In this study, we investigated the behavior of rDNA loci in senescent MCF-7 mammary cancer cells induced by gamma irradiation. To analyze changes in nucleolar structure we used rDNA-FISH and immunohistochemical staining with fibrillarin and UBF transcription factor. The expression levels of rDNAs and nucleolar proteins were determined by RNA-seq of total and poly-A libraries. The cytological and molecular parameters of nucleoli were monitored throughout the 7-day interval following irradiation. Senescent cells exhibited a higher proportion of smaller nucleoli as compared to cycling cells, indicating nucleolar fragmentation. The rDNA copy number and expression of rDNA variants remained stable in cycling and senescent cells. However, the levels of polyadenylated rRNA species derived from external (5'ETS) and internal (ITS1) rDNA spacers tend to increase (c.2 fold) following irradiation. At the protein level, senescent cells showed decreased levels of fibrillarin and UBF transcription factor while localization of both proteins in the nucleolus was not impaired. We conclude that withdrawal from cell cycle does not change expression patterns of rDNA variants. However, defects in rRNA processing may lead to fragmentation of nucleoli in senescent cells.

• Klíčová slova
• Cancer cell, Irradiation, Nucleolus, Senescence, rDNA,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

METTL16 methyltransferase is responsible for the methylation of N6-adenosine (m6A) in several RNAs. In mouse cells, we showed that the nuclear distribution of METTL16 is cell cycle-specific. In the G1/S phases, METTL16 accumulates to the nucleolus, while in the G2 phase, the level of METTL16 increases in the nucleoplasm. In metaphase and anaphase, there is a very low pool of the METTL16 protein, but in telophase, residual METTL16 appears to be associated with the newly formed nuclear lamina. In A-type lamin-depleted cells, we observed a reduction of METTL16 when compared with the wild-type counterpart. However, METTL16 does not interact with A-type and B-type lamins, but interacts with Lamin B Receptor (LBR) and Lap2α. Additionally, Lap2α depletion caused METTL16 downregulation in the nuclear pool. Furthermore, METTL16 interacted with DDB2, a key protein of the nucleotide excision repair (NER), and also with nucleolar proteins, including TCOF, NOLC1, and UBF1/2, but not fibrillarin. From this view, the METTL16 protein may also regulate the transcription of ribosomal genes because we observed that the high level of m6A in 18S rRNA appeared in cells with upregulated METTL16.

• Klíčová slova
• METTL16, cell cycle, epitranscriptome, nucleolus, rDNA,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

In cancer therapy, the application of (fractionated) harsh radiation treatment is state of the art for many types of tumors. However, ionizing radiation is a "double-edged sword"-it can kill the tumor but can also promote the selection of radioresistant tumor cell clones or even initiate carcinogenesis in the normal irradiated tissue. Individualized radiotherapy would reduce these risks and boost the treatment, but its development requires a deep understanding of DNA damage and repair processes and the corresponding control mechanisms. DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) and their repair play a critical role in the cellular response to radiation. In previous years, it has become apparent that, beyond genetic and epigenetic determinants, the structural aspects of damaged chromatin (i.e., not only of DSBs themselves but also of the whole damage-surrounding chromatin domains) form another layer of complex DSB regulation. In the present article, we summarize the application of super-resolution single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) for investigations of these structural aspects with emphasis on the relationship between the nano-architecture of radiation-induced repair foci (IRIFs), represented here by γH2AX foci, and their chromatin environment. Using irradiated HeLa cell cultures as an example, we show repair-dependent rearrangements of damaged chromatin and analyze the architecture of γH2AX repair clusters according to topological similarities. Although HeLa cells are known to have highly aberrant genomes, the topological similarity of γH2AX was high, indicating a functional, presumptively genome type-independent relevance of structural aspects in DSB repair. Remarkably, nano-scaled chromatin rearrangements during repair depended both on the chromatin domain type and the treatment. Based on these results, we demonstrate how the nano-architecture and topology of IRIFs and chromatin can be determined, point to the methodological relevance of SMLM, and discuss the consequences of the observed phenomena for the DSB repair network regulation or, for instance, radiation treatment outcomes.

• Klíčová slova
• chromatin rearrangements after irradiation, ionizing radiation-induced foci (IRIF), nano-architecture, single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), topology of DNA double strand breaks,
• MeSH
• chromatin genetika   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• dvouřetězcové zlomy DNA účinky záření   MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• ionizující záření MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikroskopie metody   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory genetika   MeSH
• oprava DNA genetika   účinky záření   MeSH
• poškození DNA genetika   účinky záření   MeSH
• zobrazení jednotlivé molekuly metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chromatin MeSH

The essential components of splicing are the splicing factors accumulated in nuclear speckles; thus, we studied how DNA damaging agents and A-type lamin depletion affect the properties of these regions, positive on the SC-35 protein. We observed that inhibitor of PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and more pronouncedly inhibitors of RNA polymerases, caused DNA damage and increased the SC35 protein level. Interestingly, nuclear blebs, induced by PARP inhibitor and observed in A-type lamin-depleted or senescent cells, were positive on both the SC-35 protein and another component of the spliceosome, SRRM2. In the interphase cell nuclei, SC-35 interacted with the phosphorylated form of RNAP II, which was A-type lamin-dependent. In mitotic cells, especially in telophase, the SC35 protein formed a well-visible ring in the cytoplasmic fraction and colocalized with β-catenin, associated with the plasma membrane. The antibody against the SRRM2 protein showed that nuclear speckles are already established in the cytoplasm of the late telophase and at the stage of early cytokinesis. In addition, we observed the occurrence of splicing factors in the nuclear blebs and micronuclei, which are also sites of both transcription and splicing. This conclusion supports the fact that splicing proceeds transcriptionally. According to our data, this process is A-type lamin-dependent. Lamin depletion also reduces the interaction between SC35 and β-catenin in mitotic cells.

• Klíčová slova
• PARP inhibitor, RNA pol II, SC-35, splicing,
• MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• laminy metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• PARP inhibitory terapeutické užití   MeSH
• poly(ADP-ribosa)polymerasa 1 MeSH
• RNA-polymerasa II metabolismus   MeSH
• sestřihové faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• laminy MeSH
• PARP inhibitory MeSH
• PARP1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• poly(ADP-ribosa)polymerasa 1 MeSH
• RNA-polymerasa II MeSH
• sestřihové faktory MeSH

Cellular senescence, induced by genotoxic or replication stress, is accompanied by defects in nuclear morphology and nuclear membrane-heterochromatin disruption. In this work, we analyzed cytological and molecular changes in the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex proteins in senescence triggered by γ-irradiation. We used human mammary carcinoma and osteosarcoma cell lines, both original and shRNA knockdown clones targeting lamin B receptor (LBR) and leading to LBR and lamin B (LB1) reduction. The expression status and integrity of LINC complex proteins (nesprin-1, SUN1, SUN2), lamin A/C, and emerin were analyzed by immunodetection using confocal microscopy and Western blot. The results show frequent mislocalization of these proteins from the nuclear membrane to cytoplasm and micronuclei and, in some cases, their fragmentation and amplification. The timing of these changes clearly preceded the onset of senescence. The LBR deficiency triggered neither senescence nor changes in the LINC protein distribution before irradiation. However, the cytological changes following irradiation were more pronounced in shRNA knockdown cells compared to original cell lines. We conclude that mislocalization of LINC complex proteins is a significant characteristic of cellular senescence phenotypes and may influence complex events at the nuclear membrane, including trafficking and heterochromatin attachment.

• Klíčová slova
• LINC complex proteins, SUN1/2, heterochromatin-nuclear membrane disconnection, lamin B receptor, nesprin-1, γ-irradiation,
• MeSH
• časoprostorová analýza MeSH
• jaderný obal metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové proteiny metabolismus   MeSH
• receptor laminu B MeSH
• receptory cytoplazmatické a nukleární genetika   MeSH
• stárnutí buněk genetika   MeSH
• záření gama terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• receptory cytoplazmatické a nukleární MeSH

Anchoring of heterochromatin to the nuclear envelope appears to be an important process ensuring the spatial organization of the chromatin structure and genome function in eukaryotic nuclei. Proteins of the inner nuclear membrane (INM) mediating these interactions are able to recognize lamina-associated heterochromatin domains (termed LAD) and simultaneously bind either lamin A/C or lamin B1. One of these proteins is the lamin B receptor (LBR) that binds lamin B1 and tethers heterochromatin to the INM in embryonic and undifferentiated cells. It is replaced by lamin A/C with specific lamin A/C binding proteins at the beginning of cell differentiation and in differentiated cells. Our functional experiments in cancer cell lines show that heterochromatin in cancer cells is tethered to the INM by LBR, which is downregulated together with lamin B1 at the onset of cell transition to senescence. The downregulation of these proteins in senescent cells leads to the detachment of centromeric repetitive sequences from INM, their relocation to the nucleoplasm, and distension. In cells, the expression of LBR and LB1 is highly coordinated as evidenced by the reduction of both proteins in LBR shRNA lines. The loss of the constitutive heterochromatin structure containing LADs results in changes in chromatin architecture and genome function and can be the reason for the permanent loss of cell proliferation in senescence.

• Klíčová slova
• cellular senescence, centromere-specific satellite heterochromatin, constitutive heterochromatin, heterochromatin tether, lamin A/C, lamin B receptor, lamin B1,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The role of the nucleolus and autophagy in maintenance of nuclear integrity is poorly understood. In addition, the mechanisms of nuclear destruction in cancer cells senesced after conventional chemotherapy are unclear. In an attempt to elucidate these issues, we studied teratocarcinoma PA1 cells treated with Etoposide (ETO), focusing on the nucleolus. Following treatment, most cells enter G2 arrest, display persistent DNA damage and activate p53, senescence, and macroautophagy markers. 2-5 µm sized nucleolar aggresomes (NoA) containing fibrillarin (FIB) and damaged rDNA, colocalized with ubiquitin, pAMPK, and LC3-II emerge, accompanied by heterochromatin fragments, when translocated perinuclearly. Microscopic counts following application of specific inhibitors revealed that formation of FIB-NoA is dependent on deficiency of the ubiquitin proteasome system coupled to functional autophagy. In contrast, the accompanying NoAs release of pericentric heterochromatin, which exceeds their frequency, is favored by debilitation of autophagic flux. Potential survivors release NoA in the cytoplasm during rare mitoses, while exit of pericentric fragments often depleted of H3K9Me3, with or without encompassing by NoA, occurs through the nucleolar protrusions and defects of the nuclear envelope. Foci of LC3-II are accumulated in the nucleoli undergoing cessation of rDNA transcription. As an origin of heterochromatin fragmentation, the unscheduled DNA synthesis and circular DNAs were found in the perinucleolar heterochromatin shell, along with activation and retrotransposition of ALU elements, colocalized with 45S rDNA in NoAs. The data indicate coordination of the basic nucleolar function with autophagy regulation in maintenance of the integrity of the nucleolus associated domains secured by inactivity of retrotransposons.

• Klíčová slova
• ALU retrotransposition, LADs, NADs, aggresome, autophagy, cellular senescence, nucleolus, pericentric fragments, rRNA transcription, ubiquitin-proteasome,
• MeSH
• autofagie účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• buněčné jadérko účinky léků   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• chromozomální proteiny, nehistonové metabolismus   MeSH
• etoposid toxicita   MeSH
• heterochromatin účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• inhibitor p16 cyklin-dependentní kinasy metabolismus   MeSH
• kontrolní body buněčného cyklu účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutageny toxicita   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• poškození DNA MeSH
• retroelementy účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• stárnutí buněk účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chromozomální proteiny, nehistonové MeSH
• etoposid MeSH
• fibrillarin MeSH Prohlížeč
• heterochromatin MeSH
• inhibitor p16 cyklin-dependentní kinasy MeSH
• mutageny MeSH
• retroelementy MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH