Spatiotemporal characterization of extrachromosomal DNA transcription and its key regulators in cancer cells

Informations projet

FINDR

N° de convention de subvention: 101152080

DOI

10.3030/101152080

Projet clôturé

Date de signature de la CE 11 Mars 2024

Date de début 1 Avril 2024

Date de fin 31 Mars 2026

Financé au titre de

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Coût total

Aucune donnée

Contribution de l’UE

€ 187 624,32

Coordonné par

PRINSES MAXIMA CENTRUM VOOR KINDERONCOLOGIE BV
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FINDR (Spatiotemporal characterization of extrachromosomal DNA transcription and its key regulators in cancer cells)

Période du rapport: 2024-04-01 au 2026-03-31

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

Cancer cells can amplify cancer-promoting genes on small DNA elements outside normal chromosomes, known as extrachromosomal DNA or double minutes. These elements are found in aggressive cancers and are linked to tumour evolution, therapy resistance, and poor patient outcomes. The FINDR project addressed the need for better tools to understand how these DNA elements behave inside cancer cells. Its overall objective was to establish new single-cell approaches to study how extrachromosomal DNA is positioned in the nucleus, how active it is, and how it may be regulated by its cellular environment. By creating such tools, FINDR aimed to provide an enabling framework for future studies into how extrachromosomal DNA contributes to cancer progression and treatment resistance. In the longer term, this knowledge may support the discovery of new vulnerabilities in cancers driven by amplified cancer-promoting genes.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

The project established new experimental approaches to study extrachromosomal DNA organization and activity in individual cancer cells. These tools were applied in selected cancer models to gain first quantitative insights into how amplified DNA elements behave in their nuclear environment. The work showed that different extrachromosomal DNA species can display distinct nuclear behaviours and transcriptional states. It also provided initial evidence that genes amplified outside chromosomes may be regulated differently from their corresponding chromosomal copies. These findings point to important biological questions that can now be investigated more systematically.The project also advanced complementary strategies to identify cellular factors that may regulate extrachromosomal DNA. In parallel, selected regulatory processes were explored, revealing promising starting points for future mechanistic studies. Overall, FINDR delivered new tools and first biological insights that together provide a foundation for broader investigation of extrachromosomal DNA regulation in cancer.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

FINDR advanced the state of the art by moving beyond the detection of extrachromosomal DNA towards functional analysis of how these elements behave in intact single cells. The project established approaches that make it possible to connect nuclear organization with gene activity, opening new opportunities to study cancer-driving gene amplification in its cellular context. The results provide initial evidence that extrachromosomal DNA activity is influenced by nuclear organization. Importantly, the project generated methods, proof-of-concept results, and candidate mechanisms for larger and more systematic studies.The workflows and concepts developed in FINDR are expected to be transferable to other cancer models and related questions in gene regulation and nuclear organization. Further uptake will be supported by publication of the results, deposition of relevant datasets and analysis resources in public repositories, and follow-up studies to validate candidate regulatory factors.