Skip to main content
Dryad

RAD54L2 counters TOP2-DNA adducts to promote genome stability (Etoposide treated RPE1 CRISPR screens in TP53 and RAD53L2 knock outs)

Data files

Dec 06, 2023 version files 6.68 MB

Click names to download individual files

Abstract

The catalytic cycle of topoisomerase 2 (TOP2) enzymes proceeds via a transient DNA double-strand break (DSB) intermediate termed the TOP2 cleavage complex (TOP2cc), in which the TOP2 protein is covalently bound to DNA. Anti-cancer agents such as etoposide operate by stabilising TOP2ccs, ultimately generating genotoxic TOP2-DNA protein crosslinks that require processing and repair. Here, we identify RAD54-like 2 (RAD54L2) as a factor promoting TOP2cc resolution. We demonstrate that RAD54L2 acts through a novel mechanism together with zinc finger protein associated with TDP2 and TOP2 (ZATT/ZNF451) and independent of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2). Our work suggests a model wherein RAD54L2 recognises sumoylated-TOP2 and, using its ATPase activity, promotes TOP2cc resolution and prevents DSB exposure. These findings suggest RAD54L2-mediated TOP2cc resolution as a potential mechanism for cancer-therapy resistance and highlight RAD54L2 as an attractive candidate for drug discovery.