Yeast Sub1 and human PC4 are G-quadruplex binding proteins that suppress genome instability at co-transcriptionally formed G4 DNA

Christopher R. Lopez, Shivani Singh, Shashank Hambarde, Wezley C. Griffin, Jun Gao, Shubeena Chib, Yang Yu, Grzegorz Ira, Kevin D. Raney, Nayun Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

G-quadruplex or G4 DNA is a non-B secondary DNA structure consisting of a stacked array of guanine-quartets that can disrupt critical cellular functions such as replication and transcription. When sequences that can adopt Non-B structures including G4 DNA are located within actively transcribed genes, the reshaping of DNA topology necessary for transcription process stimulates secondary structure-formation thereby amplifying the potential for genome instability. Using a reporter assay designed to study G4-induced recombination in the context of an actively transcribed locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we tested whether cotranscriptional activator Sub1, recently identified as a G4-binding factor, contributes to genome maintenance at G4-forming sequences. Our data indicate that, upon Sub1-disruption, genome instability linked to co-transcriptionally formedG4 DNA in Top1- deficient cells is significantly augmented and that its highly conserved DNA binding domain or the human homolog PC4 is sufficient to suppress G4-associated genome instability. We also show that Sub1 interacts specifically with co-transcriptionally formed G4 DNA in vivo and that yeast cells become highly sensitivity to G4-stabilizing chemical ligands by the loss of Sub1. Finally, we demonstrate the physical and genetic interaction of Sub1 with the G4-resolving helicase Pif1, suggesting a possible mechanism by which Sub1 suppresses instability at G4 DNA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5850-5862
Number of pages13
JournalNucleic Acids Research
Volume45
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics

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