Although DNA replication is tightly regulated, various impediments can stall DNA replication forks. SLX4 is a scaffold protein that responds to different types of replication stress. While the yeast Slx4 interacts mainly with structure-specific endonucleases, mammalian SLX4 collaborates with not only such nucleases but also a telomere-binding factor, a DNA helicase, and DNA repair proteins to resolve a variety of DNA intermediates arising from replication stress, thereby maintaining genome stability. Since SLX4 was identified as a causative gene for Fanconi anemia in humans, with UBZ4 domain–deleting mutation observed in a few patients, the UBZ4 domains have been highlighted as a key determinant for its recruitment to stalled forks, which has attracted considerable attention. While several studies have advanced our understanding of how SLX4 is recruited under distinct replication stresses, the precise details and context-specific regulation remain incompletely understood. In this review, we summarize what is currently known about SLX4, including its interactions with partner proteins and its roles under different types of replication stress. We also discuss the molecular basis of its recruitment to stalled forks, with particular emphasis on recent advances in understanding the contributions of the ubiquitin-binding zinc finger type 4 (UBZ4) domains and the SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) in the DNA replication stress response.
{"title":"Recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of SLX4 recruitment in the replication stress response","authors":"Takuma Okano , Minoru Takata , Masatoshi Fujita , Yoko Katsuki","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103911","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103911","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although DNA replication is tightly regulated, various impediments can stall DNA replication forks. SLX4 is a scaffold protein that responds to different types of replication stress. While the yeast Slx4 interacts mainly with structure-specific endonucleases, mammalian SLX4 collaborates with not only such nucleases but also a telomere-binding factor, a DNA helicase, and DNA repair proteins to resolve a variety of DNA intermediates arising from replication stress, thereby maintaining genome stability. Since SLX4 was identified as a causative gene for Fanconi anemia in humans, with UBZ4 domain–deleting mutation observed in a few patients, the UBZ4 domains have been highlighted as a key determinant for its recruitment to stalled forks, which has attracted considerable attention. While several studies have advanced our understanding of how SLX4 is recruited under distinct replication stresses, the precise details and context-specific regulation remain incompletely understood. In this review, we summarize what is currently known about SLX4, including its interactions with partner proteins and its roles under different types of replication stress. We also discuss the molecular basis of its recruitment to stalled forks, with particular emphasis on recent advances in understanding the contributions of the ubiquitin-binding zinc finger type 4 (UBZ4) domains and the SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) in the DNA replication stress response.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"156 ","pages":"Article 103911"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145672993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103910
Sagun Jonchhe, Sudipta Lahiri, Eli Rothenberg
Guanine-rich regions in the human genome have the intrinsic ability to fold into G-quadruplex (G4) secondary structures, stabilized by stacked guanine quartets. There is considerable biochemical and structural evidence demonstrating formation of G4 structures in vitro under biomimetic conditions. Recently, emerging studies have also provided compelling data that authenticates the existence of these DNA G4 structures in vivo. These G4 structures, present in both DNA and RNA, are involved in key biological processes such as transcription, replication and the maintenance of genomic integrity. They have also been linked to different diseases. Given their association with multiple proteins across the DNA repair machinery, G4 structures are particularly prominent in various cancers and have been recognized as promising targets for therapeutic research. In this review, we first highlight the identification, structure and conformations of DNA G4s. We then discuss the influence of biomimetic microenvironment on G4 formation and its implication for genome function and maintenance. Next, we elaborate on the genome-wide occurrence of G4s and their roles in transcription, replication, and DNA repair. Furthermore, we explore drug design strategies aimed at selectively targeting the G4 structures and emphasize the potential of DNA G4s in cancer therapy, particularly in the context of synthetic lethality. Finally, we discuss recent advances and emerging roles of G4 biology that potentially explore new avenues of research. Taken together, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of DNA G4 structure and function, accentuate its role in genome maintenance and underscore their significance in cancer research.
{"title":"DNA G-quadruplexes: Structural and functional insights","authors":"Sagun Jonchhe, Sudipta Lahiri, Eli Rothenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103910","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103910","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Guanine-rich regions in the human genome have the intrinsic ability to fold into G-quadruplex (G4) secondary structures, stabilized by stacked guanine quartets. There is considerable biochemical and structural evidence demonstrating formation of G4 structures <em>in vitro</em> under biomimetic conditions. Recently, emerging studies have also provided compelling data that authenticates the existence of these DNA G4 structures <em>in vivo</em>. These G4 structures, present in both DNA and RNA, are involved in key biological processes such as transcription, replication and the maintenance of genomic integrity. They have also been linked to different diseases. Given their association with multiple proteins across the DNA repair machinery, G4 structures are particularly prominent in various cancers and have been recognized as promising targets for therapeutic research. In this review, we first highlight the identification, structure and conformations of DNA G4s. We then discuss the influence of biomimetic microenvironment on G4 formation and its implication for genome function and maintenance. Next, we elaborate on the genome-wide occurrence of G4s and their roles in transcription, replication, and DNA repair. Furthermore, we explore drug design strategies aimed at selectively targeting the G4 structures and emphasize the potential of DNA G4s in cancer therapy, particularly in the context of synthetic lethality. Finally, we discuss recent advances and emerging roles of G4 biology that potentially explore new avenues of research. Taken together, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of DNA G4 structure and function, accentuate its role in genome maintenance and underscore their significance in cancer research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"156 ","pages":"Article 103910"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103909
Rashini Y. Beragama Arachchi , Desmond C. Okafor, Andrew J. Snyder, Michael A. Trakselis
The Fanconi anemia (FA) protein FANCD2, and MCM8/9 heterohexameric helicase complex are critical for maintaining genomic integrity in response to replication stress, however, the nature of their relationship remains unclear. Here, we show that MCM8/9 interacts and functionally cooperates with FANCD2 within a complex during the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). Using immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation studies, we show that MCM8/9 interacts with the FANCD2 complex through its core domain. FANCD2 is essential for the recruitment of MCM8/9 to ICL damage induced nuclear foci but acts independently of FANCD2 monoubiquitination. Although MCM8/9 foci formation requires its intact ATPase activity, the BRCv motif within the MCM9 C-terminal extension (CTE) and the accessory protein, HROB, these are not required for FANCD2 binding, highlighting a distinction between physical interaction and functional activation. Interestingly, FANCD2 foci formation increases in MCM8 or MCM9 knockout cells or with knockdown of the activator, HROB, suggesting that MCM8/9 functions to mitigate replication-associated stress. γH2AX DNA damage assays and cell survival assays show that combined loss of MCM9 and FANCD2 do not cause additive DNA damage beyond individual knockouts, indicating an epistatic relationship of MCM8/9 with FANCD2, functioning in the same DNA repair pathway. Together, our findings identify MCM8/9 as a downstream interactor and effector of FANCD2/I critical for resolving ICL induced DNA damage.
{"title":"MCM8/9 and FANCD2 interact within a shared pathway in response to replication stress caused by DNA crosslinks","authors":"Rashini Y. Beragama Arachchi , Desmond C. Okafor, Andrew J. Snyder, Michael A. Trakselis","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103909","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103909","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Fanconi anemia (FA) protein FANCD2, and MCM8/9 heterohexameric helicase complex are critical for maintaining genomic integrity in response to replication stress, however, the nature of their relationship remains unclear. Here, we show that MCM8/9 interacts and functionally cooperates with FANCD2 within a complex during the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). Using immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation studies, we show that MCM8/9 interacts with the FANCD2 complex through its core domain. FANCD2 is essential for the recruitment of MCM8/9 to ICL damage induced nuclear foci but acts independently of FANCD2 monoubiquitination. Although MCM8/9 foci formation requires its intact ATPase activity, the BRCv motif within the MCM9 C-terminal extension (CTE) and the accessory protein, HROB, these are not required for FANCD2 binding, highlighting a distinction between physical interaction and functional activation. Interestingly, FANCD2 foci formation increases in MCM8 or MCM9 knockout cells or with knockdown of the activator, HROB, suggesting that MCM8/9 functions to mitigate replication-associated stress. γH2AX DNA damage assays and cell survival assays show that combined loss of MCM9 and FANCD2 do not cause additive DNA damage beyond individual knockouts, indicating an epistatic relationship of MCM8/9 with FANCD2, functioning in the same DNA repair pathway. Together, our findings identify MCM8/9 as a downstream interactor and effector of FANCD2/I critical for resolving ICL induced DNA damage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 103909"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145517173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103903
Jan Leendert Boer , Tyler M. Maclay , Nolan T. Caile, Catherine H. Freudenreich
Endogenous barriers to DNA replication, such as repetitive DNA, non-B DNA structures, and protein barriers present significant challenges to replication. Upon encountering one of these barriers, cells employ a number of strategies to ensure completion of replication. Some of these pathways operate at the stalled replication fork and others occur post-replicatively. These pathways vary both in their timing and the nuclear location in which they occur. Here we review how cells deal with endogenous sources of replication stress, with a focus on structure-forming DNA repeats, and our current understanding of how cells use nuclear positioning to facilitate the repair of natural replication barriers.
{"title":"Overcoming natural replication barriers formed by DNA structures and the role of repositioning to the nuclear periphery","authors":"Jan Leendert Boer , Tyler M. Maclay , Nolan T. Caile, Catherine H. Freudenreich","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Endogenous barriers to DNA replication, such as repetitive DNA, non-B DNA structures, and protein barriers present significant challenges to replication. Upon encountering one of these barriers, cells employ a number of strategies to ensure completion of replication. Some of these pathways operate at the stalled replication fork and others occur post-replicatively. These pathways vary both in their timing and the nuclear location in which they occur. Here we review how cells deal with endogenous sources of replication stress, with a focus on structure-forming DNA repeats, and our current understanding of how cells use nuclear positioning to facilitate the repair of natural replication barriers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 103903"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145413645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103908
Abigayle F. Vito , Daniel J. Boesch , Ava M. Hammons , Bret D. Freudenthal , Tyler M. Weaver
Base excision repair (BER) is a genome surveillance pathway responsible for repairing DNA base lesions distributed throughout the chromatinized eukaryotic genome. However, chromatin structure acts as a dynamic structural barrier that restricts access to DNA and must be overcome for BER to proceed efficiently. In this perspective, we summarize recent advances that have shaped our understanding of BER in chromatin, with a focus on the structural mechanisms employed by core BER enzymes to recognize and repair DNA lesions within the nucleosome. We highlight how DNA accessibility dictates BER enzyme activity and discuss the concepts of localized and global DNA sculpting as emerging strategies for lesion recognition and repair. We propose that BER within the nucleosome represents a molecular “tug-of-war”, where the histone octamer and the BER enzymes are in a constant competition for access to the damaged nucleosomal DNA. The outcome of this competition is dictated by the position of the DNA lesion within the nucleosome, which ultimately defines the efficiency of BER enzymes within chromatin. We also explore possible mechanisms used by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling to facilitate BER within the nucleosome. Together, these recent advances provide a framework for understanding BER in chromatin and outline key unanswered questions regarding chromatin-based BER.
{"title":"Base excision repair in chromatin: A tug-of-war for DNA damage","authors":"Abigayle F. Vito , Daniel J. Boesch , Ava M. Hammons , Bret D. Freudenthal , Tyler M. Weaver","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Base excision repair (BER) is a genome surveillance pathway responsible for repairing DNA base lesions distributed throughout the chromatinized eukaryotic genome. However, chromatin structure acts as a dynamic structural barrier that restricts access to DNA and must be overcome for BER to proceed efficiently. In this perspective, we summarize recent advances that have shaped our understanding of BER in chromatin, with a focus on the structural mechanisms employed by core BER enzymes to recognize and repair DNA lesions within the nucleosome. We highlight how DNA accessibility dictates BER enzyme activity and discuss the concepts of localized and global DNA sculpting as emerging strategies for lesion recognition and repair. We propose that BER within the nucleosome represents a molecular “tug-of-war”, where the histone octamer and the BER enzymes are in a constant competition for access to the damaged nucleosomal DNA. The outcome of this competition is dictated by the position of the DNA lesion within the nucleosome, which ultimately defines the efficiency of BER enzymes within chromatin. We also explore possible mechanisms used by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling to facilitate BER within the nucleosome. Together, these recent advances provide a framework for understanding BER in chromatin and outline key unanswered questions regarding chromatin-based BER.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 103908"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145403296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103907
David Coman , Penny Jeggo , Martin Lavin
Almost fifty years after the identification of ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) as a radiosensitive disorder and thirty years following the identification of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) as the defective gene, clinicians and scientists gathered at Loughborough University, UK from June 25th -27th 2025 for an Ataxia Telangiectasia Clinical Research Conference. The mix of expertise of clinicians and scientists with basic and translational expertise ensured that a focus was on how to exploit our knowledge of ATM’s function to clinical benefit. Considerable emphasis was placed on the role of ATM in the DNA damage response and the consequences in this multisystem disease, including the neurodegenerative phenotype. The increasingly recognized role of ATM in oxidative stress was also considered and how it was pertinent to mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities and energy metabolism in A-T. The implications of these roles of ATM in protecting the genome/cell and the development of new technology, such as organoids, were widely discussed in the clinical setting of patients with A-T. An important contribution to the meeting was the description of pathways /mechanisms that have led to the development of therapeutic approaches for A-T including the use of specific antisense oligonucleotides to restore ATM function in patients; delivery of full-length ATM cDNA to A-T cells; eDSP (formerly EryDex) that encapsulates dexamethasone sodium phosphate in a patient’s own red blood cells and the use of small molecules (triheptanoin, nicotinamide riboside and N-acetyl leucine) to correct mitochondrial and metabolic function.
{"title":"Lets talk about ataxia-telangiectasia: Meeting report of the AT clinical research conference June 2025","authors":"David Coman , Penny Jeggo , Martin Lavin","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103907","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103907","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Almost fifty years after the identification of ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) as a radiosensitive disorder and thirty years following the identification of <em>ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)</em> as the defective gene, clinicians and scientists gathered at Loughborough University, UK from June 25th -27th 2025 for an Ataxia Telangiectasia Clinical Research Conference. The mix of expertise of clinicians and scientists with basic and translational expertise ensured that a focus was on how to exploit our knowledge of ATM’s function to clinical benefit. Considerable emphasis was placed on the role of ATM in the DNA damage response and the consequences in this multisystem disease, including the neurodegenerative phenotype. The increasingly recognized role of ATM in oxidative stress was also considered and how it was pertinent to mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities and energy metabolism in A-T. The implications of these roles of ATM in protecting the genome/cell and the development of new technology, such as organoids, were widely discussed in the clinical setting of patients with A-T. An important contribution to the meeting was the description of pathways /mechanisms that have led to the development of therapeutic approaches for A-T including the use of specific antisense oligonucleotides to restore ATM function in patients; delivery of full-length ATM cDNA to A-T cells; eDSP (formerly EryDex) that encapsulates dexamethasone sodium phosphate in a patient’s own red blood cells and the use of small molecules (triheptanoin, nicotinamide riboside and N-acetyl leucine) to correct mitochondrial and metabolic function.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 103907"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145395719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103906
Yiyan Zhang , Jiyuan Teng , Xiaolong Chen , Bin-Bing S. Zhou
DNA damage response (DDR) is a complex network of biological pathways, maintaining eukaryotic genetic stability and frequently altered in cancer cells. Aberrant DDR regulation could be a double-edge sword in cancer: DDR defects could lead to genetic instability driving the acquisition of cancer mutations, while alternative DDR pathways could provide the survival benefits for genetic-unstable cancer cells. Targeting DDR defects in cancer, most noticeably through PARP inhibitors, exhibit impressive clinical efficacy in multiple cancer types. Here, we update recent progress concerning DDR and its inhibitors in pediatric cancers, from molecular mechanism to clinical practice.
{"title":"DNA damage response and its clinical implications in pediatric cancers","authors":"Yiyan Zhang , Jiyuan Teng , Xiaolong Chen , Bin-Bing S. Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103906","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103906","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>DNA damage response (DDR) is a complex network of biological pathways, maintaining eukaryotic genetic stability and frequently altered in cancer cells. Aberrant DDR regulation could be a double-edge sword in cancer: DDR defects could lead to genetic instability driving the acquisition of cancer mutations, while alternative DDR pathways could provide the survival benefits for genetic-unstable cancer cells. Targeting DDR defects in cancer, most noticeably through PARP inhibitors, exhibit impressive clinical efficacy in multiple cancer types. Here, we update recent progress concerning DDR and its inhibitors in pediatric cancers, from molecular mechanism to clinical practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 103906"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145360362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103904
Alice Eddershaw , Natálie Rudolfová , Holly Dawson , Carlos Benítez-Buelga , Maurice Michel
8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1) is the key enzyme responsible for identifying and removing 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), the most common oxidative lesion in DNA. While its central role in base excision repair (BER) is well established, OGG1 also plays important roles in transcriptional regulation, cell signalling, and inflammation. As its involvement in these pathways is increasingly recognised, a cohesive overview of how OGG1 activity is regulated within the cell is needed. This review summarises the current understanding of OGG1 regulation at multiple levels, through post-translational modifications (PTMs), dynamic protein-protein interactions, and changes in expression levels. We highlight research on the action of reversible PTMs such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, and acetylation, and emphasise the remaining gaps in our knowledge. OGG1 presents a compelling target for small-molecule modulation with potential therapeutic applications in cancer, inflammatory disorders, and age-related diseases. Finally, we discuss how ubiquitination and the circadian rhythm impact overall OGG1 abundance and consider their implications for therapeutic strategies.
{"title":"Modulation of OGG1 enzymatic activity by the cellular machinery – have all the boxes been ticked?","authors":"Alice Eddershaw , Natálie Rudolfová , Holly Dawson , Carlos Benítez-Buelga , Maurice Michel","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103904","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103904","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1) is the key enzyme responsible for identifying and removing 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), the most common oxidative lesion in DNA. While its central role in base excision repair (BER) is well established, OGG1 also plays important roles in transcriptional regulation, cell signalling, and inflammation. As its involvement in these pathways is increasingly recognised, a cohesive overview of how OGG1 activity is regulated within the cell is needed. This review summarises the current understanding of OGG1 regulation at multiple levels, through post-translational modifications (PTMs), dynamic protein-protein interactions, and changes in expression levels. We highlight research on the action of reversible PTMs such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, and acetylation, and emphasise the remaining gaps in our knowledge. OGG1 presents a compelling target for small-molecule modulation with potential therapeutic applications in cancer, inflammatory disorders, and age-related diseases. Finally, we discuss how ubiquitination and the circadian rhythm impact overall OGG1 abundance and consider their implications for therapeutic strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 103904"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145350820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-08DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103902
Joshua L. Turner, Georgia Moore, Tyler J. McCraw, Jennifer M. Mason
Homologous recombination proteins maintain genome stability by repairing double strand breaks and protecting replication fork stability. Defects in homologous recombination results in cancer predisposition but can be exploited due to increased sensitivity to certain chemotherapeutics such as PARP inhibitors. The NEK8 kinase has roles in the replication response and homologous recombination. NEK8 is overexpressed in breast cancer, but the impact of NEK8 overexpression on homologous recombination has not been determined. Here, we demonstrate NEK8 overexpression inhibits RAD51 focus formation resulting in a defect in homologous recombination and degradation of stalled replication forks. Importantly, NEK8 overexpression sensitizes cells to the PARP inhibitor, Olaparib. Together, our results suggest NEK8 overexpressing tumors may be recombination-deficient and respond to chemotherapeutics that target defects in recombination such as Olaparib.
{"title":"Overexpression of the NEK8 kinase inhibits homologous recombination","authors":"Joshua L. Turner, Georgia Moore, Tyler J. McCraw, Jennifer M. Mason","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Homologous recombination proteins maintain genome stability by repairing double strand breaks and protecting replication fork stability. Defects in homologous recombination results in cancer predisposition but can be exploited due to increased sensitivity to certain chemotherapeutics such as PARP inhibitors. The NEK8 kinase has roles in the replication response and homologous recombination. NEK8 is overexpressed in breast cancer, but the impact of NEK8 overexpression on homologous recombination has not been determined. Here, we demonstrate NEK8 overexpression inhibits RAD51 focus formation resulting in a defect in homologous recombination and degradation of stalled replication forks. Importantly, NEK8 overexpression sensitizes cells to the PARP inhibitor, Olaparib. Together, our results suggest NEK8 overexpressing tumors may be recombination-deficient and respond to chemotherapeutics that target defects in recombination such as Olaparib.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"155 ","pages":"Article 103902"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145289859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103900
James Eduardo Lago Londero , Rayana dos Santos Feltrin , Ana Lucia Anversa Segatto , André Passaglia Schuch
The UV-sensitivity hypothesis for amphibian decline proposes that interspecific variation in cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyase activity determines species’ UV sensitivity, which is linked to their natural history and population trends. Here, to shed light on the molecular basis of UV resistance variation, we investigated the evolutionary dynamics of CPD photolyases in amphibians focusing on regions and sites relevant to protein function. Our evolutionary analyses revealed that amino acids critical for CPD photolyase function are highly conserved and their codons have been evolving under purifying selection. Three tryptophan residues, critical for light-dependent repair and potentially for dark repair, are highly conserved in CPD photolyases across species. Nevertheless, we identified variations in functionally relevant CPD photolyase amino acids across amphibian clades, some of which are predicted to contract the active site and destabilize the protein structure. Caudata CPD photolyases contain functionally relevant variations likely linked to the high UV sensitivity of salamanders and newts. In Gymnophiona, we found relaxed purifying selection in CPD photolyase codons, as well as functionally relevant amino acid variations, likely reflecting the fossorial, dark-dwelling lifestyle of caecilians. Strikingly, most amphibian species with decreasing populations exhibit CPD photolyases with functionally relevant amino acid variations, and this pattern is even stronger for variations that disrupt protein structure. For example, two structurally disruptive, functionally relevant amino acid variations co-occur in CPD photolyases of species from the genera Bombina (Anura) and Ambystoma (Caudata), most of which exhibit declining populations. This study shows that species-specific differences in CPD photolyases underscore the UV-sensitivity hypothesis in amphibian ecology and conservation.
{"title":"CPD photolyase evolution supports amphibian UV-sensitivity hypothesis","authors":"James Eduardo Lago Londero , Rayana dos Santos Feltrin , Ana Lucia Anversa Segatto , André Passaglia Schuch","doi":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dnarep.2025.103900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The UV-sensitivity hypothesis for amphibian decline proposes that interspecific variation in cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyase activity determines species’ UV sensitivity, which is linked to their natural history and population trends. Here, to shed light on the molecular basis of UV resistance variation, we investigated the evolutionary dynamics of CPD photolyases in amphibians focusing on regions and sites relevant to protein function. Our evolutionary analyses revealed that amino acids critical for CPD photolyase function are highly conserved and their codons have been evolving under purifying selection. Three tryptophan residues, critical for light-dependent repair and potentially for dark repair, are highly conserved in CPD photolyases across species. Nevertheless, we identified variations in functionally relevant CPD photolyase amino acids across amphibian clades, some of which are predicted to contract the active site and destabilize the protein structure. Caudata CPD photolyases contain functionally relevant variations likely linked to the high UV sensitivity of salamanders and newts. In Gymnophiona, we found relaxed purifying selection in CPD photolyase codons, as well as functionally relevant amino acid variations, likely reflecting the fossorial, dark-dwelling lifestyle of caecilians. Strikingly, most amphibian species with decreasing populations exhibit CPD photolyases with functionally relevant amino acid variations, and this pattern is even stronger for variations that disrupt protein structure. For example, two structurally disruptive, functionally relevant amino acid variations co-occur in CPD photolyases of species from the genera <em>Bombina</em> (Anura) and <em>Ambystoma</em> (Caudata), most of which exhibit declining populations. This study shows that species-specific differences in CPD photolyases underscore the UV-sensitivity hypothesis in amphibian ecology and conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":300,"journal":{"name":"DNA Repair","volume":"154 ","pages":"Article 103900"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145246107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}