Disrupted control of origin activation compromises genome integrity upon destabilization of Polε and dysfunction of the TRP53-CDKN1A/P21 axis

Cell Rep. 2022 May 31;39(9):110871. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110871.

Abstract

The maintenance of genome stability relies on coordinated control of origin activation and replication fork progression. How the interplay between these processes influences human genetic disease and cancer remains incompletely characterized. Here we show that mouse cells featuring Polε instability exhibit impaired genome-wide activation of DNA replication origins, in an origin-location-independent manner. Strikingly, Trp53 ablation in primary Polε hypomorphic cells increased Polε levels and origin activation and reduced DNA damage in a transcription-dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis of primary Trp53 knockout cells revealed that the TRP53-CDKN1A/P21 axis maintains appropriate levels of replication factors and CDK activity during unchallenged S phase. Loss of this control mechanism deregulates origin activation and perturbs genome-wide replication fork progression. Thus, while our data support an impaired origin activation model for genetic diseases affecting CMG formation, we propose that loss of the TRP53-CDKN1A/P21 tumor suppressor axis induces inappropriate origin activation and deregulates genome-wide fork progression.

Keywords: CDKN1A/P21; CP: Molecular biology; DNA replication; Polε; TRP53; genome stability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21* / genetics
  • DNA Damage / genetics
  • DNA Polymerase II* / genetics
  • DNA Replication* / genetics
  • Mice
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins* / genetics
  • Replication Origin*
  • S Phase
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53* / genetics

Substances

  • Cdkn1a protein, mouse
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins
  • Trp53 protein, mouse
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • DNA Polymerase II
  • Pole protein, mouse