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6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2025

WDFY2 promotes MRN complex formation required for homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair.

The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex is fundamental for detecting and repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), thereby safeguarding genome integrity. However, the precise mechanism governing MRN complex recruitment to DSBs remains largely unexplored. Here, we identify WD40- and FYVE domain-containing protein 2 (WDFY2) as an important regulator of MRN complex formation at DNA damage sites, facilitating homologous recombination (HR) repair. Mechanistically, WDFY2 is phosphorylated at serine 84 by the ATM-CHK2 axis, priming it for recruitment to DSBs. Through direct interactions with MRE11 and NBS1, WDFY2 bridges the MRE11-RAD50 subcomplex with NBS1, thereby promoting MRN complex formation at DSBs and DNA end resection. WDFY2 deficiency, as well as the non-phosphorylatable S84A mutant, results in impaired HR repair and reduced cell survival following DNA damage. Collectively, our findings establish WDFY2 as a key platform for MRN complex loading at DSBs and HR repair, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Differential expression of a disease-associated MRE11 variant reveals distinct phenotypic outcomes.

The MRE11 DNA nuclease plays central roles in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) as a core component of the heterotrimeric MRE11/RAD50/NBS1 (MRN) complex. MRN localizes to chromosomal DSBs and recruits and activates the apical DSB repair protein kinase, ATM, which phosphorylates downstream substrates to elicit cellular DNA damage responses. Pathogenic variants in MRE11 cause the genome instability disorder ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder (ATLD). The first ATLD patient allele identified, ATLD1, is a nonsense mutation that deletes 76 amino acids from the MRE11 C-terminus and results in markedly reduced levels of MRE11-ATLD1 and the entire MRN complex. This region of the C-terminus has been demonstrated to function in DNA binding, mediate functional protein interactions, and undergo post-translational modifications that regulate MRE11 nucleolytic activities. We previously demonstrated that transgenic mice expressing low wildtype MRN exhibit severe phenotypes, including small body size, anemia, and cellular DNA DSB repair defects. Thus, it is currently unknown whether reduced MRE11-ATLD1 and MRN levels, loss of the C-terminus, or both cause disease-associated phenotypes. In this study, we generated transgenic mouse models that express near endogenous or significantly reduced levels of MRE11-ATLD1 to determine the in vivo importance of the MRE11 C-terminus. We observe that reduced MRE11-ATLD1 expression leads to anemia, bone marrow failure, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and impaired lymphocyte development, similar to mice expressing low wildtype MRE11. In contrast, higher expression of MRE11-ATLD1 results in a subset of moderate phenotypes, indicating that loss of C-terminus has limited impact on MRN functions in vivo. These findings have implications for clinical predictions of ATLD patients harboring pathogenic MRE11 variants that impair MRE11 function and/or impact MRN protein levels.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2026

BRCA1-A and LIG4 complexes mediate ecDNA biogenesis and cancer drug resistance.

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA) is frequently generated within the nucleus, contributing to genome dynamics and heterogeneity, thereby promoting cancer cell evolution and adaptation. However, the mechanisms underlying ecDNA biogenesis remain poorly understood. Here, using genome-wide CRISPR screening in human cells, we identified the BRCA1-A and the LIG4 complexes as key drivers of ecDNA production. Following DNA segmentation, the upstream BRCA1-A complex protects DNA ends from excessive resection, promoting end-joining for circularization. Conversely, the MRN complex, which mediates end resection and thus antagonizes the BRCA1-A complex, suppresses ecDNA formation. Downstream, LIG4 conservatively mediates ecDNA production by joining the free ends of the DNA fragments. Furthermore, ecDNA from patient tumors harbors junction sites with a LIG4 signature. Notably, disruption of either LIG4 or the BRCA1-A complex in cancer cells impairs ecDNA-mediated adaptation, hindering the development of resistance to both chemotherapy and targeted therapies. Together, our study reveals the roles of the LIG4 and BRCA1-A complexes in ecDNA biogenesis, and uncovers therapeutic targets to block ecDNA-mediated adaptation for cancer treatment.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

An IRAK1-snRNA axis activates ATM to promote accurate repair within transcriptionally active chromatin.

Genomic integrity in transcriptionally active regions is pivotal for suppressing oncogenic mutations, yet the mechanisms that govern precise homologous recombination (HR) repair within these regions remain elusive. Here, we report that the IRAK1-spliceosome axis operates with small nuclear RNA (snRNA) as a central hub, potently promoting accurate repair at DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites within active chromatin in human cancer cells. Mechanistically, IRAK1 phosphorylates spliceosomal serine/arginine (SR)-rich proteins to recruit snRNA to DSBs, inducing robust condensation of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex near transcriptionally active regions to create an ATM activation platform. Collectively, our findings define a prevalent mechanism governing region-specific precise repair in transcriptionally active domains, where snRNA acts as a "transcription repair bridge" to link transcriptional processes to HR repair and ultimately preserves genomic stability. Inhibiting IRAK1 axis impairs HR repair in transcriptionally active regions, causing a marked increase in mutation rates specific to these regions and cancer-cell chemosensitivity.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Peroxiredoxin 1 safeguards the nucleolar genome from oxidative damage.

Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) is a highly conserved, thiol-dependent peroxidase that rapidly scavenges reactive oxygen species to modulate redox signaling. PRDX1-null mice exhibited genomic instability, shortened life span, and accelerated tumorigenesis, including development of lymphomas, sarcomas, and carcinomas. Despite extensive characterization of these phenotypes, the molecular mechanism by which PRDX1 loss causes genomic instability remains poorly understood. Here, we show that PRDX1 deficiency alters nucleolar morphology, impairs RNA polymerase I (POL-I)-dependent transcription of pre-ribosomal RNAs, and triggers nucleolar genomic instability. This oxidative stress-induced nucleolar dysfunction promotes the stability of secondary DNA structures, such as RNA-DNA hybrids and G-quadruplex DNA, contributing to nucleolar genomic instability. We demonstrate that PRDX1 loss reduces nascent ribosomal RNA (rRNA) levels and impairs rRNA processing, further affecting ribosome biogenesis. Mechanistically, we established that PRDX1 loss triggers activation of the nucleolar DNA damage response characterized by activation of the DNA repair kinase ATM and elevated TCOF1 within the nucleolus. In addition, we observed recruitment of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex subunit NBS1 to ribosomal DNA (rDNA) loci and this was further increased under oxidative stress. NBS1 accumulation correlates with the repression of rDNA transcription by POL-I, potentially delaying rRNA synthesis, and safeguarding the nucleolar genome from further oxidative damage. Collectively, these findings uncover a previously unrecognized, but critical role, for PRDX1 in maintaining nucleolar integrity and ribosomal biogenesis through redox-dependent regulation of rDNA transcription and processing machinery.

Oxidative Stress↗
PubMed2026

An Update on Inborn Errors of V(D)J Recombination.

V(D)J recombination is the fundamental process by which developing T and B lymphocytes generate diverse antigen receptors, enabling adaptive immunity. This tightly regulated program operates exclusively in lymphoid precursors during G1 phase and depends on the lymphocyte-specific RAG1-RAG2 recombinase to introduce programmed DNA double-strand breaks at recombination signal sequences, followed by repair through the classical nonhomologous end joining (c-NHEJ) pathway. Disruption of any step in this molecular choreography compromises antigen receptor diversity and underlies a spectrum of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), ranging from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) to immune dysregulation with autoimmunity and granulomatous disease. In this review, we place disorders of V(D)J recombination within the broader framework of T-cell development, detailing the temporal waves of recombinase activity, chromatin accessibility, and DNA damage responses that guide thymocyte differentiation. We discuss pathogenic variants affecting the cleavage phase [RAG1, RAG2, and the recently identified RAG cochaperone NudC domain-containing 3 (NUDCD3)], end processing (ARTEMIS), ligation and repair (LIG4, XLF, XRCC4, PRKDC), and genome surveillance pathways (ATM, MRN complex, RNF168), highlighting genotype-phenotype correlations and mechanisms driving immune deficiency and dysregulation. We briefly review recent diagnostic advances, including newborn screening using T-cell receptor excision circles, repertoire sequencing, and functional assays, alongside current therapeutic strategies. Finally, we outline key unanswered questions and argue that continued integration of clinical observation with molecular discovery is essential to improve outcomes and deepen understanding of adaptive immune development.

Humans↗