Deletion of the SAPS1 subunit of protein phosphatase 6 in mice increases radiosensitivity and impairs the cellular DNA damage response.

Cellular responses to DNA damage include activation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) through, among others, the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 6 (PP6). We previously showed that recognition of DNA-PKcs is mediated by the SAPS1 PP6 regulatory subunit. Here, we report and characterize a SAPS1 null mouse and investigate the effects of deletion on DNA damage signaling and repair. Strikingly, neither SAPS1-null animals nor cells derived from them show gross defects, unless subjected to DNA damage by radiation or chemical agents. The overall survival of SAPS1-null animals following whole body irradiation is significantly shortened as compared to wild-type mice, and the clonogenic survival of null cells subjected to ionizing radiation is reduced. The dephosphorylation of DNA damage/repair markers, such as γH2AX, p53 and Kap1, is diminished in SAPS1-null cells as compared to wild-type controls. Our results demonstrate that loss of SAPS1 confers sensitivity to DNA damage and confirms previously reported cellular phenotypes of SAPS1 knock-down in human glioma cells. The results support a role for PP6 regulatory subunit SAPS1 in DNA damage responses, and offer a novel target for sensitization to enhance current tumor therapies, with a potential for limited deleterious side effects.