Dmap1 plays an essential role in the maintenance of genome integrity through the DNA repair process

Faithful control of cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair contributes to prevent the cells from chromosomal instability and tumorigenesis. Dnmt1-associated protein 1 (Dmap1), a component of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex, was originally identified as an interacting molecule with DNMT1 which co-localizes with PCNA at DNA replication foci. However, its role in cellular functions remains largely unknown. Here we show that Dmap1 knockdown in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) lead to spontaneous double-strand breaks (DSBs), resulting in growth arrest because of p53-dependent cell cycle checkpoint activation. Deletion of both Dmap1 and p53 in MEFs synergized towards enhanced generation of DSBs, chromosomal abnormalities and tumor development in mice. Notably, we found that, on DNA damage, Dmap1 was recruited to the damaged sites to form complexes with gamma-H2AX and replication factors, including Pcna. Depletion of Dmap1 in MEFs abrogated the stable accumulation of Pcna at the DNA damaged sites. Furthermore, the re-introduction of Dmap1 mutants with a reduced capacity to bind Pcna failed to ameliorate the impaired DNA repair in Dmap1-depleted cells. These findings indicate that Dmap1 is required to involve Pcna in DNA repair. Together, Dmap1 plays a crucial role in DNA repair, and is indispensable for the maintenance of chromosomal integrity.