Impairment of BRCA1-related DNA double-strand break repair leads to ovarian aging in mice and humans Journal Article


Authors: Titus, S.; Li, F.; Stobezki, R.; Akula, K.; Unsal, E.; Jeong, K.; Dickler, M.; Robson, M.; Moy, F.; Goswami, S.; Oktay, K.
Article Title: Impairment of BRCA1-related DNA double-strand break repair leads to ovarian aging in mice and humans
Abstract: The underlying mechanism behind age-induced wastage of the human ovarian follicle reserve is unknown. We identify impaired ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated)-mediated DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair as a cause of aging in mouse and human oocytes. We show that DSBs accumulate in primordial follicles with age. In parallel, expression of key DNA DSB repair genes BRCA1, MRE11, Rad51, and ATM, but not BRCA2, declines in single mouse and human oocytes. In Brca1-deficient mice, reproductive capacity was impaired, primordial follicle counts were lower, and DSBs were increased in remaining follicles with age relative to wildtype mice. Furthermore, oocyte-specific knockdown of Brca1, MRE11, Rad51, and ATM expression increased DSBs and reduced survival, whereas Brca1 overexpression enhanced both parameters. Likewise, ovarian reserve was impaired in young women with germline BRCA1 mutations compared to controls as determined by serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone. These data implicate DNA DSB repair efficiency as an important determinant of oocyte aging in women.
Journal Title: Science Translational Medicine
Volume: 5
Issue: 172
ISSN: 1946-6234
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science  
Date Published: 2013-02-13
Start Page: 172ra21
Language: English
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3004925
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 23408054
PMCID: PMC5130338
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 1" - "Export Date: 1 March 2013" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Mark E Robson
    676 Robson
  2. Maura N Dickler
    262 Dickler