Systematic E2 screening reveals a UBE2D-RNF138-CtIP axis promoting DNA repair

Nat Cell Biol. 2015 Nov;17(11):1458-1470. doi: 10.1038/ncb3260. Epub 2015 Oct 26.

Abstract

Ubiquitylation is crucial for proper cellular responses to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). If unrepaired, these highly cytotoxic lesions cause genome instability, tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration or premature ageing. Here, we conduct a comprehensive, multilayered screen to systematically profile all human ubiquitin E2 enzymes for impacts on cellular DSB responses. With a widely applicable approach, we use an exemplary E2 family, UBE2Ds, to identify ubiquitylation-cascade components downstream of E2s. Thus, we uncover the nuclear E3 ligase RNF138 as a key homologous recombination (HR)-promoting factor that functions with UBE2Ds in cells. Mechanistically, UBE2Ds and RNF138 accumulate at DNA-damage sites and act at early resection stages by promoting CtIP ubiquitylation and accrual. This work supplies insights into regulation of DSB repair by HR. Moreover, it provides a rich information resource on E2s that can be exploited by follow-on studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / drug effects
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded / radiation effects
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference
  • Recombinational DNA Repair*
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • UBE2D1 protein, human
  • UBE2D2 protein, human
  • UBE2D3 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes
  • RNF138 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
  • Endodeoxyribonucleases
  • RBBP8 protein, human