Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is prevalent in human cancers and mediates high oncogene expression through gene amplification and altered gene regulation. Gene induction typically involves cis regulatory elements that contact and activate genes on the same chromosome. Here we show that ecDNA hubs, clusters of ~10-100 ecDNAs within the nucleus, enable intermolecular enhancer-gene interactions to promote oncogene overexpression in trans. ecDNAs encoding multiple distinct oncogenes form hubs in diverse cancer cell types and primary tumors. Each ecDNA is more likely to transcribe the oncogene when spatially clustered with additional ecDNAs. ecDNA hubs are tethered by the BET protein BRD4 in a MYC-amplified colorectal cancer cell line. BET inhibitor JQ1 disperses ecDNA hubs and preferentially inhibits ecDNA-based oncogene transcription. A BRD4-bound promoter in PVT1 is ectopically fused to MYC and duplicated in ecDNA, receiving promiscuous enhancer input to drive potent MYC expression. PVT1 promoter on a heterologous episome suffices to mediate gene activation in trans by ecDNA hubs in a JQ1-sensitive manner. Systematic CRISPRi silencing of ecDNA enhancers reveal intermolecular enhancer-gene activation among multiple oncogene loci amplified on distinct ecDNAs. Together, these results demonstrate that ecDNA hubs are protein-tethered clusters of ecDNAs which enable intermolecular transcriptional regulation. ecDNA hubs may act as units of oncogene function, cooperative evolution, and potential targets for cancer therapy.
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is prevalent in human cancers and mediates high oncogene expression through gene amplification and altered gene regulation. Gene induction typically involves cis regulatory elements that contact and activate genes on the same chromosome. Here we show that ecDNA hubs, clusters of ~10-100 ecDNAs within the nucleus, enable intermolecular enhancer-gene interactions to promote oncogene overexpression in trans. ecDNAs encoding multiple distinct oncogenes form hubs in diverse cancer cell types and primary tumors. Each ecDNA is more likely to transcribe the oncogene when spatially clustered with additional ecDNAs. ecDNA hubs are tethered by the BET protein BRD4 in a MYC-amplified colorectal cancer cell line. BET inhibitor JQ1 disperses ecDNA hubs and preferentially inhibits ecDNA-based oncogene transcription. A BRD4-bound promoter in PVT1 is ectopically fused to MYC and duplicated in ecDNA, receiving promiscuous enhancer input to drive potent MYC expression. PVT1 promoter on a heterologous episome suffices to mediate gene activation in trans by ecDNA hubs in a JQ1-sensitive manner. Systematic CRISPRi silencing of ecDNA enhancers reveal intermolecular enhancer-gene activation among multiple oncogene loci amplified on distinct ecDNAs. Together, these results demonstrate that ecDNA hubs are protein-tethered clusters of ecDNAs which enable intermolecular transcriptional regulation. ecDNA hubs may act as units of oncogene function, cooperative evolution, and potential targets for cancer therapy.
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is prevalent in human cancers and mediates high oncogene expression through gene amplification and altered gene regulation. Gene induction typically involves cis regulatory elements that contact and activate genes on the same chromosome. Here we show that ecDNA hubs, clusters of ~10-100 ecDNAs within the nucleus, enable intermolecular enhancer-gene interactions to promote oncogene overexpression in trans. ecDNAs encoding multiple distinct oncogenes form hubs in diverse cancer cell types and primary tumors. Each ecDNA is more likely to transcribe the oncogene when spatially clustered with additional ecDNAs. ecDNA hubs are tethered by the BET protein BRD4 in a MYC-amplified colorectal cancer cell line. BET inhibitor JQ1 disperses ecDNA hubs and preferentially inhibits ecDNA-based oncogene transcription. A BRD4-bound promoter in PVT1 is ectopically fused to MYC and duplicated in ecDNA, receiving promiscuous enhancer input to drive potent MYC expression. PVT1 promoter on a heterologous episome suffices to mediate gene activation in trans by ecDNA hubs in a JQ1-sensitive manner. Systematic CRISPRi silencing of ecDNA enhancers reveal intermolecular enhancer-gene activation among multiple oncogene loci amplified on distinct ecDNAs. Together, these results demonstrate that ecDNA hubs are protein-tethered clusters of ecDNAs which enable intermolecular transcriptional regulation. ecDNA hubs may act as units of oncogene function, cooperative evolution, and potential targets for cancer therapy.
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) presents a major challenge for cancer patients. EcDNA renders tumours treatment-resistant by facilitating massive oncogene transcription and rapid genome evolution, contributing to poor patient survival. At present, there are no ecDNA-specific treatments. Here we show that enhancing transcription replication conflict enables targeted elimination of ecDNA-containing cancers. Stepwise analyses of ecDNA transcription reveal pervasive RNA transcription and associated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), leading to excessive transcription replication conflicts and replication stress (RS) compared to chromosomal loci. Nucleotide incorporation on ecDNA is markedly slower, and RS is significantly higher in ecDNA-containing tumours regardless of cancer type or oncogene cargo. pRPA2-S33, a mediator of DNA damage repair that binds ssDNA, shows elevated localization on ecDNA in a transcription dependent manner, along with increased DNA double strand breaks, and activation of the S-phase checkpoint kinase, CHK1. Genetic or pharmacological CHK1 inhibition abrogates the DNA replication check point, causing extensive and preferential tumour cell death in ecDNA-containing tumours. We advance a highly selective, potent, and bioavailable oral CHK1 inhibitor, BBI-2779, that preferentially kills ecDNA-containing tumour cells. In a gastric cancer model containing FGFR2 on ecDNA, BBI-2779 suppresses tumour growth and prevents ecDNA-mediated acquired resistance to the pan-FGFR inhibitor infigratinib, resulting in potent and sustained tumour regression in mice. Transcription replication conflict emerges as a target for ecDNA-directed therapy, exploiting a synthetic lethality of excess to treat cancer. This work was delivered as part of the eDyNAmiC team supported by the Cancer Grand Challenges partnership funded by Cancer Research UK (CGCATF-2021/100012 and CGCATF-2021/100025) and the National Cancer Institute (OT2CA278688 and OT2CA278635) to H.Y.C., P.S.M., and V.B. This project was supported by NIH RM1-HG007735 (H.Y.C., W.J.G., C.C.).
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is prevalent in human cancers and mediates high oncogene expression through gene amplification and altered gene regulation. Gene induction typically involves cis regulatory elements that contact and activate genes on the same chromosome. Here we show that ecDNA hubs, clusters of ~10-100 ecDNAs within the nucleus, enable intermolecular enhancer-gene interactions to promote oncogene overexpression in trans. ecDNAs encoding multiple distinct oncogenes form hubs in diverse cancer cell types and primary tumors. Each ecDNA is more likely to transcribe the oncogene when spatially clustered with additional ecDNAs. ecDNA hubs are tethered by the BET protein BRD4 in a MYC-amplified colorectal cancer cell line. BET inhibitor JQ1 disperses ecDNA hubs and preferentially inhibits ecDNA-based oncogene transcription. A BRD4-bound promoter in PVT1 is ectopically fused to MYC and duplicated in ecDNA, receiving promiscuous enhancer input to drive potent MYC expression. PVT1 promoter on a heterologous episome suffices to mediate gene activation in trans by ecDNA hubs in a JQ1-sensitive manner. Systematic CRISPRi silencing of ecDNA enhancers reveal intermolecular enhancer-gene activation among multiple oncogene loci amplified on distinct ecDNAs. Together, these results demonstrate that ecDNA hubs are protein-tethered clusters of ecDNAs which enable intermolecular transcriptional regulation. ecDNA hubs may act as units of oncogene function, cooperative evolution, and potential targets for cancer therapy.
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) presents a major challenge for cancer patients. EcDNA renders tumours treatment-resistant by facilitating massive oncogene transcription and rapid genome evolution, contributing to poor patient survival. At present, there are no ecDNA-specific treatments. Here we show that enhancing transcription replication conflict enables targeted elimination of ecDNA-containing cancers. Stepwise analyses of ecDNA transcription reveal pervasive RNA transcription and associated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), leading to excessive transcription replication conflicts and replication stress (RS) compared to chromosomal loci. Nucleotide incorporation on ecDNA is markedly slower, and RS is significantly higher in ecDNA-containing tumours regardless of cancer type or oncogene cargo. pRPA2-S33, a mediator of DNA damage repair that binds ssDNA, shows elevated localization on ecDNA in a transcription dependent manner, along with increased DNA double strand breaks, and activation of the S-phase checkpoint kinase, CHK1. Genetic or pharmacological CHK1 inhibition abrogates the DNA replication check point, causing extensive and preferential tumour cell death in ecDNA-containing tumours. We advance a highly selective, potent, and bioavailable oral CHK1 inhibitor, BBI-2779, that preferentially kills ecDNA-containing tumour cells. In a gastric cancer model containing FGFR2 on ecDNA, BBI-2779 suppresses tumour growth and prevents ecDNA-mediated acquired resistance to the pan-FGFR inhibitor infigratinib, resulting in potent and sustained tumour regression in mice. Transcription replication conflict emerges as a target for ecDNA-directed therapy, exploiting a synthetic lethality of excess to treat cancer. This SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below. This work was delivered as part of the eDyNAmiC team supported by the Cancer Grand Challenges partnership funded by Cancer Research UK (CGCATF-2021/100012 and CGCATF-2021/100025) and the National Cancer Institute (OT2CA278688 and OT2CA278635) to H.Y.C., P.S.M., and V.B. This project was supported by NIH RM1-HG007735 (H.Y.C., W.J.G., C.C.).
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is prevalent in human cancers and mediates high oncogene expression through gene amplification and altered gene regulation. Gene induction typically involves cis regulatory elements that contact and activate genes on the same chromosome. Here we show that ecDNA hubs, clusters of ~10-100 ecDNAs within the nucleus, enable intermolecular enhancer-gene interactions to promote oncogene overexpression in trans. ecDNAs encoding multiple distinct oncogenes form hubs in diverse cancer cell types and primary tumors. Each ecDNA is more likely to transcribe the oncogene when spatially clustered with additional ecDNAs. ecDNA hubs are tethered by the BET protein BRD4 in a MYC-amplified colorectal cancer cell line. BET inhibitor JQ1 disperses ecDNA hubs and preferentially inhibits ecDNA-based oncogene transcription. A BRD4-bound promoter in PVT1 is ectopically fused to MYC and duplicated in ecDNA, receiving promiscuous enhancer input to drive potent MYC expression. PVT1 promoter on a heterologous episome suffices to mediate gene activation in trans by ecDNA hubs in a JQ1-sensitive manner. Systematic CRISPRi silencing of ecDNA enhancers reveal intermolecular enhancer-gene activation among multiple oncogene loci amplified on distinct ecDNAs. Together, these results demonstrate that ecDNA hubs are protein-tethered clusters of ecDNAs which enable intermolecular transcriptional regulation. ecDNA hubs may act as units of oncogene function, cooperative evolution, and potential targets for cancer therapy.
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) presents a major challenge for cancer patients. EcDNA renders tumours treatment-resistant by facilitating massive oncogene transcription and rapid genome evolution, contributing to poor patient survival. At present, there are no ecDNA-specific treatments. Here we show that enhancing transcription replication conflict enables targeted elimination of ecDNA-containing cancers. Stepwise analyses of ecDNA transcription reveal pervasive RNA transcription and associated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), leading to excessive transcription replication conflicts and replication stress (RS) compared to chromosomal loci. Nucleotide incorporation on ecDNA is markedly slower, and RS is significantly higher in ecDNA-containing tumours regardless of cancer type or oncogene cargo. pRPA2-S33, a mediator of DNA damage repair that binds ssDNA, shows elevated localization on ecDNA in a transcription dependent manner, along with increased DNA double strand breaks, and activation of the S-phase checkpoint kinase, CHK1. Genetic or pharmacological CHK1 inhibition abrogates the DNA replication check point, causing extensive and preferential tumour cell death in ecDNA-containing tumours. We advance a highly selective, potent, and bioavailable oral CHK1 inhibitor, BBI-2779, that preferentially kills ecDNA-containing tumour cells. In a gastric cancer model containing FGFR2 on ecDNA, BBI-2779 suppresses tumour growth and prevents ecDNA-mediated acquired resistance to the pan-FGFR inhibitor infigratinib, resulting in potent and sustained tumour regression in mice. Transcription replication conflict emerges as a target for ecDNA-directed therapy, exploiting a synthetic lethality of excess to treat cancer. This work was delivered as part of the eDyNAmiC team supported by the Cancer Grand Challenges partnership funded by Cancer Research UK (CGCATF-2021/100012 and CGCATF-2021/100025) and the National Cancer Institute (OT2CA278688 and OT2CA278635) to H.Y.C., P.S.M., and V.B. This project was supported by NIH RM1-HG007735 (H.Y.C., W.J.G., C.C.).
Project description:Extrachromsomal DNA (ecDNA) are prevalent in human cancers and are associated with high oncogene expression as well as altered chromatin. Here we show that multiple ecDNAs cluster in the nucleus during interphase to form ecDNA hubs, where oncogene transcription preferentially occurs. Single-cell multiomics, single-molecule sequencing, and 3D enhancer connectome reveal MYC ecDNAs are heterogenous in primary sequence and that ecDNA hubs support ectopic and intermolecular enhancer-promoter interactions. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) extensively occupies ecDNA regulatory elements, and inhibition by JQ1 disperses ecDNA hubs and preferentially reduces ecDNA oncogene transcription. Two amplified oncogenes can intermix in ecDNA hubs, engage in intermolecular enhancer-promoter interactions, and transcription is uniformly sensitive to JQ1. Thus, ecDNA hubs – nuclear bodies of many ecDNAs tethered by proteins – are platforms for cooperative oncogene transcription. The recognition of ecDNA hubs as units of oncogene function and diversification has potentially broad implications for cancer cell evolution and therapy.
Project description:Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) presents a major challenge for cancer patients. EcDNA renders tumours treatment-resistant by facilitating massive oncogene transcription and rapid genome evolution, contributing to poor patient survival. At present, there are no ecDNA-specific treatments. Here we show that enhancing transcription replication conflict enables targeted elimination of ecDNA-containing cancers. Stepwise analyses of ecDNA transcription reveal pervasive RNA transcription and associated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), leading to excessive transcription replication conflicts and replication stress (RS) compared to chromosomal loci. Nucleotide incorporation on ecDNA is markedly slower, and RS is significantly higher in ecDNA-containing tumours regardless of cancer type or oncogene cargo. pRPA2-S33, a mediator of DNA damage repair that binds ssDNA, shows elevated localization on ecDNA in a transcription dependent manner, along with increased DNA double strand breaks, and activation of the S-phase checkpoint kinase, CHK1. Genetic or pharmacological CHK1 inhibition abrogates the DNA replication check point, causing extensive and preferential tumour cell death in ecDNA-containing tumours. We advance a highly selective, potent, and bioavailable oral CHK1 inhibitor, BBI-2779, that preferentially kills ecDNA-containing tumour cells. In a gastric cancer model containing FGFR2 on ecDNA, BBI-2779 suppresses tumour growth and prevents ecDNA-mediated acquired resistance to the pan-FGFR inhibitor infigratinib, resulting in potent and sustained tumour regression in mice. Transcription replication conflict emerges as a target for ecDNA-directed therapy, exploiting a synthetic lethality of excess to treat cancer. This work was delivered as part of the eDyNAmiC team supported by the Cancer Grand Challenges partnership funded by Cancer Research UK (CGCATF-2021/100012 and CGCATF-2021/100025) and the National Cancer Institute (OT2CA278688 and OT2CA278635) to H.Y.C., P.S.M., and V.B. This project was supported by NIH RM1-HG007735 (H.Y.C., W.J.G., C.C.).