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Unrepaired DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) cause genetic instability that leads to malignant transformation or cell death. Cells respond to DSBs with the ordered recruitment of signalling and repair proteins to the site of lesion. Protein modification with ubiquitin is crucial for the signalling cascade, but how ubiquitylation coordinates the dynamic assembly of these complexes is poorly understood. Here, we show that the human ubiquitin-selective protein segregase p97 (also known as VCP; valosin-containing protein) cooperates with the ubiquitin ligase RNF8 to orchestrate assembly of signalling complexes and efficient DSB repair after exposure to ionizing radiation. p97 is recruited to DNA lesions by its ubiquitin adaptor UFD1-NPL4 and Lys-48-linked ubiquitin (K48-Ub) chains, whose formation is regulated by RNF8. p97 subsequently removes K48-Ub conjugates from sites of DNA damage to orchestrate proper association of 53BP1, BRCA1 and RAD51, three factors critical for DNA repair and genome surveillance mechanisms. Impairment of p97 activity decreases the level of DSB repair and cell survival after exposure to ionizing radiation. These findings identify the p97-UFD1-NPL4 complex as an essential factor in ubiquitin-governed DNA-damage response, highlighting its importance in guarding genome stability.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/ncb2367

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Cell Biol

Publication Date

23/10/2011

Volume

13

Pages

1376 - 1382

Keywords

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport, Adenosine Triphosphatases, BRCA1 Protein, Cell Cycle Proteins, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Nucleus, Cell Survival, DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded, DNA Repair, DNA-Binding Proteins, Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation, Genomic Instability, HEK293 Cells, Humans, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Nuclear Proteins, Protein Processing, Post-Translational, Protein Transport, Proteins, RNA Interference, Signal Transduction, Time Factors, Transfection, Tumor Suppressor p53-Binding Protein 1, Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases, Ubiquitination, Valosin Containing Protein