A kinase independent role of Chk1 in the replication of damaged DNA

SPERONI J, FEDERICO B, MANSILLA S, SORIA G AND GOTTIFREDI V

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

NATL ACAD SCIENCES

Lugar: Washington DC, USA; Año: 2012 vol. 109 p. 7344 - 7349

0027-8424

The checkpoint kinases Chk1 and ATR are broadly known for their role in the response to the accumulation of damaged DNA. Since Chk1 activation requires its phosphorylation by ATR, it is expected that ATR or Chk1 downregulation should cause similar alterations in the signals triggered by DNA lesions. Intriguingly, we found that Chk1 -but not ATR- promotes the progression of replication forks after UV irradiation. Strikingly, this novel role of Chk1 is independent of its kinase-domain and of its partnership with Claspin. Instead, we demonstrate that the ability of Chk1 to promote replication fork progression on damaged DNA templates relies on its recently identified PCNA-interacting motif, which is required for its release from chromatin after DNA damage. Also supporting the importance of Chk1 release, a histone H2B-Chk1 chimera, which is permanently immobilized in chromatin, is unable to promote the replication of damaged DNA. Moreover, inefficient chromatin dissociation of Chk1 impairs the efficient recruitment of the specialized DNA polymerase  (pol  to replication-associated foci after UV. Given the critical role of pol  during translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), these findings unveil a novel and unforeseen facet of the regulation by Chk1 of DNA replication. This kinase independent role of Chk1 is exclusively associated to the maintenance of active replication forks after UV irradiation in a manner in which Chk1 release prompts TLS to avoid replication stalling.