Aspergillus nidulans uvsB super(ATR) and scaA super(NBS1) Genes Show Genetic Interactions during Recovery from Replication Stress and DNA Damage

• Published in: Eukaryotic cell Vol. 4; no. 7; pp. 1239 - 1252
• Main Authors: Fagundes, Marcia Regina von Zeska Kress, Semighini, Camile P, Malavazi, Iran, Savoldi, Marcela, de Lima, Joel Fernandes, de Souza Goldman, Maria Helena, Harris, Steven D, Goldman, Gustavo Henrique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-2005
• Subjects: Aspergillus nidulans
• ISSN: 1535-9778; 1535-9786

The ATM/ATR kinases and the Mre11 (Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1) protein complex are central players in the cellular DNA damage response. Here we characterize possible interactions between Aspergillus nidulans uvsB super(ATR) and the Mre11 complex (scaA super(NBS1)). We demonstrate that there is an epistatic relationship between uvsB super(ATR), the homolog of the ATR/MEC1 gene, and scaA super(NBS1), the homolog of the NBS1/XRS2 gene, for both repair and checkpoint functions and that correct ScaA super(NBS1) expression during recovery from replication stress depends on uvsB super(ATR). In addition, we also show that the formation of UvsC foci during recovery from replication stress is dependent on both uvsB super(ATR) and scaA super(NBS1) function. Furthermore, ScaA super(NBS1) is also dependent on uvsB super(ATR) for nuclear focus formation upon the induction of DNA double-strand breaks by phleomycin. Our results highlight the extensive genetic interactions between UvsB and the Mre11 complex that are required for S-phase progression and recovery from DNA damage.