Banp regulates DNA damage response and chromosome segregation during the cell cycle in zebrafish retina

Abstract

AbstractBtg3-associated nuclear protein (Banp) was originally identified as a nuclear matrix-associated protein and it functions as a tumor suppressor. At molecular level, Banp regulates transcription of metabolic genes via a CGCG-containing motif called the Banp motif. However, its physiological roles in embryonic development are unknown. Here we report that Banp is indispensable for DNA damage response and chromosome segregation during mitosis. Zebrafish banp mutants show mitotic arrest and apoptosis in developing retina. We found that DNA replication stress and tp53-dependent DNA damage responses were activated to induce apoptosis in banp mutants, suggesting that Banp is required for integrity of DNA replication and DNA damage repair. Furthermore, in banp mutants, chromosome segregation was not smoothly processed from prometaphase to anaphase, leading to a prolonged M-phase. Our RNA- and ATAC-sequencing identified 31 candidates for direct Banp target genes that carry the Banp motif. Interestingly, two chromosome segregation regulators, cenpt and ncapg, are included in this list. Thus, Banp directly regulates transcription of cenpt and ncapg to promote chromosome segregation during mitosis. Our findings provide the first in vivo evidence that Banp is required for cell-cycle progression and cell survival by regulating DNA damage responses and chromosome segregation during mitosis.