# DNA Repair in Non-Dividing Macrophages Through Reversible Go to pseudo-G1 Cell Cycle Transitions

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $458,489

## Abstract

All faithful DNA repair processes require balanced dNTP pools. Conflicting with this requirement, non-dividing
macrophages have depleted canonical dNTPs and high levels of mutagenic dUTP, which is used as a defense
strategy against viral infection, but also poses a threat to the integrity of the host genome. This proposal will
explore how genome fidelity is maintained in macrophages that have a depleted and pro-mutagenic dNTP
pool. In addition, the knowledge gleaned from this study of macrophage DNA repair will be used to specifically
target HIV proviruses that contain high levels of dUMP arising from the presence of dUTP during reverse
transcription in macrophages. The basis of this proposal stems from our finding that non-dividing macrophages
(MDM) exist as two distinct populations with respect to their dUTP pools, uracil base excision repair (UBER)
status and susceptibility to HIV infection. The two populations were serendipitously detected because they
segregated as GFP- (high dUTP) and GFP+ (low dUTP) during infection with an HIV pseudo-viral construct
containing a GFP reporter gene. Further investigation characterized the GFP- population as resting (G0) and
the GFP+ population as pseudo-G1 (G1y), capable of low levels of DNA replication, but not cell division. Thus,
a mechanism to resolve the repair paradox is emerging where macrophages can be stimulated to reversibly
enter a G1y-state that has an environment conducive to high-fidelity DNA repair. In three specific aims, we
propose to: (i) Identify the serum factor that stimulates the G0àG1y transition in MDM. Using the retroviral
GFP reporter assay, we will use classic biochemical fractionation methods to isolate the serum small molecule
that stimulates the G0àG1y transition in MDM. (ii) Measure the repair capacities of homogenous G0 and G1y
MDM populations and the fate of genomic uracils after the G0àG1y transition. We will map uracilation in the
genomic DNA of G0 MDM by developing the first sequencing platform capable of distinguishing uracil from
thymidine in DNA with single nucleotide resolution (U2C-Seq). The fate of these genomic uracils (repair,
mutation, strand breaks) will be determined after transitioning to the G1y state. (iii) Pharmacologically destroy
uracilated HIV proviruses in G0 MDM to reduce virus-associated inflammatory responses. New data indicates
that HDAC inhibitors can induce chromatin opening and expose sequestered uracilated proviruses to uracil
excision. In a new HIV targeting strategy, we propose to block the post-excision stages of UBER using small
molecules. This strategy takes advantage of an HDAC inhibitor that exposes inaccessible uracils to excision
by uracil DNA glycosylase, and a second drug that inhibits repair of the resultant toxic abasic sites. The
decrease in functional virus will be correlated with reduced expression of viral proteins and a reduced
inflammatory response in MDM. This proposal will thus elucidate how macrophage immune cells repair
ge...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10247072
- **Project number:** 5R01GM056834-26
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES T. STIVERS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $458,489
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-02-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10247072

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10247072, DNA Repair in Non-Dividing Macrophages Through Reversible Go to pseudo-G1 Cell Cycle Transitions (5R01GM056834-26). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10247072. Licensed CC0.

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