IKKα kinase regulates the DNA damage response and drives chemo-resistance in cancer

Colomer Montañà, Carlota, 1990-; Margalef González, Pol, 1985-; Villanueva, Alberto; Vert, Anna; Pecharroman, Irene; Solé, Laura; González-Farré, Mónica; Alonso, Josune; Montagut Viladot, Clara; Martínez Iniesta, María; Bertran, Joan; Borràs, Eva; Iglesias, Mar; Sabidó Aguadé, Eduard, 1981-; Bigas Salvans, Anna; Boulton, Simon J.; Espinosa Blay, Lluís

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molcel.2019.05.036

IKKα kinase regulates the DNA damage response and drives chemo-resistance in cancer

Citation

Colomer C, Margalef P, Villanueva A, Vert A, Pecharroman I, Solé L et al. IKKα kinase regulates the DNA damage response and drives chemo-resistance in cancer. Mol Cell. 2019;75(4):669-82. DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.05.036

Abstract

Phosphorylated IKKalpha(p45) is a nuclear active form of the IKKalpha kinase that is induced by the MAP kinases BRAF and TAK1 and promotes tumor growth independent of canonical NF-¿B signaling. Insights into the sources of IKKalpha(p45) activation and its downstream substrates in the nucleus remain to be defined. Here, we discover that IKKalpha(p45) is rapidly activated by DNA damage independent of ATM-ATR, but dependent on BRAF-TAK1-p38-MAPK, and is required for robust ATM activation and efficient DNA repair. Abolishing BRAF or IKKalpha activity attenuates ATM, Chk1, MDC1, Kap1, and 53BP1 phosphorylation, compromises 53BP1 and RIF1 co-recruitment to sites of DNA lesions, and inhibits 53BP1-dependent fusion of dysfunctional telomeres. Furthermore, IKKalpha or BRAF inhibition synergistically enhances the therapeutic potential of 5-FU and irinotecan to eradicate chemotherapy-resistant metastatic human tumors in vivo. Our results implicate BRAF and IKKalpha kinases in the DDR and reveal a combination strategy for cancer treatment.