Matthew Michael
University Of Southern California
Project start date: 2003-05-01
Project end date: 2013-01-31
Sponsored Links Excellgen http://Excellgen.com
REPLICATION CHECKPOINT ACTIVATION AND SILENCING
Matthew Michael, Professor
Harvard University, 1350 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, Ma 02138
Grant 5R01GM067735-07 from National Institute Of General Medical Sciences
Abstract: The process of DNA replication during S phase of the cell cycle is constantly challenged by the presence of damaged DNA on the replication template. Base lesions in chromosomes can cause DNA polymerase stalling, and if the stalled polymerase is not resolved than the replication fork will collapse, and the chromosome will be broken. Collapsed replication forks are, therefore, a serious threat to the maintenance of genome stability, and are thought to be a primary event in generating the genetic instability that allows normal cells to become cancer cells. In this project, we will focus on two important pathways that allow cells to tolerate DNA damage during S phase, the ATM and Rad3 related (ATR)- dependent replication checkpoint, and the DNA polymerase eta-dependent trans- lesion synthesis (TLS) damage bypass pathway. Recent results from my laboratory have revealed that these two pathways interact during a DNA damage response and, in particular, that pol eta can override the activation of ATR by DNA damage. In this project, we will focus on how ATR is activated by stalled forks, by studying the critical ATR activator TopBP1. We have found that TopBP1 senses the stalled fork, and that it recruits DNA polymerase alpha (pol 1) and the 911 complex to the stalled fork. Recruitment of these two factors by TopBP1 is required for ATR activation. In Aim 1, we will investigate the molecular mechanism whereby TopBP1 senses stalled forks, and in Aim 2 we will probe the biochemical mechanism for how it then recruits pol 1 and 911. In Aim 3, we will investigate how pol eta overrides the ATR response to DNA damage, and in Aim 4 we will investigate a novel, proteolytic-based mechanism that regulates pol eta function during the DNA damage response. If these goals are met, then we will have achieved a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in ATR activation, and in pol eta regulation. Importantly, we will have also increased out understanding of how the ATR and pol eta pathways interact, and this will allow for a more integrated view of how cells manage replication stress to emerge. DNA damage is a serious impediment to chromosome replication, a fundamental component of the process of cell division. When DNA damage is encountered during chromosome replication, it will stall the DNA polymerases that are responsible for duplication of the genetic material. This stalling can have severe consequences for the stability of the genome, as a stalled polymerase that is left unresolved can cause the replication process to collapse, and the chromosome to break. The repair of broken chromosomes can be imperfect, and can than thereby result in the chromosome translocations that are known to cause cancer. In this proposal, we focus on two cellular pathways that help cells deal with stalled polymerases. One is a signaling pathway, and we will study how this signaling pathway recognizes stalled polymerases and, how it is activated by them. The other pathway involves a specialized DNA polymerase that can replicate DNA even when it is damaged. We will study the regulation of this polymerase, and the ability of this polymerase to influence signaling that is derived from stalled replication. These studies will help us understand how cells manage stalled replication, and could form the basis for newer and more effective anti-cancer drugs
Keywords: No Project Terms available
Relevance: DNA damage is a serious impediment to chromosome replication, a fundamental component of the process of cell division. When DNA damage is encountered during chromosome replication, it will stall the DNA polymerases that are responsible for duplication of the genetic material. This stalling can have severe consequences for the stability of the genome, as a stalled polymerase that is left unresolved can cause the replication process to collapse, and the chromosome to break. The repair of broken chromosomes can be imperfect, and can than thereby result in the chromosome translocations that are known to cause cancer. In this proposal, we focus on two cellular pathways that help cells deal with stalled polymerases. One is a signaling pathway, and we will study how this signaling pathway recognizes stalled polymerases and, how it is activated by them. The other pathway involves a specialized DNA polymerase that can replicate DNA even when it is damaged. We will study the regulation of this polymerase, and the ability of this polymerase to influence signaling that is derived from stalled replication. These studies will help us understand how cells manage stalled replication, and could form the basis for newer and more effective anti-cancer drugs
Project start date: 2003-05-01
Project end date: 2013-01-31
Budget start date: 1-FEB-2010
Budget end date: 31-JAN-2011
PFA/PA: PA-07-070
5R01GM067735-07 (2010): $332640
The Role Of Mus101 In Maintenance Of Genome Stability
Matthew Michael, Associate Professor
Harvard University 1350 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, Ma 02138
Grant 5R01GM067735-05 from National Institute Of General Medical Sciences IRG: CDF
Abstract: Cell cycle checkpoints react to the presence of damaged DNA, and organize the cellular response to the damage. Without intact checkpoint control systems, genome stability is at risk, and the potential for accumulating mutations in critical growth control genes is significantly enhanced. Although much is known about how checkpoints regulate the cell cycle and organize DNA repair systems, comparatively little is known about how checkpoints are activated by damaged DNA in the first place. An emerging idea in the checkpoint field is that, during S phase, some forms of damage are sensed by replication forks. If so, then a protein that is required for both replication and checkpoint control represents a good candidate to provide the elusive damage sensing activity. The Cut5 protein in fission yeast (Dpb11 in budding yeast) fulfills this requirement, as it is required for both DNA replication and the checkpoint response to stalled replication forks. Additionally, Dpb11 has been shown to play a role in maintenance of genome stability, as hypomorphic alleles of DPB11 cause a dramatic increase in chromosomal rearrangements even though the cells are viable. The closest match to Cut5/Dpb11 amongst vertebrates is the Mus101 protein family, of which the human TopBP1 is a member. Despite its similarity to a yeast protein with a proven role in checkpoint control, Mus101/TopBP1 remains poorly characterized. In order to understand more about the role of Mus101 in replication and checkpoint control, my laboratory has characterized Mus101 activity in both the biochemically tractable Xenopus egg extract system and the genetically tractable nematode C. elegans. We have found that depletion of Mus101 from Xenopus egg extracts blocks both DNA replication, and activation of the DNA damage checkpoint. Furthermore, depletion of the C. elegans mus-101 ortholog results in embryonic lethality and, under hypomorphic conditions, sensitivity to DNA damage. These findings establish that Mus101 is the vertebrate counterpart to Cut5/Dpb11. The goal of this proposal is to combine biochemical analysis of Mus101 in Xenopus egg extracts with genetic analysis in C. elegans to fully describe the Mus101 function in DNA replication, in activation of the DNA damage checkpoint, and in maintenance of genome stability.
Keywords: DNA damage, DNA replication, genome, molecular genetics, protein structure function, DNA repair, DNA replication origin, cell cycle, gene expression, Caenorhabditis elegans, Xenopus oocyte, affinity chromatography, genetic screening, immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, polymerase chain reaction
Project start date: 2003-05-01
Project end date: 2009-04-30
5R01GM067735-05 (2007): $272129
5R01GM067735-04 (2006): $280256
5R01GM067735-03 (2005): $287000
5R01GM067735-02 (2004): $286563
Grants awarded to Matthew Michael
Replication Checkpoint Activation And Silencing
Matthew Michael, Associate Professor
Molecular And Cellular Biologyharvard University
Grant 2R01GM067735-06A1 from National Institute Of General Medical Sciences IRG: ZRG1
Abstract: The process of DNA replication during S phase of the cell cycle is constantly challenged by the presence of damaged DNA on the replication template. Base lesions in chromosomes can cause DNA polymerase stalling, and if the stalled polymerase is not resolved than the replication fork will collapse, and the chromosome will be broken. Collapsed replication forks are, therefore, a serious threat to the maintenance of genome stability, and are thought to be a primary event in generating the genetic instability that allows normal cells to become cancer cells. In this project, we will focus on two important pathways that allow cells to tolerate DNA damage during S phase, the ATM and Rad3 related (ATR)- dependent replication checkpoint, and the DNA polymerase eta-dependent trans- lesion synthesis (TLS) damage bypass pathway. Recent results from my laboratory have revealed that these two pathways interact during a DNA damage response and, in particular, that pol eta can override the activation of ATR by DNA damage. In this project, we will focus on how ATR is activated by stalled forks, by studying the critical ATR activator TopBP1. We have found that TopBP1 senses the stalled fork, and that it recruits DNA polymerase alpha (pol 1) and the 911 complex to the stalled fork. Recruitment of these two factors by TopBP1 is required for ATR activation. In Aim 1, we will investigate the molecular mechanism whereby TopBP1 senses stalled forks, and in Aim 2 we will probe the biochemical mechanism for how it then recruits pol 1 and 911. In Aim 3, we will investigate how pol eta overrides the ATR response to DNA damage, and in Aim 4 we will investigate a novel, proteolytic-based mechanism that regulates pol eta function during the DNA damage response. If these goals are met, then we will have achieved a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in ATR activation, and in pol eta regulation. Importantly, we will have also increased out understanding of how the ATR and pol eta pathways interact, and this will allow for a more integrated view of how cells manage replication stress to emerge. DNA damage is a serious impediment to chromosome replication, a fundamental component of the process of cell division. When DNA damage is encountered during chromosome replication, it will stall the DNA polymerases that are responsible for duplication of the genetic material. This stalling can have severe consequences for the stability of the genome, as a stalled polymerase that is left unresolved can cause the replication process to collapse, and the chromosome to break. The repair of broken chromosomes can be imperfect, and can than thereby result in the chromosome translocations that are known to cause cancer. In this proposal, we focus on two cellular pathways that help cells deal with stalled polymerases. One is a signaling pathway, and we will study how this signaling pathway recognizes stalled polymerases and, how it is activated by them. The other pathway involves a specialized DNA polymerase that can replicate DNA even when it is damaged. We will study the regulation of this polymerase, and the ability of this polymerase to influence signaling that is derived from stalled replication. These studies will help us understand how cells manage stalled replication, and could form the basis for newer and more effective anti-cancer drugs
Project start date: 2003-05-01
Project end date: 2013-01-31
3R01GM067735-06A1S1 (2009): $267145
The Role Of Mus101 In Maintenance Of Genome Stability
Matthew Michael, Associate Professor
Harvard University 1350 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, Ma 02138
Grant 1R01GM067735-01 from National Institute Of General Medical Sciences IRG: CDF
Abstract: Cell cycle checkpoints react to the presence of damaged DNA, and organize the cellular response to the damage. Without intact checkpoint control systems, genome stability is at risk, and the potential for accumulating mutations in critical growth control genes is significantly enhanced. Although much is known about how checkpoints regulate the cell cycle and organize DNA repair systems, comparatively little is known about how checkpoints are activated by damaged DNA in the first place. An emerging idea in the checkpoint field is that, during S phase, some forms of damage are sensed by replication forks. If so, then a protein that is required for both replication and checkpoint control represents a good candidate to provide the elusive damage sensing activity. The Cut5 protein in fission yeast (Dpb11 in budding yeast) fulfills this requirement, as it is required for both DNA replication and the checkpoint response to stalled replication forks. Additionally, Dpb11 has been shown to play a role in maintenance of genome stability, as hypomorphic alleles of DPB11 cause a dramatic increase in chromosomal rearrangements even though the cells are viable. The closest match to Cut5/Dpb11 amongst vertebrates is the Mus101 protein family, of which the human TopBP1 is a member. Despite its similarity to a yeast protein with a proven role in checkpoint control, Mus101/TopBP1 remains poorly characterized. In order to understand more about the role of Mus101 in replication and checkpoint control, my laboratory has characterized Mus101 activity in both the biochemically tractable Xenopus egg extract system and the genetically tractable nematode C. elegans. We have found that depletion of Mus101 from Xenopus egg extracts blocks both DNA replication, and activation of the DNA damage checkpoint. Furthermore, depletion of the C. elegans mus-101 ortholog results in embryonic lethality and, under hypomorphic conditions, sensitivity to DNA damage. These findings establish that Mus101 is the vertebrate counterpart to Cut5/Dpb11. The goal of this proposal is to combine biochemical analysis of Mus101 in Xenopus egg extracts with genetic analysis in C. elegans to fully describe the Mus101 function in DNA replication, in activation of the DNA damage checkpoint, and in maintenance of genome stability.
Keywords: DNA damage, DNA replication, genome, molecular genetics, protein structure function, DNA repair, DNA replication origin, cell cycle, gene expression, Caenorhabditis elegans, Xenopus oocyte, affinity chromatography, genetic screening, immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, polymerase chain reaction
Project start date: 2003-05-01
Project end date: 2008-04-30
1R01GM067735-01 (2003): $285250
Matthew Michael
University Of Southern California
Project start date: 2012-02-01
Project end date: 2016-01-31
REPLICATION CHECKPOINT ACTIVATION AND SILENCING
Matthew Michael
Department/ Educational Institution Type:
Grant 7R01GM067735-08 from National Institute Of General Medical Sciences
Relevance: DNA damage is a serious impediment to chromosome replication, a fundamental component of the process of cell division. When DNA damage is encountered during chromosome replication, it will stall the DNA polymerases that are responsible for duplication of the genetic material. This stalling can have severe consequences for the stability of the genome, as a stalled polymerase that is left unresolved can cause the replication process to collapse, and the chromosome to break. The repair of broken chromosomes can be imperfect, and can than thereby result in the chromosome translocations that are known to cause cancer. In this proposal, we focus on two cellular pathways that help cells deal with stalled polymerases. One is a signaling pathway, and we will study how this signaling pathway recognizes stalled polymerases and, how it is activated by them. The other pathway involves a specialized DNA polymerase that can replicate DNA even when it is damaged. We will study the regulation of this polymerase, and the ability of this polymerase to influence signaling that is derived from stalled replication. These studies will help us understand how cells manage stalled replication, and could form the basis for newer and more effective anti-cancer drugs
Project start date: 2003-05-01
Project end date: 2013-01-31
Budget start date: 1-JUL-2010
Budget end date: 31-JAN-2011
PFA/PA: PA-07-070
7R01GM067735-08 (2010): $178764