FET proteins and PARylation-dependent condensates promote replication fork reversal and genome stability

Abstract

Targeting replication-associated DNA repair mechanisms, including those regulated by PARP1/2 and PARG control of ADP-ribosylation is a powerful cancer therapeutic approach. However, the mechanisms by which PARG inhibition impacts DNA replication remain unclear. Here we combined isolation of proteins on nascent DNA (iPOND) with quantitative proteomics and functional assays to investigate replication fork dynamics upon acute PARG inhibition. We found that FET family proteins (FUS, EWS, and TAF15) are recruited to replication forks in a PAR-dependent manner, forming condensates that slow fork progression and promote fork reversal. FET proteins control fork dynamics in response to some, but not all, replication stresses. FUS inactivation leads to unrestrained fork progression via RECQ1 and PRIMPOL, increased single-stranded DNA gaps, genome instability, and synthetic lethality with BRCA1 deficiency. These findings reveal that FET protein condensates modulate replication stress responses, influencing genome stability and the cellular response to cancer therapeutics targeting PARylation pathways.