The endless tale of non-homologous end-joining

DNA double-strand breaks （DSBs） are introduced in cells by ionizing radiation and reactive oxygen species. In addition, they are commonly generated during V（D）J recombination, an essential aspect of the developing immune system. Failure to effectively repair these DSBs can result in chromosome breakage, cell death, onset of cancer, and defects in the immune system of higher vertebrates. Fortunately, all mammalian cells possess two enzymatic pathways that mediate the repair of DSBs： homologous recombination and non-homologous end-joining （NHEJ）. The NHEJ process utilizes enzymes that capture both ends of the broken DNA molecule, bring them together in a synaptic DNA-protein complex, and finally repair the DNA break. In this review, all the known enzymes that play a role in the NHEJ process are discussed and a working model for the co-operation of these enzymes during DSB repair is presented.

Regulation of DNA double-strand break repair pathway choice

DNA double-strand breaks （DSBs） are critical lesions that can result in cell death or a wide variety of genetic alterations including largeor small-scale deletions, loss of heterozygosity, translocations, and chromosome loss. DSBs are repaired by non-homologous end-joining （NHEJ） and homologous recombination （HR）, and defects in these pathways cause genome instability and promote tumorigenesis. DSBs arise from endogenous sources including reactive oxygen species generated during cellular metabolism, collapsed replication forks, and nucleases, and from exogenous sources including ionizing radiation and chemicals that directly or indirectly damage DNA and are commonly used in cancer therapy. The DSB repair pathways appear to compete for DSBs, but the balance between them differs widely among species, between different cell types of a single species, and during different cell cycle phases of a single cell type. Here we review the regulatory factors that regulate DSB repair by NHEJ and HR in yeast and higher eukaryotes. These factors include regulated expression and phosphorylation of repair proteins, chromatin modulation of repair factor accessibility, and the availability of homologous repair templates. While most DSB repair proteins appear to function exclusively in NHEJ or HR, a number of proteins influence both pathways, including the MRE11/RAD50/NBS1（XRS2） complex, BRCA1, histone H2AX, PARP-1, RAD18, DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit （DNA-PKcs）, and ATM. DNA-PKcs plays a role in mammalian NHEJ, but it also influences HR through a complex regulatory network that may involve crosstalk with ATM, and the regulation of at least 12 proteins involved in HR that are phosphorylated by DNA-PKcs and/or ATM.

Inhibition of KU70 and KU80 by CRISPR interference,not NgAgo interference,increases the efficiency of homologous recombination in pig fetal fibroblasts

Non-homologous end-joining(NHEJ) is a predominant pathway for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks(DSB). It inhibits the efficiency of homologous recombination(HR) by competing for DSB targets. To improve the efficiency of HR, multiple CRISPR interference(CRISPRi) and Natronobacterium gregoryi Argonaute(NgAgo) interference(NgAgoi) systems have been designed for the knockdown of NHEJ key molecules, KU70, KU80, polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase(PNKP), DNA ligase IV(LIG4), and NHEJ1. Suppression of KU70 and KU80 by CRISPRi dramatically promoted(P<0.05) the efficiency of HR to 1.85-and 1.58-fold, respectively, whereas knockdown of PNKP, LIG4, and NHEJ1 repair factors did not significantly increase(P>0.05) HR efficiency. Interestingly, although the NgAgoi system significantly suppressed(P<0.05) KU70, KU80, PNKP, LIG4, and NHEJ1 expression, it did not improve(P>0.05) HR efficiency in primary fetal fibroblasts. Our result showed that both NgAgo and catalytically inactive Cas9(dCas9) could interfere with the expression of target genes, but the downstream factors appear to be more active following CRISPR-mediated interference than that of NgAgo.

Establishment of genomic library technology mediated by non-homologous end joining mechanism in Yarrowia lipolytica

Genomic variants libraries are conducive to obtain dominant strains with desirable phenotypic traits.The non-homologous end joining(NHEJ),which enables foreign DNA fragments to be randomly integrated into different chromosomal sites,shows prominent capability in genomic libraries construction.In this study,we established an efficient NHEJ-mediated genomic library technology in Yarrowia lipolytica through regulation of NHEJ repair process,employment of defective Ura marker and optimization of iterative transformations,which enhanced genes integration efficiency by 4.67,22.74 and 1.87 times,respectively.We further applied this technology to create high lycopene producing strains by multi-integration of heterologous genes of CrtE,CrtB and CrtI,with 23.8 times higher production than rDNA integration through homologous recombination(HR).The NHEJ-mediated genomic library technology also achieved random and scattered integration of loxP and vox sites,with the copy number up to 65 and 53,respectively,creating potential for further application of recombinase mediated genome rearrangement in Y.lipolytica.This work provides a high-efficient NHEJ-mediated genomic library technology,which enables random and scattered genomic integration of multiple heterologous fragments and rapid generation of diverse strains with superior phenotypes within 96 h.This novel technology also lays an excellent foundation for the development of other genetic technologies in Y.lipolytica.

Expression of DNA-dependent protein kinase in human granulocytes

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have been reported to completely lack of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) which is composed of Ku protein and the catalytic subunit DNA-PKcs, needed for nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) of DNA double-strand breaks. Promyelocytic HL-60 cells express a variant form of Ku resulting in enhanced radiation sensitivity. This raises the question if low efficiency of NHEJ, instrumental for the cellular repair of oxidative damage, is a normal characteristic of myeloid differentiation. Here we confirmed the complete lack of DNAPK in P MN protein extracts, and the expression of the truncated Ku86 variant form in HL-60. However, this degradation of DNA-PK was shown to be due to a DNA-PK-degrading protease in PMN and HL-60. In addition, by using a protease-resistant whole cell assay, both Ku86 and DNA-PKcs could be demonstrated in PMN, suggesting the previously reported absence in PMN of DNA-PK to be an artefact. The levels of Ku86 and DNA-PKcs were much reduced in PMN, as compared with that of the lymphocytes, whereas HL-60 displayed a markedly elevated DNA-PK concentration.In conclusion, our findings provide evidence of reduced, not depleted expression of DNA-PK during the mature stages of myeloid differentiation.

DNA Double-Strand Breaks,Potential Targets for HBV Integration

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most fre-quently occurring cancers.Hepadnaviral DNA integrations are considered to be essential agents which can promote the process of the hepatocarcinogenesis.More and more researches were designed to find the relationship of the two.In this study,we investigated whether HBV DNA integration occurred at sites of DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs),one of the most detrimental DNA damage.An 18-bp I-SceI homing endonuclease recognition site was introduced into the DNA of HepG2 cell line by stable DNA transfection,then cells were incubated in patients’ serum with high HBV DNA copies and at the same time,DSBs were induced by transient expression of I-SceI after transfection of an I-SceI expression vector.By using nest PCR,the viral DNA was detected at the sites of the break.It appeared that integra-tion occurred between part of HBV x gene and the I-SceI induced breaks.The results suggested that DSBs,as the DNA damages,may serve as potential targets for hepadnaviral DNA insertion and the integrants would lead to widespread host genome changes necessarily.It provided a new site to investi-gate the integration.

DNA end binding activity and Ku70/80 heterodimer expression in human colorectal tumor

AIM： TO determine the DNA binding activity and protein levels of the Ku70/80 heterodimer, the functional mediator of the NHEJ activity, in human colorectal carcinogenesis. METHODS： The Ku70/80 DNA-binding activity was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays in 20 colon adenoma and 15 colorectal cancer samples as well as matched normal colonic tissues. Nuclear and cytoplasmic protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS： A statistical found in both adenomas y significant difference was and carcinomas as compared to matched normal colonic mucosa （P〈0.00）. However, changes in binding activity were not homogenous with approximately 50% of the tumors showing a clear increase in the binding activity, 30% displaying a modest increase and 15% showing a decrease of the activity.Tumors, with increased DNA-binding activity, also showed a statistically significant increase in Ku70 and Ku86 nuclear expression, as determined by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses （P〈0.001）. Cytoplasmic protein expression was found in pathological samples, but not in normal tissues either from tumor patients or from healthy subjects. CONCLUSION： Overall, our DNA-binding activity and protein level are consistent with a substantial activation of the NHEJ pathway in colorectal tumors. Since the NHEJ is an error prone mechanism, its abnormal activation can result in chromosomal instability and ultimately lead to tumorigenesis.

New insights into tumor dormancy:Targeting DNA repair pathways

Over the past few decades, major strides have advanced the techniques for early detection and treatment of cancer. However, metastatic tumor growth still accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In fact, breast cancers are notorious for relapsing years or decades after the initial clinical treatment, and this relapse can vary according to the type of breast cancer. In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers, late tumor relapses frequently occur whereas relapses in estrogen receptor-negative cancers or triple negative tumors arise early resulting in a higher mortality risk. One of the main causes of metastasis is tumor dormancy in which cancer cells remain concealed, asymptomatic, and untraceable over a prolonged period of time. Under certain conditions, dormant cells can re-enter into the cell cycle and resume proliferation leading to recurrence. However, the molecular and cellular regulators underlying this transition remain poorly understood. To date, three mechanisms have been identified to trigger tumor dormancy including cellular, angiogenic, and immunologic dormancies. In addition, recent studies have suggested that DNA repair mechanisms may contribute to the survival of dormant cancer cells. In this article, we summarize the recent experimental and clinical evidence governing cancer dormancy. In addition, we will discuss the role of DNA repair mechanisms in promoting the survival of dormant cells. This information provides mechanistic insight to explain why recurrence occurs, and strategies that may enhance therapeutic approaches to prevent disease recurrence.

Frederick W.Alt received the 2015 Szent-Gyrgi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research

The Szent-Gyorgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research is a prestigious scientific award established by the National Foundation for Cancer Research(NFCR)—a leading cancer research charitable organization in the United States that is committed to supporting scientific research and public education relating to the prevention,early diagnosis,better treatments,and ultimately,a cure for cancer.Each year,the Szent-Gyorgyi Prize honors an outstanding researcher,nominated by colleagues or peers,who has contributed outstanding,significant research to the fight against cancer,and whose accomplishments have helped improve treatment options for cancer patients.The Prize also promotes public awareness of the importance of basic cancer research and encourages the sustained investment needed to accelerate the translation of these research discoveries into new cancer treatments.This report highlights the pioneering work led by the 2015 Prize winner,Dr.Frederick Alt.Dr.Alt's work in the area of cancer genetics over four decades has helped to shape the very roots of modern cancer research.His work continues to profoundly impact the approaches that doctors around the globe use to diagnose and treat cancer.In particular,his seminal discoveries of gene amplification and his pioneering work on molecular mechanisms of DNA damage repair have helped to usher in the era of genetically targeted therapy and personalized medicine.

Genotypic characteristics of resistant tumors to pre-operative ionizing radiation in rectal cancer

Due to a wide range of clinical response in patients un-dergoing neo-adjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer it is essential to understand molecular factors that lead to the broad response observed in patients receiving the same form of treatment.Despite extensive research in this field,the exact mechanisms still remain elusive.Data raging from DNA-repair to specific molecules lead-ing to cell survival as well as resistance to apoptosis have been investigated.Individually,or in combination,there is no single pathway that has become clinically applicable to date.In the following review,we describe the current status of various pathways that might lead to resistance to the therapeutic applications of ionizing radiation in rectal cancer.

Genome engineering using the CRISPR/Cas system

Recently, an epoch-making genome engineering technology using clustered regularly at interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR) and CRISPR associated(Cas) nucleases, was developed. Previous technologies for genome manipulation require the time-consuming design and construction of genome-engineered nucleases for each target and have, therefore, not been widely used in mouse research where standard techniques based on homologous recombination are commonly used. The CRISPR/Cas system only requires the design of sequences complementary to a target locus, making this technology fast and straightforward. In addition, CRISPR/Cas can be used to generate mice carrying mutations in multiple genes in a single step, an achievement not possible using other methods. Here, we review the uses of this technology in genetic analysis and manipulation, including achievements made possible to date and the prospects for future therapeutic applications.

The Role of DNA Mismatch Repair and Recombination in the Processing of DNA Alkylating Damage in Living Yeast Cells

It is proposed that mismatch repair (MMR) mediates the cytotoxic effects of DNA damaging agents by exerting a futile repair pathway which leads to double strand breaks (DSBs). Previous reports indicate that the sensitivity of cells defective in homologous recombination (HR) to DNA alkylation is reduced by defects in MMR genes. We have assessed the contribution of different MMR genes to the processing of alkylation damage in vivo. We have directly visualized recombination complexes formed upon DNA damage using fluorescent protein (FP) fusions. We find that msh6 mutants are more resistant than wild type cells to MNNG, and that an msh6 mutation rescues the sensitivity of rad52 strains more efficiently than an msh3 mutation. Analysis of RAD52-GFP tagged strains indicate that MNNG increases repair foci formation, and that the inactivation of the MHS2 and MSH6 genes but not the MSH3 gene result in a reduction of the number of foci formed. In addition, in the absence of HR, NHEJ could process the MNNG-induced DSBs as indicated by the formation of NHEJ-GFP tagged foci. These data suggest that processing of the alkylation damage by MMR, mainly by MSH2-MSH6, is required for recruitment of recombination proteins to the damage site for repair.

Analysis of Up-Regulation of DNA-PKcs and Its Mechanism in Human Gliomas

OBJECTIVE To detect the differences in gene expression of nonhomologous end-joining pathway including Ku70, Ku80, ERCC4, lig4 and DNA-PKcs between human primary gliomas and normal brain tissues, and furthermore, to explore the underlying mechanism for the expression alteration.METHODS The expression levels of Ku70, Ku80, ERCC4, lig4 and DNA-PKcs in 36 specimens of glioma and 12 specimens of normal brain tissue were measured using SYBR green-based real- time quantitative PCR. Methylation of DNA-PKcs was detected through methylation-specific PCR （MSP）.RESULTS There was no significant difference in expression of Ku70, Ku80, ERCC4 and lig4 between human primary gliomas and normal brain tissues （P 〈 0.05）, while DNA-PKcs were significantly up-regulated （P = 0.002）. The expression of DNA- PKcs was significantly higher in patients with grade III and IV diseases compared to patients with grade II disease or in normal brain tissues （P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, glioma tissue showed weaker methvlation than normal brain tissue.CONCLUSION The up-regulation of the DNA-PKcs may be associated with pathogenesis of glioma. Demethylation of DNA- PKcs promoter is an important reason for its up-regulation.

On Some Regularities of One-seeded Fruits Evolution

Anatomical structure of differently originated seed envelopes in one-seeded indehiscent fruits of Urticaceae and Asteraceae members is studied using light and scanning electron microscopes. It was found that in anthocarps and involucrate fruits of both families the relations between the primary （pericarp） and secondary fruit envelopes （perianth and/or involucre） were composed under complexification （union） type, and not as substitution. Numerous examples of non-homologous resemblance in fruit envelope structure indicate a high degree of adaptability of certain histological types, recurring on a different morphological basis in different phyletic lines within a family. These tissue complexes represent widely occurring types of the pericarp （Utricaceae） or pericarp and seed coat tissue union （Asteraceae）. This evolutionary repetition or pseudocyclic resemblance is apparently another common regularity of one-seeded indehiscent fruits evolution in addition to those enumerated in general by Zohary （1950）.

Functional non-homologous end joining patterns triggered by CRISPR/Cas9 in human cells

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering technologies are now widely applied in various organisms,including mouse and human cells（Cong et al.,2013;Mali et al.,2013;Yang et al.,2013;Hsu et al.,2014）.The most widely used customized CRISPR/Cas9（Sp Cas9）is derived from Streptococcus pyogenes（Cong et al.,2013）.

The phage T4 DNA ligase mediates bacterial chromosome DSBs repair as single component non-homologous end joining

DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs)are one of the most lethal forms of DNA damage that is not efficiently repaired in prokaryotes.Certain microorganisms can handle chromosomal DSBs using the error-prone non-homologous end joining(NHEJ)system and ultimately cause genome mutagenesis.Here,we demonstrated that Enterobacteria phage T4 DNA ligase alone is capable of mediating in vivo chromosome DSBs repair in Escherichia coli.The ligation efficiency of DSBs with T4 DNA ligase is one order of magnitude higher than the NHEJ system from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.This process introduces chromosome DNA excision with different sizes,which can be manipulated by regulating the activity of host-exonuclease RecBCD.The DNA deletion length reduced either by inactivating recB or expressing the RecBCD inhibitor Gam protein fromλphage.Furthermore,we also found single nucleotide substitutions at the DNA junction,suggesting that T4 DNA ligase,as a single component non-homologous end joining system,has great potential in genome mutagenesis,genome reduction and genome editing.

Di-and tri-methylation of histone H3K36 play distinct roles in DNA double-strand break repair

Histone H3 Lys36(H3K36)methylation and its associated modifiers are crucial for DNA double-strand break(DSB)repair,but the mechanism governing whether and how different H3K36 methylation forms impact repair pathways is unclear.Here,we unveil the distinct roles of H3K36 dimethylation(H3K36me2)and H3K36 trimethylation(H3K36me3)in DSB repair via non-homologous end joining(NHEJ)or homologous recombination(HR).Yeast cells lacking H3K36me2 or H3K36me3 exhibit reduced NHEJ or HR efficiency.y Ku70 and Rfa1 bind H3K36me2-or H3K36me3-modified peptides and chromatin,respectively.Disrupting these interactions impairs y Ku70 and Rfa1 recruitment to damaged H3K36me2-or H3K36me3-rich loci,increasing DNA damage sensitivity and decreasing repair efficiency.Conversely,H3K36me2-enriched intergenic regions and H3K36me3-enriched gene bodies independently recruit y Ku70 or Rfa1 under DSB stress.Importantly,human KU70 and RPA1,the homologs of y Ku70 and Rfa1,exclusively associate with H3K36me2 and H3K36me3 in a conserved manner.These findings provide valuable insights into how H3K36me2 and H3K36me3 regulate distinct DSB repair pathways,highlighting H3K36 methylation as a critical element in the choice of DSB repair pathway.

Site-Specifc Gene Targeting Using Transcription Activator-Like Effector(TALE)-Based Nuclease in Brassica oleracea

Site-specific recognition modules with DNA nuclease have tremendous potential as molecular tools for genome targeting. The type III transcription activator-like effectors （TALEs） contain a DNA binding domain consisting of tandem repeats that can be engineered to bind user-defined specific DNA sequences. We demonstrated that customized TALE-based nucleases （TALENs）, constructed using a method called ＂unit assembly＂, specifically target the endogenous FRIGIDA gene in Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. The results indicate that the TALENs bound to the target site and cleaved double-strand DNA in vitro and in vivo, whereas the effector binding elements have a 23 bp spacer. The T7 endonuclease I assay and sequencing data show that TALENs made double-strand breaks, which were repaired by a non- homologous end-joining pathway within the target sequence. These data show the feasibility of applying customized TALENs to target and modify the genome with deletions in those organisms that are still in lacking gene target methods to provide germplasms in breeding improvement.

Regulation of DNA double-strand break repair pathway choice:a new focus on 53BP1

Maintenance of cellular homeostasis and genome integrity is a critical responsibility of DNA double-strand break(DSB)signaling.P53-binding protein 1(53BP1)plays a critical role in coordinating the DSB repair pathway choice and promotes the non-homologous end-joining(NHEJ)-mediated DSB repair pathway that rejoins DSB ends.New insights have been gained into a basic molecular mechanism that is involved in 53BP1 recruitment to the DNA lesion and how 53BP1 then recruits the DNA break-responsive effectors that promote NHEJ-mediated DSB repair while inhibiting homologous recombination(HR)signaling.This review focuses on the up-and downstream pathways of 53BP1 and how 53BP1 promotes NHEJ-mediated DSB repair,which in turn promotes the sensitivity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase inhibitor(PARPi)in BRCA1-deficient cancers and consequently provides an avenue for improving cancer therapy strategies.

The Application of CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing in Caenorhabditis elegans

Genome editing using the Cas9 endonuclease of Streptococcus pyogenes has demonstrated unparalleled efficacy and facility for modifying genomes in a wide variety of organisms. Caenorhabditis elegans is one of the most convenient multicellular organisms for genetic analysis, and the application of this novel genome editing technique to this organism promises to revolutionize analysis of gene function in the future. CRISPR-Cas9 has been successfully used to generate imprecise insertions and deletions via non-homologous end-joining mechanisms and to create precise mutations by homology-directed repair from donor templates. Key variables are the methods used to deliver the Cas9 endonuclease and the efficiency of the single guide RNAs. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated editing appears to be highly specific in C. elegans, with no reported off-target effects. In this review, 1 briefly summarize recent progress in CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing in C. elegans, highlighting technical improvements in mutagenesis and mutation detection, and discuss potential future appli- cations of this technique.