title: UVSSA and USP7, a new couple in transcription-coupled DNA repair.
abstract: Transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) specifically removes transcription-blocking lesions from our genome. Defects in this pathway are associated with two human disorders: Cockayne syndrome (CS) and UV-sensitive syndrome (UVSS). Despite a similar cellular defect in the UV DNA damage response, patients with these syndromes exhibit strikingly distinct symptoms; CS patients display severe developmental, neurological, and premature aging features, whereas the phenotype of UVSS patients is mostly restricted to UV hypersensitivity. The exact molecular mechanism behind these clinical differences is still unknown; however, they might be explained by additional functions of CS proteins beyond TC-NER. A short overview of the current hypotheses addressing possible molecular mechanisms and the proteins involved are presented in this review. In addition, we will focus on two new players involved in TC-NER which were recently identified: UV-stimulated scaffold protein A (UVSSA) and ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7). UVSSA has been found to be the causative gene for UVSS and, together with USP7, is implicated in regulating TC-NER activity. We will discuss the function of UVSSA and USP7 and how the discovery of these proteins contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical differences between UVSS and the more severe CS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Netherlands Proteomics Centre, Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schwertman
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vermeulen
authors.forename: Jurgen A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Marteijn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003057:Cockayne Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004260:DNA Repair; D006801:Humans; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000076084:Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 7
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; C573137:UVSSA protein, human; C464569:USP7 protein, human; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D000076084:Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 7