Topoisomerase IIalpha controls the decatenation checkpoint.

Topoisomerase II (Topo II) is required to separate intertwined sister chromatids before chromosome segregation can occur in mitosis. However, it remains to be resolved whether Topo II has any role in checkpoint control. Here we report that when phosphorylated, Ser 1524 of Topo IIalpha acts as a binding site for the BRCT domain of MDC1 (mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein-1), thereby recruiting MDC1 to chromatin. Although Topo IIalpha-MDC1 interaction is not required for checkpoint activation induced by DNA damage, it is required for activation of the decatenation checkpoint. Mutation of Ser 1524 results in a defective decatenation checkpoint. These results reveal an important role of Topo II in checkpoint activation and in the maintenance of genomic stability.

Citation

Kuntian Luo, Jian Yuan, Junjie Chen, Zhenkun Lou. Topoisomerase IIalpha controls the decatenation checkpoint. Nature cell biology. 2009 Feb;11(2):204-10

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PMID: 19098900

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