Mitosis without DNA replication in mammalian somatic cells

SUMMARYDNA replication initiates with pre-replication complex (pre-RC) formation at replication origins in G1 (replication origin licensing), followed by activation of a pre-RC subset in the S phase. It has been suggested that a checkpoint prevents S phase entry when too few origins are licensed. Yet, we found that in normal cells, complete DNA synthesis inhibition by overexpression of a non-degradable geminin variant, or by CDT1 silencing prevents DNA replication without inducing any checkpoint. Cells continue cycling and enter mitosis, despite the absence of replicated DNA. Most of these unlicensed cells exit mitosis without dividing and enter senescence; however, about 25% of them successfully divide without previous DNA replication, producing daughter cells with half the normal diploid complement of chromosomes (1C). This suggests a potentially attractive strategy to derive haploid cells from any somatic cell type and unveil undescribed aspects of the coordination between DNA replication and cell division in mammals.</jats:p

MCM8-and MCM9 Deficiencies Cause Lifelong Increased Hematopoietic DNA Damage Driving p53- Dependent Myeloid Tumors

International audienceHematopoiesis is particularly sensitive to DNA damage. Myeloid tumor incidence increases in patients with DNA repair defects and after chemotherapy. It is not known why hematopoietic cells are highly vulnerable to DNA damage. Addressing this question is complicated by the paucity of mouse models of hematopoietic malignancies due to defective DNA repair. We show that DNA repair-deficient Mcm8- and Mcm9-knockout mice develop myeloid tumors, phenocopying prevalent myelodysplastic syndromes. We demonstrate that these tumors are preceded by a lifelong DNA damage burden in bone marrow and that they acquire proliferative capacity by suppressing signaling of the tumor suppressor and cell cycle controller RB, as often seen in patients. Finally, we found that absence of MCM9 and the tumor suppressor Tp53 switches tumorigenesis to lymphoid tumors without precedent myeloid malignancy. Our results demonstrate that MCM8/9 deficiency drives myeloid tumor development and establishes a DNA damage burdened mouse model for hematopoietic malignancies

MCM9 Is Required for Mammalian DNA Mismatch Repair

International audienceDNA mismatch repair (MMR) is an evolutionarily conserved process that corrects DNA polymerase errors during replication to maintain genomic integrity. In E. coli, the DNA helicase UvrD is implicated in MMR, yet an analogous helicase activity has not been identified in eukaryotes. Here, we show that mammalian MCM9, a protein involved in replication and homologous recombination, forms a complex with MMR initiation proteins (MSH2, MSH3, MLH1, PMS1, and the clamp loader RFC) and is essential for MMR. Mcm9−/− cells display microsatellite instability and MMR deficiency. The MCM9 complex has a helicase activity that is required for efficient MMR since wild-type but not helicase-dead MCM9 restores MMR activity in Mcm9−/− cells. Moreover, MCM9 loading onto chromatin is MSH2-dependent, and in turn MCM9 stimulates the recruitment of MLH1 to chromatin. Our results reveal a role for MCM9 and its helicase activity in mammalian MMR

Consistent success in life-supporting porcine cardiac xenotransplantation

Heart transplantation is the only cure for patients with terminal cardiac failure, but the supply of allogeneic donor organs falls far short of the clinical need1–3. Xenotransplantation of genetically modified pig hearts has been discussed as a potential alternative4. Genetically multi-modified pig hearts that lack galactose-α1,3-galactose epitopes (α1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout) and express a human membrane cofactor protein (CD46) and human thrombomodulin have survived for up to 945 days after heterotopic abdominal transplantation in baboons5. This model demonstrated long-term acceptance of discordant xenografts with safe immunosuppression but did not predict their life-supporting function. Despite 25 years of extensive research, the maximum survival of a baboon after heart replacement with a porcine xenograft was only 57 days and this was achieved, to our knowledge, only once6. Here we show that α1,3-galactosyltransferase-knockout pig hearts that express human CD46 and thrombomodulin require non-ischaemic preservation with continuous perfusion and control of post-transplantation growth to ensure long-term orthotopic function of the xenograft in baboons, the most stringent preclinical xenotransplantation model. Consistent life-supporting function of xenografted hearts for up to 195 days is a milestone on the way to clinical cardiac xenotransplantation7