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Parp1 hyperactivity couples DNA breaks to aberrant neuronal calcium signalling and lethal seizures
Author(s) -
Komulainen Emilia,
Badman Jack,
Rey Stephanie,
Rulten Stuart,
Ju Limei,
Fennell Kate,
Kalasova Ilona,
Ilievova Kristyna,
McKin Peter J,
Hanzlikova Hana,
Staras Kevin,
Caldecott Keith W
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.202051851
Subject(s) - library science , czech , history , philosophy , computer science , linguistics
Defects in DNA single‐strand break repair (SSBR) are linked with neurological dysfunction but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that hyperactivity of the DNA strand break sensor protein Parp1 in mice in which the central SSBR protein Xrcc1 is conditionally deleted ( Xrcc1 Nes‐Cre ) results in lethal seizures and shortened lifespan. Using electrophysiological recording and synaptic imaging approaches, we demonstrate that aberrant Parp1 activation triggers seizure‐like activity in Xrcc1‐defective hippocampus ex vivo and deregulated presynaptic calcium signalling in isolated hippocampal neurons in vitro . Moreover, we show that these defects are prevented by Parp1 inhibition or deletion and, in the case of Parp1 deletion, that the lifespan of Xrcc1 Nes‐Cre mice is greatly extended. This is the first demonstration that lethal seizures can be triggered by aberrant Parp1 activity at unrepaired SSBs, highlighting PARP inhibition as a possible therapeutic approach in hereditary neurological disease.