Protein Phosphatase 2A-Dependent Mitotic hnRNPA1 Dephosphorylation and TERRA Formation Facilitate Telomere Capping

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1), telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), and protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) have been reported to orchestrate to displace replication protein A (RPA) from telomeric overhangs, ensuring orderly telomere replication and capping. Our previous studies further demonstrated that DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs)-dependent hnRNPA1 phosphorylation plays a crucial role in the promotion of hnRNPA1 binding to telomeric overhangs and RPA displacement duringG2-Mphases. However, it is unclear that how the subsequent exchange between hnRNPA1 and POT1 is orchestrated. Here we report that the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) depends on its scaffold subunit, which is called PPP2R1A, to interact with and dephosphorylate hnRNPA1 in the late M phase. Furthermore, PP2A-mediated hnRNPA1 dephosphorylation andTERRA accumulation act in concert to promote the hnRNPA1-to-POT1 switch on telomeric single-stranded DNA. Consequently, defective PPP2R1A results in ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR)-mediated DNA damage response at telomeres as well as induction of fragile telomeres. Combined inhibition of ATR and PP2A induces entry into a catastrophic mitosis and leads to synthetic lethality of tumor cells. In addition, PPP2R1A levels correlate with clinical stages and prognosis of multiple types of cancers. Taken together, our results indicate that PP2A is critical for telomere maintenance.

Automated summary

hnRNPA1, TERRA, and POT1 play important roles in telomere replication and protection. Our study reveals that PP2A interacts with PPP2R1A to dephosphorylate hnRNPA1, promoting the switch of hnRNPA1 to POT1 on telomeric DNA. Defective PPP2R1A leads to DNA damage response and fragile telomeres, and is associated with clinical stages and prognosis of various cancers.