Cyclin-dependent kinase suppression by WEE1 kinase protects the genome through control of replication initiation and nucleotide consumption

Halfdan Beck, Viola Nähse-Kumpf, Marie Sofie Yoo Larsen, Karen Arabella O'Hanlon, Sebastian Patzke, Christian Henrik Holmberg, Jakob Mejlvang, Anja Groth, Olaf Nielsen, Randi Gussgard Syljuåsen, Claus Storgaard Sørensen

150 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Activation of oncogenes or inhibition of WEE1 kinase deregulates cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity and leads to replication stress; however, the underlying mechanism is not understood.Wenow show that elevation ofCDKactivity by inhibition of WEE1 kinase rapidly increases initiation of replication. This leads to nucleotide shortage and reduces replication fork speed, which is followed by SLX4/MUS81-mediatedDNAdouble-strand breakage. Fork speed is normalized andDNAdouble-strand break (DSB) formation is suppressed when CDT1, a key factor for replication initiation, is depleted. Furthermore, addition of nucleosides counteracts the effects of unscheduledCDKactivity on fork speed andDNADSB formation. Finally, we show that WEE1 regulates the ionizing radiation (IR)-induced S-phase checkpoint, consistent with its role in control of replication initiation. In conclusion, these results suggest that deregulatedCDKactivity, such as that occurring following inhibition of WEE1 kinase or activation of oncogenes, induces replication stress and loss of genomic integrity through increased firing of replication origins and subsequent nucleotide shortage.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology
Volume32
Issue number20
Pages (from-to)4226-4236
Number of pages11
ISSN0270-7306
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

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