Deletion of a pseudogene within a fragile site triggers the oncogenic expression of the mitotic CCSER1 gene

The oncogenic role of common fragile sites (CFS), focal and pervasive gaps in the cancer genome arising from replicative stress, remains controversial. Exploiting the TCGA dataset, we found that in most CFS the genes residing within the associated focal deletions are down-regulated, including proteins involved in tumour immune recognition. In a subset of CFS, however, the residing genes are surprisingly overexpressed. Within the most frequent CFS in this group, FRA4F, which is deleted in up to 18% of cancer cases and harbours the CCSER1 gene, we identified a region which includes an intronic, an-tisense pseudogene, TMSB4XP8. TMSB4XP8 focal ablation or tran-scriptional silencing elicits the overexpression of CCSER1, through a cis-acting mechanism. CCSER1 overexpression increases proliferation and triggers centrosome amplifications, multinuclearity, and aber-rant mitoses. Accordingly, FRA4F is associated in patient samples to mitotic genes deregulation and genomic instability. As a result, cells overexpressing CCSER1 become sensitive to the treatment with au-rora kinase inhibitors. Our findings point to a novel tumourigenic mechanism where focal deletions increase the expression of a new class of dormant oncogenes.

Automated summary

The study revealed that genes within common fragile sites (CFS) may be down-regulated or overexpressed, affecting tumor immune recognition. Particularly, in some CFS, genes are unexpectedly overexpressed, potentially leading to aberrant mitosis in cells. Furthermore, some CFS are associated with mitotic gene deregulation and genomic instability.