Plasticity of BRCA2 function in homologous recombination: Genetic interactions of the PALB2 and DNA binding domains Journal Article


Authors: Siaud, N.; Barbera, M. A.; Egashira, A.; Lam, I.; Christ, N.; Schlacher, K.; Xia, B.; Jasin, M.
Article Title: Plasticity of BRCA2 function in homologous recombination: Genetic interactions of the PALB2 and DNA binding domains
Abstract: The breast cancer suppressor BRCA2 is essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity in mammalian cells through its role in DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR). Human BRCA2 is 3,418 amino acids and is comprised of multiple domains that interact with the RAD51 recombinase and other proteins as well as with DNA. To gain insight into the cellular function of BRCA2 in HR, we created fusions consisting of various BRCA2 domains and also introduced mutations into these domains to disrupt specific protein and DNA interactions. We find that a BRCA2 fusion peptide deleted for the DNA binding domain and active in HR is completely dependent on interaction with the PALB2 tumor suppressor for activity. Conversely, a BRCA2 fusion peptide deleted for the PALB2 binding domain is dependent on an intact DNA binding domain, providing a role for this conserved domain in vivo; mutagenesis suggests that both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA binding activities in the DNA binding domain are required for its activity. Given that PALB2 itself binds DNA, these results suggest alternative mechanisms to deliver RAD51 to DNA. In addition, the BRCA2 C terminus contains both RAD51-dependent and -independent activities which are essential to HR in some contexts. Finally, binding the small peptide DSS1 is essential for activity when its binding domain is present, but not when it is absent. Our results reveal functional redundancy within the BRCA2 protein and emphasize the plasticity of this large protein built for optimal HR function in mammalian cells. The occurrence of disease-causing mutations throughout BRCA2 suggests sub-optimal HR from a variety of domain modulations. © 2011 Siaud et al.
Keywords: controlled study; unclassified drug; nonhuman; binding affinity; protein domain; protein function; animal cell; mammalia; homologous recombination; protein protein interaction; brca2 protein; double stranded dna; gene interaction; binding site; cell regeneration; single stranded dna; tumor suppressor protein; rad51 protein; protein dna interaction; protein palb2
Journal Title: PLoS Genetics
Volume: 7
Issue: 12
ISSN: 1553-7390
Publisher: Public Library of Science  
Date Published: 2011-12-01
Start Page: e1002409
Language: English
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002409
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC3240595
PUBMED: 22194698
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 1 February 2012" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Nicole Christ
    9 Christ
  2. Nicolas Siaud
    4 Siaud
  3. Maria Jasin
    249 Jasin
  4. Isabel Lam
    8 Lam