Transcription elongation defects link oncogenic splicing factor mutations to targetable alterations in chromatin landscape

Transcription and splicing of pre-messenger RNA are closely coordinated, but how this functional coupling is disrupted in human disease remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the impact of non-synonymous mutations in SF3B1 and U2AF1, two commonly mutated splicing factors in cancer, on transcription. We find that the mutations impair RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription elongation along gene bodies leading to transcription-replication conflicts, replication stress and altered chromatin organization. This elongation defect is linked to disrupted pre-spliceosome assembly due to impaired association of HTATSF1 with mutant SF3B1. Through an unbiased screen, we identified epigenetic factors in the Sin3/HDAC complex, which, when modulated, normalize transcription defects and their downstream effects. Our findings shed light on the mechanisms by which oncogenic mutant spliceosomes impact chromatin organization through their effects on RNAPII transcription elongation and present a rationale for targeting the Sin3/HDAC complex as a potential therapeutic strategy.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

HIGHLIGHTS

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Oncogenic mutations of SF3B1 and U2AF1 cause a gene-body RNAPII elongation defect

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RNAPII transcription elongation defect leads to transcription replication conflicts, DNA damage response, and changes to chromatin organization and H3K4me3 marks

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The transcription elongation defect is linked to disruption of the early spliceosome formation through impaired interaction of HTATSF1 with mutant SF3B1.

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Changes to chromatin organization reveal potential therapeutic strategies by targeting the Sin3/HDAC pathway