The inflammasome sensor NLRP3 interacts with REV7 to maintain genome integrity through homologous recombination

Abstract

DNA double strand break (DSB) is a highly toxic lesion that can generate genome instability, a major source of tumorigenesis. DSBs are mainly repaired by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or homologous recombination (HR). The selection of the DSB repair pathway primarily depends on the DNA resection of the DSB ends. Indeed, HR is initiated by resection at the DSB generating 3 single stranded extension. The shieldin complex prevents resection fostering DSB repair toward NHEJ. Here, we reveal that the inflammasome sensor NLRP3 facilitates DNA end resection to promote the HR pathway in an inflammasome-independent manner. Strikingly, NLRP3 silencing decreases HR efficiency, as evidenced by RAD51 foci and functional HR assays. Mechanistically, we describe that NLRP3 interacts with REV7, a subunit of the shieldin complex, and its depletion increases REV7 recruitment to IR-induced DSBs. Similar to cancer cells harboring HR mutated genes, we find that NLRP3 deficient cells are sensitive to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and exhibit an epistatic relationship with BRCA1 deficiency. Remarkably, loss of REV7 in NLRP3-depleted cells induces PARPi resistance by restoring HR. This study unravels the crucial role of the innate immune receptor NLRP3 in regulating the selection of DSB repair pathways to maintain genome integrity.