Abstract
The non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway is critical for DNA double-strand break repair and is essential for lymphocyte development and maturation. The Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer (KU) binds to DNA ends, initiating NHEJ and recruiting additional factors, including DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) that caps the ends and pushes KU inward. The C-terminus of Ku70 in higher eukaryotes includes a flexible linker and a SAP domain, whose physiological role remains poorly understood. To investigate this, we generated a mouse model with knock-in deletion of the SAP domain ( Ku70 (ΔSAP/ΔSAP) ). Ku70 (ΔSAP) supports KU stability and its recruitment to DNA damage sites in vivo . In contrast to the growth retardation and immunodeficiency seen in Ku70 (-/-) mice, Ku70 (ΔSAP/ΔSAP) mice show no defects in lymphocyte development and maturation. Structural modeling of KU on long dsDNA, but not dsRNA suggests that the SAP domain can bind to an adjacent major groove, where it can limit KU's rotation and lateral movement along the dsDNA. Accordingly, in the absence of DNA-PKcs that caps the ends, Ku70 (ΔSAP) fails to support stable DNA damage-induced KU foci. In DNA-PKcs (-/-) mice, Ku70 (ΔSAP) abrogates the leaky T cell development and reduces both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of residual V(D)J recombination. In the absence of DNA-PKcs, purified Ku70 (ΔSAP) has reduced affinity for DNA ends and dissociates more readily at lower concentration and accumulated as multimers at high concentration. These findings revealed a physiological role of the SAP domain in NHEJ by restricting KU rotation and lateral movement on DNA that is largely masked by DNA-PKcs. HIGHLIGHT: Ku70 is a conserved non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) factor. Using genetically engineered mouse models and biochemical analyses, our study uncovered a previously unappreciated role of the C-terminal SAP domain of Ku70 in limiting the lateral movement of KU on DNA ends and ensuring end protection. The presence of DNA-PKcs partially masks this role of the SAP domain.