A comprehensive analysis of radiosensitization targets; functional inhibition of DNA methyltransferase 3B radiosensitizes by disrupting DNA damage regulation

Sci Rep. 2015 Dec 15:5:18231. doi: 10.1038/srep18231.

Abstract

A comprehensive genome-wide screen of radiosensitization targets in HeLa cells was performed using a shRNA-library/functional cluster analysis and DNMT3B was identified as a candidate target. DNMT3B RNAi increased the sensitivity of HeLa, A549 and HCT116 cells to both γ-irradiation and carbon-ion beam irradiation. DNMT3B RNAi reduced the activation of DNA damage responses induced by γ-irradiation, including HP1β-, γH2AX- and Rad51-foci formation. DNMT3B RNAi impaired damage-dependent H2AX accumulation and showed a reduced level of γH2AX induction after γ-irradiation. DNMT3B interacted with HP1β in non-irradiated conditions, whereas irradiation abrogated the DNMT3B/HP1β complex but induced interaction between DNMT3B and H2AX. Consistent with radiosensitization, TP63, BAX, PUMA and NOXA expression was induced after γ-irradiation in DNMT3B knockdown cells. Together with the observation that H2AX overexpression canceled radiosensitization by DNMT3B RNAi, these results suggest that DNMT3B RNAi induced radiosensitization through impairment of damage-dependent HP1β foci formation and efficient γH2AX-induction mechanisms including H2AX accumulation. Enhanced radiosensitivity by DNMT3B RNAi was also observed in a tumor xenograft model. Taken together, the current study implies that comprehensive screening accompanied by a cluster analysis enabled the identification of radiosensitization targets. Downregulation of DNMT3B, one of the targets identified using this method, radiosensitizes cancer cells by disturbing multiple DNA damage responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / radiation effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Cell Survival / radiation effects
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / genetics*
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / metabolism
  • DNA Damage*
  • DNA Methylation*
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3B
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gamma Rays
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Radiation Tolerance / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • CBX1 protein, human
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Histones
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Chromobox Protein Homolog 5
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases