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Image-Based Modeling Reveals Dynamic Redistribution of DNA Damage into Nuclear Sub-Domains

Journal Article · · PLoS Computational Biology (Online)
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [3]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Life Sciences Division; DOE/OSTI
  2. NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (United States); Universities Space Research Association, Houston, TX (United States)
  3. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Life Sciences Division
  4. NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX (United States)
Several proteins involved in the response to DNA double strand breaks (DSB) form microscopically visible nuclear domains, or foci, after exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation-induced foci (RIF) are believed to be located where DNA damage occurs. To test this assumption, we analyzed the spatial distribution of 53BP1, phosphorylated ATM, and cH2AX RIF in cells irradiated with high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation and low LET. Since energy is randomly deposited along high-LET particle paths, RIF along these paths should also be randomly distributed. The probability to induce DSB can be derived from DNA fragment data measured experimentally by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. We used this probability in Monte Carlo simulations to predict DSB locations in synthetic nuclei geometrically described by a complete set of human chromosomes, taking into account microscope optics from real experiments. As expected, simulations produced DNA-weighted random (Poisson) distributions. In contrast, the distributions of RIF obtained as early as 5 min after exposure to high LET (1 GeV/amu Fe) were non-random. This deviation from the expected DNA-weighted random pattern can be further characterized by ‘‘relative DNA image measurements.’’ This novel imaging approach shows that RIF were located preferentially at the interface between high and low DNA density regions, and were more frequent than predicted in regions with lower DNA density. The same preferential nuclear location was also measured for RIF induced by 1 Gy of low-LET radiation. This deviation from random behavior was evident only 5 min after irradiation for phosphorylated ATM RIF, while cH2AX and 53BP1 RIF showed pronounced deviations up to 30 min after exposure. These data suggest that DNA damage–induced foci are restricted to certain regions of the nucleus of human epithelial cells. It is possible that DNA lesions are collected in these nuclear sub-domains for more efficient repair.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
1627183
Journal Information:
PLoS Computational Biology (Online), Journal Name: PLoS Computational Biology (Online) Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 3; ISSN 1553-7358
Publisher:
Public Library of ScienceCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Use of the γ-H2AX Assay to Investigate DNA Repair Dynamics Following Multiple Radiation Exposures journal November 2013
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Predicting DNA damage foci and their experimental readout with 2D microscopy: a unified approach applied to photon and neutron exposures journal September 2019
Particles with similar LET values generate DNA breaks of different complexity and reparability: a high-resolution microscopy analysis of γH2AX/53BP1 foci journal January 2018
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Evidence for formation of DNA repair centers and dose-response nonlinearity in human cells journal December 2011
Measurement of complex DNA damage induction and repair in human cellular systems after exposure to ionizing radiations of varying linear energy transfer (LET) journal October 2016
DNA double-strand breaks in heterochromatin elicit fast repair protein recruitment, histone H2AX phosphorylation and relocation to euchromatin journal April 2011
New tricks for an old fox: Impact of TGF  on the DNA damage response and genomic stability journal September 2014
Development and validation of 'AutoRIF': software for the automated analysis of radiation-induced foci journal January 2012
Persistence of γ-H2AX and 53BP1 foci in proliferating and non-proliferating human mammary epithelial cells after exposure to γ-rays or iron ions journal January 2011
Ionizing Radiation-Induced Cellular Senescence in Normal, Non-transformed Cells and the Involved DNA Damage Response: A Mini Review journal May 2018
Measurement of complex DNA damage induction and repair in human cellular systems after exposure to ionizing radiations of varying linear energy transfer (LET) text January 2016
Measurement of complex DNA damage induction and repair in human cellular systems after exposure to ionizing radiations of varying linear energy transfer (LET) text January 2016