A tri-serine cluster within the topoisomerase IIα-interaction domain of the BLM helicase is required for regulating chromosome breakage in human cells

Hum Mol Genet. 2018 Apr 1;27(7):1241-1251. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddy038.

Abstract

The recQ-like helicase BLM interacts directly with topoisomerase IIα to regulate chromosome breakage in human cells. We demonstrate that a phosphosite tri-serine cluster (S577/S579/S580) within the BLM topoisomerase IIα-interaction region is required for this function. Enzymatic activities of BLM and topoisomerase IIα are reciprocally stimulated in vitro by ten-fold for topoisomerase IIα decatenation/relaxation activity and three-fold for BLM unwinding of forked DNA duplex substrates. A BLM transgene encoding alanine substitutions of the tri-serine cluster in BLM-/- transfected cells increases micronuclei, DNA double strand breaks and anaphase ultra-fine bridges (UFBs), and decreases cellular co-localization of BLM with topoisomerase IIα. In vitro, these substitutions significantly reduce the topoisomerase IIα-mediated stimulation of BLM unwinding of forked DNA duplexes. Substitution of the tri-serine cluster with aspartic acids to mimic serine phosphorylation reverses these effects in vitro and in vivo. Our findings implicate the modification of this BLM tri-serine cluster in regulating chromosomal stability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Chromosomal Instability*
  • Chromosome Breakage*
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / genetics
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Domains
  • RecQ Helicases / genetics
  • RecQ Helicases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins
  • Bloom syndrome protein
  • RecQ Helicases
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II
  • TOP2A protein, human