The Post-Synaptic Function of Brca2

Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 14;9(1):4554. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41054-y.

Abstract

Homologous Recombination (HR) is a high-fidelity process with a range of biologic functions from generation of genetic diversity to repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). In mammalian cells, BRCA2 facilitates the polymerization of RAD51 onto ssDNA to form a presynaptic nucleoprotein filament. This filament can then strand invade a homologous dsDNA to form the displacement loop (D-loop) structure leading to the eventual DSB repair. Here, we have found that RAD51 in stoichiometric excess over ssDNA can cause D-loop disassembly in vitro; furthermore, we show that this RAD51 activity is countered by BRCA2. These results demonstrate that BRCA2 may have a previously unexpected activity: regulation of HR at a post-synaptic stage by modulating RAD51-mediated D-loop dissociation. Our in vitro results suggest a mechanistic underpinning of homeostasis between RAD51 and BRCA2, which is an important factor of HR in mammalian cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • BRCA2 Protein / chemistry
  • BRCA2 Protein / metabolism*
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded*
  • DNA Repair*
  • Homologous Recombination*
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Rad51 Recombinase / chemistry
  • Rad51 Recombinase / metabolism*

Substances

  • BRCA2 Protein
  • BRCA2 protein, human
  • DNA
  • RAD51 protein, human
  • Rad51 Recombinase