http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/1746/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/35271/ 2007-08-01T00:00:00Z Live cell studies of DNA repair mechanisms are greatly enhanced by new developments in real-time visualization of repair factors in living cells. Combined with recent advances in local sub-nuclear DNA damage induction procedures these methods have yielded detailed information on the dynamics of damage recognition and repair. Here we analyze and discuss the various types of DNA damage induced in cells by three different local damage induction methods: pulsed 800 nm laser irradiation, Hoechst 33342 treatment combined with 405 nm laser irradiation and UV-C (266 nm) laser irradiation. A wide variety of damage was detected with the first two methods, including pyrimidine dimers and single- and double-strand breaks. However, many aspects of the cellular response to presensitization by Hoechst 33342 and subsequent 405 nm irradiation were aberrant from those to every other DNA damaging method described here or in the literature. Whereas, application of low-dose 266 nm laser irradiation induced only UV-specific DNA photolesions allowing the study of the UV-C-induced DNA damage response in a user-defined area in cultured cells. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/13099/ 2002-09-01T00:00:00Z http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/3192/ 2002-01-08T00:00:00Z Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) efficiently removes a variety of lesions from the transcribed strand of active genes. By allowing rapid resumption of RNA synthesis, the process is of major importance for cellular resistance to transcription-blocking genotoxic damage. Mutations in the Cockayne syndrome group A or B (CSA or CSB) gene result in defective TCR. However, the exact mechanism of TCR in mammalian cells remains to be elucidated. We found that CSA protein is rapidly translocated to the nuclear matrix after UV irradiation. The translocation of CSA was independent of Xeroderma pigmentosum group C, which is specific to the global genome repair subpathway of nucleotide excision repair (NER) and of the core NER factor Xeroderma pigmentosum group A but required the CSB protein. In UV-irradiated cells, CSA protein colocalized with the hyperphosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II, engaged in transcription elongation. The translocation of CSA was also induced by treatment of the cells with cisplatin or hydrogen peroxide, both of which produce damage that is subjected to TCR but not induced by treatment with dimethyl sulfate, which produces damage that is not subjected to TCR. The hydrogen peroxide-induced translocation of CSA was also CSB dependent. These findings establish a link between TCR and the nuclear matrix mediated by CSA. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/9509/ 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z The Rad50, Mre11 and Nbs1 complex is involved in many essential chromosomal organization processes dealing with DNA ends, including two major pathways of DNA double-strand break repair, homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining. Previous data on the structure of the human Rad50 and Mre11 (R/M) complex suggest that a common role for the protein complex in these processes is to provide a physical link between DNA ends such that they can be processed in an organized and coordinated manner. Here we describe the DNA binding properties of the R/M complex. The complex bound to both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. Scanning force microscopy analysis of DNA binding by R/M showed the requirement for an end to form oligomeric R/M complexes, which could then migrate or transfer away from the end. The R/M complex had a lower preference for DNA substrates with 3'-overhangs compared with blunt ends or 5'-overhangs. Interestingly, ATP binding, but not hydrolysis, increased the preference of R/M binding to DNA substrates with 3'-overhangs relative to substrates with blunt ends and 5'-overhangs. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/9998/ 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z The Rad50, Mre11 and Nbs1 complex is involved in many essential chromosomal organization processes dealing with DNA ends, including two major pathways of DNA double-strand break repair, homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining. Previous data on the structure of the human Rad50 and Mre11 (R/M) complex suggest that a common role for the protein complex in these processes is to provide a physical link between DNA ends such that they can be processed in an organized and coordinated manner. Here we describe the DNA binding properties of the R/M complex. The complex bound to both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA. Scanning force microscopy analysis of DNA binding by R/M showed the requirement for an end to form oligomeric R/M complexes, which could then migrate or transfer away from the end. The R/M complex had a lower preference for DNA substrates with 3'-overhangs compared with blunt ends or 5'-overhangs. Interestingly, ATP binding, but not hydrolysis, increased the preference of R/M binding to DNA substrates with 3'-overhangs relative to substrates with blunt ends and 5'-overhangs. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/9508/ 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z - DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in eukaryotic cells can be repaired by non-homologous end-joining or homologous recombination. The complex containing the Mre11, Rad50 and Nbs1 proteins has been implicated in both DSB repair pathways, even though they are mechanistically different. To get a better understanding of the properties of the human Mre11 (hMre11) protein, we investigated some of its biochemical activities. We found that hMre11 binds both double- and single-stranded (ss)DNA, with a preference for ssDNA. hMre11 does not require DNA ends for efficient binding. Interestingly, hMre11 mediates the annealing of complementary ssDNA molecules. In contrast to the annealing activity of the homologous recombination protein hRad52, the activity of hMre11 is abrogated by the ssDNA binding protein hRPA. We discuss the possible implications of the results for the role(s) of hMre11 in both DSB repair pathways. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/9605/ 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in eukaryotic cells can be repaired by non-homologous end-joining or homologous recombination. The complex containing the Mre11, Rad50 and Nbs1 proteins has been implicated in both DSB repair pathways, even though they are mechanistically different. To get a better understanding of the properties of the human Mre11 (hMre11) protein, we investigated some of its biochemical activities. We found that hMre11 binds both double- and single-stranded (ss)DNA, with a preference for ssDNA. hMre11 does not require DNA ends for efficient binding. Interestingly, hMre11 mediates the annealing of complementary ssDNA molecules. In contrast to the annealing activity of the homologous recombination protein hRad52, the activity of hMre11 is abrogated by the ssDNA binding protein hRPA. We discuss the possible implications of the results for the role(s) of hMre11 in both DSB repair pathways.