ALC1 links chromatin accessibility to PARP inhibitor response in homologous recombination-deficient cells

Priyanka Verma, Yeqiao Zhou, Zhendong Cao, Peter V. Deraska, Moniher Deb, Eri Arai, Weihua Li, Yue Shao, Laura Puentes, Yiwen Li, Sonali Patankar, Robert H. Mach, Robert B. Faryabi, Junwei Shi, Roger A. Greenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

105 Scopus citations

Abstract

The response to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) is dictated by homologous recombination (HR) DNA repair and the abundance of lesions that trap PARP enzymes. It remains unclear, however, if the established role of PARP in promoting chromatin accessibility impacts viability in these settings. Using a CRISPR-based screen, we identified the PAR-binding chromatin remodeller ALC1/CHD1L as a key determinant of PARPi toxicity in HR-deficient cells. ALC1 loss reduced viability of breast cancer gene (BRCA)-mutant cells and enhanced sensitivity to PARPi by up to 250-fold, while overcoming several resistance mechanisms. ALC1 deficiency reduced chromatin accessibility concomitant with a decrease in the association of base damage repair factors. This resulted in an accumulation of replication-associated DNA damage, increased PARP trapping and a reliance on HR. These findings establish PAR-dependent chromatin remodelling as a mechanistically distinct aspect of PARPi responses and therapeutic target in HR-deficient cancers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)160-171
Number of pages12
JournalNature Cell Biology
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'ALC1 links chromatin accessibility to PARP inhibitor response in homologous recombination-deficient cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this