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Chromothripsis: an emerging crossroad from aberrant mitosis to therapeutic opportunities
Umer Ejaz1,2 , Zhen Dou1,2 , Phil Y. Yao3 , Zhikai Wang1,2 , Xing Liu1,2,* , Xuebiao Yao1,*
1MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science and Technology of China School of Life Sciences, Hefei 230027, China
2Anhui Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology, Hefei National Science Center for Inter-disciplinary Sciences, Hefei 230027, China
3University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
*Correspondence to:Xing Liu , Email:xing1017@ustc.edu.cn Xuebiao Yao , Email:yaoxb@ustc.edu.cn
J Mol Cell Biol, Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2024, mjae016,  https://doi.org/10.1093/jmcb/mjae016
Keyword: genomic stability, DNA damage repair, chromothripsis, synthetic lethality, cell division

Chromothripsis, a type of complex chromosomal rearrangement originally known as chromoanagenesis, has been a subject of extensive investigation due to its potential role in various diseases, particularly cancer. Chromothripsis involves the rapid acquisition of tens to hundreds of structural rearrangements within a short period, leading to complex alterations in one or a few chromosomes. This phenomenon is triggered by chromosome mis-segregation during mitosis. Errors in accurate chromosome segregation lead to formation of aberrant structural entities such as micronuclei or chromatin bridges. The association between chromothripsis and cancer has attracted significant interest, with potential implications for tumorigenesis and disease prognosis. This review aims to explore the intricate mechanisms and consequences of chromothripsis, with a specific focus on its association with mitotic perturbations. Herein, we discuss a comprehensive analysis of crucial molecular entities and pathways, exploring the intricate roles of the CIP2A–TOPBP1 complex, micronuclei formation, chromatin bridge processing, DNA damage repair, and mitotic checkpoints. Moreover, the review will highlight recent advancements in identifying potential therapeutic targets and the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with chromothripsis, paving the way for future therapeutic interventions in various diseases.