Repair of UV-Induced DNA Damage Independent of Nucleotide Excision Repair Is Masked by MUTYH

TitleRepair of UV-Induced DNA Damage Independent of Nucleotide Excision Repair Is Masked by MUTYH
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsMazouzi, Abdelghani, Battistini Federica, Moser Sarah C., da Silva Joana Ferreira, Wiedner Marc, Owusu Michel, Lardeau Charles-Hugues, Ringler Anna, Weil Beatrix, Neesen Jürgen, Orozco Modesto, Kubicek Stefan, and Loizou Joanna I.
JournalMolecular Cell
Volume68
Issue4
Pagination797 - 807
Date Published11/2017
ISBN Number1097-2765
Abstract

DNA lesions caused by UV damage are thought to be repaired solely by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway in human cells. Patients carrying mutations within genes functioning in this pathway display a range of pathologies, including an increased susceptibility to cancer, premature aging, and neurological defects. There are currently no curative therapies available. Here we performed a high-throughput chemical screen for agents that could alleviate the cellular sensitivity of NER-deficient cells to UV-induced DNA damage. This led to the identification of the clinically approved anti-diabetic drug acetohexamide, which promoted clearance of UV-induced DNA damage without the accumulation of chromosomal aberrations, hence promoting cellular survival. Acetohexamide exerted this protective function by antagonizing expression of the DNA glycosylase, MUTYH. Together, our data reveal the existence of an NER-independent mechanism to remove UV-induced DNA damage and prevent cell death.DNA lesions caused by UV damage are thought to be repaired solely by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway in human cells. Patients carrying mutations within genes functioning in this pathway display a range of pathologies, including an increased susceptibility to cancer, premature aging, and neurological defects. There are currently no curative therapies available. Here we performed a high-throughput chemical screen for agents that could alleviate the cellular sensitivity of NER-deficient cells to UV-induced DNA damage. This led to the identification of the clinically approved anti-diabetic drug acetohexamide, which promoted clearance of UV-induced DNA damage without the accumulation of chromosomal aberrations, hence promoting cellular survival. Acetohexamide exerted this protective function by antagonizing expression of the DNA glycosylase, MUTYH. Together, our data reveal the existence of an NER-independent mechanism to remove UV-induced DNA damage and prevent cell death.

URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2017.10.021
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