Mitotic Recombination Events Research Articles

Shuffling the yeast genome using CRISPR/Cas9-generated DSBs that target the transposable Ty1 elements.

Although homologous recombination between transposable elements can drive genomic evolution in yeast by facilitating chromosomal rearrangements, the details of the underlying mechanisms are not fully clarified. In the genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the most common class of transposon is the retrotransposon Ty1. Here, we explored how Cas9-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) directed to Ty1 elements produce genomic alterations in this yeast species. Following Cas9 induction, we observed a significant elevation of chromosome rearrangements such as deletions, duplications and translocations. In addition, we found elevated rates of mitotic recombination, resulting in loss of heterozygosity. Using Southern analysis coupled with short- and long-read DNA sequencing, we revealed important features of recombination induced in retrotransposons. Almost all of the chromosomal rearrangements reflect the repair of DSBs at Ty1 elements by non-allelic homologous recombination; clustered Ty elements were hotspots for chromosome rearrangements. In contrast, a large proportion (about three-fourths) of the allelic mitotic recombination events have breakpoints in unique sequences. Our analysis suggests that some of the latter events reflect extensive processing of the broken ends produced in the Ty element that extend into unique sequences resulting in break-induced replication. Finally, we found that haploid and diploid strain have different preferences for the pathways used to repair double-stranded DNA breaks. Our findings demonstrate the importance of DNA lesions in retrotransposons in driving genome evolution.

Germline SAMD9/9L MDS Predisposition Syndromes Are Characterized By Complex Clonal Architecture and Lineage-Specific Escape Mechanisms Including Somatic Genetic Rescue in T and B Lymphocytes

Inherited bone marrow failure (BMF) and MDS predisposition syndromes have an intrinsic defect resulting in loss and/or dysfunction of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). HSPC clones can escape this process by acquiring gene- or genome-level genetic changes (compensatory mutations or uniparental disomies (UPD)) thereby increasing cellular fitness. This process, referred to as somatic genetic rescue (SGR) has been shown to occur in >70% of patients with gain-of-function mutations in SAMD9 and SAMD9L (SAMD9/9L) genes, which are a common cause of early onset BMF and pediatric MDS with monosomy 7. It is unknown how SGR arises and in which cells it originates. Furthermore, little is known about the epistatic interactions of various rescue events. We aimed to address these questions by utilizing a newly established single cell (sc)-proteogenomic platform that can simultaneously detect single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variation (CNVs) in addition to protein expression. We applied this technology to study clonal architecture and cellular origins of SGR lesions in a cohort of clinically annotated SAMD9/9L-mutated (SAMD9/9Lmut) patients. We also asked if monosomy 7, traditionally assessed by karyotyping, can be also detected in peripheral blood (PB) of affected patients. We first performed whole exome and panel sequencing to characterize 67 germline SAMD9/9Lmut patients. Guided by this data, we designed a sc-proteogenomic panel with 69 amplicons specific to variants in SAMD9/9L and leukemia driver genes, and 250 amplicons covering high-frequency SNVs on chromosome 7q. For validation of initial findings, we developed a second panel targeting full coding regions of SAMD9/9L genes, and additional 7p SNVs allowing for a precise delineation of uniparental isodisomy 7q (UPD7q). We included oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies specific to major hematopoietic antigens, including CD19, CD3, CD11b, CD38 and CD34. Using this panel, we analyzed 22 samples (15 bone marrow (BM) and 7 PB) of 10 patients enrolled in local biobanking protocols. On average, 3,845 high-quality cells were genotyped per sample, and we robustly identified SNVs, monosomy 7 and UPD7q changes in single cells. Somatic rescue SAMD9/9Lmut were found only in clones with normal (diploid) chromosome 7, UPD7q (containing two wild type SAMD9/9L alleles after mitotic recombination event) was a stand-alone clone, while monosomy 7 (SAMD9/9Lmut lost) occurred alone or together with leukemia driver mutations. We also detected lesions that were previously missed using routine clinical sequencing in 3 patients (somatic SAMD9/9Lmut or UPD7q). Most patients had branching clonal architecture (i.e., independent monosomy 7, UPD7q, and somatic SAMD9/9Lmut), while linear trajectories were rare (i.e., monosomy 7 à + leukemia driver mutation). Serial assessment of 4 patients with stable hematology (3 with monosomy 7 and 1 with an additional somatic SAMD9/9Lmut) for a period of up to 4.8 years, revealed stable clonal populations without acquisition of additional driver mutations. Quantification of clones in paired BM and PB in 4 patients demonstrated equal frequencies of monosomy 7 and somatic SAMD9/9Lmut in both compartments, demonstrating the utility of this assay in surveillance. Our findings were confirmed by sorting BM cells into different lineages followed by sequencing, error-corrected sequencing, and ddPCR. Finally, analysis of protein expression data revealed that while monosomy 7 is present exclusively in cells with myeloid phenotype, the SGR events can arise in lymphocyte lineage only; 4 patients carried clones with somatic SAMD9/9Lmut in CD3+ lymphocytes, and 2 patients had UPD7q clones in either CD3+ or CD19+ lymphocytes. These findings provide clues why most of the SGR events in patients do not result in long-lasting clinical remission since the genetic rescue can be restricted only to certain hematopoietic lineages. In conclusion, single cell proteogenomic analysis is useful for the understanding the mechanisms of clonal evolution in SAMD9/9L syndromes. This method also offers the opportunity for less invasive surveillance of karyotype abnormalities from peripheral blood in patients who are at high risk for MDS progression.

P335 Genome plasticity in Candida albicans : acutting-edge strategy for evolution, adaptation, and survival

Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PMObjectives Candida albicans is the most implicated fungal species that grows as a commensal or opportunistic pathogen in the human host. The genome plasticity is central to its adaptation and has long been of considerable interest. Understanding the factors that affect the genome is crucial for a proper understanding of species and rapid development and adjustment of therapeutic strategies to mitigate their spread.MethodsHere, we present an up-to-date overview of recent genomic studies involving C. albicans and discuss the accumulating evidence that shows how mitotic recombination events, ploidy dynamics, aneuploidy, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) influence evolution, adaptation, and survival in C. albicans. This review was exclusively based on a thorough literature review on research papers investigating C. albicans and its genome. The Boolean search for relevant literatures was performed in Google scholar, Science direct, PubMed, and Web of science using a combination of the following precise keywords: Candida albicans, Genome plasticity, Parasexual events, Ploidy dynamics, Aneuploidy, LOH, and Mutations. All the papers that relate to the genome and genetics of C. albicans were included in the study.Results Candida albicans has a diploid heterozygous genome that is highly dynamic and can display variation from small to large-scale chromosomal rearrangement and aneuploidy, which have implications for drug resistance, virulence, and pathogenicity. The instability in the genome arising from stress or exposure to the host environment can be detrimental to survival. However, C. albicans can tactically exploit this instability in their genome as a survival strategy. Our investigation showed that there is a need for more studies to understand the regulation and the exact mechanisms that lead to chromosomal instability in C. albicans. It is important to understand how increasing ploidy affects genome stability. It is also important to unravel how tetraploids lose chromosomes to revert to diploids. Whether other ploidy states can be efficiently sustained also remains to be unraveled. Moreover, as the understanding of the pathogenicity of fungi continues to evolve, there is a continuing challenge in grasping the processes and factors that mediate the switching from commensal to the pathogen. It remains unclear whether parasexual processes also operate within natural populations. More studies are needed to appreciate better parasexual recombination events and mutational processes in C. albicans evolution and its link to persistence and infection establishment. The interrelationship between the host and the microbes can promote microbial fitness in the host and help the host acquire some beneficial features such as resistance against several pathogens. However, the long-term consequences on host fitness are largely unknown. This evidence provides an avenue to study evolutionary forces controlling C. albicans fitness level after host exposure.ConclusionThe variation in the genome of C. albicans greatly influences its biology, stress response approaches, and its virulence and resistant potentials. Understanding how C. albicans generate diversity is very crucial as this will help to design strategies mitigating their spread.

Genome plasticity in Candida albicans: A cutting-edge strategy for evolution, adaptation, and survival.

Candida albicans is the most implicated fungal species that grows as a commensal or opportunistic pathogen in the human host. It is associated with many life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised persons. The genome of Candida albicans is very flexible and can withstand a wide assortment of variations in a continuously changing environment. Thus, genome plasticity is central to its adaptation and has long been of considerable interest. C. albicans has a diploid heterozygous genome that is highly dynamic and can display variation from small to large scale chromosomal rearrangement and aneuploidy, which have implications in drug resistance, virulence, and pathogenicity. This review presents an up-to-date overview of recent genomic studies involving C. albicans. It discusses the accumulating evidence that shows how mitotic recombination events, ploidy dynamics, aneuploidy, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) influence evolution, adaptation, and survival in C. albicans. Understanding the factors that affect the genome is crucial for a proper understanding of species and rapid development and adjustment of therapeutic strategies to mitigate their spread.

Characterization of a rare mosaic unbalanced translocation of t(3;12) in a patient with neurodevelopmental disorders

BackgroundUnbalanced translocations may be de novo or inherited from one parent carrying the balanced form and are usually present in all cells. Mosaic unbalanced translocations are extremely rare with a highly variable phenotype depending on the tissue distribution and level of mosaicism. Mosaicism for structural chromosomal abnormalities is clinically challenging for diagnosis and counseling due to the limitation of technical platforms and complex mechanisms, respectively. Here we report a case with a tremendously rare maternally-derived mosaic unbalanced translocation of t(3;12), and we illustrate the unreported complicated mechanism using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and chromosome analyses.Case presentationAn 18-year-old female with a history of microcephaly, pervasive developmental disorder, intellectual disability, sensory integration disorder, gastroparesis, and hypotonia presented to our genetics clinic. She had negative karyotype by parental report but no other genetic testing performed previously. SNP microarray analysis revealed a complex genotype including 8.4 Mb terminal mosaic duplication on chromosome 3 (3p26.3->3p26.1) with the distal 5.7 Mb involving two parental haplotypes and the proximal 2.7 Mb involving three parental haplotypes, and a 6.1 Mb terminal mosaic deletion on chromosome 12 (12p13.33->12p13.31) with no evidence for a second haplotype. Adjacent to the mosaic deletion is an interstitial mosaic copy-neutral region of homozygosity (1.9 Mb, 12p13.31). The mother of this individual was confirmed by chromosome analysis and FISH that she carries a balanced translocation, t(3;12)(p26.1;p13.31).ConclusionTaken together, the proband, when at the stage of a zygote, likely carried the derivative chromosome 12 from this translocation, and a postzygotic mitotic recombination event occurred between the normal paternal chromosome 12 and maternal derivative chromosome 12 to “correct” the partial 3p trisomy and partial deletion of 12p. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to report the mechanism utilizing a combined cytogenetic and cytogenomic approach, and we believe it expands our knowledge of mosaic structural chromosomal disorders and provides new insight into clinical management and genetic counseling.

A yeast living ancestor reveals the origin of genomic introgressions.

Genome introgressions drive evolution across the animal1, plant2 and fungal3 kingdoms. Introgressions initiate from archaic admixtures followed by repeated backcrossing to one parental species. However, how introgressions arise in reproductively isolated species, such as yeast4, has remained unclear. Here we identify a clonal descendant of the ancestral yeast hybrid that founded the extant Saccharomyces cerevisiae Alpechin lineage5, which carries abundant Saccharomyces paradoxus introgressions. We show that this clonal descendant, hereafter defined as a 'living ancestor', retained the ancestral genome structure of the first-generation hybrid with contiguous S. cerevisiae and S. paradoxus subgenomes. The ancestral first-generation hybrid underwent catastrophic genomic instability through more than a hundred mitotic recombination events, mainly manifesting as homozygous genome blocks generated by loss of heterozygosity. These homozygous sequence blocks rescue hybrid fertility by restoring meiotic recombination and are the direct origins of the introgressions present in the Alpechin lineage. We suggest a plausible route for introgression evolution through the reconstruction of extinct stages and propose that genome instability allows hybrids to overcome reproductive isolation and enables introgressions to emerge.

Genome-wide mapping of spontaneous genetic alterations in diploid yeast cells

Genomic alterations including single-base mutations, deletions and duplications, translocations, mitotic recombination events, and chromosome aneuploidy generate genetic diversity. We examined the rates of all of these genetic changes in a diploid strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by whole-genome sequencing of many independent isolates (n = 93) subcloned about 100 times in unstressed growth conditions. The most common alterations were point mutations and small (<100 bp) insertion/deletions (n = 1,337) and mitotic recombination events (n = 1,215). The diploid cells of most eukaryotes are heterozygous for many single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). During mitotic cell divisions, recombination can produce derivatives of these cells that have become homozygous for the polymorphisms, termed loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) events. LOH events can change the phenotype of the cells and contribute to tumor formation in humans. We observed two types of LOH events: interstitial events (conversions) resulting in a short LOH tract (usually less than 15 kb) and terminal events (mostly cross-overs) in which the LOH tract extends to the end of the chromosome. These two types of LOH events had different distributions, suggesting that they may have initiated by different mechanisms. Based on our results, we present a method of calculating the probability of an LOH event for individual SNPs located throughout the genome. We also identified several hotspots for chromosomal rearrangements (large deletions and duplications). Our results provide insights into the relative importance of different types of genetic alterations produced during vegetative growth.

Hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila virilis results in clusters of mitotic recombination and loss-of-heterozygosity but leaves meiotic recombination unaltered

BackgroundTransposable elements (TEs) are endogenous mutagens and their harmful effects are especially evident in syndromes of hybrid dysgenesis. In Drosophila virilis, hybrid dysgenesis is a syndrome of incomplete gonadal atrophy that occurs when males with multiple active TE families fertilize females that lack active copies of the same families. This has been demonstrated to cause the transposition of paternally inherited TE families, with gonadal atrophy driven by the death of germline stem cells. Because there are abundant, active TEs in the male inducer genome, that are not present in the female reactive genome, the D. virilis syndrome serves as an excellent model for understanding the effects of hybridization between individuals with asymmetric TE profiles.ResultsUsing the D. virilis syndrome of hybrid dysgenesis as a model, we sought to determine how the landscape of germline recombination is affected by parental TE asymmetry. Using a genotyping-by-sequencing approach, we generated a high-resolution genetic map of D. virilis and show that recombination rate and TE density are negatively correlated in this species. We then contrast recombination events in the germline of dysgenic versus non-dysgenic F1 females to show that the landscape of meiotic recombination is hardly perturbed during hybrid dysgenesis. In contrast, hybrid dysgenesis in the female germline increases transmission of chromosomes with mitotic recombination. Using a de novo PacBio assembly of the D. virilis inducer genome we show that clusters of mitotic recombination events in dysgenic females are associated with genomic regions with transposons implicated in hybrid dysgenesis.ConclusionsOverall, we conclude that increased mitotic recombination is likely the result of early TE activation in dysgenic progeny, but a stable landscape of meiotic recombination indicates that either transposition is ameliorated in the adult female germline or that regulation of meiotic recombination is robust to ongoing transposition. These results indicate that the effects of parental TE asymmetry on recombination are likely sensitive to the timing of transposition.

Hydrogen peroxide, a potent inducer of global genomic instability.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in a variety of human diseases. One plausible mechanism is that reactive active species can induce DNA damages and jeopardize genome integrity. To explore how oxidative stress results in global genomic instability in cells, our current study examined the genomic alterations caused by H2O2 exposure at the whole genome level in yeast. Using SNP microarrays and genome sequencing, we mapped H2O2-induced genomic alterations in the yeast genome ranging from point mutations and mitotic recombination to chromosomal aneuploidy. Our results suggested most H2O2-induced mitotic recombination events were the result of DNA double-stand breaks generated by hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, the mutagenic effect of H2O2 was shown to be largely dependent on DNA polymerase ζ. Lastly, we showed that H2O2 exposure allows rapid phenotypic evolution in yeast strains. Our findings indicate DNA lesions resulting from H2O2 may be general factors that drive genome instability and phenotypic evolution in organisms.

Mitotic Recombination and Rapid Genome Evolution in the Invasive Forest Pathogen Phytophthora ramorum.

Invasive alien species often have reduced genetic diversity and must adapt to new environments. Given the success of many invasions, this is sometimes called the genetic paradox of invasion. Phytophthora ramorum is invasive, limited to asexual reproduction within four lineages, and presumed clonal. It is responsible for sudden oak death in the United States, sudden larch death in Europe, and ramorum blight in North America and Europe. We sequenced the genomes of 107 isolates to determine how this pathogen can overcome the invasion paradox. Mitotic recombination (MR) associated with transposons and low gene density has generated runs of homozygosity (ROH) affecting 2,698 genes, resulting in novel genotypic diversity within the lineages. One ROH enriched in effectors was fixed in the NA1 lineage. An independent ROH affected the same scaffold in the EU1 lineage, suggesting an MR hot spot and a selection target. Differences in host infection between EU1 isolates with and without the ROH suggest that they may differ in aggressiveness. Non-core regions (not shared by all lineages) had signatures of accelerated evolution and were enriched in putative pathogenicity genes and transposons. There was a striking pattern of gene loss, including all effectors, in the non-core EU2 genome. Positive selection was observed in 8.0% of RxLR and 18.8% of Crinkler effector genes compared with 0.9% of the core eukaryotic gene set. We conclude that the P. ramorum lineages are diverging via a rapidly evolving non-core genome and that the invasive asexual lineages are not clonal, but display genotypic diversity caused by MR.IMPORTANCE Alien species are often successful invaders in new environments, despite the introduction of a few isolates with a reduced genetic pool. This is called the genetic paradox of invasion. We found two mechanisms by which the invasive forest pathogen causing sudden oak and sudden larch death can evolve. Extensive mitotic recombination producing runs of homozygosity generates genotypic diversity even in the absence of sexual reproduction, and rapid turnover of genes in the non-core, or nonessential portion of genome not shared by all isolates, allows pathogenicity genes to evolve rapidly or be eliminated while retaining essential genes. Mitotic recombination events occur in genomic hot spots, resulting in similar ROH patterns in different isolates or groups; one ROH, independently generated in two different groups, was enriched in pathogenicity genes and may be a target for selection. This provides important insights into the evolution of invasive alien pathogens and their potential for adaptation and future persistence.

Genome-wide analysis of genomic alterations induced by oxidative DNA damage in yeast.

Oxidative DNA damage is a threat to genome stability. Using a genetic system in yeast that allows detection of mitotic recombination, we found that the frequency of crossovers is greatly elevated when cells are treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Using a combination of microarray analysis and genomic sequencing, we mapped the breakpoints of mitotic recombination events and other chromosome rearrangements at a resolution of about 1 kb. Gene conversions and crossovers were the two most common types of events, but we also observed deletions, duplications, and chromosome aneuploidy. In addition, H2O2-treated cells had elevated rates of point mutations (particularly A to T/T to A and C to G/G to C transversions) and small insertions/deletions (in/dels). In cells that underwent multiple rounds of H2O2 treatments, we identified a genetic alteration that resulted in improved H2O2 tolerance by amplification of the CTT1 gene that encodes cytosolic catalase T. Lastly, we showed that cells grown in the absence of oxygen have reduced levels of recombination. This study provided multiple novel insights into how oxidative stress affects genomic instability and phenotypic evolution in aerobic cells.

High-resolution mapping of heteroduplex DNA formed during UV-induced and spontaneous mitotic recombination events in yeast.

In yeast, DNA breaks are usually repaired by homologous recombination (HR). An early step for HR pathways is formation of a heteroduplex, in which a single-strand from the broken DNA molecule pairs with a strand derived from an intact DNA molecule. If the two strands of DNA are not identical, there will be mismatches within the heteroduplex DNA (hetDNA). In wild-type strains, these mismatches are repaired by the mismatch repair (MMR) system, producing a gene conversion event. In strains lacking MMR, the mismatches persist. Most previous studies involving hetDNA formed during mitotic recombination were restricted to one locus. Below, we present a global mapping of hetDNA formed in the MMR-defective mlh1 strain. We find that many recombination events are associated with repair of double-stranded DNA gaps and/or involve Mlh1-independent mismatch repair. Many of our events are not explicable by the simplest form of the double-strand break repair model of recombination.

Properties of Mitotic and Meiotic Recombination in the Tandemly-Repeated CUP1 Gene Cluster in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the genes encoding the metallothionein protein Cup1 are located in a tandem array on chromosome VIII. Using a diploid strain that is heterozygous for an insertion of a selectable marker (URA3) within this tandem array, and heterozygous for markers flanking the array, we measured interhomolog recombination and intra/sister chromatid exchange in the CUP1 locus. The rate of intra/sister chromatid recombination exceeded the rate of interhomolog recombination by >10-fold. Loss of the Rad51 and Rad52 proteins, required for most interhomolog recombination, led to a relatively small reduction of recombination in the CUP1 array. Although interhomolog mitotic recombination in the CUP1 locus is elevated relative to the average genomic region, we found that interhomolog meiotic recombination in the array is reduced compared to most regions. Lastly, we showed that high levels of copper (previously shown to elevate CUP1 transcription) lead to a substantial elevation in rate of both interhomolog and intra/sister chromatid recombination in the CUP1 array; recombination events that delete the URA3 insertion from the CUP1 array occur at a rate of >10−3/division in unselected cells. This rate is almost three orders of magnitude higher than observed for mitotic recombination events involving single-copy genes. In summary, our study shows that some of the basic properties of recombination differ considerably between single-copy and tandemly-repeated genes.

High-Resolution Mapping of Homologous Recombination Events in rad3 Hyper-Recombination Mutants in Yeast.

The Saccharomyces cerevisae RAD3 gene is the homolog of human XPD, an essential gene encoding a DNA helicase of the TFIIH complex involved in both nucleotide excision repair (NER) and transcription. Some mutant alleles of RAD3 (rad3-101 and rad3-102) have partial defects in DNA repair and a strong hyper-recombination (hyper-Rec) phenotype. Previous studies showed that the hyper-Rec phenotype associated with rad3-101 and rad3-102 can be explained as a consequence of persistent single-stranded DNA gaps that are converted to recombinogenic double-strand breaks (DSBs) by replication. The systems previously used to characterize the hyper-Rec phenotype of rad3 strains do not detect the reciprocal products of mitotic recombination. We have further characterized these events using a system in which the reciprocal products of mitotic recombination are recovered. Both rad3-101 and rad3-102 elevate the frequency of reciprocal crossovers about 100-fold. Mapping of these events shows that three-quarters of these crossovers reflect DSBs formed at the same positions in both sister chromatids (double sister-chromatid breaks, DSCBs). The remainder reflects DSBs formed in single chromatids (single chromatid breaks, SCBs). The ratio of DSCBs to SCBs is similar to that observed for spontaneous recombination events in wild-type cells. We mapped 216 unselected genomic alterations throughout the genome including crossovers, gene conversions, deletions, and duplications. We found a significant association between the location of these recombination events and regions with elevated gamma-H2AX. In addition, there was a hotspot for deletions and duplications at the IMA2 and HXT11 genes near the left end of chromosome XV. A comparison of these data with our previous analysis of spontaneous mitotic recombination events suggests that a sub-set of spontaneous events in wild-type cells may be initiated by incomplete NER reactions, and that DSCBs, which cannot be repaired by sister-chromatid recombination, are a major source of mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes.

Elevated Genome-Wide Instability in Yeast Mutants Lacking RNase H Activity.

Two types of RNA:DNA associations can lead to genome instability: the formation of R-loops during transcription and the incorporation of ribonucleotide monophosphates (rNMPs) into DNA during replication. Both ribonuclease (RNase) H1 and RNase H2 degrade the RNA component of R-loops, whereas only RNase H2 can remove one or a few rNMPs from DNA. We performed high-resolution mapping of mitotic recombination events throughout the yeast genome in diploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lacking RNase H1 (rnh1Δ), RNase H2 (rnh201Δ), or both RNase H1 and RNase H2 (rnh1Δ rnh201Δ). We found little effect on recombination in the rnh1Δ strain, but elevated recombination in both the rnh201Δ and the double-mutant strains; levels of recombination in the double mutant were ∼50% higher than in the rnh201 single-mutant strain. An rnh201Δ mutant that additionally contained a mutation that reduces rNMP incorporation by DNA polymerase ε (pol2-M644L) had a level of instability similar to that observed in the presence of wild-type Pol ε. This result suggests that the elevated recombination observed in the absence of only RNase H2 is primarily a consequence of R-loops rather than misincorporated rNMPs.

The relationship of JAK2V617F and acquired UPD at chromosome 9p in polycythemia vera

The relationship of JAK2V617F and acquired UPD at chromosome 9p in polycythemia vera

Human RECQ5 helicase promotes repair of DNA double-strand breaks by synthesis-dependent strand annealing

Most mitotic homologous recombination (HR) events proceed via a synthesis-dependent strand annealing mechanism to avoid crossing over, which may give rise to chromosomal rearrangements and loss of heterozygosity. The molecular mechanisms controlling HR sub-pathway choice are poorly understood. Here, we show that human RECQ5, a DNA helicase that can disrupt RAD51 nucleoprotein filaments, promotes formation of non-crossover products during DNA double-strand break-induced HR and counteracts the inhibitory effect of RAD51 on RAD52-mediated DNA annealing in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrate that RECQ5 deficiency is associated with an increased occupancy of RAD51 at a double-strand break site, and it also causes an elevation of sister chromatid exchanges on inactivation of the Holliday junction dissolution pathway or on induction of a high load of DNA damage in the cell. Collectively, our findings suggest that RECQ5 acts during the post-synaptic phase of synthesis-dependent strand annealing to prevent formation of aberrant RAD51 filaments on the extended invading strand, thus limiting its channeling into potentially hazardous crossover pathway of HR.

Genome-Wide High-Resolution Mapping of UV-Induced Mitotic Recombination Events in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and most other eukaryotes, mitotic recombination is important for the repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs). Mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes can result in loss of heterozygosity (LOH). In this study, LOH events induced by ultraviolet (UV) light are mapped throughout the genome to a resolution of about 1 kb using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarrays. UV doses that have little effect on the viability of diploid cells stimulate crossovers more than 1000-fold in wild-type cells. In addition, UV stimulates recombination in G1-synchronized cells about 10-fold more efficiently than in G2-synchronized cells. Importantly, at high doses of UV, most conversion events reflect the repair of two sister chromatids that are broken at approximately the same position whereas at low doses, most conversion events reflect the repair of a single broken chromatid. Genome-wide mapping of about 380 unselected crossovers, break-induced replication (BIR) events, and gene conversions shows that UV-induced recombination events occur throughout the genome without pronounced hotspots, although the ribosomal RNA gene cluster has a significantly lower frequency of crossovers.

Abstract PR09: Fine temporal and spatial dissection of medulloblastoma progression with MADM, a mouse genetic mosaic model

Abstract Malignant cancers evolve over time with multiple contributing oncogenic mutations, and contain both tumor and niche cells. To understand when mutations contribute to malignant progression and how tumor and niche cell interact, we use a novel mouse genetic system termed MADM (Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers). MADM enables the tracking of tumorigenic cells from early stages with single cell resolution in vivo. Starting with a mouse heterozygous for a tumor suppressor gene (TSG), MADM can generate sporadic TSG-null cells via Cre-loxP mediated inter-chromosomal mitotic recombination events. Further, MADM unequivocally labels mutant cells with GFP, enabling lineage tracing of mutant cells with clear distinction from neighboring normal cells. Following cell division generating a mutant GFP+ cell, the sibling wildtype (WT) cell (RFP+) can also be assessed as an in situ internal control. We have applied MADM to model the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-subtype of medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain tumor. In the developing cerebellum, unipotent granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) proliferate at the cerebellar surface in response to active Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling. Somatic mutation of the SHH receptor, Patched (Ptc), can lead to hyperactivation of the pathway, GNP overproliferation, and eventual malignancy. In addition to Ptc mutation, it has been reported that patients with medulloblastoma have a much worse prognosis when the tumor suppressor TRP53 (p53) is mutated. However, the timing of p53 contribution to tumorigenesis is still unclear. Here we used MADM to inactivate p53 in sporadic GNP cells in a Ptc heterozygous mouse model. To pinpoint the timing of p53 contribution to tumor progression, we performed a time course analysis of green-to-red cell number ratio (G/R ratio or mutant/wildtype). Our preliminary data suggest that the loss of p53 does not contribute to tumor progression until mid-stages of tumor progression since G/R ratio remains 1 in early lesions induced by the Ptc mutation. For spatial organization of tumor and niche cells, we took advantage of the lineage tracing ability of MADM since all tumor cells should be green while neighboring normal cells should be non-labeled. Because the loss of heterzygousity is induced in unipotent GNPs, we expect the GFP+ tumor cells to maintain this identity. Surprisingly we find GFP+ cells in tumors consist of two cell types, GNPs and astrocytes, suggesting the trans-differentiation of some mutant GNPs into astrocytes. To confirm the human relevance of our findings, we performed double FISH-IF analysis of human patient samples for PTCH and our preliminary data indicated that GFAP+ astrocytes within tumors carried similar genomic aberrations to tumor GNPs, implicating the lineage relationship between these two cell types. Finally, in vitro co-culture experiment provided initial evidence that tumor GNP-derived astrocytes provide support to tumor GNPs, hinting at intricate cellular interactions in medulloblastoma. In summary, our findings indicated that MADM provides great temporal and spatial resolution for cancer research. Our preliminary data suggest that tumor progression is not a linear process and distinct tumor suppressor genes act at different stages, and that tumor-niche interactions could be more complex than previously thought. Citation Format: Brit Ventura, Maojin Yao, Ying Jiang, Kelsey Wahl, Fausto Rodriguez, Charles G. Eberhart, Hui Zong. Fine temporal and spatial dissection of medulloblastoma progression with MADM, a mouse genetic mosaic model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Third AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; Sep 18-22, 2013; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(19 Suppl):Abstract nr PR09.

Genetic toxicity of dillapiol and spinosad larvicides in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Higher rates of diseases transmitted from insects to humans led to the increased use of organophosphate insecticides, proven to be harmful to human health and the environment. New, more effective chemical formulations with minimum genetic toxicity effects have become the object of intense research. These formulations include larvicides derived from plant extracts such as dillapiol, a phenylpropanoid extracted from Piper aduncum, and from microorganisms such as spinosad, formed by spinosyns A and D derived from the Saccharopolyspora spinosa fermentation process. This study investigated the genotoxicity of dillapiol and spinosad, characterising and quantifying mutation events and chromosomal and/or mitotic recombination using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in wings of Drosophila melanogaster. Standard cross larvae (72 days old) were treated with different dillapiol and spinosad concentrations. Both compounds presented positive genetic toxicity, mainly as mitotic recombination events. Distilled water and doxorubicin were used as negative and positive controls respectively. Spinosad was 14 times more genotoxic than dillapiol, and the effect was found to be purely recombinogenic. However, more studies on the potential risks of insecticides such as spinosad and dillapiol are necessary, based on other experimental models and methodologies, to ensure safe use.