# Dissecting BRCA1-PALB2 Activity in DNA Repair and Development

> **NIH NIH R01** · RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR · 2022 · $408,313

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The BRCA1 and PALB2 proteins directly heterodimerize through their respective coiled-coil (CC) domains,
facilitating the formation of a larger BRCA1-PALB2-BRCA2-RAD51 complex that is required for RAD51 filament
formation. Currently, little is known about the structural basis of the BRCA1-PALB2 interaction, including the
residue alignment and orientation of physically interacting -helices. Elucidating CC molecular interactions is
critical for understanding how mutations found in patients disrupt peptide interactions and promote disease.
Protein CC domains are capable of mediating interactions with several CC domain containing partners. However,
BRCA1 and PALB2 form the only known interaction that is mediated by their respective CC domains. Whether
BRCA1 and PALB2 CC domains exclusively interact with one another, or if there are additional CC interactions
and functions is unknown. Our laboratory has developed novel BRCA1 and PALB2 CC domain mutant mouse
models to investigate the significance of this interaction in DNA repair and organismal health. We have also
purified CC peptides so that biochemical assays can be performed assessing the effects of mutations on complex
interactions and activity. The only known function of BRCA1 and PALB2 CC domains is to interact with one
another, thus, BRCA1CC and PALB2CC homozygous mice might be expected to have identical phenotypes.
However, while BRCA1CC mice are born at sub-Mendelian ratios and neo-natal mice demonstrate a range of
developmental defects, PALB2CC homozygosity resulted in early embryonic lethality. Because BRCA1CC and
PALB2CC mice have distinct phenotypes, we hypothesize that CC domains facilitate protein interactions beyond
the BRCA1-PALB2 heterodimer that promote DNA repair and embryonic development. We will address the
following Specific Aims: 1) Determine biochemical CC interactions and activity; 2) Uncover DNA repair and
developmental defects in CC mutant mice; and 3) Elucidate mechanisms of BRCA1-PALB2 complex recruitment
to DNA breaks. Collectively, the proposed experiments will yield new insight into the mechanism by which the
BRCA1-PALB2 complex protects from genome instability.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10453625
- **Project number:** 5R01GM135293-03
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH INST OF FOX CHASE CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Neil Johnson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $408,313
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-05 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10453625

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10453625, Dissecting BRCA1-PALB2 Activity in DNA Repair and Development (5R01GM135293-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10453625. Licensed CC0.

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