BRCA2 controls DNA:RNA hybrid level at DSBs by mediating RNase H2 recruitment

Nat Commun. 2018 Dec 18;9(1):5376. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07799-2.

Abstract

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are toxic DNA lesions, which, if not properly repaired, may lead to genomic instability, cell death and senescence. Damage-induced long non-coding RNAs (dilncRNAs) are transcribed from broken DNA ends and contribute to DNA damage response (DDR) signaling. Here we show that dilncRNAs play a role in DSB repair by homologous recombination (HR) by contributing to the recruitment of the HR proteins BRCA1, BRCA2, and RAD51, without affecting DNA-end resection. In S/G2-phase cells, dilncRNAs pair to the resected DNA ends and form DNA:RNA hybrids, which are recognized by BRCA1. We also show that BRCA2 directly interacts with RNase H2, mediates its localization to DSBs in the S/G2 cell-cycle phase, and controls DNA:RNA hybrid levels at DSBs. These results demonstrate that regulated DNA:RNA hybrid levels at DSBs contribute to HR-mediated repair.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA1 Protein / metabolism*
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • G2 Phase / genetics
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rad51 Recombinase / genetics
  • Rad51 Recombinase / metabolism
  • Recombinational DNA Repair*
  • Ribonuclease H / genetics
  • Ribonuclease H / metabolism*
  • S Phase / genetics

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA1 protein, human
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • BRCA2 protein, human
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • DNA
  • RAD51 protein, human
  • Rad51 Recombinase
  • ribonuclease HII
  • Ribonuclease H