Heme oxygenase-1 and carbon monoxide modulate DNA repair through ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein

Stability and repair of DNA is of principal importance in cell survival. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1; Hmox1) is critical in maintaining cellular homeostasis, in large part through its ability to generate CO, but neither molecule has been studied in the setting of DNA damage. Naive Hmox1(-/-) mice exhibit excessive tissue levels of gamma-histone H2A, whereas administration of genotoxic stressors or irradiation in HO-1-deficient cells resulted in loss of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated/ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein and breast cancer 1, early onset induction with dysfunctional gamma-H2AX foci and marked elevations in DNA damage. HO-1 induction or exposure to CO induced homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair through ataxia-telangiectasia mutated/ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein. In vivo, exposure of mice to CO followed by genotoxin (Adriamycin) or radiation-induced injury led to diminished tissue DNA damage and improved survival. We characterize a joint role for HO-1 and the gasotransmitter CO for appropriate DNA repair and provide a mechanism for their potent cytoprotective effects in various pathologies.