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DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at ribosomal gene loci trigger inhibition of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription and extensive nucleolar reorganization, including the formation of nucleolar caps where rDNA DSBs engage with canonical DSB signaling and repair factors. While these nucleolar responses underlie maintenance of rDNA stability, the molecular components that drive each of these events remain to be defined. Here we report that full suppression of rRNA synthesis requires the DYRK1B kinase, a nucleolar DSB response that can be uncoupled from ATM-mediated DSB signaling events at the nucleolar periphery. Indeed, by targeting DSBs onto rDNA arrays, we uncovered that chemical inhibition or genetic inactivation of DYRK1B led to sustained nucleolar transcription. Not only does DYRK1B exhibit robust nucleolar accumulation following laser micro-irradiation across cell nuclei, we further showed that DYRK1B is required for rDNA DSB repair and rDNA copy number maintenance, and that DYRK1B-inactivated cells are hypersensitised to DSBs induced at the rDNA arrays. Together, our findings not only identify DYRK1B as a key signaling intermediate that coordinates DSB repair and rDNA transcriptional activities, but also support the idea of specialised DSB responses that operate within the nucleolus to preserve rDNA integrity.

Significance Cells avoid clashes between DNA repair machineries and the transcription apparatus by temporary halting gene expression in the vicinity of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), an emerging DNA damage response (DDR) that underlies genome integrity protection. In this study, we screened for novel activities that may be important in this DDR and have identified the DYRK1B kinase as a component of the mammalian DDR that specializes in fine-tuning DSB repair on actively transcribed chromatin. Moreover, global analysis of DYRK1B substrates has led to the identification of the histone methyltransferase EHMT2 as a DYRK1B target and effector. Our findings uncover the DYRK1B network as a DDR subpathway that preserves the integrity of active chromatin., DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) trigger transient pausing of nearby transcription, an emerging ATM-dependent response that suppresses chromosomal instability. We screened a chemical library designed to target the human kinome for new activities that mediate gene silencing on DSB-flanking chromatin, and have uncovered the DYRK1B kinase as an early respondent to DNA damage. We showed that DYRK1B is swiftly and transiently recruited to laser-microirradiated sites, and that genetic inactivation of DYRK1B or its kinase activity attenuated DSB-induced gene silencing and led to compromised DNA repair. Notably, global transcription shutdown alleviated DNA repair defects associated with DYRK1B loss, suggesting that DYRK1B is strictly required for DSB repair on active chromatin. We also found that DYRK1B mediates transcription silencing in part via phosphorylating and enforcing DSB accumulation of the histone methyltransferase EHMT2. Together, our findings unveil the DYRK1B signaling network as a key branch of mammalian DNA damage response circuitries, and establish the DYRK1B–EHMT2 axis as an effector that coordinates DSB repair on transcribed chromatin.

The lifespan regulator protein SIRT6 is an NAD + -dependent deacetylase that plays an early role in cellular responses to DNA damage. In a recent study from Liu, Xu and team (2020), the authors describe a novel lysine acetylation/deacetylation switch on SIRT6 that modulates its ability to polymerize and sense DNA breaks. They also identified SIRT1 as the major deacetylase that regulates this lysine modification, unveiling a novel SIRT1-SIRT6 axis that drives the DNA damage response.

Timely repair of DNA double-strand break (DSB) entails coordination with the local higher order chromatin structure and its transaction activities, including transcription. Recent studies are uncovering how DSBs trigger transient suppression of nearby transcription to permit faithful DNA repair, failing of which leads to elevated chromosomal aberrations and cell hypersensitivity to DNA damage. Here, we summarize the molecular bases for transcriptional control during DSB metabolism, and discuss how the exquisite coordination between the two DNA-templated processes may underlie maintenance of genome stability and cell homeostasis.

The tumor suppressor protein 53BP1 plays key roles in response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by serving as a master scaffold at the damaged chromatin. Current evidence indicates that 53BP1 assembles a cohort of DNA damage response (DDR) factors to distinctly execute its repertoire of DSB responses, including checkpoint activation and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. Here, we have uncovered LC8 (a.k.a. DYNLL1) as an important 53BP1 effector. We found that LC8 accumulates at laser-induced DNA damage tracks in a 53BP1-dependent manner and requires the canonical H2AX-MDC1-RNF8-RNF168 signal transduction cascade. Accordingly, genetic inactivation of LC8 or its interaction with 53BP1 resulted in checkpoint defects. Importantly, loss of LC8 alleviated the hypersensitivity of BRCA1-depleted cells to ionizing radiation and PARP inhibition, highlighting the 53BP1-LC8 module in counteracting BRCA1-dependent functions in the DDR. Together, these data establish LC8 as an important mediator of a subset of 53BP1-dependent DSB responses.

DNA end resection is a critical step in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) via homologous recombination (HR). However, the mechanisms governing the extent of resection at DSB sites undergoing homology-directed repair remain unclear. Here, we show that, upon DSB induction, the key resection factor CtIP is modified by the ubiquitin-like protein SUMO at lysine 578 in a PIAS4-dependent manner. CtIP SUMOylation occurs on damaged chromatin and requires prior hyperphosphorylation by the ATM protein kinase. SUMO-modified hyperphosphorylated CtIP is targeted by the SUMO-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF4 for polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Consequently, disruption of CtIP SUMOylation results in aberrant accumulation of CtIP at DSBs, which, in turn, causes uncontrolled excessive resection, defective HR, and increased cellular sensitivity to DSB-inducing agents. These findings reveal a previously unidentified regulatory mechanism that regulates CtIP activity at DSBs and thus the extent of end resection via ATM-dependent sequential posttranslational modification of CtIP.

The abundance of core Wnt/PCP protein Vangl is regulated by the endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD) pathway., The four-pass transmembrane proteins Vangl1 and Vangl2 are dedicated core components of Wnt/planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) signaling that critically regulate polarized cell behaviors in many morphological and physiological processes. Here, we found that the abundance of Vangl proteins is tightly controlled by the ubiquitin-proteasome system through endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD). The key ERAD component p97/VCP directly binds to Vangl at a highly conserved VCP-interacting motif and recruits the E3 ligase KBTBD7 via its UBA-UBX adaptors to promote Vangl ubiquitination and ERAD. We found that Wnt5a/CK1 prevents Vangl ubiquitination and ERAD by inducing Vangl phosphorylation, which facilitates Vangl export from the ER to the plasma membrane. We also provide in vivo evidence that KBTBD7 regulates convergent extension during zebrafish gastrulation and functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer by promoting Vangl degradation. Our findings reveal a previously unknown regulatory mechanism of Wnt/PCP signaling through the p97/VCP-KBTBD7–mediated ERAD pathway.

Meiosis is a specialized cell division for producing haploid gametes in sexually reproducing organisms. In this study, we have independently identified a novel meiosis protein male meiosis recombination regulator (MAMERR)/4930432K21Rik and showed that it is indispensable for meiosis prophase I progression in male mice. Using super-resolution structured illumination microscopy, we found that MAMERR functions at the same double-strand breaks as the replication protein A and meiosis-specific with OB domains/spermatogenesis associated 22 complex. We generated a Mamerr-deficient mouse model by deleting exons 3-6 and found that most of Mamerr-/- spermatocytes were arrested at pachynema and failed to progress to diplonema, although they exhibited almost intact synapsis and progression to the pachytene stage along with XY body formation. Further mechanistic studies revealed that the recruitment of DMC1/RAD51 and heat shock factor 2-binding protein in Mamerr-/- spermatocytes was only mildly impaired with a partial reduction in double-strand break repair, whereas a substantial reduction in ubiquitination on the autosomal axes and on the XY body appeared as a major phenotype in Mamerr-/- spermatocytes. We propose that MAMERR may participate in meiotic prophase I progression by regulating the ubiquitination of key meiotic proteins on autosomes and XY chromosomes, and in the absence of MAMERR, the repressed ubiquitination of key meiotic proteins leads to pachytene arrest and cell death.

RecQL5, a mammalian RecQ family protein, is involved in the regulation of transcription elongation, DNA damage response, and DNA replication. Here, we identified and characterized an alternative splicing isoform of RECQL5 (RECQL5β1), which contains 17 additional amino acid residues within the RECQL5 KIX domain when compared with the canonical isoform (RECQL5β). RECQL5β1 had a markedly decreased binding affinity to RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and poorly competed with the transcription elongation factor TFIIS for binding to Pol II. As a result, this isoform has a weaker activity for repression of transcription elongation. In contrast, we discovered that RECQL5β1 could bind stronger to MRE11, which is a primary sensor of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Furthermore, we found that RECQL5β1 promoted DNA repair in the RECQL5β1 rescue cells. These results suggest that RECQL5β mainly functions as a transcription repressor, while the newly discovered RECQL5β1 has a specialized role in DNA damage response. Taken together, our data suggest a cellular-functional specialization for each KIX splicing isoform in the cell.

The RING finger protein TRAIP protects genome integrity and its mutation causes Seckel syndrome. TRAIP encodes a nucleolar protein that migrates to UV-induced DNA lesions via a direct interaction with the DNA replication clamp PCNA. Thus far, mechanistically how UV mobilizes TRAIP from the nucleoli remains unknown. We found that PCNA binding is dispensable for the nucleolus-nucleoplasm shuttling of TRAIP following cell exposure to UV irradiation, and that its redistribution did not rely on the master DNA damage kinases ATM and ATR. Interestingly, I-PpoI-induced ribosomal DNA damage led to TRAIP exclusion from the nucleoli, raising the possibility that active ribosomal DNA transcription may underlie TRAIP retention in the nuclear sub-compartments. Accordingly, chemical inhibition of RNA polymerase I activity led to TRAIP diffusion into the nucleoplasm, and was coupled with marked reduction of DNA/RNA hybrids in the nucleoli, suggesting that TRAIP may be sequestered via binding to nucleic acid structures in the nucleoli. Consistently, cell pre-treatment with DNase/RNase effectively released TRAIP from the nucleoli. Taken together, our study defines a bipartite mechanism that drives TRAIP trafficking in response to UV damage, and highlights the nucleolus as a stress sensor that contributes to orchestrating DNA damage responses.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity is maintained in homeostasis by an expanding list of molecular determinants. However, the molecular components and the regulatory mechanisms involved in its fine-tuning remain to be determined. Here, we identified C9orf140, a tumor-specific protein, as a novel Axin1-interacting protein by tandem-affinity purification and mass spectrometry. We further showed that C9orf140 is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cultured cells as well as in zebrafish embryos. It functions upstream of β-catenin, outcompetes PP2A for binding to Axin1, influences the balance between phosphorylation and de-phosphorylation of β-catenin, and ultimately compromises Wnt3A-induced β-catenin accumulation. Interestingly, Wnt-induced C9orf140 expression via β-catenin. We propose that C9orf140 mediates a negative feedback loop of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by interacting with Axin1. Our results advance the current understanding of the exquisite control of Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade, and provide evidence of the new role of C9orf140.

BRCA1 is critical for DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR). BRCA1 deficient mice are embryonic lethal. Previous studies have shown that 53BP1 knockout (KO) rescues embryonic lethality of BRCA1 hypomorphic mutant mice by restoring HR. Here, we show that 53BP1 KO can partially rescue embryonic lethality of BRCA1 total KO mice, but HR is not restored in BRCA1-53BP1 double knockout (DKO) mice. As a result, BRCA1-53BP1 DKO cells are extremely sensitive to PARP inhibitors (PARPi). In addition to HR deficiency, BRCA1-53BP1 DKO cells have elevated microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) activity and G2/M cell cycle checkpoint defects, causing severe genomic instability in these cells. Interestingly, BRCA1-53BP1 DKO mice rapidly develop thymic lymphoma that is 100% penetrant, which is not observed in any BRCA1 mutant mice rescued by 53BP1 KO. Taken together, our study reveals that 53BP1 KO can partially rescue embryonic lethality caused by complete BRCA1 loss without rescuing HR-related defects. This finding suggests that loss of 53BP1 can support the development of cancers with silenced BRCA1 expression without causing PARPi resistance.

DNA-double strand breaks activate the serine/threonine protein kinase ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) to initiate DNA damage signal transduction. This activation process involves autophosphorylation and dissociation of inert ATM dimers into monomers that are catalytically active. Using single-particle electron microscopy (EM), we determined the structure of dimeric ATM in its resting state. The EM map could accommodate the crystal structure of the N-terminal truncated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a closely related enzyme of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related protein kinase (PIKK) family, allowing for the localization of the N- and the C-terminal regions of ATM. In the dimeric structure, the actives sites are buried, restricting the access of the substrates to these sites. The unanticipated domain organization of ATM provides a basis for understanding its mechanism of inhibition.

Significance 53BP1 restrains DNA end resection, and its dosage imbalance upsets DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway choice. Here, by monitoring 53BP1 distribution on DSB-flanking chromatin, we have established a dose-dependent role of the RING finger protein RNF169 in limiting 53BP1 DSB deposition. Moreover, we found that forced expression of RNF169 overcomes 53BP1 activity and stimulates mutagenic DSB repair via the single-strand annealing pathway. Our findings suggest that aberrant expression of RNF169 may represent a deleterious factor in DSB repair control and in maintenance of genome stability., Unrestrained 53BP1 activity at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) hampers DNA end resection and upsets DSB repair pathway choice. RNF169 acts as a molecular rheostat to limit 53BP1 deposition at DSBs, but how this fine balance translates to DSB repair control remains undefined. In striking contrast to 53BP1, ChIP analyses of AsiSI-induced DSBs unveiled that RNF169 exhibits robust accumulation at DNA end-proximal regions and preferentially targets resected, RPA-bound DSBs. Accordingly, we found that RNF169 promotes CtIP-dependent DSB resection and favors homology-mediated DSB repair, and further showed that RNF169 dose-dependently stimulates single-strand annealing repair, in part, by alleviating the 53BP1-imposed barrier to DSB end resection. Our results highlight the interplay of RNF169 with 53BP1 in fine-tuning choice of DSB repair pathways.

The Fanconi anemia protein PALB2, also known as FANCN, protects genome integrity by regulating DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoints. Exactly how PALB2 functions may be temporally coupled with detection and signaling of DNA damage is not known. Intriguingly, we found that PALB2 is transformed into a hyperphosphorylated state in response to ionizing radiation (IR). IR treatment specifically triggered PALB2 phosphorylation at Ser-157 and Ser-376 in manners that required the master DNA damage response kinase Ataxia telangiectasia mutated, revealing potential mechanistic links between PALB2 and the Ataxia telangiectasia mutated-dependent DNA damage responses. Consistently, dysregulated PALB2 phosphorylation resulted in sustained activation of DDRs. Full-blown PALB2 phosphorylation also required the breast and ovarian susceptible gene product BRCA1, highlighting important roles of the BRCA1-PALB2 interaction in orchestrating cellular responses to genotoxic stress. In summary, our phosphorylation analysis of tumor suppressor protein PALB2 uncovers new layers of regulatory mechanisms in the maintenance of genome stability and tumor suppression.

BRCA2-deficient cells exhibit gross genomic instability, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we report that inactivation of BRCA2 but not RAD51 destabilizes RPA-coated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) structures at resected DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and greatly enhances the frequency of nuclear fragmentation following cell exposure to DNA damage. Importantly, these BRCA2-associated deficits are fueled by the aberrant activation of classical (c)- and alternative (alt)- nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ), and rely on the well-defined DNA damage signaling pathway involving the pro-c-NHEJ factor 53BP1 and its downstream effector RIF1. We further show that the 53BP1–RIF1 axis promotes toxic end-joining events via the retention of Artemis at DNA damage sites. Accordingly, loss of 53BP1, RIF1, or Artemis prolongs the stability of RPA-coated DSB intermediates in BRCA2-deficient cells and restores nuclear integrity. We propose that BRCA2 antagonizes 53BP1, RIF1, and Artemis-dependent c-NHEJ and alt-NHEJ to prevent gross genomic instability in a RAD51-independent manner., The genomic instability phenotype characteristic of BRCA2-deficient cells is not fully mechanistically understood. Here the authors show BRCA2 inactivation destabilizes RPA-coated single-stranded DNA and leads to toxic non homologous end-joining events.

Summary Background Repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination requires 5′-3′ resection of the DSB ends. In vertebrates, DSB resection is initiated by the collaborative action of CtIP and the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex. However, how this process occurs within the context of chromatin is still not well understood. Results Here we identify the human SRCAP chromatin remodeling complex as a factor that promotes CtIP-dependent DNA-end resection. We show that SRCAP, which is mutated in Floating-Harbor syndrome, confers resistance to DNA damage-inducing agents and is recruited to DSBs. Moreover, we demonstrate that SRCAP is required for DNA-end resection, and thereby for recruitment of RPA and RAD51 to DSBs, and for the ensuing homologous recombination. Finally, we reveal that SRCAP forms a complex with CtIP and promotes accumulation of CtIP at DSBs through a mechanism involving its ATPase activity. Conclusions Our study implicates the human SRCAP chromatin remodeling complex as a novel regulator of DNA damage responses that orchestrates proper signaling and repair of DSBs in the context of chromatin.

The p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway plays an important role in inflammatory and stress responses. MAPKK6 (MKK6), a dual specificity protein kinase, is a p38 activator. Activation of the MKK6-p38 pathway is kept in check by multiple layers of regulations, including autoinhibition, dimerization, scaffold proteins, and Lys-63-linked polyubiquitination. However, the mechanisms underlying deactivation of MKK6-p38, which is crucial for maintaining the magnitude and duration of signal transduction, are not well understood. Lys-48-linked ubiquitination, which marks substrates for proteasomal degradation, is an important negative posttranslational regulatory machinery for signal pathway transduction. Here we report that the accumulation of F-box only protein 31 (FBXO31), a component of Skp1 · Cul1 · F-box protein E3 ligase, negatively regulated p38 activation in cancer cells upon genotoxic stresses. Our results show that FBXO31 binds to MKK6 and mediates its Lys-48-linked polyubiquitination and degradation, thereby functioning as a negative regulator of MKK6-p38 signaling and protecting cells from stress-induced cell apoptosis. Taken together, our findings uncover a new mechanism of deactivation of MKK6-p38 and substantiate a novel regulatory role of FBXO31 in stress response.

The RAD18 E3 ligase requires SIVA1 as an accessory protein for binding to its substrate PCNA during translesion DNA synthesis., Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is a universal DNA damage tolerance mechanism conserved from yeast to mammals. A key event in the regulation of TLS is the monoubiquitination of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Extensive evidence indicates that the RAD6–RAD18 ubiquitin-conjugating/ligase complex specifically monoubiquitinates PCNA and regulates TLS repair. However, the mechanism by which the RAD6–RAD18 complex is targeted to PCNA has remained elusive. In this study, we used an affinity purification approach to isolate the PCNA-containing complex and have identified SIVA1 as a critical regulator of PCNA monoubiquitination. We show that SIVA1 constitutively interacts with PCNA via a highly conserved PCNA-interacting peptide motif. Knockdown of SIVA1 compromised RAD18-dependent PCNA monoubiquitination and Polη focus formation, leading to elevated ultraviolet sensitivity and mutation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SIVA1 interacts with RAD18 and serves as a molecular bridge between RAD18 and PCNA, thus targeting the E3 ligase activity of RAD18 onto PCNA. Collectively, our results provide evidence that the RAD18 E3 ligase requires an accessory protein for binding to its substrate PCNA.

Loading of p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) and receptor-associated protein 80 (RAP80) at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) drives cell cycle checkpoint activation but is counterproductive to high-fidelity DNA repair. ring finger protein 169 (RNF169) maintains the balance by limiting the deposition of DNA damage mediator proteins at the damaged chromatin. We report here that this attribute is accomplished, in part, by a predicted nuclear localization signal (NLS) that not only shuttles RNF169 into the nucleus but also promotes its stability by mediating a direct interaction with the ubiquitin-specific protease USP7. Guided by the crystal structure of USP7 in complex with the RNF169 NLS, we uncoupled USP7 binding from its nuclear import function and showed that perturbing the USP7–RNF169 complex destabilized RNF169, compromised high-fidelity DSB repair, and hypersensitized cells to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition. Finally, expression of USP7 and RNF169 positively correlated in breast cancer specimens. Collectively, our findings uncover an NLS-mediated bipartite mechanism that supports the nuclear function of a DSB response protein.

Ubiquitin adducts surrounding DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) have emerged as molecular platforms important for the assembly of DNA damage mediator and repair proteins. Central to these chromatin modifications lies the E2 UBC13, which has been implicated in a bipartite role in priming and amplifying lys63-linked ubiquitin chains on histone molecules through coupling with the E3 RNF8 and RNF168. However, unlike the RNF8-UBC13 holoenyzme, exactly how RNF168 work in concert with UBC13 remains obscure. To provide a structural perspective for the RNF168-UBC13 complex, we solved the crystal structure of the RNF168 RING domain. Interestingly, while the RNF168 RING adopts a typical RING finger fold with two zinc ions coordinated by several conserved cystine and histine residues arranged in a C3HC4 “cross-brace” manner, structural superimposition of RNF168 RING with other UBC13-binding E3 ubiquitin ligases revealed substantial differences at its corresponding UBC13-binding interface. Consistently, and in stark contrast to that between RNF8 and UBC13, RNF168 did not stably associate with UBC13 in vitro or in vivo. Moreover, domain-swapping experiments indicated that the RNF8 and RNF168 RING domains are not functionally interchangeable. We propose that RNF8 and RNF168 operate in different modes with their cognate E2 UBC13 at DSBs.

Protein ubiquitination has emerged as a pivotal regulatory reaction that promotes cellular responses to DNA damage. With a goal to delineate the DNA damage signal transduction cascade, we systematically analyzed the human E2 ubiquitin- and ubiquitin-like-conjugating enzymes for their ability to mobilize the DNA damage marker 53BP1 onto ionizing radiation-induced DNA double strand breaks. An RNAi-based screen identified UBE2U as a candidate regulator of chromatin responses at double strand breaks. Further mining of the UBE2U interactome uncovered its cognate E3 RNF17 as a novel factor that, via the radiosensitivity, immunodeficiency, dysmorphic features, and learning difficulties (RIDDLE) syndrome protein RNF168, enforces DNA damage responses. Our screen allowed us to uncover new players in the mammalian DNA damage response and highlights the instrumental roles of ubiquitin machineries in promoting cell responses to genotoxic stress.

The induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) elicits a plethora of responses that redirect many cellular functions to the vital task of repairing the injury, collectively known as the DNA damage response (DDR). We have found that, in the absence of DNA damage, the DSB repair factors RNF8 and BRCA1 are associated with the nucleolus. Shortly after exposure of cells to γ-radiation, RNF8 and BRCA1 translocated from the nucleolus to damage foci, a traffic that was reverted several hours after the damage. RNF8 interacted through its FHA domain with the ribosomal protein RPSA, and knockdown of RPSA caused a depletion of nucleolar RNF8 and BRCA1, suggesting that the interaction of RNF8 with RPSA is critical for the nucleolar localization of these DDR factors. Knockdown of RPSA or RNF8 impaired bulk protein translation, as did γ-irradiation, the latter being partially countered by overexpression of exogenous RNF8. Our results suggest that RNF8 and BRCA1 are anchored to the nucleolus through reversible interactions with RPSA and that, in addition to its known functions in DDR, RNF8 may play a role in protein synthesis, possibly linking the nucleolar exit of this factor to the attenuation of protein synthesis in response to DNA damage. © 2012 Elsevier Inc., M.G. was a recipient of a predoctoral fellowship and F.M. of a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. This study was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF2008-04136-C02-01 and SAF2011-24686), the Catalan Agency for the Administration of University and Research Grants (AGAUR2009-SGR-1482) and the Biotechnology Reference Network (XeRBa).

Ubiquitin signals emanating from DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) trigger the ordered assembly of DNA damage mediator and repair proteins. This highly orchestrated process is accomplished, in part, through the concerted action of the RNF8 and RNF168 E3 ligases, which have emerged as core signaling intermediates that promote DSB-associated ubiquitylation events. In this study, we report the identification of RNF169 as a negative regulator of the DNA damage signaling cascade. We found that RNF169 interacted with ubiquitin structures and relocalized to DSBs in an RNF8/RNF168-dependent manner. Moreover, ectopic expression of RNF169 attenuated ubiquitin signaling and compromised 53BP1 accumulation at DNA damage sites, suggesting that RNF169 antagonizes RNF168 functions at DSBs. Our study unveils RNF169 as a component in DNA damage signal transduction and adds to the complexity of regulatory ubiquitylation in genome stability maintenance., link_to_OA_fulltext

Histone ubiquitylation has emerged as an important chromatin modification associated with DNA damage signaling and repair pathways. These histone marks, laid down by E3 ubiquitin ligases that include RNF8 and RNF168, decorate chromatin domains surrounding DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Recent work implicated ubiquitylated histones in orchestrating cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair and gene transcription. Here we summarize recent advances that contribute to our current knowledge of the highly dynamic nature of DSB-associated histone ubiquitylation, and discuss major challenges ahead in understanding the versatility of ubiquitin conjugation in maintaining genome stability.

Protein p63 is a key regulator in cell proliferation and cell differentiation in stratified squamous epithelium. ΔNp63α is the most commonly expressed p63 isoform, which is often overexpressed in human tumor. In the present work we report the potential involvement of ΔNp63α in cell cycle regulation. ΔNp63α accumulated in mitotic cells but its expression decreased during mitotic exit. Moreover, ΔNp63α knockdown promoted mitotic exit. ΔNp63α shares a conserved destruction box (D-box) motif with other potential targets of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C). Overexpression of APC/C coactivator Cdh1 destabilized ΔNp63α. Our results suggest that ΔNp63α level is cell cycle-regulated and may play a role in the regulation of mitotic exit.

Histone ubiquitylation is emerging as an important protective component in cellular responses to DNA damage. The ubiquitin ligases RNF8 and RNF168 assemble ubiquitin chains onto histone molecules surrounding DNA breaks and facilitate retention of DNA repair proteins. Although RNF8 and RNF168 play important roles in repair of DNA double strand breaks, their requirement for cell protection from replication stress is largely unknown. In this study, we uncovered RNF168-independent roles of RNF8 in repair of replication inhibition-induced DNA damage. We showed that RNF8 depletion, but not RNF168 depletion, hyper-sensitized cells to hydroxyurea and aphidicolin treatment. Consistently, hydroxyurea induced persistent single strand DNA lesions and sustained CHK1 activation in RNF8-depleted cells. In line with strict requirement for RAD51-dependent repair of hydroxyurea-stalled replication forks, RNF8 depletion compromised RAD51 accumulation onto single strand DNA lesions, suggesting that impaired replication fork repair may underlie the enhanced cellular sensitivity to replication arrest observed in RNF8-depleted cells. In total, our study highlights the differential requirement for the ubiquitin ligase RNF8 in facilitating repair of replication stress-associated DNA damage. © 2011 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc., link_to_subscribed_fulltext

Centromeric instability is characterized by dynamic formation of centromeric breaks, deletions, isochromosomes and translocations, which are commonly observed in cancer. So far, however, the mechanisms of centromeric instability in cancer cells are still poorly understood. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that G2 checkpoint defect promotes centromeric instability. Our observations from multiple approaches consistently support this hypothesis. We found that overexpression of cyclin B1, one of the pivotal genes driving G2 to M phase transition, impaired G2 checkpoint and promoted the formation of centromeric aberrations in telomerase-immortalized cell lines. Conversely, centromeric instability in cancer cells was ameliorated through reinforcement of G2 checkpoint by cyclin B1 knockdown. Remarkably, treatment with KU55933 for only 2.5 h, which abrogated G2 checkpoint, was sufficient to produce centromeric aberrations. Moreover, centromeric aberrations constituted the major form of structural abnormalities in G2 checkpoint-defective ataxia telangiectasia cells. Statistical analysis showed that the frequencies of centromeric aberrations in G2 checkpoint-defective cells were always significantly overrepresented compared with random assumption. As there are multiple pathways leading to G2 checkpoint defect, our finding offers a broad explanation for the common occurrence of centromeric aberrations in cancer cells.

53BP1 is a well-known mediator of the cellular response to DNA damage. Two alternative mechanisms have been proposed to explain 53BP1's interaction with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), one by binding to methylated histones and the other via an RNF8 E3 ligase-dependent ubiquitylation pathway. The formation of RNF8 and 53BP1 irradiationinduced foci are both dependent on histone H2AX. To evaluate the contribution of the RNF8-dependent pathway to 53BP1 function, we generated RNF8 knockout mice. We report that RNF8 deficiency results in defective class switch recombination (CSR) and accumulation of unresolved immunoglobulin heavy chain-associated DSBs. The CSR DSB repair defect is milder than that observed in the absence of 53BP1 but similar to that found in H2AX-/- mice. Moreover, similar to H2AX but different from 53BP1 deficiency, RNF8-/- males are sterile, and this is associated with defective ubiquitylation of the XY chromatin. Combined loss of H2AX and RNF8 does not cause further impairment in CSR, demonstrating that the two genes function epistatically. Importantly, although 53BP1 foci formation is RNF8 dependent, its binding to chromatin is preserved in the absence of RNF8. This suggests a two-step mechanism for 53BP1 association with chromatin in which constitutive loading is dependent on interactions with methylated histones, whereas DNA damage-inducible RNF8-dependent ubiquitylation allows its accumulation at damaged chromatin., published_or_final_version

Dynamic changes of chromatin structure facilitate diverse biological events, including DNA replication, repair, recombination, and gene transcription. Recent evidence revealed that DNA damage elicits alterations to the chromatin to facilitate proper checkpoint activation and DNA repair. Here we report the identification of the PWWP domain-containing protein EXPAND1/MUM1 as an architectural component of the chromatin, which in response to DNA damage serves as an accessory factor to promote cell survival. Depletion of EXPAND1/MUM1 or inactivation of its PWWP domain resulted in chromatin compaction. Upon DNA damage, EXPAND1/MUM1 rapidly concentrates at the vicinity of DNA damage sites via its direct interaction with 53BP1. Ablation of this interaction impaired damage-induced chromatin decondensation, which is accompanied by sustained DNA damage and hypersensitivity to genotoxic stress. Collectively, our study uncovers a chromatin-bound factor that serves an accessory role in coupling damage signaling with chromatin changes in response to DNA damage.

The remarkably coordinated nature of the DNA damage response pathway relies on numerous mechanisms that facilitate the assembly of checkpoint and repair factors at DNA breaks. Post-translational modifications on and around chromatin have critical roles in allowing the timely and sequential assembly of DNA damage responsive elements at the vicinity of DNA breaks. Notably, recent advances in forward genetics and proteomics-based approaches have enabled the identification of novel components within the DNA damage response pathway, providing a more comprehensive picture of the molecular network that assists in the detection and propagation of DNA damage signals. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., link_to_OA_fulltext

The breast and ovarian cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) has pivotal roles in the maintenance of genome stability. Studies support that BRCA1 exerts its tumour suppression function primarily through its involvement in cell cycle checkpoint control and DNA damage repair. In addition, recent proteomic and genetic studies have revealed the presence of distinct BRCA1 complexes in vivo, each of which governs a specific cellular response to DNA damage. Thus, BRCA1 is emerging as the master regulator of the genome through its ability to execute and coordinate various aspects of the DNA damage response.

PALB2 is an integral component of the BRCA complex important for recombinational DNA repair. However, exactly how this activity is regulated in vivo remains unexplored. Here we provide evidefice to show that MRG15 is a novel PALB2-associated protein that ensures regulated recombination events. We found that the direct interaction between MRG15 and PALB2 is mediated by an evolutionarily conserved region on PALB2. Intriguingly, although damage-induced RAD51 foci formation and mitomycin C sensitivity appeared normal in MRG15-binding defective PALB2 mutants, these cells exhibited a significant increase in gene conversion rates. Consistently, we found that abrogation of the PALB2-MRG15 interaction resulted in elevated sister chromatid exchange frequencies. Our results suggest that loss of the PALB2-ARG15 interaction relieved the cells with the suppression of sister chromatid exchange and therefore led to a hyper-recombination phenotype in the gene conversion assay. Together, our study indicated that although PALB2 is required for proficient homologous recombination, it could also govern the choice of templates used in homologous recombination repair. © 2009 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc., link_to_subscribed_fulltext

To maintain genome stability, cells respond to DNA damage by activating signalling pathways that govern cell-cycle checkpoints and initiate DNA repair. Cell-cycle checkpoint controls should connect with DNA repair processes, however, exactly how such coordination occurs in vivo is largely unknown. Here we describe a new role for the E3 ligase RAD18 as the integral component in translating the damage response signal to orchestrate homologous recombination repair (HRR). We show that RAD18 promotes homologous recombination in a manner strictly dependent on its ability to be recruited to sites of DNA breaks and that this recruitment relies on a well-defined DNA damage signalling pathway mediated by another E3 ligase, RNF8. We further demonstrate that RAD18 functions as an adaptor to facilitate homologous recombination through direct interaction with the recombinase RAD51C. Together, our data uncovers RAD18 as a key factor that orchestrates HRR through surveillance of the DNA damage signal., link_to_subscribed_fulltext

Multisubunit protein assemblies offer integrated functionalities for efficient cell signal transduction control. One example of such protein assemblies, the BRCA1-A macromolecular complex, couples ubiquitin recognition and metabolism and promotes cellular responses to DNA damage. Specifically, the BRCA1-A complex not only recognizes Lys(63)-linked ubiquitin (K63-Ub) adducts at the damaged chromatin but is endowed with K63-Ub deubiquitylase (DUB) activity. To explore how the BRCA1-A DUB activity contributes to its function at DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), we used RNAi and genome editing approaches to target BRCC36, the protein subunit that confers the BRCA1-A complex its DUB activity. Intriguingly, we found that the K63-Ub DUB activity, although dispensable for maintaining the integrity of the macromolecular protein assembly, is important in enforcing the accumulation of the BRCA1-A complex onto DSBs. Inactivating BRCC36 DUB attenuated BRCA1-A functions at DSBs and led to unrestrained DSB end resection and hyperactive DNA repair. Together, our findings uncover a pivotal role of BRCC36 DUB in limiting DSB processing and repair and illustrate how cells may physically couple ubiquitin recognition and metabolizing activities for fine tuning of DNA repair processes.

DNA-damage signaling utilizes a multitude of posttranslational modifiers as molecular switches to regulate cell-cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. Here we show that RNF8, a FHA/RING domain-containing protein, plays a critical role in the early DNA-damage response. We have solved the X-ray crystal structure of the FHA domain structure at 1.35 Å. We have shown that RNF8 facilitates the accumulation of checkpoint mediator proteins BRCA1 and 53BP1 to the damaged chromatin, on one hand through the phospho-dependent FHA domain-mediated binding of RNF8 to MDC1, on the other hand via its role in ubiquitylating H2AX and possibly other substrates at damage sites. Moreover, RNF8-depleted cells displayed a defective G2/M checkpoint and increased IR sensitivity. Together, our study implicates RNF8 as a novel DNA-damage-responsive protein that integrates protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation signaling and plays a critical role in the cellular response to genotoxic stress. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved., link_to_subscribed_fulltext

Adding to the Histone Code at DNA double-strand breaks, Mailand and colleagues now uncover non-degradative ubiquitin marks on linker histone H1 as key signaling intermediates in the DNA damage signal transduction cascade.

Translesion synthesis (TLS) is the mechanism by which DNA polymerases replicate through unrepaired DNA lesions. TLS is activated by monoubiquitination of the homotrimeric proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) at lysine-164, followed by the switch from replicative to specialized polymerases at DNA damage sites. Pol η belongs to the Y-Family of specialized polymerases that can efficiently bypass UV-induced lesions. Like other members of the Y-Family polymerases, its recruitment to the damaged sites is mediated by the interaction with monoubiquitinated PCNA (Ub-PCNA) via its ubiquitin-binding domain and non-canonical PCNA-interacting motif in the C-terminal region. The structural determinants underlying the direct recognition of Ub-PCNA by Pol η, or Y-Family polymerases in general, remain largely unknown. Here we report a structure of the Ub-PCNA/Pol η complex bound to DNA determined by single-particle electron microscopy (EM). The overall obtained structure resembles that of the editing PCNA/PolB complex. Analysis of the map revealed the conformation of ubiquitin that binds the C-terminal domain of Pol η. Our present study suggests that the Ub-PCNA/Pol η interaction requires the formation of a structured binding interface, which is dictated by the inherent flexibility of Ub-PCNA.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely associated with several human malignancies including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The EBV immediate-early protein BZLF1 is the key mediator that switches EBV infection from latent to lytic forms. The lytic form of EBV infection has been implicated in human carcinogenesis but its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. BZLF1 has been shown to be a binding partner of several DNA damage response (DDR) proteins. Its functions in host DDR remain unknown. Thus, we explore the effects of BZLF1 on cellular response to DNA damage in NPC cells. We found that expression of BZLF1 impaired the binding between RNF8 and MDC1 (mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1), which in turn interfered with the localization of RNF8 and 53BP1 to the DNA damage sites. The RNF8-53BP1 pathway is important for repair of DNA double-strand breaks and DNA damage-induced G2/M checkpoint activation. Our results showed that, by impairing DNA damage repair as well as abrogating G2/M checkpoint, BZLF1 induced genomic instability and rendered cells more sensitive to ionizing radiation. Moreover, the blockage of 53BP1 and RNF8 foci formation was recapitulated in EBV-infected cells. Taken together, our study raises the possibility that, by causing mis-localization of important DDR proteins, BZLF1 may function as a link between lytic EBV infection and impaired DNA damage repair, thus contributing to the carcinogenesis of EBV-associated human epithelial malignancies.

The ATM kinase orchestrates diverse responses to DNA damage. By simultaneously monitoring transcription and DNA-damage responses in single cells, Shanbhag et al. (2010) now uncover a role of ATM in preventing transcription near DNA double-strand breaks.

Ubiquitylation plays key roles in DNA damage signal transduction. The current model envisions that lysine63-linked ubiquitin chains, via the concerted action of E3 ubiquitin ligases RNF8-RNF168, are built at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to effectively assemble DNA damage-repair factors for proper checkpoint control and DNA repair. We found that RNF168 is a short-lived protein that is stabilized by the deubiquitylating enzyme USP34 in response to DNA damage. In the absence of USP34, RNF168 is rapidly degraded, resulting in attenuated DSB-associated ubiquitylation, defective recruitment of BRCA1 and 53BP1 and compromised cell survival after ionizing radiation. We propose that USP34 promotes a feed-forward loop to enforce ubiquitin signaling at DSBs and highlight critical roles of ubiquitin dynamics in genome stability maintenance.

PCNA is a central scaffold that coordinately assembles replication and repair machineries at DNA replication forks for faithful genome duplication. Here, we describe TRAIP (RNF206) as a novel PCNA-interacting factor that has important roles during mammalian replicative stress responses. We show that TRAIP encodes a nucleolar protein that migrates to stalled replication forks, and that this is accomplished by its targeting of PCNA via an evolutionarily conserved PIP box on its C terminus. Accordingly, inactivation of TRAIP or its interaction with the PCNA clamp compromised replication fork recovery and progression, and leads to chromosome instability. Together, our findings establish TRAIP as a component of the mammalian replicative stress response network, and implicate the TRAIP-PCNA axis in recovery of stalled replication forks.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License.-- et al., Pairing of a given E3 ubiquitin ligase with different E2s allows synthesis of ubiquitin conjugates of different topologies. While this phenomenon contributes to functional diversity, it remains largely unknown how a single E3 ubiquitin ligase recognizes multiple E2s, and whether identical structural requirements determine their respective interactions. The E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF8 that plays a critically important role in transducing DNA damage signals, interacts with E2s UBCH8 and UBC13, and catalyzes both K48-and K63-linked ubiquitin chains. Interestingly, we report here that a single-point mutation (I405A) on the RNF8 polypeptide uncouples its ability in catalyzing K48-and K63-linked ubiquitin chain formation. Accordingly, while RNF8 interacted with E2s UBCH8 and UBC13, its I405A mutation selectively disrupted its functional interaction with UBCH8, and impaired K48-based poly-ubiquitylation reactions. In contrast, RNF8 I405A preserved its interaction with UBC13, synthesized K63-linked ubiquitin chains, and assembled BRCA1 and 53BP1 at sites of DNA breaks. Together, our data suggest that RNF8 regulates K48-and K63-linked poly-ubiquitylation via differential RING-dependent interactions with its E2s UBCH8 and UBC13, respectively. © 2011 The Author(s)., Seed Funding for Applied Research (Project No. 201007160001 to M.S.Y.H.); URC-PDF Scheme, Centre for Cancer Research HKU [to S.M.H.S. and S.S.D. (in part)]; Faculty Development Fund. Funding for open access charge: Seed Funding for Applied Research, University of Hong Kong (Project No. 201007160001 to M.S.Y.H.).

BRCA1 carboxyl-terminal (BRCT) motifs are present in a number of proteins involved in DNA repair and/or DNA damage signaling pathways. The BRCT domain-containing protein BRCTx has been shown to interact physically with RAD18, an E3 ligase involved in postreplication repair and homologous recombination repair. However, the physiological relevance of the interaction between RAD18 and BRCTx is largely unknown. In this study, we showed that RAD18 interacts with BRCTx in a phosphorylation-dependent manner and that this interaction, mediated via highly conserved serine residues on the RAD18 C terminus, is required for BRCTx accumulation at DNA damage sites. Furthermore, we uncovered critical roles of the RAD18-BRCTx module in UV-induced DNA damage repair but not PCNA mono-ubiquitination or homologous recombination. Thus, our results suggest that RAD18 has an additional function in the surveillance of the UV-induced DNA damage response signal.

The eukaryotic RNA splicing machinery is dedicated to the daunting task of excising intronic sequences on the many nascent RNA transcripts in a cell, and in doing so facilitates proper translation of its transcriptome. Notably, emerging evidence suggests that RNA splicing may also play direct roles in maintaining genome stability. Here we report the identification of the RNA/DNA-binding protein SON as a component of spliceosome that plays pleiotropic roles during mitotic progression. We found that SON is essential for cell proliferation, and that its inactivation triggers a MAD2-dependent mitotic delay. Moreover, SON deficiency is accompanied by defective chromosome congression, compromised chromosome segregation and cytokinesis, which in turn contributes to cellular aneuploidy and cell death. In summary, our study uncovers a specific link between SON and mitosis, and highlights the potential of RNA processing as additional regulatory mechanisms that govern cell proliferation and division. © 2010 Landes Bioscience., link_to_subscribed_fulltext

The mammalian interphase chromatin responds to DNA damages by altering the compactness of its architecture, thereby permitting local access of DNA repair machineries. Adding to the cellular strategies of chromatin remodeling following DNA damage, our recent work identified the 53BP1-EXPAND1 module in promoting chromatin dynamics in response to DNA double-strand breaks. Endowed with a nucleosome-binding PWWP domain, EXPAND1 tethers to the chromatin where it is involved in maintaining basal chromatin accessibility in unperturbed cells. Interestingly, through its direct interaction with the DNA damage mediator protein 53BP1, EXPAND1 accumulates at the damage-modified chromatin and triggers its further decondensation. These observations, together with the fact that EXPAND 1 promotes cell survival following DNA damage, suggest that the chromatin-bound factor may facilitate DNA repair by regulating the organization of chromatin structure., link_to_OA_fulltext

Targeted gene repair directed by single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) offers a promising tool for biotechnology and gene therapy. However, the methodology is currently limited by its low frequency of repair events, variability, and low viability of "corrected" cells. In this study, we showed that during ssODN-mediated gene repair reaction, a significant population of corrected cells failed to divide, and were much more prone to undergo apoptosis, as marked by processing of caspases and PARP-1. In addition, we found that apoptotic cell death triggered by ssODN-mediated gene repair was largely independent of the ATM/ATR kinase. Furthermore, we examined the potential involvement of the mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in this "correction reaction-induced" cell death. Result showed that while defective MMR greatly enhanced the efficiency of gene correction, compromising the MMR system did not yield any viable corrected clone, indicating that the MMR machinery, although plays a critical role in determining ssODN-directed repair, was not involved in the observed cellular genotoxic responses.

Maintenance of genomic stability ensures faithful transmission of genetic information and helps suppress neoplastic transformation and tumorigenesis. Although recent progress has advanced our understanding of DNA damage checkpoint regulations, little is known as to how DNA repair, especially the RAD51-dependent homologous recombination repair pathway, is executed in vivo. Here, We reveal novel properties of the BRCA2-associated protein PALB2 in the assembly of the recombinational DNA repair machinery at DNA damage sites. Although the chromatin association of PALB2 is a prerequisite for subsequent BRCA2 and RAD51 loading, the focal accumulation of the PALB2-BRCA2-RAD51 complex at DSBs occurs independently of known DNA damage checkpoint and repair proteins. We provide evidence to support that PALB2 exists as homo-oligomers and that PALB2 oligomerization is essential for its focal accumulation at DNA breaks in vivo. We propose that both PALB2 chromatin association and its oligomerization serve to secure the BRCA2-RAD51 repair machinery at the sites of DNA damage. These attributes of PALB2 are likely instrumental for proficient homologous recombination DNA repair in the cell. © 2009 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc., link_to_subscribed_fulltext

Histone ubiquitination participates in multiple cellular processes, including the DNA damage response. However, the molecular mechanisms involved are not clear. Here, we have identified that RAP80/UIMC1 (ubiquitin interaction motif containing 1), a functional partner of BRCA1, recognizes ubiquitinated histones H2A and H2B. The interaction between RAP80 and ubiquitinated histones H2A and H2B is increased following DNA damage. Since RAP80 facilitates BRCA1’s translocation to DNA damage sites, our results indicate that ubiquitinated histones H2A and H2B could be upstream partners of the BRCA1/RAP80 complex in the DNA damage response. Moreover, we have found that RNF8 (ring finger protein 8), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates ubiquitination of both histones H2A and H2B. In RNF8-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts, ubiquitination of both histones H2A and H2B is dramatically reduced, which abolishes the DNA damage-induced BRCA1 and RAP80 accumulation at damage lesions on the chromatin. Taken together, our results suggest that ubiquitinated histones H2A and H2B may recruit the BRCA1 complex to DNA damage lesions on the chromatin.

Chromatin endowed by histone modifications governs chromatin structure, which in turn represents a means to regulate cellular processes, including transcription and heterochromatin formation. Recent evidence revealed a plethora of enzymes that catalyze specific histone modifications for epigenetic maintenance, and dysregulation of which contributes to tumorigenesis and developmental defects. The histone methyltransferase SET8 (also known as Pr-Set7) was previously reported to monomethylate Lys 20 of histone H4. However, the temporal and spatial control of SET8 activity remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence to support that SET8 monomethylates Lys 20 of histone H4 during S phase by tethering to proliferating cell nuclear antigen via a putative proliferating cell nuclear antigen-interacting protein box. In addition, we show that SET8 function is required for S phase progression. Finally, deletion of SET8 in mice causes embryonic lethality, suggesting that SET8 plays an important role in mammalian embryogenesis. © 2008 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc., link_to_subscribed_fulltext