DNA-PK is activated by SIRT2 deacetylation to promote DNA double-strand break repair by non-homologous end joining

Abstract

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a critical role in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), the predominant pathway that repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in response to ionizing radiation (IR) to govern genome integrity. The interaction of the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PKcs) with the Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer on DSBs leads to DNA-PK activation; however, it is not known if upstream signaling events govern this activation. Here, we reveal a regulatory step governing DNA-PK activation by SIRT2 deacetylation, which facilitates DNA-PKcs localization to DSBs and interaction with Ku, thereby promoting DSB repair by NHEJ. SIRT2 deacetylase activity governs cellular resistance to DSB-inducing agents and promotes NHEJ. SIRT2 furthermore interacts with and deacetylates DNA-PKcs in response to IR. SIRT2 deacetylase activity facilitates DNA-PKcs interaction with Ku and localization to DSBs and promotes DNA-PK activation and phosphorylation of downstream NHEJ substrates. Moreover, targeting SIRT2 with AGK2, a SIRT2-specific inhibitor, augments the efficacy of IR in cancer cells and tumors. Our findings define a regulatory step for DNA-PK activation by SIRT2-mediated deacetylation, elucidating a critical upstream signaling event initiating the repair of DSBs by NHEJ. Furthermore, our data suggest that SIRT2 inhibition may be a promising rationale-driven therapeutic strategy for increasing the effectiveness of radiation therapy.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jul 03, 2023
Source ID
10.1093/nar/gkad549

Entities

People

  • Anthony J. Davis
  • Bassel El-rayes
  • Boying Song
  • David M Smalley
  • David S Yu
  • Diana Danelia
  • Duc M. Duong
  • Elizabeth V Minten
  • Eric A. Ortlund
  • Fatmata Sesay
  • Ganji P Nagaraju
  • Hui Zhang
  • Nho C Luong
  • Nicholas T Seyfried
  • Pamelasara E Head
  • Priya Kapoor-vazirani
  • Ramona Haji-seyed-javadi
  • Sandip K Rath
  • Shi-ya Wang
  • Shuyi Li
  • Waaqo Daddacha
  • William S Dynan
  • Xingming Deng
  • Xu Liu
  • Ya Wang

Organizations

  • Augusta University
  • Emory University
  • Georgia Tech
  • National Cancer Institute
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences
  • National Institutes of Health
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
  • Winship Cancer Institute

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Criminal Law
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics