1. ATRX dysfunction induces replication defects in primary mouse cells.
- Author
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Clynes D, Jelinska C, Xella B, Ayyub H, Taylor S, Mitson M, Bachrati CZ, Higgs DR, and Gibbons RJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Cell Line, Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly, DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded, DNA Damage, DNA Helicases genetics, Embryonic Stem Cells metabolism, Gene Knockout Techniques, Humans, Mice, Multiprotein Complexes metabolism, Nuclear Proteins genetics, S Phase, Telomere metabolism, X-linked Nuclear Protein, DNA Helicases metabolism, DNA Replication, Nuclear Proteins metabolism
- Abstract
The chromatin remodeling protein ATRX, which targets tandem repetitive DNA, has been shown to be required for expression of the alpha globin genes, for proliferation of a variety of cellular progenitors, for chromosome congression and for the maintenance of telomeres. Mutations in ATRX have recently been identified in tumours which maintain their telomeres by a telomerase independent pathway involving homologous recombination thought to be triggered by DNA damage. It is as yet unknown whether there is a central underlying mechanism associated with ATRX dysfunction which can explain the numerous cellular phenomena observed. There is, however, growing evidence for its role in the replication of various repetitive DNA templates which are thought to have a propensity to form secondary structures. Using a mouse knockout model we demonstrate that ATRX plays a direct role in facilitating DNA replication. Ablation of ATRX alone, although leading to a DNA damage response at telomeres, is not sufficient to trigger the alternative lengthening of telomere pathway in mouse embryonic stem cells.
- Published
- 2014
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