Amount Of DNA Double-strand Breaks Research Articles

A whale of a tale: whale cells evade the driving mechanism for hexavalent chromium-induced chromosome instability.

Chromosome instability, a hallmark of lung cancer, is a driving mechanism for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] carcinogenesis in humans. Cr(VI) induces structural and numerical chromosome instability in human lung cells by inducing DNA double-strand breaks and inhibiting homologous recombination repair and causing spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) bypass and centrosome amplification. Great whales are long-lived species with long-term exposures to Cr(VI) and accumulate Cr in their tissue, but exhibit a low incidence of cancer. Data show Cr(VI) induces fewer chromosome aberrations in whale cells after acute Cr(VI) exposure suggesting whale cells can evade Cr(VI)-induced chromosome instability. However, it is unknown if whales can evade Cr(VI)-induced chromosome instability. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that whale cells resist Cr(VI)-induced loss of homologous recombination repair activity and increased SAC bypass and centrosome amplification. We found Cr(VI) induces similar amounts of DNA double-strand breaks after acute (24 h) and prolonged (120 h) exposures in whale lung cells, but does not inhibit homologous recombination repair, SAC bypass, or centrosome amplification, and does not induce chromosome instability. These data indicate whale lung cells resist Cr(VI)-induced chromosome instability, the major driver for Cr(VI) carcinogenesis at a cellular level, consistent with observations that whales are resistant to cancer.

Chemotherapy and cryopreservation affects DNA repair foci in lymphocytes of breast cancer patients

Purpose Although breast cancer (BC) patients benefit from radiotherapy (RT), some radiosensitive (RS) patients suffer from side effects caused by ionizing radiation in healthy tissues. It is thought that RS is underlaid by a deficiency in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). DNA repair proteins such as p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) and phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX), form DNA repair foci at the DSB locations and thus serve as DSB biomarkers. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) are commonly believed to be an appropriate cell system for RS assessment using DNA repair foci. The amount of DSB may also be influenced by chemotherapy (CHT), which is often chosen as the first treatment modality before RT. As it is not always possible to analyze blood samples immediately after collection, there is a need for cryopreservation of PBL in liquid nitrogen. However, cryopreservation may potentially affect the number of DNA repair foci. In this work, we studied the effect of cryopreservation and CHT on the amount of DNA repair foci in PBL of BC patients undergoing radiotherapy. Materials and methods The effect of cryopreservation was studied by immunofluorescence analysis of 53BP1 and γH2AX proteins at different time intervals after in vitro irradiation. The effect of chemotherapy was analyzed by fluorescent labelling of 53BP1 and γH2AX proteins in PBL collected before, during, and after RT. Results Higher number of primary 53BP1/γH2AX foci was observed in frozen cells indicating that cryopreservation affects the formation of DNA repair foci in PBL of BC patients. In CHT-treated patients, a higher number of foci were found before RT, but no differences were observed during and after the RT. Conclusions Cryopreservation is the method of choice for analyzing DNA repair residual foci, but only similarly treated and preserved cells should be used for comparison of primary foci. CHT induces DNA repair foci in PBL of BC patients, but this effect disappears during radiotherapy.

DNA Damage Baseline Predicts Resilience to Space Radiation and Radiotherapy

SUMMARYDeep space exploration will require real-time, minimally invasive monitoring of astronaut health to mitigate the potential health impairments caused by space radiation and microgravity. Genotoxic stress in humans can be monitored by quantifying the amount of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in immune cells from a simple finger prick. In a cohort of 674 healthy donors, we show that the endogenous level of DSBs increases with age and with latent cytomegalovirus infection. To map the range of human responses to space radiation, we then study DSB induction and repair in immune cells from 319 healthy donors after the cells are exposed to galactic cosmic ray components and lymphocytes from 30 cancer patients after radiotherapy. Individuals with low baseline DSB have fewer clinical complications, enhanced DNA damage repair responses, and a functional dose-dependent cytokine response in healthy donor cells. This supports the use of DSB monitoring for health resilience in space.

ATM Paradoxically Promotes Oncogenic Transformation via Transcriptional Reprogramming

The role of the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene in human malignancies, especially in solid tumors, remains poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the involvement of ATM in transforming primary human cells into cancer stem cells. We show that ATM plays an unexpected role in facilitating oncogene-induced malignant transformation through transcriptional reprogramming. Exogenous expression of an oncogene cocktail induced a significant amount of DNA double-strand breaks in human fibroblasts that caused persistent activation of ATM, which in turn enabled global transcriptional reprogramming through chromatin relaxation, allowing oncogenic transcription factors to access chromatin. Consistently, deficiencies in ATM significantly attenuated oncogene-induced transformation of human cells. In addition, ATM inhibition significantly reduced tumorigenesis in a mouse model of mammary cancer. ATM and cellular DNA damage response therefore play a previously unknown role in facilitating rather than suppressing oncogene-induced malignant transformation of mammalian cells. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings uncover a novel pro-oncogenic role for ATM and show that contrary to established theory, ATM does not always function as a tumor suppressor; its function is however dependent on cell type.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Thymoquinone and Evaluation of Their Radio-Sensitizing Activity

Delivering an optimum radiation dose to the target and preserving the surrounding normal tissues are the main tasks in radiation therapy. Latterly, there is a special interest in formulations of metallic-based nanoparticles to be used as radio-sensitizers. One of these silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used for a wide range of biomedical applications depending on their surface modifications, size, and shape. This study aims to fabricate and characterize green synthesized silver nano-formulations using thymoquinone (TQ), as reducing and capping agent and assessment of their radio-sensitizing effect against the highly aggressive MDA-MB-231 mammary adenocarcinoma. AgNPs were prepared with different sizes by changing the amounts of added TQ. The prepared silver nano-formulations have been characterized using different physical techniques. The radio-sensitization efficacy of prepared AgNPs has been assessed using MTT cytotoxicity assay. Further assessment, neutral comet assay, was carried out to investigate the amount of DNA double-strand breaks which occurred due to AgNPs radio-sensitization. TEM micrograph revealed that as the amount of the added TQ increased from 10, 20, and 40 mg, the average size of prepared silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-20, AgNPs-15, and AgNPs-10) was gradually decreased to be 20 ± 1.5 nm, 15 ± 2 nm, and 10 ± 1.8 nm, respectively. This was confirmed by DLS measurements and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Comet and MTT assay results showed that AgNPs have a size and concentration-dependent radio-sensitization activity, whereas the radiation dose enhancement for small-sized nanoparticles (AgNPs-10) was greater than that of larger sized (AgNPs-20 and AgNPs-15). Therefore, thymoquinone capping silver nanoparticles represent a promising engineered nano-formulation for enhancing cancer radiosensitivity.

Type 1 diabetes upregulates metastasis-associated protein 1- phosphorylated histone 2AX signaling in the testis

Under the sustained hyperglycemic state, oxidative stress induces irreparable DNA double-strand breaks resulting in germ cell death and testicular atrophy. Although molecular mechanisms underlying DNA damage repair in testicular cells are gradually getting unraveled, the effects on DNA double-strand breaks sensing are not precisely known. In this study, using streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats, we report that hyperglycemic state for one month or three months does not increase the levels of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein- an upstream kinase responsible for the phosphorylation of histone 2AX (Ɣ-H2AX)- after the formation of DNA double-strand breaks. The ATM expression is seminiferous epithelial stage-dependent in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, and the pattern of stage-dependent expression varies in diabetic rats, especially after three-month-long diabetes. However, the levels of metastasis-associated protein-1 (MTA1), an essential protein for ATM function, increase although not in a time-dependent manner. The amount of DNA double-strand breaks increases in a time- and stage-dependent manner as indicated by increased Ɣ-H2AX levels, especially in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, and in late spermatids in some tubular stages. Although ATM levels do not increase in diabetic rats, protein is expressed more or less in same testicular cells in which Ɣ-H2AX is expressed indicating that ATM might play a vital role in the phosphorylation of the histone. We conclude that diabetes upregulates MTA1-Ɣ-H2AX signaling in diabetic rat testis as a response to time-dependent increases in DNA double-strand breaks.

Laser Irradiation of Organic Tattoo Pigments Releases Carcinogens with 3,3′-Dichlorobenzidine Inducing DNA Strand Breaks in Human Skin Cells

Laser Irradiation of Organic Tattoo Pigments Releases Carcinogens with 3,3′-Dichlorobenzidine Inducing DNA Strand Breaks in Human Skin Cells

DAG-Lactone Radiosensitization of Human Prostate Cancer Cells Is Mediated by ATM Down-regulation But Not Due to Abnormal DNA Repair

DAG-Lactone Radiosensitization of Human Prostate Cancer Cells Is Mediated by ATM Down-regulation But Not Due to Abnormal DNA Repair

Abstract 2406: Epigenetics of chromosomal breakage sites and translocations

Abstract Chromosomal translocations are genetic hallmarks of most cancer cells. Translocations require the formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at two or more genomic loci, followed by the illegitimate joining of broken chromosomal ends through DNA repair. There is increasing evidence that translocations occur at non-random sites in the genome, suggesting that certain regions of the genome are more susceptible to DNA breakage than others. We hypothesize that altered chromatin structure predisposes genomic sites to DNA breakage and translocations. To identify chromatin features that facilitate translocations, we have mapped histone modifications and DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs) at translocation-prone regions in anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) precursor cells. We find enrichment of active histone marks and a decrease in repressive marks near frequent translocation breakpoints. In a complementary approach using genome-wide histone modification mapping we have identified altered chromatin features at common leukemia and lymphoma breakpoints in CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. In order to directly test the role of chromatin features in DNA breakage susceptibility, we have developed a protein-DNA tethering system that allows us to create local chromatin domains at pre-defined sites in the genome containing inducible DSB sites in vivo. By measuring the amount of DSBs using ligation-mediated PCR, we find that histone modifying enzymes that create active chromatin marks generally increase breakage susceptibility; however, repressive marks do not necessarily decrease breakage susceptibility. This suggests the involvement of other factors in breakage susceptibility. Taken together, these experiments provide first insights into the role of chromatin structure in the formation of nonrandom chromosomal breaks and the mechanisms that lead to clinically relevant translocations. Citation Format: Bharat Burman, Zhuzhu Zhang, Rebecca Burgess, Vassilis Roukos, Jason Lieb, Tom Misteli. Epigenetics of chromosomal breakage sites and translocations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2406. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2406

Trypanosoma brucei TIF2 suppresses VSG switching by maintaining subtelomere integrity.

Subtelomeres consist of sequences adjacent to telomeres and contain genes involved in important cellular functions, as subtelomere instability is associated with several human diseases. Balancing between subtelomere stability and plasticity is particularly important for Trypanosoma brucei, a protozoan parasite that causes human African trypanosomiasis. T. brucei regularly switches its major variant surface antigen, variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), to evade the host immune response, and VSGs are expressed exclusively from subtelomeres in a strictly monoallelic fashion. Telomere proteins are important for protecting chromosome ends from illegitimate DNA processes. However, whether they contribute to subtelomere integrity and stability has not been well studied. We have identified a novel T. brucei telomere protein, T. brucei TRF-Interacting Factor 2 (TbTIF2), as a functional homolog of mammalian TIN2. A transient depletion of TbTIF2 led to an elevated VSG switching frequency and an increased amount of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in both active and silent subtelomeric bloodstream form expression sites (BESs). Therefore, TbTIF2 plays an important role in VSG switching regulation and is important for subtelomere integrity and stability. TbTIF2 depletion increased the association of TbRAD51 with the telomeric and subtelomeric chromatin, and TbRAD51 deletion further increased subtelomeric DSBs in TbTIF2-depleted cells, suggesting that TbRAD51-mediated DSB repair is the underlying mechanism of subsequent VSG switching. Surprisingly, significantly more TbRAD51 associated with the active BES than with the silent BESs upon TbTIF2 depletion, and TbRAD51 deletion induced much more DSBs in the active BES than in the silent BESs in TbTIF2-depleted cells, suggesting that TbRAD51 preferentially repairs DSBs in the active BES.

Induction of DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Cellular Migration Through Bystander Effects in Cells Irradiated With the Slit-Type Microplanar Beam of the Spring-8 Synchrotron

To determine whether glioma cells irradiated with a microplanar X-ray beam exert bystander effects. Microplanar beam irradiation of glioma cells in vitro was done using the SPring-8 synchrotron radiation facility. The amount of DNA double-strand breaks (dsbs) was measured by the fluorescence intensity of phosphorylated H2AX or the number of 53BP1 foci. The dose distribution in a cell population exposed to a single microplanar beam was determined by the amount of phosphorylated H2AX-positive cells. Bystander effects were determined by counting the number of 53BP1 foci in nonirradiated cells treated with conditioned medium from cultures of irradiated cells. More DNA dsbs were detected in cells adjacent to an area irradiated by the single beam than in cells in distant, nonirradiated areas as a result of bystander effects caused by scattered X-rays and DNA dsbs. In support of this, more 53BP1 foci were observed in nonirradiated, conditioned medium-treated cells than in control cells (i.e., cells not treated with irradiation or conditioned medium). These results suggest that DNA dsbs were induced in nonirradiated cells by soluble factors in the culture medium. In addition, we observed cellular migration into areas irradiated with peak doses, suggesting that irradiated cells send signals that cause nonirradiated cells to migrate toward damaged cells. Bystander effects are produced by factors secreted as a result of slit-type microplanar X-ray beam irradiation.

Depletion of WRN enhances DNA damage in HeLa cells exposed to the benzene metabolite, hydroquinone

Werner syndrome is a progeroid disorder caused by mutations of the WRN gene. The encoded WRN protein belongs to the family of RecQ helicases that plays a role in the maintenance of genomic stability. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in WRN have been associated with an increased risk for some cancers and were recently linked to benzene hematotoxicity. To further address the role of WRN in benzene toxicity, we employed RNA interference (RNAi) to silence endogenous WRN in HeLa cells and examined the susceptibility of these WRN-depleted cells to the toxic effects of the benzene metabolite hydroquinone. HeLa cells were used as the experimental model because RNAi is highly effective in this system producing almost complete depletion of the target protein. Depletion of WRN led to a decrease in cell proliferation and an enhanced susceptibility to hydroquinone cytotoxicity as revealed by an increase in necrosis. WRN-depleted HeLa cells treated with hydroquinone also displayed an increase in the amount of DNA double-strand breaks as determined by the Comet assay, and an elevated DNA damage response as indicated by the sevenfold induction of γH2AX and acetyl-p53 (Lys373 and Lys382) over control levels. Together, these results show that WRN plays an important role in the protection of HeLa cells against the toxicity of the benzene metabolite hydroquinone, specifically in mounting a normal DNA damage response following the induction of DNA double-strand breaks. Further studies in bone marrow-derived stem or progenitor cells are required to confirm our findings in HeLa cells and expand our ability to extrapolate the results to benzene toxicity in humans.

Measurement of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks in human diploid fibroblasts from keloid and normal skin by single-cell gel electrophoresis.

Cell culture experiments recently have shown that different populations of fibroblasts may exist in keloid patients. Moreover, several studies have strongly suggested heterogeneity in cell response of skin fibroblasts in the same individual. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiation sensitivity of skin fibroblasts from keloid and normal skin. Single-cell gel electrophoresis was employed in detecting amounts of DNA double-strand breaks generated in individual fibroblasts primarily cultured from normal skin and from keloid tissue after various doses of gamma-irradiation (0, 25, 50, and 100 Gy aerobically) from a 137Cs radiation generator. For the repair study, cells were incubated at 37 degrees C for 0 and 15 minutes and 1 and 2 hours after irradiation. Following neutral lysis and electrophoresis, DNA double-strand breaks were then detected by propidium iodide staining and determined by fluorescence microscope and quantitative image analysis. No significant difference in the extent of DNA double strand breaks in fibroblasts from normal skin or keloid after various doses of irradiation was observed. However, the residual DNA double-strand breaks remaining after various periods of incubation were demonstrated to be significantly increased in fibroblasts from keloid (p < 0.01). In conclusion, different repair capacities were found in fibroblasts from normal skin and keloid scar; this finding may play a role in the treatment of the disease entity.

Increase in topoisomerase‐II‐mediated dna breaks and cytotoxicity of VP16 in human U937 lymphoma cells pretreated with low doses of methotrexate

Pre-treatment with low, non-toxic concentrations (0.04 microM) of methotrexate (MTX) for 16 hr increased etoposide (VP16)-induced growth inhibition and cytotoxicity in the U937 human histiocytic lymphoma cell line. VP16 cytotoxicity was significantly potentiated when the drug was given for 2 hr immediately after MTX pre-treatment or between 2 and 4 hr or 4 and 6 hr after recovery from MTX pre-treatment. By 24 hr after recovery from MTX, no potentiation was evident. The increased cytotoxicity of VP16 was associated with an increase in drug-induced DNA breaks as assessed by the alkaline elution method after proteinase K digestion. The amount of DNA single-strand breaks (DNA SSB) increased when the drug was given 0, 2, and 4 hr after MTX pre-treatment. DNA SSBs induced by the drug between 6 and 24 hr after MTX pre-treatment were similar to those seen in cells without pretreatment. The amount of DNA double-strand breaks (DNA DSB) caused by VP16 increased significantly when the drug was given 4 hr after recovery from MTX pre-treatment. VP16-induced DNA DSBs were still higher 6 hr after MTX pre-treatment, but by 24 hr they were similar to those observed in MTX-untreated cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that MTX pre-treatment was causing an accumulation of U937 cells at the G1-S boundary of the cell cycle. When MTX was removed, a wave of synchronization followed. Using Western blot electrophoresis and polyclonal antibodies to antitopoisomerase II, we found that MTX pre-treatment raised the cellular topoisomerase II content. Our findings suggest that the potentiation of VP16 cytotoxicity on U937 cells by low, non-toxic MTX pre-treatment is due to a larger fraction of S-phase cells containing a higher concentration of topoisomerase II, which is the putative target of VP16 action.