Basal Transcription Defect Discriminates between Xeroderma Pigmentosum and Trichothiodystrophy in XPD Patients

• Published in: Molecular cell 2003-06, Vol.11 (6), p.1635-1646
• Main Authors: Dubaele, Sandy, De Santis, Luca Proietti, Bienstock, Rachelle J, Keriel, Anne, Stefanini, Miria, Van Houten, Bennett, Egly, Jean-Marc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Adenosine Triphosphatases - genetics; Adenosine Triphosphatases - metabolism; Amino Acid Motifs; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Bacteriology; Cells, Cultured; DNA Helicases; DNA Helicases - genetics; DNA Helicases - metabolism; DNA Repair; DNA Repair - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - cytology; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Hair Diseases; Hair Diseases - genetics; HeLa Cells; Heterozygote; Human health and pathology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Insecta; Life Sciences; Microbiology and Parasitology; Models, Molecular; Point Mutation; Proteins; Proteins - genetics; Recombinant Proteins; Recombinant Proteins - metabolism; Transcription Factors; Transcription Factors - chemistry; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic; Transcriptional Activation; Virology; Xeroderma Pigmentosum; Xeroderma Pigmentosum - genetics; Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein
• ISSN: 1097-2765; 1097-4164
• DOI: 10.1016/S1097-2765(03)00182-5

Mutations in the XPD gene result in xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and trichothiodystrophy (TTD), the phenotypes of which are often intricate. To understand the genotype/phenotype relationship, we engineered recombinant TFIIHs in which XPD subunits carry amino acid changes found in XPD patients. We demonstrate that all the XPD mutations are detrimental for XPD helicase activity, thus explaining the NER defect. We also show that TFIIH from TTD patients, but not from XP patients, exhibits a significant in vitro basal transcription defect in addition to a reduced intracellular concentration. Moreover, when XPD mutations prevent interaction with the p44 subunit of TFIIH, transactivation directed by certain nuclear receptors is inhibited, regardless of TTD versus XP phenotype, thus explaining the overlapping symptoms. The implications of these mutations are discussed using a structural model of the XPD protein. Our study provides explanations for the nature and the severity of the various clinical features.