Che-1 phosphorylation by ATM/ATR and Chk2 kinases activates p53 transcription and the G2/M checkpoint

Cancer Cell. 2006 Dec;10(6):473-86. doi: 10.1016/j.ccr.2006.10.012.

Abstract

Che-1 is a RNA polymerase II-binding protein involved in the transcription of E2F target genes and induction of cell proliferation. Here we show that Che-1 contributes to DNA damage response and that its depletion sensitizes cells to anticancer agents. The checkpoint kinases ATM/ATR and Chk2 interact with Che-1 and promote its phosphorylation and accumulation in response to DNA damage. These Che-1 modifications induce a specific recruitment of Che-1 on the TP53 and p21 promoters. Interestingly, it has a profound effect on the basal expression of p53, which is preserved following DNA damage. Notably, Che-1 contributes to the maintenance of the G2/M checkpoint induced by DNA damage. These findings identify a mechanism by which checkpoint kinases regulate responses to DNA damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology*
  • Cell Division
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / genetics
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • G2 Phase
  • Genes, p53*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Phosphorylation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • AATF protein, human
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • ATM protein, human
  • ATR protein, human
  • Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins
  • Atm protein, mouse
  • CHEK2 protein, human
  • Chek2 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases