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MRE11 deacetylation by SIRT2 promotes DNA binding to facilitate DNA end resection and ATM-dependent signaling
Fatmata Sesay, Hui Zhang, Priya Kapoor-Vazirani, Andrew T. Jung, Mark E. Essien, Amanda J. Bastien, Nho C. Luong, Xu Liu, PamelaSara E. Head, Duc M. Duong, Xiaofeng Yang, Zachary S. Buchwald, Xingming Deng, Nicholas T. Seyfried, David S. Yu
Fatmata Sesay, Hui Zhang, Priya Kapoor-Vazirani, Andrew T. Jung, Mark E. Essien, Amanda J. Bastien, Nho C. Luong, Xu Liu, PamelaSara E. Head, Duc M. Duong, Xiaofeng Yang, Zachary S. Buchwald, Xingming Deng, Nicholas T. Seyfried, David S. Yu
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Research Article Cell biology Oncology

MRE11 deacetylation by SIRT2 promotes DNA binding to facilitate DNA end resection and ATM-dependent signaling

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Abstract

MRE11, a breast tumor suppressor and component of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex, plays a critical role in DNA end resection and initiation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutation–dependent (ATM-dependent) DNA damage signaling. However, the precise mechanisms governing MRE11 function in the DNA damage response (DDR) remain incompletely understood. Here, we found that MRE11 is deacetylated by the SIRT2 sirtuin deacetylase and breast tumor suppressor, which promotes DNA binding to facilitate DNA end resection and ATM-dependent signaling. SIRT2 deacetylase activity promoted DNA end resection. SIRT2 further complexed with and deacetylated MRE11 at conserved lysine 393 (K393) in response to DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), which promoted MRE11 localization and DNA binding at DSBs but not interaction with RAD50, NBS1, or CtIP. Moreover, MRE11 K393 deacetylation by SIRT2 promoted ATM-dependent signaling. Our findings define a mechanism regulating MRE11 binding to DNA through SIRT2 deacetylation, elucidating a critical upstream signaling event directing MRE11 function in the DDR and providing insight into how SIRT2 dysregulation leads to genomic instability and tumorigenesis.

Authors

Fatmata Sesay, Hui Zhang, Priya Kapoor-Vazirani, Andrew T. Jung, Mark E. Essien, Amanda J. Bastien, Nho C. Luong, Xu Liu, PamelaSara E. Head, Duc M. Duong, Xiaofeng Yang, Zachary S. Buchwald, Xingming Deng, Nicholas T. Seyfried, David S. Yu

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Figure 1

SIRT2 complexes with and deacetylates MRE11.

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SIRT2 complexes with and deacetylates MRE11.
(A) IP of SIRT2 with anti-F...
(A) IP of SIRT2 with anti-FLAG antibody from HEK293T cells expressing SIRT2-FLAG or FLAG empty vector, followed by Western blot with the indicated antibodies. (B) Reciprocal co-IP of MRE11 from HEK293T cells expressing SFB-MRE11 or empty vector with and without 6 Gy IR and a 4-hour recovery period. (C) In vitro deacetylation assay of MRE11 by SIRT2. Immunopurified acetylated GFP-MRE11 was incubated with immunopurified SIRT2-FLAG WT or catalytically inactive H187Y in an in vitro reaction with and without NAD. (D) Cellular deacetylation assay of MRE11 by SIRT2. HCT116 cells expressing SFB-MRE11 and GFP-SIRT2, with or without nicotinamide, were harvested, immunoprecipitated with anti-FLAG antibody, and subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blot with the indicated antibodies. Shown are representative Western blots; each experiment was conducted 3 independent times.

Copyright © 2026 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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