Senescent cells cluster CTCF on nuclear speckles to instruct an alternative splicing program.

Abstract

Senescence, the endpoint of normal cells' replicative lifespan, is accompanied by a complex sequence of molecular events. One such event is the dramatic reorganization of CTCF into senescence-induced clusters (SICCs). However, the molecular determinants, genomic consequences and functional purpose of SICCs remain unknown. Here we combine three-dimensional genomics, super-resolution imaging, DNA tracing and functional assays with modeling to dissect SICC emergence. We find that, on senescence entry, cells repurpose SRRM2-a key component of nuclear speckles-and BANF1-a 'molecular glue' for chromosomes-to cluster CTCF and rewire genome architecture. This CTCF-centric reorganization in reference to nuclear speckles helps instruct the senescence splicing program, because disruption of SICCs almost fully reverts alternative splicing patterns and delays senescence onset. We therefore uncover a paradigm whereby human cells translate changes in nuclear biochemistry into architectural changes directing splicing choices to commit to the fate of senescence.