UbcH7 regulates 53BP1 stability and DSB repair

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is not only key to genome stability but is also an important anticancer target. Through an shRNA library-based screening, we identified ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme H7 (UbcH7, also known as Ube2L3 ), a ubiquitin E2 enzyme, as a critical player in DSB repair. UbcH7 regulates both the steady-state and replicative stress-induced ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation of the tumor suppressor p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1). Phosphorylation of 53BP1 at the N terminus is involved in the replicative stress-induced 53BP1 degradation. Depletion of UbcH7 stabilizes 53BP1, leading to inhibition of DSB end resection. Therefore, UbcH7-depleted cells display increased nonhomologous end-joining and reduced homologous recombination for DSB repair. Accordingly, UbcH7-depleted cells are sensitive to DNA damage likely because they mainly used the error-prone nonhomologous end-joining pathway to repair DSBs. Our studies reveal a novel layer of regulation of the DSB repair choice and propose an innovative approach to enhance the effect of radiotherapy or chemotherapy through stabilizing 53BP1. Significance Double-strand break (DSB) repair sits at the core of genome stability maintenance. Abnormalities in the repair pathway often lead to the development of cancers and resistance to anticancer therapies. Tumor suppressor p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1), a protein critical in regulating DSB repair, is reduced in advanced breast tumors. Furthermore, low levels of 53BP1 correlated with poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. Thus, the protein level of 53BP1 is important for therapeutic response. However, mechanisms regulating 53BP1 protein levels are poorly understood. Here we report a previously unidentified mechanism regulating the protein level of 53BP1, specifically, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme H7 (UbcH7)-dependent ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation. We further propose an innovative hypothesis that increasing the protein level of 53BP1 enhances the effect of radiotherapy or chemotherapy through suppressing faithful DSB repair.