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Updated: Nov 1, 2025

Immunofluorescence Imaging of DNA Damage and Repair Foci in Human Colon Cancer Cells
Published on: June 9, 2020
Nuclear IGF1R interacts with NuMA and regulates 53BP1‑dependent DNA double‑strand break repair in colorectal cancer
Chen Yang1, Yifan Zhang2, Nelly Segar3
1Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Nuclear insulin‑like growth factor 1 receptor (nIGF1R) has been associated with poor overall survival and chemotherapy resistance in various types of cancer; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, immunoprecipitation‑coupled mass spectrometry was performed in an IGF1R‑overexpressing SW480‑OE colorectal cancer cell line to identify the nIGF1R interactome. Network analysis revealed 197 proteins of interest which were involved in several biological pathways, including RNA processing, DNA double‑strand break (DSB) repair and SUMOylation pathways. Nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) was identified as one of nIGF1R's colocalizing partners. Proximity ligation assay (PLA) revealed different levels of p53‑binding protein 1 (53BP1)‑NuMA colocalization between IGF1R‑positive (R+) and IGF1R‑negative (R‑) mouse embryonic fibroblasts following exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). 53BP1 was retained by NuMA in the R‑ cells during IR‑induced DNA damage. By contrast, the level of NuMA‑53BP1 was markedly lower in R+ cells compared with R‑ cells. The present data suggested a regulatory role of nIGF1R in 53BP1‑dependent DSB repair through its interaction with NuMA. Bright‑field PLA analysis on a paraffin‑embedded tissue microarray from patients with colorectal cancer revealed a significant association between increased nuclear colocalizing signals of NuMA‑53BP1 and a shorter overall survival. These results indicate that nIGF1R plays a role in facilitating 53BP1‑dependent DDR by regulating the NuMA‑53BP1 interaction, which in turn might affect the clinical outcome of patients with colorectal cancer.
Insights
Nuclear insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (nIGF1R) impacts DNA repair and impacts patient survival. This study reveals nIGF1R regulates 53BP1-dependent DNA double-strand break repair via NuMA, affecting colorectal cancer outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Nuclear insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (nIGF1R) is linked to poor cancer survival and chemotherapy resistance.
- The precise mechanisms underlying nIGF1R's role in cancer progression are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of nIGF1R in cancer, focusing on its role in DNA repair pathways.
- To identify nIGF1R interacting proteins and their functional significance in colorectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Immunoprecipitation-coupled mass spectrometry to identify nIGF1R interactome in colorectal cancer cells.
- Proximity ligation assay (PLA) to assess protein colocalization in response to DNA damage.
- Analysis of patient tissue microarrays to correlate protein interactions with clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Identified 197 nIGF1R interacting proteins involved in RNA processing, DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, and SUMOylation.
- Nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) was identified as a key nIGF1R partner.
- nIGF1R regulates the interaction between NuMA and p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) during DNA damage response, impacting DSB repair efficiency.
- Increased NuMA-53BP1 colocalization in colorectal cancer tissues correlated with shorter overall survival.
Conclusions:
- nIGF1R plays a regulatory role in 53BP1-dependent DNA double-strand break repair by modulating the NuMA-53BP1 interaction.
- This nIGF1R-mediated regulation of DNA repair is associated with clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer patients.
- Targeting the nIGF1R pathway may offer therapeutic strategies for improving colorectal cancer treatment.
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