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ARF is a tumour suppressor activated by oncogenic stress, which stabilizes p53. Although p53 is a key component of the response to DNA damage, a similar function for ARF has not been ascribed. Here we show that primary mouse and human cells lacking the tumour suppressor BRCA2 accumulate DNA damage, which triggers checkpoint signalling and ARF activation. Furthermore, senescence induced by Brca2 deletion in primary mouse and human cells is reversed by the loss of ARF, a phenotype recapitulated in cells lacking RAD51. Surprisingly, ARF is not necessary for p53 accumulation per se but for altering the spectrum of genes activated by this transcription factor. Specifically, ARF enables p53 transcription of Dusp4 and Dusp7, which encode a pair of phosphatases known to inactivate the MAP kinases ERK1/2. Our results ascribe a previously unanticipated function to the ARF tumour suppressor in genome integrity, controlled by replicative stress and ATM/ATR-dependent checkpoint responses.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/ncomms3697

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Commun

Publication Date

2013

Volume

4

Keywords

Animals, BRCA2 Protein, Cell Line, Cricetinae, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16, DNA Damage, Epigenesis, Genetic, Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases, Fibroblasts, Gene Deletion, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, HeLa Cells, Humans, Mice, Phenotype, Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases, RNA, Small Interfering, Rad51 Recombinase, Signal Transduction, Transcription Factors, Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53