SIRT7-mediated ATM deacetylation is essential for its deactivation and DNA damage repair

The activation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) upon DNA damage involves a cascade of reactions, including acetylation by TIP60 and autophosphorylation. However, how ATM is progressively deactivated after completing DNA damage repair remains obscure. Here, we report that sirtuin 7 (SIRT7)-mediated deacetylation is essential for dephosphorylation and deactivation of ATM. We show that SIRT7, a class III histone deacetylase, interacts with and deacetylates ATM in vitro and in vivo. In response to DNA damage, SIRT7 is mobilized onto chromatin and deacetylates ATM during the late stages of DNA damage response, when ATM is being gradually deactivated. Deacetylation of ATM by SIRT7 is prerequisite for its dephosphorylation by its phosphatase WIP1. Consequently, depletion of SIRT7 or acetylation-mimic mutation of ATM induces persistent ATM phosphorylation and activation, thus leading to impaired DNA damage repair. Together, our findings reveal a previously unidentified role of SIRT7 in regulating ATM activity and DNA damage repair.