The nuclear actin cytoskeleton supports DNA double-strand break repair via VCP-mediated extraction of the KU70/80 complex from damaged chromatin

Hauschulte, K.; Shi, J. D.; Wong, R. P. C.; Stiehler, F. F.; Ahmad, B.; Richenhagen, S.; Kahloon, A.; Vogts, L.-M.; Schraft, M. S.; Strauch, T.; Nick, S.; Mikicic, I.; Gelleri, M.; Kielisch, F.; Roukos, V.; Rajalingam, K.; Beli, P.; Loewer, A.; Ulrich, H. D.; Wollscheid, H.-P.

doi:10.64898/2026.09.01.748302

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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.09.01.748302

The nuclear actin cytoskeleton supports DNA double-strand break repair via VCP-mediated extraction of the KU70/80 complex from damaged chromatin

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Abstract

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are critical lesions in genomic DNA, and their accurate repair is essential for maintaining genome stability. The nuclear actin cytoskeleton has been implicated in homology-directed repair (HDR) of DSBs. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we report that Myosin VI (Myo6), an actin-based motor protein, cooperates with F-actin in end resection and DSB mobilization. Our findings reveal that Myo6 directly interacts with both KU70 and the ubiquitin-dependent segregase VCP to facilitate the extraction of the KU70/80 complex from chromatin. This process is supported by F-actin, revealing an interplay between nuclear actin dynamics and the DSB repair machinery. By elucidating the function of Myo6 and its direct interactions with key repair factors, our study provides mechanistic insight into how repair mechanisms rely on nuclear actin to safeguard genome integrity.

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Hauschulte, K., Shi, J. D., Wong, R. P. C., Stiehler, F. F., Ahmad, B., Richenhagen, S., Kahloon, A., Vogts, L.-M., Schraft, M. S., Strauch, T., Nick, S., Mikicic, I., Gelleri, M., Kielisch, F., Roukos, V., Rajalingam, K., Beli, P., Loewer, A., Ulrich, H. D., Wollscheid, H.-P.. 2026-09-02. The nuclear actin cytoskeleton supports DNA double-strand break repair via VCP-mediated extraction of the KU70/80 complex from damaged chromatin. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.01.748302

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