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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Strand-Specific Analysis of Proteins at Replicating DNA Strands by Enrichment and Sequencing of Protein-Associated Nascent DNA Method
Published on: May 2, 2025
PARP1 proximity proteomics reveals interaction partners at stressed replication forks
Thorsten Mosler1, H Irem Baymaz1, Justus F Gräf1
1Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz 55128, Germany.
Abstract:
PARP1 mediates poly-ADP-ribosylation of proteins on chromatin in response to different types of DNA lesions. PARP inhibitors are used for the treatment of BRCA1/2-deficient breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Loss of DNA replication fork protection is proposed as one mechanism that contributes to the vulnerability of BRCA1/2-deficient cells to PARP inhibitors. However, the mechanisms that regulate PARP1 activity at stressed replication forks remain poorly understood. Here, we performed proximity proteomics of PARP1 and isolation of proteins on stressed replication forks to map putative PARP1 regulators. We identified TPX2 as a direct PARP1-binding protein that regulates the auto-ADP-ribosylation activity of PARP1. TPX2 interacts with DNA damage response proteins and promotes homology-directed repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Moreover, TPX2 mRNA levels are increased in BRCA1/2-mutated breast and prostate cancers, and high TPX2 expression levels correlate with the sensitivity of cancer cells to PARP-trapping inhibitors. We propose that TPX2 confers a mitosis-independent function in the cellular response to replication stress by interacting with PARP1.
Insights
TPX2 directly binds PARP1 (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1), regulating its activity during DNA replication stress. This interaction is crucial for cancer cells, particularly those with BRCA1/2 mutations, enhancing sensitivity to PARP inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Genetics
Background:
- PARP1 (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1) is crucial for DNA repair and targeted in BRCA1/2-deficient cancers.
- The role of PARP1 regulation at stressed replication forks is not well understood.
- BRCA1/2-deficient cells are vulnerable to PARP inhibitors due to loss of replication fork protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify regulators of PARP1 activity at stressed replication forks.
- To investigate the role of TPX2 in DNA damage response and PARP1 regulation.
Main Methods:
- Proximity proteomics of PARP1.
- Isolation of proteins at stressed replication forks.
- Analysis of TPX2 expression in cancer patient data.
Main Results:
- TPX2 was identified as a direct PARP1-binding protein.
- TPX2 regulates PARP1 auto-ADP-ribosylation activity.
- TPX2 promotes homology-directed DNA repair and interacts with DNA damage response proteins.
- Increased TPX2 mRNA levels correlate with BRCA1/2 mutations and PARP inhibitor sensitivity in cancers.
Conclusions:
- TPX2 plays a mitosis-independent role in response to replication stress by interacting with PARP1.
- TPX2 is a potential therapeutic target for enhancing PARP inhibitor efficacy in BRCA1/2-deficient cancers.
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