The Tousled-Like Kinases as Guardians of Genome Integrity

Abstract

The Tousled-like kinases (TLKs) function in processes of chromatin assembly, including replication, transcription, repair, and chromosome segregation. TLKs interact specifically (and phosphorylate) with the chromatin assembly factor Asf1, a histone H3-H4 chaperone, histone H3 itself at Ser10, and also Rad9, a key protein involved in DNA repair and cell cycle signaling following DNA damage. These interactions are believed to be responsible for the action of TLKs in double-stranded break repair and radioprotection and also in the propagation of the DNA damage response. Hence, I propose that TLKs play key roles in maintenance of genome integrity in many organisms of both kingdoms. In this paper, I highlight key issues of the known roles of these proteins, particularly in the context of DNA repair (IR and UV), their possible relevance to genome integrity and cancer development, and as possible targets for intervention in cancer management.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
May 20, 2012
Source ID
10.5402/2012/627596

Entities

People

  • Arrigo De Benedetti

Organizations

  • LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology