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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Cooperation of transposable elements to endow global networks of initiators of hybrid assembly pathways of endogenous multiprotein complexes.

Mechanisms governing initiation steps of the assembly of endogenous multi-protein complexes (EMC) remain incompletely understood. Here, multiple lines of observations are reported describing the function-aligned initiation sequence of hybrid assembly pathways (HAP) of EMC. The first step of HAP-guided chain reactions of protein-protein interactions (PPI) of EMC assemblies constitutes the creation of cell type-specific pools of hetero and homo dimers. The molecular anatomy of HAP was elucidated by defining qualitative and quantitative characteristics of protein binding to a compendium of 200,393 distinct genomic regulatory elements (GRE), including 49,667 sequences representing control sets of genomic loci as well as 150,726 GRE of different evolutionary origins. The consensus sequence of HAP actions consists of: a) Initiation on genomic DNA of the formation of metastable hetero- and homodimers of EMCs' protein constituents; b) Release of dimers from DNA templates for delivery to the EMC assembly compartments; c) Assembly of defined EMC by sequential on demand addition of proteins to preformed dimers serving as attractors of EMC-specific ensembles of monomers. Chromosome-naïve DNA scaffolds facilitating creation of intracellular dimer pools engage networks of ~700 transcription factors (TFs), 534 of which manifest region-specific patterns of significantly enriched expression in 1358 brain regions. HAP initiators appear to operate within nucleosome-depleted islands of transposable elements (TE) - derived sequences within heterochromatin. PPI assembly lines of EMCs operate in 2 concurrent modes: TF-TF PPI cascade and PPI HUB protein cascade. Regardless of the number of DNA-bound initiator TFs (ranging from one to 716 TFs), both modes of operations reached the equilibrium at the PPI constituents saturation levels of ~245 proteins for TF-TF PPI modes and of ~351 proteins for PPI HUB protein modes. Distinct panels of DNA-bound initiator TFs and proteins of PPI cascade ensembles are enriched in either defined sets of neuroanatomical structures (TF-TF mode) or among structural-functional constituents of synapses (HUB proteins mode). Thus, these bifurcated cascades appear biologically congruent: TF-TF constituents map to transcriptional signatures of hundreds of brain regions, whereas HUB constituents map to synaptogenesis and synaptic structures, suggesting the unified logic of genomic functions coordinating region identity and connectivity. Evidence-supported examples of default operations of PPI-guided assemblies of hetero- and homodimers of Yamanaka factors, neurogenesis constituents, and protein components of postsynaptic density of excitatory and inhibitory synaptogenesis are reported with detailed analytical focus on human Claustrum. The foundational set of observations reported in this contribution should facilitate experimental and theoretical explorations of TE-seeded genomic codes for initiators of PPI chain reactions of protein dimerization creating pools of attractors to guide and accelerate the EMC assemblies.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Targeting the Disease Response With NlpD and LytM for Effective Nonantibiotic Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections.

BACKGROUND: Finding new ways of treating bacterial infections is essential. The NlpD protein, which inhibits RNA polymerase II (Pol II), has shown therapeutic efficacy against urinary tract infection. This study investigated the mechanism of Pol II inhibition and protection by NlpD and its LytM peptide. METHODS: Recombinant NlpD and LytM were screened for interactions with constituents of the Pol II complex, using AlphaFold predictions and protein interaction technology. Treatment effects were quantified in infected tissues and regulated host response pathways identified by genome-wide transcriptomics analysis in models of acute pyelonephritis and acute cystitis in Irf3-/- and Asc-/- mice, respectively. RESULTS: LytM was shown to interact with constituents of the Pol II multiprotein complex, inhibiting the CDK12 kinase from phosphorylating the Pol II subunit RPB1 and disrupting Pol II complex formation by interfering with the interaction between PAF1C and RPB1. The protection by LytM against acute pyelonephritis was accompanied by a reduction in gene expression in infected kidneys from >1900 significantly regulated genes (fold change >6) in the placebo group to about 150 in LytM-treated mice. The inhibition of gene expression in infected kidneys particularly targeted the excessive innate immune response. A similar effect was observed in acute cystitis. Bacterial clearance was accelerated in both model by LytM treatment, with effects against antibiotic-sensitive and resistant Escherichia coli strains. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that inhibiting the disease response of the host, using NlpD or LytM, may offer an efficient alternative to antibiotics in these models.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Characterizing the Activity of Inflammasome-Related Genes and Their Association With Oncological Outcomes in Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a critical role in cancer cell proliferation; however, the specific role of inflammasomes, multiprotein complexes that regulate inflammation-associated signaling pathways, in prostate cancer (PCa) remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to characterize the expression of inflammasome-related genes in PCa and evaluate their association with clinical outcomes. METHODS: De-identified transcriptome data from the Decipher GRID RP, a cohort of 52,266 radical prostatectomy (RP) samples tested (2016-2024) with the Decipher prostate genomic classifier (Veracyte, San Diego, CA), were retrieved from the GRID registry (NCT02609269). Expression analysis of 34 genes involved in inflammatory pathways was conducted to associate their expression with clinical and genomic variables. Outcomes analyses were conducted on a retrospective cohort of 855 patients treated with RP (META855). RESULTS: Analysis of inflammasome gene expression in the GRID RP cohort revealed that most genes exhibit low baseline expression, whereas HSP90AB1, APP, TXN, and TXNIP demonstrate strong expression signals. Additionally, higher expression of most genes was associated with Gleason Grade Group 4-5 and very high Decipher scores. On survival analysis of the META855 cohort, higher expressions of AIM2 and HSP90AB1 were significantly associated with worse metastasis-free survival. Conversely, both high and low expression levels of NLRP3 were associated with better metastasis-free survival outcomes following RP compared to average expression. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, higher expressions of AIM2 (HR 1.75) and HSP90AB1 (HR 1.60) were significantly associated with shorter time to metastasis following RP. CONCLUSIONS: There is molecular heterogeneity within pro-inflammatory genes among patients with PCa. Our findings showed there is a potential association between the expression levels of certain inflammasomes, such as AIM2, HSP90AB1, and NLRP3, and oncological outcomes following RP.

Aged↗
PubMed2026

Histone deacetylases: From acetylation homeostasis to oncogenic and neurodegenerative disorders.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are central regulators of acetylation homeostasis, governing chromatin architecture, transcriptional dynamics, and diverse cellular processes through reversible lysine deacetylation. Dysregulation of HDAC activity disrupts epigenetic balance and is strongly implicated in oncogenic transformation and the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of HDAC biology with a particular emphasis on experimental and analytical methodologies used to investigate their function. We describe the structural and functional diversity of HDAC classes and their roles in multiprotein complexes that regulate gene expression and cellular signaling. A major focus is placed on screening-compatible and mechanistic assays, including fluorometric, colorimetric, radiometric, fluorescence polarization, TR-FRET, AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA, and differential scanning fluorimetry approaches for quantitative measurement of enzymatic activity and inhibitor profiling. In addition, advanced methodologies such as mass spectrometry-based acetylome analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), recombinant enzyme assays, and cell-based reporter systems are discussed in the context of functional genomics and drug discovery. The integration of high-throughput screening, structural biology, and multi-omics strategies is highlighted as essential for dissecting HDAC-mediated regulatory networks. Collectively, this chapter serves as a methodological framework for studying HDAC function and developing targeted epigenetic therapies in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Histone Deacetylases↗
PubMed2025

When glycobiology meets inflammasome activation: Insights and implications.

BACKGROUND: Glycobiology focuses mainly on the study of glycan structures and their biological functions. Glycans not only provide a basic energy supply through the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glycolysis but also serve as important immune regulators during pathogen invasion and homeostasis maintenance. Inflammasomes are critical multiprotein complexes of the immune system that detect both exogenous pathogenic threats and endogenous danger signals to mediate inflammatory responses. Glycobiology has revealed significant insights into the mechanisms of immune responses, particularly in the context of inflammasome activation. AIM OF REVIEW: This review summarizes the multifaceted relationships between glycobiology and inflammasome activation, highlighting how glycan structures, glycosylation patterns, and glycan-binding proteins influence inflammasome pathways. This review sheds light on novel targets for drug development aimed at modulating inflammatory pathways through the targeting of specific glycan structures. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Glycans directly or indirectly provide prime and activation signals for inflammasomes, glycosylation of inflammasome-related proteins by glycan structures modulates inflammasome activation and downstream inflammation, and the interaction between glycans and lectins also provides regulatory signals for inflammasome activation. This intersection of glycobiology and inflammasome activation presents a unique opportunity to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses and their potential therapeutic implications.

Inflammasomes↗
PubMed2026

Epigenetic regulation of transgenes.

Gene therapy holds significant potential for treating genetic disorders, but the use of viral vectors is limited by factors such as immunogenicity, payload capacity, and high manufacturing costs. Nonviral gene delivery (NVGD) using plasmid DNA presents an attractive alternative; however, it typically provides a limited magnitude or duration of transgene expression. One potential reason for these shortcomings is the host cell's epigenetic regulation mechanisms, which can silence both viral and nonviral transgenes. Specifically, when foreign DNA enters the nucleus, it is detected by nuclear DNA sensors, such as IFI16, which initiate the assembly of a "restrictosome" or nuclear domain 10 (ND10) body. This multiprotein complex contains several components, such as PML, Speckled Proteins (e.g., SP100), DAXX, and ATRX that act as a scaffold for recruiting various epigenetic modifiers that subsequently deposit repressive histone modifications like H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 on the transgene chromatin. These marks induce DNA methylation and the subsequent condensation of plasmids or episomes into heterochromatin, which represses transgene expression. Alternatively, unmethylated CpG motifs in bacterial plasmid DNA can trigger innate immune responses in the cytosol, but this review will specifically focus on the detailed mechanisms of epigenetic regulation responsible for silencing plasmid DNA within the host cell nucleus. Addressing these nuclear defense mechanisms, potentially through strategies that manipulate DNA methylation or inhibit restrictosome activity, is crucial for advancing the development of safe, effective, and long-lasting plasmid viral and non-viral gene therapies.

Epigenesis, Genetic↗
PubMed2026

Retention of a single Cenp-C gene in different syntenic locations in the montium group of Drosophila species.

Chromosome segregation in eukaryotes requires the orchestrated interaction of chromosomes with microtubules, mediated by the kinetochore multiprotein complex that assembles on chromosomal regions known as centromeres. In most eukaryotes, CenH3 and Cenp-C centromeric proteins are essential for centromere function. In Drosophila, the localization of CenH3 (or Cid in Drosophila) depends on its chaperone CAL1 and Cenp-C. Previous studies have shown that both Cid and Cenp-C underwent a coincident gene duplication and likely functional specialization in the Drosophila subgenus. Independently, Cid duplications led to three paralogs in the montium group (Sophophora subgenus). Here, we investigated whether this group also underwent parallel Cenp-C duplications by analyzing sequenced genomes of 23 montium group species. We identified Cenp-C genes in five distinct syntenic loci. Despite their distinct synteny, all but two montium group species (except D. birchii and D. vulcana) encode a single Cenp-C, whose phylogeny mirrors the species phylogeny, and all encode protein motifs indicative of intact Cenp-C function. These Cenp-C genes resulted from gene translocations or duplication followed by loss of the ancestral copy. Therefore, the co-retention of three Cid paralogs in the montium group did not result in coincident Cenp-C paralog co-retention. Analysis of the selective constraints in Cenp-C reveals more prominent positive selection in the Drosophila subgenus (with two retained Cenp-C paralogs) than in the Sophophora subgenus, including the montium group. Our work highlights differences in functional retention and potential specialization of CenH3 and Cenp-C, two of the most conserved eukaryotic centromeric proteins in Drosophila.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Structural basis for recruitment of the ATPase activator Aha1 to the Hsp90 chaperone machinery.

Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone essential for the activation and assembly of many key eukaryotic signalling and regulatory proteins. Hsp90 is assisted and regulated by co-chaperones that participate in an ordered series of dynamic multiprotein complexes, linked to Hsp90s conformationally coupled ATPase cycle. The co-chaperones Aha1 and Hch1 bind to Hsp90 and stimulate its ATPase activity. Biochemical analysis shows that this activity is dependent on the N-terminal domain of Aha1, which interacts with the central segment of Hsp90. The structural basis for this interaction is revealed by the crystal structure of the N-terminal domain (1-153) of Aha1 (equivalent to the whole of Hch1) in complex with the middle segment of Hsp90 (273-530). Structural analysis and mutagenesis show that binding of N-Aha1 promotes a conformational switch in the middle-segment catalytic loop (370-390) of Hsp90 that releases the catalytic Arg 380 and enables its interaction with ATP in the N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain of the chaperone.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2025

Evolutionary and Functional Analysis of Caspase-8 and ASC Interactions to Drive Lytic Cell Death, PANoptosis.

Caspases are evolutionarily conserved proteins essential for driving cell death in development and host defense. Caspase-8, a key member of the caspase family, is implicated in nonlytic apoptosis, as well as lytic forms of cell death. Recently, caspase-8 has been identified as an integral component of PANoptosomes, multiprotein complexes formed in response to innate immune sensor activation. Several innate immune sensors can nucleate caspase-8-containing PANoptosome complexes to drive inflammatory lytic cell death, PANoptosis. However, how the evolutionarily conserved and diverse functions of caspase-8 drive PANoptosis remains unclear. To address this, we performed evolutionary, sequence, structural, and functional analyses to decode caspase-8's complex-forming abilities and its interaction with the PANoptosome adaptor ASC. Our study distinguished distinct subgroups within the death domain superfamily based on their evolutionary and functional relationships, identified homotypic traits among subfamily members, and captured key events in caspase evolution. We also identified critical residues defining the heterotypic interaction between caspase-8's death effector domain and ASC's pyrin domain, validated through cross-species analyses, dynamic simulations, and in vitro experiments. Overall, our study elucidated recent evolutionary adaptations of caspase-8 that allowed it to interact with ASC, improving our understanding of critical molecular associations in PANoptosome complex formation and the underlying PANoptotic responses in host defense and inflammation. These findings have implications for understanding mammalian immune responses and developing new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases.

Caspase 8↗
PubMed2026

Insights into the regulatory roles of LIKE-HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 and its targeting to different nuclear compartments modulated by NLS and the conserved domains in the moss Physcomitrium patens.

LIKE-HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1) is a polycomb group protein that exists in shared multiprotein complexes that harbor core PRC1 and PRC2 proteins. We previously characterized LHP1 in the moss Physcomitrium patens and showed that its function is closely linked with regulation of RNA metabolic processes and the protein is distributed in the nucleoplasm, subnuclear foci, and the nucleolus. To gain mechanistic insight into PpLHP1-mediated gene regulation, in the present study genome-wide changes in transcript profiles of genes affected by loss-of-PpLHP1 function were studied using pplhp1 mutants. RNA-seq analysis reveals a key role for PpLHP1 in regulating energy metabolic processes, ribosome-related pathways, stress signaling/responsive pathways, DNA transcription, etc. ChIP using H3K27me3 coupled with qRT-PCR shows that PpLHP1 suppresses transcription at 5S rRNA promoters and the untimely activation of genes regulating developmental transition by PRC2-dependent and independent mechanisms. To study how PpLHP1 finds its targets in different nuclear compartments and the roles of the multiple NLSs and the conserved domains in guiding the protein, FRAP and deletion studies were performed. These show that PpLHP1 is a mobile protein that diffuses freely in the nucleoplasmic space showing different retention times in the nucleolus, nucleoplasm, and the subnuclear foci indicating its differential affinity for targets at these sites. Expression of PpLHP1 fragments in protonema cells and its subsequent visualization under confocal microscope shows that localization of PpLHP1 to different subnuclear compartments is guided by the monopartite NLS2, CD, and CSD that also play a key role in promoting subnuclear foci formation in the nucleoplasm.

Bryopsida↗
PubMed2005

Inactivation of the pre-mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation factor Pfs2 in fission yeast causes lethal cell cycle defects.

Faithful chromosome segregation is fundamentally important for the maintenance of genome integrity and ploidy. By isolating conditional mutants defective in chromosome segregation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we identified a role for the essential gene pfs2 in chromosome dynamics. In the absence of functional Pfs2, chromosomal attachment to the mitotic spindle was defective, with consequent chromosome missegregation. Under these circumstances, multiple intracellular foci of spindle checkpoint proteins Bub1 and Mad2 were seen, and deletion of bub1 exacerbated the mitotic defects and the loss of cell viability that resulted from the loss of pfs2 function. Progression from G1 into S phase following release from nitrogen starvation also required pfs2+ function. The product of the orthologous Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene PFS2 is a component of a multiprotein complex required for 3'-end cleavage and polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs and, in keeping with the conservation of this essential function, an S. pombe pfs2 mutant was defective in mRNA 3'-end processing. Mutations in pfs2 were suppressed by overexpression of the putative mRNA 3'-end cleavage factor Cft1. These data suggest unexpected links between mRNA 3'-end processing and chromosome replication and segregation.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed2003

Complexes between the LKB1 tumor suppressor, STRAD alpha/beta and MO25 alpha/beta are upstream kinases in the AMP-activated protein kinase cascade.

BACKGROUND: The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) cascade is a sensor of cellular energy charge that acts as a 'metabolic master switch' and inhibits cell proliferation. Activation requires phosphorylation of Thr172 of AMPK within the activation loop by upstream kinases (AMPKKs) that have not been identified. Recently, we identified three related protein kinases acting upstream of the yeast homolog of AMPK. Although they do not have obvious mammalian homologs, they are related to LKB1, a tumor suppressor that is mutated in the human Peutz-Jeghers cancer syndrome. We recently showed that LKB1 exists as a complex with two accessory subunits, STRAD alpha/beta and MO25 alpha/beta. RESULTS: We report the following observations. First, two AMPKK activities purified from rat liver contain LKB1, STRAD alpha and MO25 alpha, and can be immunoprecipitated using anti-LKB1 antibodies. Second, both endogenous and recombinant complexes of LKB1, STRAD alpha/beta and MO25 alpha/beta activate AMPK via phosphorylation of Thr172. Third, catalytically active LKB1, STRAD alpha or STRAD beta and MO25 alpha or MO25 beta are required for full activity. Fourth, the AMPK-activating drugs AICA riboside and phenformin do not activate AMPK in HeLa cells (which lack LKB1), but activation can be restored by stably expressing wild-type, but not catalytically inactive, LKB1. Fifth, AICA riboside and phenformin fail to activate AMPK in immortalized fibroblasts from LKB1-knockout mouse embryos. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide the first description of a physiological substrate for the LKB1 tumor suppressor and suggest that it functions as an upstream regulator of AMPK. Our findings indicate that the tumors in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome could result from deficient activation of AMPK as a consequence of LKB1 inactivation.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases↗
PubMed2026

Maternal redd1 mRNA decline triggers mTORC1 activation during the blastula-gastrula transition in zebrafish embryos.

During early metazoan development, maternal mRNAs and proteins stored in the egg sustain initial cellular functions. After the blastula stage, developmental control shifts to zygotic gene expression, and maternal transcripts are progressively degraded. Although mTORC1 is a central regulator of global mRNA translation and cell growth, its role in controlling maternal mRNA translation prior to gastrulation remains poorly understood. In zebrafish embryos, the mTORC1 inhibitor redd1 is abundantly expressed after fertilization but decreases following the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT), inversely correlating with mTORC1 activity. Overexpression of redd1 suppresses mTORC1, impairs gastrulation, and reduces translation of 5'TOP mRNAs and key regulatory genes, underscoring the necessity of relieving mTORC1 inhibition after the blastula stage. To investigate redd1 translation under conditions of low mTORC1 activity, we injected reporter mRNAs containing its 5' and 3' UTRs. The 3'UTR promoted polyadenylation and enhanced translation, while both UTRs enabled efficient reporter expression despite mTORC1 suppression, indicating that redd1 mRNA is translated independently of canonical mTORC1 pathways. Similarly, maternal mRNAs such as nanog, myca, pou5f3, and ccnb1, as well as the early zygotic transcript dharma, are translated through mTORC1-independent mechanisms. Together, these findings reveal a transient phase of mTORC1 suppression in early zebrafish embryos and demonstrate that select maternal and zygotic mRNAs bypass this regulation to ensure proper developmental progression.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Condensin accelerates long-range intra-chromosomal interactions.

The 3D genome organization plays a key role in regulating interactions among chromosomal loci. While Chromosome Conformation Capture (3C)-based methods have provided static snapshots of chromatin architecture, the kinetics of chromosomal encounters in live cells remain poorly characterized. In this study, we employ Chemically Induced Chromosomal Interaction (CICI) to measure encounter times between multiple loci pairs in G1-arrested budding yeast. Our results show that chromosome motion closely follows the Rouse polymer model, with similar diffusion parameters at all tested loci. Surprisingly, we find that long-range intra-chromosomal encounters occur significantly faster than inter-chromosomal encounters at similar 3D distances. Using targeted depletion experiments, we identify condensin, but not cohesin, as the complex mostly responsible for these rapid intra-chromosomal interactions. This is further supported by Hi-C analysis, which reveals that condensin promotes long-distance intra-chromosomal interactions in G1 yeast. Through polymer simulations, we estimate that condensin extrudes chromatin at ~2 kb/s with a density of one complex per 1-2 Mb and a processivity of 120-220 kb. These findings uncover a novel role for condensin in shaping the interphase genome organization and provide new insights into chromosomal search dynamics in vivo.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae↗
PubMed2026

Bridging-driven condensation by eukaryotic SMC complexes is a conserved feature of genome organization.

The Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) protein family plays a central role in higher-order genome organization through ATP-dependent DNA loop extrusion by cohesin and condensin and other processes. Whether these activities fully account for the complexity of chromosome architecture remains unknown. Here, we uncover a conserved ATP-independent mechanism of chromatin condensation by SMC complexes, occurring via biomolecular condensation. Using single-molecule fluorescence imaging, we show that a variety of SMCs form dynamic DNA-bound condensates that exhibit key features of biomolecular condensates, including droplet coalescence, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, and rapid exchange with free SMC complexes. Atomic force microscopy analysis of human cohesin-DNA assemblies reveals DNA-length-dependent clustering, providing evidence for bridging-driven condensation. Analyses of in vivo super-resolution imaging and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data indicate that these condensates form chromatin-associated clusters with multi-loop structures. Together, our results establish that SMC complexes employ ATP-independent phase condensation as well as ATP-dependent activities to shape genome architecture. This work reveals a broadly conserved principle of chromosomal organization across eukaryotes.

Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone↗
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↗
PubMed2026

BCDX2-CX3 and DX2-CX3 complexes assemble and stabilize RAD51 filaments.

The repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homologous recombination is essential for genomic integrity, and its dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer1. Central to homologous recombination is the RAD51 recombinase, whose assembly into a nucleoprotein filament is governed by five RAD51 paralogues (RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2 and XRCC3)2. Mutations in any of these proteins predispose individuals to multiple cancers or genetic disorders3-6. These paralogues are thought to form two functionally separate complexes RAD51B-RAD51C-RAD51D-XRCC2 (BCDX2) and RAD51C-XRCC3 (CX3), that act independently at different stages of homologous recombination7-11. Here we demonstrate that all five paralogues can assemble into a single, ATP-dependent BCDX2-CX3-RAD51 supercomplex. The architecture of this assembly bound to single-stranded DNA reveals a contiguous filament where the CX3 module stacks atop BCDX2, creating a protofilament template for RAD51 filament formation. We further identify a novel, RAD51B-independent DX2-CX3 complex (RAD51D-XRCC2-RAD51C-XRCC3) functioning as a stable RAD51 anchor on single-stranded DNA, and we capture it in multiple states, including capping RAD51 filament segment. These distinct assemblies are differentially regulated by ATPase activity, defining a dynamic BCDX2-CX3 'loader' and a stable DX2-CX3 'anchor' that provide functional modularity to the homologous recombination machinery. This work provides a unifying mechanism for human RAD51 paralogue function and delivers an atomic blueprint for interpreting disease-causing mutations.

Rad51 Recombinase↗
PubMed2025

Zincore, an atypical coregulator, binds zinc finger transcription factors to control gene expression.

Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) are the largest family of transcription factors, yet how they activate gene expression remains unclear. In this study, we identified Zincore, a protein complex consisting of QRICH1 and SEPHS1, as a ZNF-specific coregulator essential for embryonic development in mice and associated with developmental syndromes in humans. We also identified ZFP91 as a representative Zincore client, binding the conserved promoter motif CTTTAAR. Cryo-electron microscopy of a Zincore-ZFP91-DNA complex revealed a SEPHS1 arginine clamp to recognize the DNA-bound zinc finger domains. This mode of binding explains recognition of different ZNFs and stabilizes ZFP91 onto its cognate DNA motif. Thus, our study identified Zincore as a ZNF-specific coregulator essential for development, involving a distinctive mechanism that locks ZNFs onto DNA and regulates transcription.

Animals↗