Melanoma cells express elevated levels of phosphorylated histone H2AX foci

When human cells sustain a DNA double-strand break (dsb), histone H2AX in chromatin surrounding the DNA break is phosphorylated, marking repair foci. The number of phosphorylated histone H2AX (gamma H2AX) foci approximates the number of dsb present in the cell's nuclear DNA. We observed 0.4 gamma H2AX foci per nucleus in primary human melanocytes. In contrast, in four melanoma cell lines, we detected 7-17 gamma H2AX foci per nucleus, a 17-42 times increase in the basal level of gamma H2AX foci in melanoma cells relative to melanocytes (MC). Thus, untreated melanoma cells express significantly greater numbers of gamma H2AX foci than do untreated MC. Detection and rejoining of ionizing radiation-induced DNA dsb proceeded as rapidly in melanoma cells as in MC. Melanoma cells, however, reduced the number of radiation-induced gamma H2AX foci down only to pre-irradiation levels. Co-localization of the majority of gamma H2AX foci with ataxia telangiectasia mutated, BRCA1, 53BP1, and Nbs1 foci in untreated melanoma cells indicated that the additional foci in melanoma cells were associated with a DNA change that the cells interpret as DNA dsb. Co-localization of gamma H2AX foci with the telomere replication factor 1 protein in untreated melanoma cells indicates that the additional foci in untreated melanoma cells are associated with dysfunctional telomeres that induce a DNA damage stress response.