Abstract:
The p53 and BRCA1 tumor suppressors are involved in repair processes and may
cooperate to transactivate certain genes, including p21WAF1/CIP1 and GADD45.
We find that the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Complementation group E (XPE) mutated
Damaged-DNA binding protein p48 (DDB2) is upregulated by BRCA1 in a p53-dependent
manner following UVC, Adriamycin, or Cisplatin exposure. BRCA1 enhances p53
binding to the DDB2 promoter in vivo as well as p53-dependent transactivation
of DDB2 promoter-reporter constructs through a classical p53 DNA responsive
element. Antisense abrogation of BRCA1 expression abrogates upregulation of
DDB2 after UVC or cisplatin exposure. Using a host cell reactivation assay,
DNA repair activity is more significantly restored by introduction of BRCA1
into wt as compared to DDB2-deficient cells. Furthermore disappearance of the
photoproducts cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) and 6-4 photoproduct (6-4PP)
was delayed by antisense abrogation of BRCA1 expression in UV-exposed human
cells. Thus the DNA repair function of BRCA1 may be attributed in part to p53-dependent
transcriptional induction of DDB2. Loss of BRCA1-dependent DDB2 repair function
may contribute to cancer susceptibility and cellular sensitivity to DNA damage.