SRSF9 Forms Phase-Separated Condensates to Promote Ovarian Cancer Progression by Inducing RNA Alternative Splicing That Is Inhibited by m6A Modification

Abstract

Deregulation of RNA alternative splicing and modification can play an important role in tumor initiation and progression. Elucidation of the interplay between alternative splicing and modifications of RNA could provide important insights into cancer biology. In this study, we showed that serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 9 (SRSF9) recognized non-N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-modified NUMB mRNA and induced an oncogenic isoform switch in ovarian cancer. NUMB mRNA m6A modification antagonized SRSF9-mediated alternative splicing. Notably, SRSF9 formed phase-separated condensates within the nucleus, which was indispensable for its splicing function as well as its tumor-promoting effect in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, SRSF9 was aberrantly upregulated in ovarian cancer, correlating with poor patient prognosis. Loss of SRSF9 or antisense oligonucleotide-mediated isoform switch of NUMB mRNA inhibited ovarian cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, this study reveals that SRSF9 condensation promotes ovarian cancer progression through modulation of alternative splicing, in competition with m6A modification.

Significance: Phase separation increases activity of the splicing factor SRSF9 to support progression of ovarian cancer by generating an oncogenic isoform of NUMB mRNA competitively with m6A modification, which provides promising therapeutic targets.