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A cancer-associated BRCA2 mutation reveals masked nuclear export signals controlling localization

  • Anand D. Jeyasekharan
  • , Yang Liu
  • , Hiroyoshi Hattori
  • , Venkat Pisupati
  • , Asta Bjork Jonsdottir
  • , Eeson Rajendra
  • , Miyoung Lee
  • , Elayanambi Sundaramoorthy
  • , Simon Schlachter
  • , Clemens F. Kaminski
  • , Yaara Ofir-Rosenfeld
  • , Ko Sato
  • , Jane Savill
  • , Nabieh Ayoub
  • , Ashok R. Venkitaraman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Germline missense mutations affecting a single BRCA2 allele predispose humans to cancer. Here we identify a protein-targeting mechanism that is disrupted by the cancer-associated mutation, BRCA2 D2723H, and that controls the nuclear localization of BRCA2 and its cargo, the recombination enzyme RAD51. A nuclear export signal (NES) in BRCA2 is masked by its interaction with a partner protein, DSS1, such that point mutations impairing BRCA2-DSS1 binding render BRCA2 cytoplasmic. In turn, cytoplasmic mislocalization of mutant BRCA2 inhibits the nuclear retention of RAD51 by exposing a similar NES in RAD51 that is usually obscured by the BRCA2-RAD51 interaction. Thus, a series of NES-masking interactions localizes BRCA2 and RAD51 in the nucleus. Notably, BRCA2 D2723H decreases RAD51 nuclear retention even when wild-type BRCA2 is also present. Our findings suggest a mechanism for the regulation of the nucleocytoplasmic distribution of BRCA2 and RAD51 and its impairment by a heterozygous disease-associated mutation.

Original languageEnglish GB
Pages (from-to)1191-1201
Number of pages11
JournalNature Structural and Molecular Biology
Volume20
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Structural Biology
  • Molecular Biology

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