Autophosphorylation of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit is required for rejoining of DNA double-strand breaks
Genes & development, 2002•genesdev.cshlp.org
Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is the predominant pathway that repairs DNA double-
strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK),
consisting of Ku and DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is activated by DNA in vitro and
is required for NHEJ. We report that DNA-PKcs is autophosphorylated at Thr2609 in vivo in a
Ku-dependent manner in response to ionizing radiation. Phosphorylated DNA-PKcs
colocalizes with both γ-H2AX and 53BP1 after DNA damage. Mutation of Thr2609 to Ala …
strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK),
consisting of Ku and DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is activated by DNA in vitro and
is required for NHEJ. We report that DNA-PKcs is autophosphorylated at Thr2609 in vivo in a
Ku-dependent manner in response to ionizing radiation. Phosphorylated DNA-PKcs
colocalizes with both γ-H2AX and 53BP1 after DNA damage. Mutation of Thr2609 to Ala …
Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is the predominant pathway that repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mammalian cells. The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), consisting of Ku and DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is activated by DNA in vitro and is required for NHEJ. We report that DNA-PKcs is autophosphorylated at Thr2609 in vivo in a Ku-dependent manner in response to ionizing radiation. Phosphorylated DNA-PKcs colocalizes with both γ-H2AX and 53BP1 after DNA damage. Mutation of Thr2609 to Ala leads to radiation sensitivity and impaired DSB rejoining. These findings establish that Ku-dependent phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at Thr2609 is required for the repair of DSBs by NHEJ.
genesdev.cshlp.org