CUX1 transcription factor is required for optimal ATM/ATR-mediated responses to DNA damage.
The p110 Cut homeobox 1 (CUX1) transcription factor regulates genes involved in DNA replication and chromosome segregation. Using a genome-wide-approach, we now demonstrate that CUX1 also modulates the constitutive expression of DNA damage response genes, including ones encoding ATM and ATR, as well as proteins involved in DNA damage-induced activation of, and signaling through, these kinases. Consistently, RNAi knockdown or genetic inactivation of CUX1 reduced ATM/ATR expression and negatively impacted hallmark protective responses mediated by ATM and ATR following exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) and UV, respectively. Specifically, abrogation of CUX1 strongly reduced ATM autophosphorylation after IR, in turn causing substantial decreases in (i) levels of phospho-Chk2 and p53, (ii) γ-H2AX and Rad51 DNA damage foci and (iii) the efficiency of DNA strand break repair. Similarly remarkable reductions in ATR-dependent responses, including phosphorylation of Chk1 and H2AX, were observed post-UV. Finally, multiple cell cycle checkpoints and clonogenic survival were compromised in CUX1 knockdown cells. Our results indicate that CUX1 regulates a transcriptional program that is necessary to mount an efficient response to mutagenic insult. Thus, CUX1 ensures not only the proper duplication and segregation of the genetic material, but also the preservation of its integrity.
Goodman Cancer Centre, Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, 1160 Pine avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1A3.
Charles
C
Vadnais
Sayeh
S
Davoudi
Mojdeh
M
Afshin
Ryoko
R
Harada
Rachel
R
Dudley
Pier-Luc
PL
Clermont
Elliot
E
Drobetsky
Alain
A
Nepveu
D000818:Animals; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053960:DNA Breaks; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D042822:Genomic Instability; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase / Q000032:analysis; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C000624101:Cux1 protein, mouse; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C576324:ATM protein, human; C576597:ATR protein, human; D064007:Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins; C576325:Atm protein, mouse; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D051135:Rad51 Recombinase