The role of calcium in human lymphocyte DNA repair ability

DNA repair ability is reduced in a variety of pathologic conditions. In addition, in some of these diseases a disturbance in cellular Ca homeostasis occurs or cytosolic (Ca2+) responses to various stimuli are impaired. The leading environmental cause for genomal DNA damage is ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The aims of the present study were (1) to evaluate a possible dependence of UV-induced DNA repair ability on cytosolic Ca2+ in human lymphocytes and (2) to assess the direct effect of UV irradiation on Ca2+ homeostasis in these cells. UV-induced DNA repair ability in lymphocytes was maximal at 1 mmol/L CaCl2 in the medium. Suppression of DNA repair ability occurred after elevation or reduction of cellular (Ca2+) when various methods were used, including changes in Ca2+ concentration in the medium, cellular Ca2+ depletion by ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, excessive Ca2+ concentration induced by ionophore, and shortening of Ca2+ presence time during repair synthesis. UV irradiation caused an immediate and significant rise in cytosolic (Ca2+) that was the result of both enhanced Ca2+ uptake and inhibition of plasma membrane Ca-adenosine triphosphatase activity. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited both UV-induced DNA repair and UV-induced cytosolic (Ca2+) elevation. These results emphasize the importance of a precise cellular Ca2+ level regulation for the optimal DNA repair process. UV irradiation, by inducing cellular Ca2+ rise, may activate DNA repair as soon as DNA is damaged.