Lamin A/C promotes DNA base excision repair (mouse arrays)

The A-type lamins (lamin A/C), encoded by the Lmna gene, are important structural components of the nuclear lamina. Lmna mutations lead to degenerative disorders, including the premature aging disease Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). In addition, altered lamin A/C expression is found in various cancers. Reports indicate that lamin A/C plays a role in DNA double strand break repair, but a role in DNA base excision repair (BER) has not been described. We provide evidence for reduced BER efficiency in lamin A/C-depleted cells. The mechanism involves impairment of the APE1 and POLβ enzyme activities in BER. Also, Lmna null mouse fibroblasts displayed reduced expression of several core BER enzymes (PARP1, LIG3, and POLβ). Moreover, the robustness of APE1 and POLβ activities and the rate of BER were enhanced by lamin A/C-augmented poly(ADP-ribose) polymer formation (PARylation). Finally, we report that HGPS fibroblasts are defective in BER. Collectively, our results provide novel insights into the functional interplay between the nuclear lamina and cellular defenses against oxidative DNA damage, with implications for human cancer and aging. Microarray analysis of Lmna null (Lmna-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) compared to wild-type (WT) Lmna+/+ MEFs (N=3 biological replicates per condition)