Centrosome architecture and m6A-dependent gating of p53 surveillanceafter whole-genome doubling

Abstract

Whole-genome doubling (WGD) generates a tetraploid state that challenges cellular homeostasis and is strongly selected against in TP53-proficient contexts. Although centrosome amplification serves as a structural correlate of genome doubling, how centrosomal features engage and sustain p53 surveillance remains incompletely understood. Here, we develop a genetically encoded MDM2-based fluorescent reporter to monitor Caspase-2 pathway activation in living cells after WGD. Combining pharmacological profiling and genome-wide CRISPR screening, we uncover a multi-layered regulation of p53 responses. We identify PLK1-dependent centriole maturation and subdistal appendage integrity as architectural determinants of PIDDosome-dependent Caspase-2 activation, independent of distal appendage assembly. We show that upon WGD, Caspase-2-mediated cleavage of MDM2 reshapes the p53-MDM2 regulatory loop, enabling sustained p53 signaling. This sustained output depends on the catalytic activity of METTL3 and associated m6A writer proteins. Together, these findings demonstrate that centrosome architecture and epitranscriptomic regulation cooperate to shape p53 surveillance after genome doubling. HighlightsO_LIWhole-genome doubling creates a surveillance state sensed by centrosome cluster architecture. C_LIO_LICaspase-2 activation converts the p53-MDM2 loop from negative to positive feedback. C_LIO_LIm6A methylation establishes competence of the p53 module for sustained output. C_LIO_LIA genetically encoded biosensor enables functional dissection of this circuit. C_LI