Chromosomal tethering and mitotic transcription promote ecDNA nuclear inheritance Journal Article


Authors: Nichols, A.; Choi, Y.; Norman, R. X.; Chen, Y.; Striepen, J.; Salataj, E.; Toufektchan, E.; Koche, R.; Maciejowski, J.
Article Title: Chromosomal tethering and mitotic transcription promote ecDNA nuclear inheritance
Abstract: Extrachromosomal DNAs (ecDNAs) are circular DNAs that function in tumor progression and treatment resistance by amplifying oncogenes. ecDNAs lack centromeres and thus are not constrained to Mendelian segregation, enabling unequal and rapid accumulation within daughter cells. Despite intrinsic links to their oncogenic potential, the fidelity and mechanisms of ecDNA inheritance are poorly understood. Using human cancer cell lines, we show that ecDNAs are protected against cytosolic mis-segregation through mitotic clustering and tethering to mitotic chromosome ends. Accurate nuclear segregation of MYC-amplifying ecDNA depends on BRD4 transcriptional co-activation and mitotic transcription of the long non-coding RNA PVT1, which is frequently co-amplified with MYC. Disruption of ecDNA mitotic clustering through BRD4 inhibition, PVT1 depletion, or transcription inhibition causes ecDNA micronucleation and formation of homogeneously staining regions. We propose that nuclear inheritance of ecDNA is facilitated by an RNA-based mechanism that clusters ecDNA during mitosis and protects against cytosolic mis-segregation and chromosomal reintegration. © 2025 Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: myc; pvt1; homogeneously staining region; micronuclei; ecdna; genome amplification
Journal Title: Molecular Cell
Volume: 85
Issue: 15
ISSN: 1097-2765
Publisher: Cell Press  
Publication status: Published
Date Published: 2025-08-07
Online Publication Date: 2025-07-03
Start Page: P2839
End Page: P2853
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2025.06.013
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC12233203
PUBMED: 40614723
DOI/URL:
Notes: The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PubMed record and PDF. Corresponding MSK author is John Maciejowski -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Richard Patrick Koche
    180 Koche
  2. Yanyang Chen
    11 Chen
  3. Yujin Choi
    1 Choi
  4. Roshan Xavier Norman
    1 Norman