Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Assessment of Global DNA Double-Strand End Resection using BrdU-DNA Labeling coupled with Cell Cycle Discrimination Imaging
06:44

Assessment of Global DNA Double-Strand End Resection using BrdU-DNA Labeling coupled with Cell Cycle Discrimination Imaging

Published on: April 28, 2021

4.3K

A DYRK1B-dependent pathway suppresses rDNA transcription in response to DNA damage

Chao Dong1, Liwei An1, Cheng-Han Yu1

  • 1School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong S.A.R.

Nucleic Acids Research
|January 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

DYRK1B kinase is essential for suppressing ribosomal DNA transcription after DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). This kinase also plays a crucial role in DNA double-strand break repair and maintaining ribosomal DNA stability.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at ribosomal gene loci induce nucleolar reorganization and inhibit ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription.
  • These nucleolar responses are critical for maintaining rDNA stability, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the molecular components responsible for inhibiting rDNA transcription and maintaining rDNA stability following DSBs.
  • To investigate the role of DYRK1B kinase in the nucleolar response to DSBs.

Main Methods:

  • Targeting DSBs to rDNA arrays using laser micro-irradiation.
  • Chemical inhibition and genetic inactivation of DYRK1B.
  • Monitoring rRNA synthesis and nucleolar reorganization.
  • Assessing DYRK1B localization and accumulation in the nucleolus.

Main Results:

  • DYRK1B kinase is required for the full suppression of rRNA synthesis upon rDNA DSBs.
  • DYRK1B accumulates in the nucleolus following laser-induced DSBs.
  • DYRK1B inhibition or inactivation leads to sustained rDNA transcription and hypersensitivity to rDNA DSBs.
  • DYRK1B is essential for rDNA DSB repair and maintaining rDNA copy number.

Conclusions:

  • DYRK1B acts as a key signaling intermediate coordinating DSB repair and rDNA transcriptional activity within the nucleolus.
  • Specialized DSB responses within the nucleolus are crucial for preserving rDNA integrity.

More Related Videos

Characterizing DNA Repair Processes at Transient and Long-lasting Double-strand DNA Breaks by Immunofluorescence Microscopy08:31

Characterizing DNA Repair Processes at Transient and Long-lasting Double-strand DNA Breaks by Immunofluorescence Microscopy

Published on: June 8, 2018

9.4K
Visualization of DNA Repair Proteins Interaction by Immunofluorescence07:55

Visualization of DNA Repair Proteins Interaction by Immunofluorescence

Published on: June 26, 2020

10.7K

Related Concept Videos

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:37

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
9.7K
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:37

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

2.9K
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
37.5K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:38

Nucleotide Excision Repair

DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
4.5K
Nucleotide Excision Repair01:08

Nucleotide Excision Repair

Overview
39.8K
Restarting Stalled Replication Forks02:37

Restarting Stalled Replication Forks

DNA replication is initiated at sites containing predefined DNA sequences known as origins of replication. DNA is unwound at these sites by the minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase and other factors such as Cdc45 and the associated GINS complex.The unwound single strands are protected by replication protein A (RPA) until DNA polymerase starts synthesizing DNA at the 5’ end of the strand in the same direction as the replication fork. To prevent the replication fork from falling apart,...
6.1K