Two- and Three-Dimensional Live Cell Imaging of DNA Damage Response Proteins

Summary

This protocol describes a method for visualizing a DNA double-strand break signaling protein activated in response to DNA damage as well as its localization during mitosis.

Abstract

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious DNA lesions a cell can encounter. If left unrepaired, DSBs harbor great potential to generate mutations and chromosomal aberrations¹. To prevent this trauma from catalyzing genomic instability, it is crucial for cells to detect DSBs, activate the DNA damage response (DDR), and repair the DNA. When stimulated, the DDR works to preserve genomic integrity by triggering cell cycle arrest to allow for repair to take place or force the cell to undergo apoptosis. The predominant mechanisms of DSB repair occur through nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) (reviewed in²). There are many proteins whose activities must be precisely orchestrated for the DDR to function properly. Herein, we describe a method for 2- and 3-dimensional (D) visualization of one of these proteins, 53BP1.

The p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) localizes to areas of DSBs by binding to modified histones^3,4, forming foci within 5-15 minutes⁵. The histone modifications and recruitment of 53BP1 and other DDR proteins to DSB sites are believed to facilitate the structural rearrangement of chromatin around areas of damage and contribute to DNA repair⁶. Beyond direct participation in repair, additional roles have been described for 53BP1 in the DDR, such as regulating an intra-S checkpoint, a G2/M checkpoint, and activating downstream DDR proteins^7-9. Recently, it was discovered that 53BP1 does not form foci in response to DNA damage induced during mitosis, instead waiting for cells to enter G1 before localizing to the vicinity of DSBs⁶. DDR proteins such as 53BP1 have been found to associate with mitotic structures (such as kinetochores) during the progression through mitosis¹⁰.

In this protocol we describe the use of 2- and 3-D live cell imaging to visualize the formation of 53BP1 foci in response to the DNA damaging agent camptothecin (CPT), as well as 53BP1's behavior during mitosis. Camptothecin is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that primarily causes DSBs during DNA replication. To accomplish this, we used a previously described 53BP1-mCherry fluorescent fusion protein construct consisting of a 53BP1 protein domain able to bind DSBs¹¹. In addition, we used a histone H2B-GFP fluorescent fusion protein construct able to monitor chromatin dynamics throughout the cell cycle but in particular during mitosis¹². Live cell imaging in multiple dimensions is an excellent tool to deepen our understanding of the function of DDR proteins in eukaryotic cells.

Protocol

A. Cell Preparation

1. Normal human primary fibroblasts (GM02270) were obtained from Coriell Cell Repository, Camden, New Jersey, and immortalized with hTERT ⁶. Cells were grown and expanded in CellStar 6-cm dishes in media (4 ml) consisting of MEM supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (GIBCO), non-essential/essential amino acids, vitamins, sodium pyruvate, and penicillin/streptomycin (HyClone).
2. Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells were obtained from American Type Culture Collection and grown and expanded in CellStar 6-cm dishes. The cells were kept in media (4 ml) consisting of DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, non-e....

Discussion

Maintenance of genomic integrity is crucial for cell survival. Failure to preserve the genome results in premature aging, carcinogenesis, or death ⁸. There is intense interest in discerning how the DDR functions, stemming from its importance to both basic and clinical research. Many techniques have been developed over the years to aid in the study of how cells detect and repair DNA damage. Traditional methods such as immunocytochemistry and western blotting have been mainstays of the field, though recen.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
CellStar culture dishes	Greiner Bio-one
FluroDish glass bottom dishes	World Precision Instruments, Inc.
MEM media	GIBCO
Non-essential amino acids	GIBCO
Amino acids	GIBCO
Vitamins	GIBCO
Sodium Pyruvate	Invitrogen
Penicillin/Streptomycin	HyClone
Fetal Bovine Serum	GIBCO
N-Myc-53BP1 WT pLPC-Puro; plasmid 19836	Addgene
pCLNR-H2BG; plasmid 17735	Addgene
SuperFect	Qiagen
Zeiss Cell Observer SD Imaging system	Zeiss
AxioVision (release 4.8.2)	Zeiss
Zeiss Immersol W Oil	Zeiss
Volocity software (version 6.0)	PerkinElmer