Catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase: impact on lymphocyte development and tumorigenesis.

Kurimasa, A; Ouyang, H; Dong, L J; Wang, S; Li, X; Cordon-Cardo, C; Chen, D J; Li, G C · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1999

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) consists of a heterodimer DNA-binding complex, Ku70 and Ku80, and a large catalytic subunit, DNA-PKcs. To examine the role of DNA-PKcs in lymphocyte development, radiation sensitivity, and tumorigenesis, we disrupted the mouse DNA-PKcs by homologous recombination. DNA-PKcs-null mice exhibit neither growth retardation nor a high frequency of T cell lymphoma development, but show severe immunodeficiency and radiation hypersensitivity. In contrast to the Ku70-/- and Ku80-/- phenotype, DNA-PKcs-null mice are blocked for V(D)J coding but not for signal-end joint formation. Furthermore, inactivation of DNA-PKcs leads to hyperplasia and dysplasia of the intestinal mucosa and production of aberrant crypt foci, suggesting a novel role of DNA-PKcs in tumor suppression.

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