Open AccessGFI1 facilitates efficient DNA repair by regulating PRMT1 dependent methylation of MRE11 and 53BP1
Author(s) -
Charles Vadnais,
Riyan Chen,
Jennifer Fraszczak,
Zhenbao Yu,
Jonathan Boulais,
Jordan Pinder,
Daria Frank,
Cyrus Khandanpour,
Josée Hébert,
Graham Dellaire,
JeanFrançois Côté,
Stéphane Richard,
Alexandre Orthwein,
Elliot Drobetsky,
Tarik Möröy
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
nature communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.559
H-Index - 365
ISSN - 2041-1723
DOI - 10.1038/s41467-018-03817-5
Subject(s) - dna repair , dna damage , biology , dna methylation , dna , microbiology and biotechnology , transcriptional regulation , methyltransferase , methylation , cancer research , genetics , chemistry , transcription factor , gene , gene expression
GFI1 is a transcriptional regulator expressed in lymphoid cells, and an “oncorequisite” factor required for development and maintenance of T-lymphoid leukemia. GFI1 deletion causes hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation, for which the molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that GFI1 is required in T cells for the regulation of key DNA damage signaling and repair proteins. Specifically, GFI1 interacts with the arginine methyltransferase PRMT1 and its substrates MRE11 and 53BP1. We demonstrate that GFI1 enables PRMT1 to bind and methylate MRE11 and 53BP1, which is necessary for their function in the DNA damage response. Thus, our results provide evidence that GFI1 can adopt non-transcriptional roles, mediating the post-translational modification of proteins involved in DNA repair. These findings have direct implications for treatment responses in tumors overexpressing GFI1 and suggest that GFI1’s activity may be a therapeutic target in these malignancies.