Project description:Joint DNA molecules are natural by-products of DNA replication and repair. Persistent joint molecules give rise to ultrafine DNA bridges (UFBs) in mitosis, which compromise sister chromatid separation. The DNA translocase PICH (ERCC6L) plays a central role in UFB resolution. To better understand the genetic context rendering cells dependent on PICH, a genome-wide loss-of-function screen was performed to identify the genetic contexts in which cells become dependent on PICH. In addition to genes involved in DNA cohesion, centromere stability and DNA damage repair, we identified the uncharacterized protein C1orf112. We find that C1orf112 interacts with and stabilizes the AAA+ ATPase FIGNL1. Inactivation of either C1orf112 or FIGNL1 resulted in UFB formation, prolonged retention of RAD51 on chromatin, impaired replication fork dynamics, and consequently impaired genome maintenance. Combined, our data reveal that inactivation of C1orf112 or FIGNL1 dysregulates RAD51 dynamics at replication forks, resulting in DNA replication defects, and a dependency on PICH to preserve cell viability.
Project description:SUMOylation is an essential protein modification that regulates numerous biological processes, but what constitutes its most critical functions in the cell remains unclear. Here, using genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9-based synthetic lethality screens, we show that the BLM-TOP3A-RMI1-RMI2 (BTRR)-PICH pathway, which resolves ultra-fine anaphase DNA bridges (UFBs) arising from catenated DNA structures, and NIP45 (NFATC2IP) display a synthetic lethal interaction in human cells and are essential for proliferation when SUMOylation is impaired. NIP45 and SUMOylation prevent excessive UFB formation that leads to extensive binucleation when BTRR-PICH-dependent UFB resolution is defective, by orchestrating an interphase pathway for converting DNA catenanes into DNA double-strand breaks that trigger G2 arrest via canonical ATM/ATR-dependent DNA damage signaling. NIP45 exerts its crucial function in this pathway by acting as a cofactor for specific SUMOylation processes that are at least in part targeted to the SLX4 multi-nuclease complex, which may facilitate nucleolytic DNA catenane resolution. Our findings establish an essential role of SUMO signaling in underpinning cell proliferation by counteracting the deleterious threat to faithful chromosome segregation posed by toxic DNA catenanes arising in virtually every cell cycle, via non-epistatic NIP45- and BTRR-PICH-dependent pathways.
Project description:The RAD51-BRCA2 interaction is central to DNA repair through homologous recombination. Emerging evidence indicates RAD51 overexpression and its correlation with chemoresistance in various cancers, suggesting RAD51-BRCA2 inhibition as a compelling avenue for intervention. We previously showed that combining olaparib (a PARP inhibitor (PARPi)) with RS-35d (a BRCA2-RAD51 inhibitor) was efficient in killing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. However, RS-35d impaired cell viability even when administered alone, suggesting potential off-target effects. Here, through multiple, integrated orthogonal biological approaches in different 2D and 3D PDAC cultures, we characterised RS-35d enantiomers, in terms of mode of action and single contributions. By differentially inhibiting both RAD51-BRCA2 interaction and sensor kinases ATM, ATR and DNA-PK, RS-35d enantiomers exhibit a "within-pathway synthetic lethality" profile. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported proof-of-concept single small molecule capable of demonstrating this built-in synergism. In addition, RS-35d effect on BRCA2-mutated, olaparib-resistant PDAC cells suggests that this compound may be effective as an anticancer agent possibly capable of overcoming PARPi resistance. Our results demonstrate the potential of synthetic lethality, with its diversified applications, to propose new and concrete opportunities to effectively kill cancer cells while limiting side effects and potentially overcoming emerging drug resistance.
Project description:To identify possible novel targets for the treatment of plexiform neurofibroma formation through a synthetic lethal shRNA library screen in the tumorigenic cell of origin, Schwann cells.
Project description:These datasets use diploid-based synthetic lethality analysis on microarrays (dSLAM) as a new technology for identifying genetic interactions of various types. These interactions include synthetic lethality (CIN8, BIM1, SGS1), synthetic haploinsufficiency (TUB1), dosage suppression (LCD1), suppression of a lethal mutation (SML1), suppression of an overexpressed conditionally lethal allele (CDC102), and gene-chemical interactions (Benomyl). Keywords = dSLAM yeast heterozygotes barcode tag synthetic lethality suppression Keywords: other