ATRX is a regulator of therapy induced senescence in human cells Journal Article


Authors: Kovatcheva, M.; Liao, W.; Klein, M. E.; Robine, N.; Geiger, H.; Crago, A. M.; Dickson, M. A.; Tap, W. D.; Singer, S.; Koff, A.
Article Title: ATRX is a regulator of therapy induced senescence in human cells
Abstract: Senescence is a state of stable cell cycle exit with important implications for development and disease. Here, we demonstrate that the chromatin remodeling enzyme ATRX is required for therapy-induced senescence. ATRX accumulates in nuclear foci and is required for therapy-induced senescence in multiple types of transformed cells exposed to either DNA damaging agents or CDK4 inhibitors. Mobilization into foci depends on the ability of ATRX to interact with H3K9me3 histone and HP1. Foci form soon after cells exit the cell cycle, before other hallmarks of senescence appear. Eliminating ATRX in senescent cells destabilizes the senescence-associated heterochromatic foci. Additionally, ATRX binds to and suppresses expression from the HRAS locus; repression of HRAS is sufficient to promote the transition of quiescent cells into senescence and preventing repression blocks progression into senescence. Thus ATRX is a critical regulator of therapy-induced senescence and acts in multiple ways to drive cells into this state. © 2017 The Author(s).
Journal Title: Nature Communications
Volume: 8
ISSN: 2041-1723
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group  
Date Published: 2017-08-30
Start Page: 386
Language: English
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00540-5
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5577318
PUBMED: 28855512
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 October 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Andrew C Koff
    110 Koff
  2. Aimee Marie Crago
    106 Crago
  3. Samuel Singer
    337 Singer
  4. Mark Andrew Dickson
    170 Dickson
  5. William Douglas Tap
    375 Tap
  6. Mary Elizabeth Klein
    10 Klein