BLM helicase–dependent and –independent roles of 53BP1 during replication stress–mediated homologous recombination

Mutations in BLM helicase cause Bloom syndrome, characterized by predisposition to all forms of cancer. We demonstrate that BLM, signal transducer 53BP1, and RAD51 interact during stalled replication. Interactions between the three proteins have functional consequences. Lack of 53BP1 decreases the cell survival and enhanced chromosomal aberration after replication arrest. 53BP1 exhibits both BLM-dependent and -independent anti-recombinogenic functions in human and mouse cells. Both BLM and 53BP1 abrogate endogenous RAD51 foci formation and disrupt RAD51 polymerization. Consequently, loss of BLM and 53BP1 synergistically enhances stress-dependent homologous recombination. These results provide evidence regarding the cooperation between BLM and 53BP1 during maintenance of genomic integrity.