Title:RecQ Family Helicases in Replication Fork Remodeling and Repair: Opening New Avenues towards the Identification of Potential Targets for Cancer Chemotherapy
VOLUME: 20 ISSUE: 11
Author(s):Chetan K. Jain, Swagata Mukhopadhyay and Agneyo Ganguly*
Affiliation:Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302
Keywords:Replication fork reversal, replication fork restart, RecQ helicases, DNA repair, chemotherapy, PARP1.
Abstract:Replication fork reversal and restart has gained immense interest as a central response mechanism to
replication stress following DNA damage. Although the exact mechanism of fork reversal has not been elucidated
precisely, the involvement of diverse pathways and different factors has been demonstrated, which are
central to this phenomenon. RecQ helicases known for their vital role in DNA repair and maintaining genome
stability has recently been implicated in the restart of regressed replication forks. Through interaction with vital
proteins like Poly (ADP) ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), these helicases participate in the replication fork reversal
and restart phenomenon. Most therapeutic agents used for cancer chemotherapy act by causing DNA damage
in replicating cells and subsequent cell death. These DNA damages can be repaired by mechanisms involving
fork reversal as the key phenomenon eventually reducing the efficacy of the therapeutic agent. Hence the factors
contributing to this repair process can be good selective targets for developing more efficient chemotherapeutic
agents. In this review, we have discussed in detail the role of various proteins in replication fork reversal and
restart with special emphasis on RecQ helicases. Involvement of other proteins like PARP1, recombinase rad51,
SWI/SNF complex has also been discussed. Since RecQ helicases play a central role in the DNA damage response
following chemotherapeutic treatment, we propose that targeting these helicases can emerge as an alternative
to available intervention strategies. We have also summarized the current research status of available
RecQ inhibitors and siRNA based therapeutic approaches that targets RecQ helicases. In summary, our review
gives an overview of the DNA damage responses involving replication fork reversal and provides new directions
for the development of more efficient and sustainable chemotherapeutic approaches.