HDAC6 regulates DNA damage response via deacetylating MLH1

MutL homolog 1 (MLH1) is a key DNA mismatch repair protein, which plays an important role in maintenance of genomic stability and the DNA damage response. Here, we report that MLH1 is a novel substrate of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6). HDAC6 interacts with and deacetylates MLH1 both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, deacetylation of MLH1 blocks the assembly of the MutS-MutL complex. Moreover, we have identified four novel acetylation sites in MLH1 by MS analysis. The deacetylation mimetic mutant, but not the WT and the acetylation mimetic mutant, of MLH1 confers resistance to 6-thioguanine. Overall, our findings suggest that the MutS-MutL complex serves as a sensor for DNA damage response and that HDAC6 disrupts the MutS-MutL complex by deacetylation of MLH1, leading to the tolerance of DNA damage.