Poly(ADP-ribose) binds to the splicing factor ASF/SF2 and regulates its phosphorylation by DNA topoisomerase I.
Human DNA topoisomerase I plays a dual role in transcription, by controlling DNA supercoiling and by acting as a specific kinase for the SR-protein family of splicing factors. The two activities are mutually exclusive, but the identity of the molecular switch is unknown. Here we identify poly(ADP-ribose) as a physiological regulator of the two topoisomerase I functions. We found that, in the presence of both DNA and the alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2 (ASF/SF2, a prototypical SR-protein), poly(ADP-ribose) affected topoisomerase I substrate selection and gradually shifted enzyme activity from protein phosphorylation to DNA cleavage. A likely mechanistic explanation was offered by the discovery that poly(ADP-ribose) forms a high affinity complex with ASF/SF2 thereby leaving topoisomerase I available for directing its action onto DNA. We identified two functionally important domains, RRM1 and RS, as specific poly(ADP-ribose) binding targets. Two independent lines of evidence emphasize the potential biological relevance of our findings: (i) in HeLa nuclear extracts, ASF/SF2, but not histone, phosphorylation was inhibited by poly(ADP-ribose); (ii) an in silico study based on gene expression profiling data revealed an increased incidence of alternative splicing within a subset of inflammatory response genes that are dysregulated in cells lacking a functional poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. We propose that poly(ADP-ribose) targeting of topoisomerase I and ASF/SF2 functions may participate in the regulation of gene expression.
Malanga
Maria
M
Department of Structural and Functional Biology, University Federico II, Via Cinthia, Monte S Angelo, Naples, Italy. malanga@unina.it
Czubaty
Alicja
A
Girstun
Agnieszka
A
Staron
Krzysztof
K
Althaus
Felix R
FR
D017398:Alternative Splicing / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011064:Poly Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011485:Protein Binding; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D000068103:Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
D006657:Histones; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D000068103:Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors; D011064:Poly Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose; D004264:DNA Topoisomerases, Type I