Histone demethylase AMX-1 is necessary for proper sensitivity to interstrand crosslink DNA damage

PLoS Genet. 2021 Jul 30;17(7):e1009715. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009715. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Histone methylation is dynamically regulated to shape the epigenome and adjust central nuclear processes including transcription, cell cycle control and DNA repair. Lysine-specific histone demethylase 2 (LSD2) has been implicated in multiple types of human cancers. However, its functions remain poorly understood. This study investigated the histone demethylase LSD2 homolog AMX-1 in C. elegans and uncovered a potential link between H3K4me2 modulation and DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair. AMX-1 is a histone demethylase and mainly localizes to embryonic cells, the mitotic gut and sheath cells. Lack of AMX-1 expression resulted in embryonic lethality, a decreased brood size and disorganized premeiotic tip germline nuclei. Expression of AMX-1 and of the histone H3K4 demethylase SPR-5 is reciprocally up-regulated upon lack of each other and the mutants show increased H3K4me2 levels in the germline, indicating that AMX-1 and SPR-5 regulate H3K4me2 demethylation. Loss of AMX-1 function activates the CHK-1 kinase acting downstream of ATR and leads to the accumulation of RAD-51 foci and increased DNA damage-dependent apoptosis in the germline. AMX-1 is required for the proper expression of mismatch repair component MutL/MLH-1 and sensitivity against ICLs. Interestingly, formation of ICLs lead to ubiquitination-dependent subcellular relocalization of AMX-1. Taken together, our data suggest that AMX-1 functions in ICL repair in the germline.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Caenorhabditis elegans
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • DNA Damage / genetics
  • DNA Repair / genetics*
  • DNA Repair / physiology
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • Histone Demethylases / metabolism*
  • Histone Demethylases / physiology
  • Histones / genetics
  • Methylation
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / genetics
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Histones
  • Histone Demethylases
  • KDM1B protein, human