Trabectedin derails transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair to induce DNA breaks in highly transcribed genes

Abstract Most genotoxic anticancer agents fail in tumors with intact DNA repair. Therefore, trabectedin, anagent more toxic to cells with active DNA repair, specifically transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER), provides therapeutic opportunities. To unlock the potential of trabectedin and inform its application in precision oncology, an understanding of the mechanism of the drug’s TC-NER-dependent toxicity is needed. Here, we determine that abortive TC-NER of trabectedin-DNA adducts forms persistent single-strand breaks (SSBs) as the adducts block the second of the two sequential NER incisions. We map the 3’-hydroxyl groups of SSBs originating from the first NER incision at trabectedin lesions, recording TC-NER on a genome-wide scale. Trabectedin-induced SSBs primarily occur in transcribed strands of active genes and peak near transcription start sites. Frequent SSBs are also found outside gene bodies, connecting TC-NER to divergent transcription from promoters. This work advances the use of trabectedin for precision oncology and for studying TC-NER and transcription.