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Human Tousled like kinases are targeted by an ATM‐ and Chk1‐dependent DNA damage checkpoint
Author(s) -
Groth Anja,
Lukas Jiri,
Nigg Erich A.,
Silljé Herman H. W.,
Wernstedt Christer,
Bartek Jiri,
Hansen Klaus
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1093/emboj/cdg151
Subject(s) - biology , g2 m dna damage checkpoint , chek1 , dna damage , kinase , protein serine threonine kinases , dna , microbiology and biotechnology , dna pkcs , cancer research , genetics , computational biology , cell cycle checkpoint , cell cycle , cancer , protein kinase a
All eukaryotes respond to DNA damage by modulation of diverse cellular processes to preserve genomic integrity and ensure survival. Here we identify mammalian Tousled like kinases (Tlks) as a novel target of the DNA damage checkpoint. During S‐phase progression, when Tlks are maximally active, generation of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) leads to rapid and transient inhibition of Tlk activity. Experiments with chemical inhibitors, genetic models and gene targeting through RNA interference demonstrate that this response to DSBs requires ATM and Chk1 function. Chk1 phosphorylates Tlk1 on serine 695 (S695) in vitro , and this UCN‐01‐ and caffeine‐sensitive site is phosphorylated in vivo in response to DNA damage. Substitution of S695 to alanine impaired efficient downregulation of Tlk1 after DNA damage. These findings identify an unprecedented functional co‐ operation between ATM and Chk1 in propagation of a checkpoint response during S phase and suggest that, through transient inhibition of Tlk kinases, the ATM–Chk1–Tlk pathway may regulate processes involved in chromatin assembly.