Telomerase-associated protein 1, HSP90, and topoisomerase IIalpha associate directly with the BLM helicase in immortalized cells using ALT and modulate its helicase activity using telomeric DNA substrates

J Biol Chem. 2009 May 29;284(22):14966-77. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M900195200. Epub 2009 Mar 27.

Abstract

The BLM helicase associates with the telomere structural proteins TRF1 and TRF2 in immortalized cells using the alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) pathways. This work focuses on identifying protein partners of BLM in cells using ALT. Mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation techniques have identified three proteins that bind directly to BLM and TRF2 in ALT cells: telomerase-associated protein 1 (TEP1), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), and topoisomerase IIalpha (TOPOIIalpha). BLM predominantly co-localizes with these proteins in foci actively synthesizing DNA during late S and G(2)/M phases of the cell cycle when ALT is thought to occur. Immunoprecipitation studies also indicate that only HSP90 and TOPOIIalpha are components of a specific complex containing BLM, TRF1, and TRF2 but that this complex does not include TEP1. TEP1, TOPOIIalpha, and HSP90 interact directly with BLM in vitro and modulate its helicase activity on telomere-like DNA substrates but not on non-telomeric substrates. Initial studies suggest that knockdown of BLM in ALT cells reduces average telomere length but does not do so in cells using telomerase.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cell Nucleus Structures / metabolism
  • DNA / biosynthesis
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Protein Transport
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • RecQ Helicases / chemistry
  • RecQ Helicases / metabolism*
  • Telomere / metabolism*
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2 / chemistry

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • TEP1 protein, human
  • TERF2 protein, human
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 2
  • DNA
  • Bloom syndrome protein
  • RecQ Helicases
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II