in maintaining the integrity of the genome. This is particularly important in S phase of the cell cycle, when genomic DNA is most susceptible to various environmental hazards. When chemical agents damage DNA, activation of checkpoint signalling pathways results in a temporary cessation of DNA replication. A replication-pausing complex is believed to be created at the arrested forks to activate further checkpoint cascades, leading to repair of the damaged DNA. Thus, checkpoint factors are thought to act not only to arrest replication but also to maintain a stable replication complex at replication forks. However, the molecular mechanism coupling checkpoint regulation and replication arrest is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the checkpoint regulatory proteins Tof1 and Mrc1 interact directly with the DNA replication machinery in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When hydroxyurea blocks chromosomal replication, this assembly forms a stable pausing structure that serves to anchor subsequent DNA repair events.
Katou
Yuki
Y
Genome Structure and Function Team, Human Genome Research Group, RIKEN Genomic Science Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Japan.
Kanoh
Yutaka
Y
Bando
Masashige
M
Noguchi
Hideki
H
Tanaka
Hirokazu
H
Ashikari
Toshihiko
T
Sugimoto
Katsunori
K
Shirahige
Katsuhiko
K
D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015825:Chromosomes, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000494:pharmacology; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009154:Mutation; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D016196:S Phase / Q000187:drug effects; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C102209:CDC45 protein, S cerevisiae; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C441579:MRC1 protein, S cerevisiae; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C119636:TOF1 protein, S cerevisiae; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D006918:Hydroxyurea