MMB-FOXM1-driven premature mitosis is required for CHK1 inhibitor sensitivity
Cell reports, 2021•cell.com
To identify genes whose loss confers resistance to CHK1 inhibitors, we perform genome-
wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines treated with
the CHK1 inhibitor prexasertib (CHK1i). Five of the top six hits of the screens, MYBL2 (B-
MYB), LIN54, FOXM1, cyclin A2 (CCNA2), and CDC25B, are cell-cycle-regulated genes that
contribute to entry into mitosis. Knockout of MMB-FOXM1 complex components LIN54 and
FOXM1 reduce CHK1i-induced DNA replication stress markers and premature mitosis …
wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines treated with
the CHK1 inhibitor prexasertib (CHK1i). Five of the top six hits of the screens, MYBL2 (B-
MYB), LIN54, FOXM1, cyclin A2 (CCNA2), and CDC25B, are cell-cycle-regulated genes that
contribute to entry into mitosis. Knockout of MMB-FOXM1 complex components LIN54 and
FOXM1 reduce CHK1i-induced DNA replication stress markers and premature mitosis …
Summary
To identify genes whose loss confers resistance to CHK1 inhibitors, we perform genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines treated with the CHK1 inhibitor prexasertib (CHK1i). Five of the top six hits of the screens, MYBL2 (B-MYB), LIN54, FOXM1, cyclin A2 (CCNA2), and CDC25B, are cell-cycle-regulated genes that contribute to entry into mitosis. Knockout of MMB-FOXM1 complex components LIN54 and FOXM1 reduce CHK1i-induced DNA replication stress markers and premature mitosis during Late S phase. Activation of a feedback loop between the MMB-FOXM1 complex and CDK1 is required for CHK1i-induced premature mitosis in Late S phase and subsequent replication catastrophe, indicating that dysregulation of the S to M transition is necessary for CHK1 inhibitor sensitivity. These findings provide mechanistic insights into small molecule inhibitors currently studied in clinical trials and provide rationale for combination therapies.
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