title: MCPH1/BRIT1 limits ionizing radiation-induced centrosome amplification.
abstract: Microcephalin (MCPH1/BRIT1) is a potential tumour suppressor that localizes to the centrosome, forms ionizing radiation-induced nuclear foci (IRIF) and is involved in the DNA damage checkpoints that ensure genome stability. Here, we report the impact of Mcph1 disruption in the hyper-recombinogenic DT40 cell line. Mcph1(-/-) cells were viable and proliferated at the same rate as wild-type controls. Mcph1-deficient cells had intact G2-to-M checkpoint responses after ionizing radiation (IR) treatment, but showed moderate radiosensitivity. Light and electron microscopy indicated normal centrosome structures in Mcph1 null cells, but IR induced massive amplification of centrosome numbers in the absence of Mcph1. Mcph1 null cells formed γ-H2AX and Rad51 IRIF, but resolved them more slowly than wild-type cells. Mcph1 deficiency caused sustained Chk1 phosphorylation after IR, dysregulating Cdk2 activity. These findings show that Mcph1 controls centrosome numbers after DNA damage, which may indicate a novel tumour suppressive mechanism for microcephalin.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: J A L
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bourke
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liptrot
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dockery
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Morrison
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D002469:Cell Separation; D018385:Centrosome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002645:Chickens; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D015151:Immunoblotting; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins