Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogene

Abstract Replicative stress (RS) is emerging as a promising therapeutic target in oncology, yet full exploitation of its potential requires a detailed understanding of the mechanisms and genes involved. Here, we investigated the RNA helicase Senataxin (SETX), an enzyme that resolves RNA-DNA hybrids...

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Main Authors: Silvia Sberna, Marco Filipuzzi, Nicola Bianchi, Ottavio Croci, Federica Fardella, Chiara Soriani, Sara Rohban, Sara Carnevali, Alessandra Alberta Albertini, Nicola Crosetto, Simona Rodighiero, Arianna Chiesa, Laura Curti, Stefano Campaner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-03-01
Series:Cell Death and Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07485-4
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author Silvia Sberna
Marco Filipuzzi
Nicola Bianchi
Ottavio Croci
Federica Fardella
Chiara Soriani
Sara Rohban
Sara Carnevali
Alessandra Alberta Albertini
Nicola Crosetto
Simona Rodighiero
Arianna Chiesa
Laura Curti
Stefano Campaner
author_facet Silvia Sberna
Marco Filipuzzi
Nicola Bianchi
Ottavio Croci
Federica Fardella
Chiara Soriani
Sara Rohban
Sara Carnevali
Alessandra Alberta Albertini
Nicola Crosetto
Simona Rodighiero
Arianna Chiesa
Laura Curti
Stefano Campaner
author_sort Silvia Sberna
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Replicative stress (RS) is emerging as a promising therapeutic target in oncology, yet full exploitation of its potential requires a detailed understanding of the mechanisms and genes involved. Here, we investigated the RNA helicase Senataxin (SETX), an enzyme that resolves RNA-DNA hybrids and R-loops, to address its role in preventing RS by oncogenic Myc. Upon Myc activation, silencing of SETX led to selective engagement of the DNA damage response (DDR) and robust cytotoxicity. Pharmacological dissection of the upstream kinases regulating the DDR uncovered a protective role of the ATR pathway, that once inhibited, boosted SETX driven-DDR. While SETX loss did not lead to a genome-wide increase of R-loops, mechanistic analyses revealed enhanced R-loops localized at DDR-foci and newly replicated genomic loci, compatible with a selective role of SETX in resolving RNA-DNA hybrids to alleviate Myc-induced RS. Genome-wide mapping of DNA double-strand breaks confirmed that SETX silencing exacerbated DNA damage at transcription-replication conflict (TRC) regions at early replicated sites. We propose that SETX prevents Myc-induced TRCs by resolving transcription-associated R-loops that encounter the replisome. The identification of SETX as a genetic liability of oncogenic Myc opens up new therapeutic options against aggressive Myc-driven tumors.
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spelling doaj-art-c308e1775b2f41efb16ebfc38b8f9ac22025-08-20T03:10:32ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death and Disease2041-48892025-03-0116111510.1038/s41419-025-07485-4Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogeneSilvia Sberna0Marco Filipuzzi1Nicola Bianchi2Ottavio Croci3Federica Fardella4Chiara Soriani5Sara Rohban6Sara Carnevali7Alessandra Alberta Albertini8Nicola Crosetto9Simona Rodighiero10Arianna Chiesa11Laura Curti12Stefano Campaner13Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Imaging Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCSCenter for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Human TechnopoleHuman TechnopoleImaging Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCSCenter for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Center for Genomic Science of IIT, CGS@SEMM (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia at European School of Molecular Medicine), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)Abstract Replicative stress (RS) is emerging as a promising therapeutic target in oncology, yet full exploitation of its potential requires a detailed understanding of the mechanisms and genes involved. Here, we investigated the RNA helicase Senataxin (SETX), an enzyme that resolves RNA-DNA hybrids and R-loops, to address its role in preventing RS by oncogenic Myc. Upon Myc activation, silencing of SETX led to selective engagement of the DNA damage response (DDR) and robust cytotoxicity. Pharmacological dissection of the upstream kinases regulating the DDR uncovered a protective role of the ATR pathway, that once inhibited, boosted SETX driven-DDR. While SETX loss did not lead to a genome-wide increase of R-loops, mechanistic analyses revealed enhanced R-loops localized at DDR-foci and newly replicated genomic loci, compatible with a selective role of SETX in resolving RNA-DNA hybrids to alleviate Myc-induced RS. Genome-wide mapping of DNA double-strand breaks confirmed that SETX silencing exacerbated DNA damage at transcription-replication conflict (TRC) regions at early replicated sites. We propose that SETX prevents Myc-induced TRCs by resolving transcription-associated R-loops that encounter the replisome. The identification of SETX as a genetic liability of oncogenic Myc opens up new therapeutic options against aggressive Myc-driven tumors.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07485-4
spellingShingle Silvia Sberna
Marco Filipuzzi
Nicola Bianchi
Ottavio Croci
Federica Fardella
Chiara Soriani
Sara Rohban
Sara Carnevali
Alessandra Alberta Albertini
Nicola Crosetto
Simona Rodighiero
Arianna Chiesa
Laura Curti
Stefano Campaner
Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogene
Cell Death and Disease
title Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogene
title_full Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogene
title_fullStr Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogene
title_full_unstemmed Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogene
title_short Senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the Myc oncogene
title_sort senataxin prevents replicative stress induced by the myc oncogene
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07485-4
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