| 2005 |
BRIT1/MCPH1 is required for activation of both intra-S and G2/M checkpoints in response to ionizing radiation; depletion of BRIT1 abolishes IR-induced cell cycle arrest and reduces expression of BRCA1 and Chk1, and phosphorylation of Nbs1, placing BRIT1 upstream of BRCA1-Chk1 in the DNA damage response pathway. |
siRNA depletion in human cells, cell cycle checkpoint assays (flow cytometry), Western blot, immunofluorescence co-localization with γ-H2AX foci |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
16217032 bio_10.1101_2025.06.19.660578
|
| 2006 |
BRIT1 forms IR-induced nuclear foci within minutes of irradiation and co-localizes with 53BP1, MDC1, NBS1, ATM, RPA, and ATR; BRIT1 depletion impairs activation of these DDR elements, identifying BRIT1 as a proximal factor in ATM/ATR pathways and its loss increases chromosomal aberrations. |
Immunofluorescence foci analysis, co-localization studies, siRNA knockdown, chromosomal aberration assays |
Cancer cell |
High |
16872911
|
| 2007 |
MCPH1 localizes to sites of DNA double-strand breaks via its C-terminal tandem BRCT domains, which bind phospho-H2AX (γH2AX) in vitro; this localization depends on H2AX phosphorylation but is independent of MDC1. Overexpression of wild-type but not C-BRCT mutant MCPH1 interferes with MDC1 and 53BP1 foci formation. |
BRCT domain deletion/mutation constructs, co-immunoprecipitation, in vitro peptide binding assay, immunofluorescence in H2AX-deficient and MDC1-depleted cells |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
17925396
|
| 2007 |
MCPH1's C-terminal tandem BRCT domains (BRCT2+BRCT3) are required for ionizing radiation-induced nuclear focus (IRIF) formation, while the N-terminal BRCT1 domain is required for centrosomal localization in irradiated cells. Centrosomal targeting is independent of ATM, Brca1, and Chk1 but IRIF formation requires H2AX. |
Domain deletion constructs, immunofluorescence in ATM-deficient, Brca1-deficient, and H2AX-deficient cell lines (chicken DT40 system) |
Oncogene |
High |
17599047
|
| 2008 |
BRIT1/MCPH1 increases its interaction with the SWI-SNF chromatin remodeling complex (via the BAF170 subunit) after DNA damage in an ATM/ATR-dependent phosphorylation-dependent manner, recruiting SWI-SNF to DNA lesions to promote chromatin relaxation and facilitate repair factor recruitment. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin fractionation, siRNA knockdown, chromatin accessibility assay (micrococcal nuclease sensitivity), ATM/ATR inhibition |
Nature cell biology |
High |
19525936
|
| 2008 |
MCPH1 physically interacts with Condensin II via its CAPG2 subunit, through MCPH1's middle domain (residues 376–485). Condensin II depletion causes defects in homologous recombination (HR) repair similar to those in MCPH1-null MEFs, and the Condensin II-binding region of MCPH1 is required for HR function. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, domain mapping, siRNA knockdown, HR repair assay (DR-GFP reporter), MCPH1-null MEFs |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
18718915
|
| 2008 |
MCPH1 cooperates with E2F1 to regulate transcription of CHK1, BRCA1, RAD51, DDB2, TOPBP1, p73, and caspases by physically interacting with E2F1 on their promoters. MCPH1 forms oligomers via its second and third BRCT domains; a dominant-negative oligomerization domain mutant blocks MCPH1-E2F1 interaction and inhibits p73 induction and E2F1-dependent apoptosis. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), reporter gene assays, siRNA knockdown, dominant-negative mutant overexpression, apoptosis assays |
EMBO reports |
High |
18660752
|
| 2009 |
The X-ray crystal structure of the human MCPH1 N-terminal BRCT domain (Mcph1N) at 1.6 Å resolution reveals an elongated β1-α1 loop and a hydrophobic pocket in the equivalent position of phosphate-binding sites. Mutations in this pocket abrogate MCPH1's ability to rescue the premature chromosome condensation (PCC) phenotype in Mcph1−/− MEFs, indicating this pocket forms a protein-protein interaction site required to prevent PCC. |
X-ray crystallography, site-directed mutagenesis, complementation assay in Mcph1−/− MEFs (PCC phenotype rescue) |
Journal of molecular biology |
High |
19925808
|
| 2010 |
In MCPH1-deficient patient cells, siRNA-mediated depletion of Condensin II subunits (but not Condensin I) reverses premature chromosome condensation in G1 and G2, demonstrating that Condensin II activity is required for the PCC phenotype caused by MCPH1 deficiency. Condensin I remains cytoplasmic in prophase-like MCPH1-deficient cells. |
siRNA knockdown of Condensin I/II subunits in MCPH1 patient cells, cell cycle staging by FACS and microscopy, subcellular fractionation |
Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) |
High |
16434882
|
| 2010 |
BRIT1/MCPH1 knockout mice are hypersensitive to γ-irradiation, exhibit severe chromatid breaks, reduced RAD51 foci formation after IR, and infertility due to impaired meiotic homologous recombination. BRIT1 binds RAD51/BRCA2 complexes and its absence reduces recruitment of RAD51 and BRCA2 to chromatin at damage sites without altering their protein levels. |
BRIT1 knockout mouse model, γ-irradiation sensitivity assays, immunofluorescence for RAD51 foci, meiotic chromosome spread analysis, co-immunoprecipitation (BRIT1-RAD51/BRCA2 interaction), chromatin fractionation |
PLoS genetics |
High |
20107607
|
| 2011 |
MCPH1 disruption in mice causes primary microcephaly through premature switching of neuroprogenitors from symmetric to asymmetric division. Mechanistically, MCPH1 deficiency abrogates Chk1 localization to centrosomes, causing premature Cdk1 activation and early mitotic entry, uncoupling the centrosome cycle from mitosis. Silencing of Cdc25b (a centrosomal Chk1 substrate) rescues spindle misalignment and premature neurogenesis in Mcph1-knockout neocortex. |
Mcph1 knockout mouse model, immunofluorescence for Chk1 at centrosomes, Cdk1 activity assay, spindle orientation analysis, Cdc25b siRNA in vivo rescue, clonal analysis of neuroprogenitor division mode |
Nature cell biology |
High |
21947081
|
| 2011 |
hMCPH1's N-terminal domain specifically inhibits Condensin II by competing for its chromosomal binding sites in a Xenopus egg extract cell-free assay. The N-terminal domain alone is sufficient to rescue the PCC phenotype in patient cells; the central domain plays an auxiliary role in chromosome shaping by physically interacting with Condensin II. |
Xenopus egg extract cell-free chromosome condensation assay, domain deletion constructs, complementation assay in MCPH1 patient cells, co-immunoprecipitation |
The Journal of cell biology |
High |
21911480
|
| 2011 |
SET nuclear oncogene is a direct binding partner of the MCPH1 N-terminal BRCT domain. SET knockdown causes abnormal chromosome condensation that is rescued by Condensin II knockdown. MCPH1 missense mutations (V50G/I51V) that impair SET binding fail to fully rescue chromosome condensation in Mcph1−/− MEFs. |
Co-immunoprecipitation, siRNA knockdown, complementation assay in Mcph1−/− MEFs, missense mutagenesis |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
21515671
|
| 2011 |
MCPH1 C-terminal tandem BRCT domains bind phospho-Cdc27 (a component of APC/C) in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. The crystal structure of MCPH1 C-BRCTs in complex with a phosphorylated Cdc27 peptide was determined, and structure-guided mutations disrupted the interaction in vitro and in cells. |
X-ray crystallography of C-BRCT–pCdc27 peptide complex, in vitro binding assays, co-immunoprecipitation, structure-guided mutagenesis |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
High |
22139841
|
| 2011 |
Crystal structures of MCPH1 C-terminal tandem BRCT domains (alone and in complex with γH2AX tail) reveal a phosphopeptide binding pocket distinct from other BRCT domains; fluorescence polarization assays show selectivity for pSer+3 and preference for phosphopeptide with free COOH-terminus. |
X-ray crystallography, fluorescence polarization binding assay |
Journal of structural biology |
High |
22154951
|
| 2012 |
MCPH1 tandem BRCT domains can read both pSer139 (monophosphorylated) and the diphosphorylated (pSer139/pTyr142) states of H2A.X. Structural, biochemical, and cellular evidence show that MCPH1 recruitment to DNA damage sites is linked to both H2A.X phosphorylation states, making MCPH1 a dual sensor of H2A.X marks. |
X-ray crystallography (structural analysis), biochemical binding assays, cellular recruitment assays (immunofluorescence), mutagenesis |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
22908299
|
| 2015 |
BRIT1/MCPH1 is K63-ubiquitinated in unstimulated cells, and deubiquitination by USP8 is a prerequisite for BRIT1 recruitment to DSB sites via γH2AX. BRUCE acts as a scaffold bridging USP8 and BRIT1 to coordinate USP8-catalyzed deubiquitination. Loss of BRUCE or USP8 impairs BRIT1 deubiquitination, its binding to γH2AX, and chromatin relaxation. |
Ubiquitination assays (K63 linkage), co-immunoprecipitation (BRUCE-USP8-BRIT1 complex), siRNA knockdown, immunofluorescence foci assay, HR repair assay, BRUCE mutant mice |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
25733871
|
| 2017 |
MCPH1 interacts with βTrCP2 E3 ligase and promotes degradation of Cdc25A independent of DNA damage, thereby regulating G2/M mitotic entry. MCPH1 itself is degraded by APC/C-Cdh1 (not APC/C-Cdc20) in late mitosis/G1. Overexpression of βTrCP2 or knockdown of Cdc25A rescues premature differentiation of Mcph1-deficient neuroprogenitors in vivo. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (MCPH1-βTrCP2), protein degradation assays, in utero electroporation (siRNA/overexpression), immunofluorescence, APC/C substrate assays |
The EMBO journal |
High |
29150431
|
| 2017 |
BRIT1/MCPH1 is recruited to the Ig heavy chain (Igh) locus in an activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)- and H2AX-dependent manner. Conditional deletion of BRIT1 in B cells leads to increased unrepaired Igh breaks and reduced class switch recombination (CSR). The C-terminal BRCT domains facilitate interaction with phospho-H2AX, and BRIT1 depletion worsens CSR defects when combined with MDC1 depletion. |
Conditional knockout mouse model, ChIP at Igh locus, CSR assays (FACS for IgG subclasses), co-immunoprecipitation, shRNA screen, double knockdown |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
High |
28724724
|
| 2020 |
MCPH1 directly binds to single-stranded DNA and directly interacts with RAD51 at multiple contact points. MCPH1 enhances stability of RAD51-ssDNA filaments approximately 2-fold (single-molecule tethered particle motion), providing a biochemical mechanism for MCPH1's role in HR repair. |
Purified recombinant MCPH1 protein from mammalian expression system, DNA binding assays, co-immunoprecipitation with RAD51, single-molecule tethered particle motion analysis of RAD51-ssDNA filament lifetime |
Nucleic acids research |
High |
32735676
|
| 2020 |
MCPH1 specifically interacts with the TRFH domain of TRF2 via its 330YRLSP334 motif, as revealed by crystal structure. TRF2-dependent recruitment of MCPH1 promotes localization of DNA damage factors and homology-directed repair at dysfunctional telomeres lacking POT1-TPP1, and MCPH1 promotes telomere replication fork progression and restart of stalled forks. |
Crystal structure of MCPH1-TRF2 complex, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence at telomeres (TIF assay), replication fork assay (DNA fiber), telomere replication stress assays |
Nature communications |
High |
33203878
|
| 2021 |
MCPH1 inhibits Condensin II during interphase by binding to the NCAPG2 subunit of Condensin II via a short linear motif. Deletion of Mcph1 in mouse ESCs unleashes Condensin II to form compact chromosomes in G1 and G2 phases even without CDK1 activity, with enhanced A/B compartment mixing. MCPH1's ability to block Condensin II chromatin association is abrogated by fusion of SMC2 with NCAPH2, analogous to cohesin regulation by WAPL. |
Mcph1 knockout mouse ESCs, Hi-C chromatin architecture analysis, CDK1 inhibition experiments, SMC2-NCAPH2 fusion construct, co-immunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy |
eLife |
High |
34850681
|
| 2021 |
The N-terminal BRCT domain of MCPH1 is essential for brain size determination, gonad development, DNA damage response, and prevention of premature chromosome condensation (PCC) in vivo. Mouse model lacking only the N-BRCT domain (Mcph1-ΔBR1) recapitulates all phenotypes of complete Mcph1 knockout, including microcephaly, infertility, and PCC. |
Mouse model (Mcph1-ΔBR1 deletion), brain size measurement, fertility assays, MEF DNA damage response assays, chromosome condensation analysis (PCC phenotype) |
Cell death & disease |
High |
33542216
|
| 2013 |
Deletion of Mcph1 results in a specific reduction of cerebral cortex at birth with premature neurogenic production causing excess early-born deep-layer neurons (IV-VI) and fewer late-born upper-layer neurons (II-III), without affecting neuronal migration. Mcph1 deletion also compromises homologous recombination repair and increases genomic instability. IR causes massive apoptosis in Mcph1-null neocortex. |
Mcph1 knockout mouse model, BrdU/EdU birth-dating of cortical layers, HR repair assay (RAD51 foci, comet assay), γ-irradiation survival, TUNEL apoptosis assay |
DNA repair |
High |
23683352
|
| 2014 |
BRIT1 regulates p53 protein stability post-transcriptionally by blocking MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination. BRIT1 knockdown in normal breast epithelial cells causes oncogenic transformation. BRIT1 overexpression suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (BRIT1-MDM2-p53), ubiquitination assay, BRIT1 knockdown in MCF10A cells (transformation assay), soft agar colony formation, xenograft tumor model |
Carcinogenesis |
High |
23729656
|
| 2014 |
BRIT1 phosphorylation at Ser-322 by ATM or ATR in response to replication stress facilitates recruitment of TopBP1 (a key ATR activator) to DNA damage sites, amplifying ATR signaling. BRIT1 is dispensable for ATR initiation but required for amplification of ATR-dependent signaling. |
Co-immunoprecipitation (BRIT1-TopBP1), phospho-specific antibody for pSer-322, siRNA knockdown, ChIP at damage sites, ATR signaling assays |
The Journal of biological chemistry |
Medium |
25301947
|
| 2018 |
Both MCPH1 isoforms are phosphorylated in a CDK1-dependent manner during mitosis. Upon mitotic exit, both isoforms are degraded by APC/C-Cdh1 E3 ligase; the long isoform via a D-Box degron and the short isoform via a KEN-Box degron, demonstrating isoform-specific degradation mechanisms. |
Cell cycle synchronization, phospho-proteomics/site identification, co-immunoprecipitation with APC/C components, proteasome inhibitor experiments, D-box and KEN-box mutagenesis |
FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology |
Medium |
30303738
|
| 2020 |
Mcph1 is expressed at mitochondria in apical radial glial cells and controls their proliferation/survival potentially through interactions with VDAC1/GRP75 and AKT/HK2/VDAC1 (mitochondrial activity) and ATF4/PCK2 (glutaminolysis) pathways. |
Immunofluorescence co-localization (MCPH1 and mitochondrial markers), Mcph1 knockout mouse cortex, transcriptomic analysis, Western blot for pathway components |
Cell reports |
Low |
32294449
|
| 2024 |
In hematopoietic stem cells, MCPH1 is present in both nucleus (maintaining genomic stability) and cytoplasm (preventing necroptosis by binding phospho-RIPK3). Aging triggers KAT7-mediated acetylation of the MCPH1 NLS motif, promoting nuclear translocation, reducing cytoplasmic MCPH1, and activating RIPK3-dependent necroptosis and HSC deterioration. |
Subcellular fractionation, co-immunoprecipitation (MCPH1-p-RIPK3), acetylation mapping, KAT7 inhibition/knockdown, NLS acetylation site mutagenesis, HSC functional assays (transplantation), necroptosis inhibitor rescue |
Nature aging |
High |
38632351
|
| 2024 |
Mcph1 knockout in mice leads to p19ARF upregulation in MEFs, causing CDK-inhibitor p21-dependent cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence. Silencing p19Arf rescues cell cycle and growth arrest to wild-type levels. p53 pathway activation in Mcph1-deficient erythroid precursors leads to Cdkn1a/p21 overexpression. However, p53 inactivation does not reverse anemia or microcephaly in Mcph1-null mice, suggesting p53 activation is a consequence rather than a cause of the proliferation defect. |
Mcph1 knockout mouse/MEF model, RNA-seq transcriptomics, p19Arf siRNA rescue, cell cycle assays, Mcph1/p53 double-knockout analysis |
International journal of molecular sciences / EMBO reports |
Medium |
38605277 38731817
|
| 2011 |
In VIP-antagonist-treated mice, reduced Mcph1 expression leads to downregulation of Chk1 and reduced Chk1 kinase activity, turning off neural stem cell proliferation. In vitro silencing of either Mcph1 or Chk1 in neurospheres mimics VIP blockade-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, placing MCPH1 upstream of Chk1 in VIP-mediated cortical development. |
VIP antagonist mouse model, qRT-PCR, Western blot, Chk1 kinase activity assay, neurosphere siRNA knockdown |
The Journal of clinical investigation |
Medium |
21737879
|
| 2015 |
The BRUCE UBC E3 ligase domain (not the BIR domain) is required for BRUCE to promote USP8-mediated deubiquitination of BRIT1 after DSB formation; mutation/deletion of the UBC domain does not disrupt BRUCE-USP8-BRIT1 complex formation but impairs BRIT1 deubiquitination, DSB foci formation, and HR repair. |
UBC domain mutations/deletions, ubiquitination assay, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence foci assay, HR repair assay |
PloS one |
Medium |
26683461
|
| 2015 |
Loss of MCPH1 causes a CDK2-dependent increase in STIL levels at centrosomes, driving centrosome amplification (CA) in cancer cells. MCPH1 deep gene deletions occur in 5–15% of human cancers depending on anatomic site. |
siRNA knockdown in cancer cells, quantitative centrosome immunofluorescence (centriole number), CDK2 inhibition rescue experiment, TCGA genomic analysis for MCPH1 deletions |
Scientific reports |
Medium |
32681070
|
| 2015 |
MCPH1 binds to the ANGPT2 promoter and recruits DNA methyltransferases to silence ANGPT2 expression via promoter DNA methylation. MCPH1 knockdown causes ANGPT2 upregulation with loss of promoter methylation. |
ChIP (MCPH1 at ANGPT2 promoter), co-immunoprecipitation (MCPH1-DNMT), methylation analysis, MCPH1 knockdown with promoter methylation assay |
The FEBS journal |
Medium |
25703238
|
| 2019 |
MCPH1 function is required for cellular adaptation to the G2 decatenation checkpoint (bypass of G2 arrest caused by topoisomerase II inhibition), but is dispensable for activation and maintenance of the decatenation checkpoint itself. MCPH1 does not confer adaptation to ATM/ATR-based DNA damage G2 arrest. |
MCPH1-depleted HeLa cells, topoisomerase II inhibitor (ICRF-193) G2 arrest assay, checkpoint adaptation assay (live imaging of mitotic entry), ATM/ATR inhibitor comparison |
FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology |
Medium |
30964711
|
| 2012 |
MCPH1 represses hTERT promoter activity by directly binding to the proximal hTERT promoter as shown by EMSA. Overexpression of MCPH1 reduces telomerase activity, and siRNA knockdown of MCPH1 abolishes this repression. |
Luciferase reporter assay with hTERT promoter, EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay), siRNA knockdown, telomerase activity assay (TRAP) |
Gene |
Medium |
22240313
|
| 2022 |
The central domain of MCPH1 (encoded by exon 8) is essential for brain size, gonad development, and prevention of PCC in vivo. Mcph1-Δe8 mice show reduced brain size, thinner cortex, infertility due to germ cell loss, and PCC in MEFs, phenocopying complete Mcph1 knockout. |
Mouse model with exon 8 deletion (Mcph1-Δe8), brain morphometry, fertility/gonad histology, MEF chromosome condensation assay |
Cells |
Medium |
36078123
|