In vitro phosphorylation of BRCA2 by the checkpoint kinase CHEK2

Br J Cancer. 2008 Oct 21;99(8):1302-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604644. Epub 2008 Sep 16.

Abstract

Germline mutations in both BRCA2 and CHEK2 are associated with an increased risk for male breast cancer. To search for potential interactions between the products of these breast cancer susceptibility genes, we undertook systematic mapping of BRCA2 for potential phosphorylation sites by CHEK2. In vitro kinase assays and mass spectrometric analysis identified a 50 amino-acid fragment within the N-terminus of BRCA2 potentially targeted by CHEK2, containing two major phosphopeptides. Inducible overexpression of this peptide, but not a derivative with mutated phosphorylation sites, leads to increased chromosome fragmentation and suppression of cellular proliferation. These results suggest a link between CHEK2 and BRCA2 pathways, which may contribute to the spectrum of cancers associated with germline CHEK2 mutations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • DNA Fragmentation
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • BRCA2 Protein
  • Checkpoint Kinase 2
  • CHEK2 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases