Cyclin-dependent kinase two (Cdk2) is the major regulator of the G1/S transition and the target of an activated G1 checkpoint in somatic cells. In the presence of DNA damage, Cdk2 kinase activity is abrogated by a deficiency of Cdc25A phosphatase, which is marked by Chk1/Chk2 for proteasomal degradation. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) lack a G1 checkpoint response. In this study, we analyzed the G1 checkpoint pathways in mouse ESCs (mESCs) in the presence of DNA double-strand breaks evoked by ionizing radiation (IR). We show that checkpoint pathways, which operate during G1 phase in somatic cells, are activated in mESCs after IR; however, Cdk2 activity is not abolished. We demonstrate that Cdc25A is degraded in mESCs, but this degradation is not regulated by Chk1 and Chk2 kinases because they are sequestered to the centrosome. Instead, Cdc25A degradation is governed by glycogen synthase kinase-3beta kinase. We hypothesize that Cdc25A degradation does not inhibit Cdk2 activity because a considerable proportion of Cdk2 molecules localize to the cytoplasm and centrosomes in mESCs, where they may be sheltered from regulation by nuclear Cdc25A. Finally, we show that a high Cdk2 activity, which is irresponsive to DNA damage, is the driving force of the rapid escape of mESCs from G1 phase after DNA damage.
- MeSH
- aktivace enzymů genetika MeSH
- buněčné linie MeSH
- buněčný cyklus genetika MeSH
- CDC geny fyziologie MeSH
- centrozom enzymologie MeSH
- cyklin-dependentní kinasa 2 genetika MeSH
- cytoplazma enzymologie MeSH
- DNA genetika účinky záření MeSH
- embryonální kmenové buňky cytologie enzymologie MeSH
- fosfatasy cdc25 genetika MeSH
- G1 fáze genetika MeSH
- ionizující záření MeSH
- kinasa 3 glykogensynthasy metabolismus MeSH
- myši MeSH
- oprava DNA MeSH
- poškození DNA genetika MeSH
- protein-serin-threoninkinasy genetika MeSH
- proteinkinasy genetika MeSH
- signální transdukce genetika MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The checkpoint kinase Chk1 is an established transducer of ATR- and ATM-dependent signalling in response to DNA damage. In addition to its nuclear localization, Chk1 localizes to interphase centrosomes and thereby negatively regulates entry into mitosis by preventing premature activation of cyclin B-Cdk1 during unperturbed cell cycles. Here, we demonstrate that DNA damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation or hydroxyurea treatment leads to centrosomal accumulation of endogenous Chk1 in normal human BJ fibroblasts and in ATR- or ATM-deficient fibroblasts. Chemical inhibition of ATR/ATM by caffeine led to enhanced centrosomal Chk1 deposition associated with nuclear Chk1 depletion. In contrast to normal or ATM-deficient fibroblasts, genetically ATR-deficient Seckel-fibroblasts showed detectable constitutive centrosomal accumulation of Chk1 even in the absence of exogenous insults. After DNA damage, the centrosomal fraction of Chk1 was found to be phosphorylated at ATR/ATM phosphorylation sites. Forced immobilization of kinase-inactive but not wild-type Chk1 to centrosomes resulted in a G2/M checkpoint defect. Finally, both DNA damage, and forced centrosomal expression of Chk1 in the absence of genotoxic treatments induced centrosome amplification in a subset of cells, a phenomenon which could be suppressed by inhibition of ATM/ATR-mediated signaling. Taken together, our results suggest that accumulation of phosphorylated Chk1 at centrosomes constitutes an additional element in the DNA damage response. Centrosomal Chk1 induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and may evoke centrosome amplification, the latter possibly providing a backup mechanism for elimination of cells with impaired DNA damage checkpoints operating earlier during the cell cycle.
