ALDH9A1 Deficiency as a Source of Endogenous DNA Damage that Requires Repair by the Fanconi Anemia Pathway

Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway is required for the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICL). ICLs are caused by genotoxins, such as chemotherapeutic agents or reactive aldehydes. Inappropriately repaired ICLs contribute to hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) failure and tumorigenesis. While endogenous acetaldehyde and formaldehyde are known to induce HSC failure and leukemia in humans with FA, the effects of other toxic metabolites in FA pathogenesis have not been systematically investigated. Using a metabolism-focused CRISPR screen, we found that ALDH9A1 deficiency causes synthetic lethality in FA pathway-deficient cells. Combined deficiency of ALDH9A1 and FANCD2 causes genomic instability, apoptosis, and decreased hematopoietic colony formation. Fanca −/− Aldh9a1 −/− mice exhibited an increased incidence of ovarian tumors. A suppressor CRISPR screen revealed that the loss of ATP13A3, a polyamine transporter, resulted in improved survival of FANCD2 −/− ALDH9A1 −/− cells. These findings implicate high intracellular polyamines and the resulting 3-aminopropanal or acrolein in the pathogenesis of FA. In addition, we find that ALDH9A1 variants may be modifying disease onset in FA patients. Statement of Significance ALDH9A1 deficiency is a previously unrecognized source of endogenous DNA damage. If not repaired by the Fanconi anemia pathway, such damage leads to increased genomic instability and tumorigenesis. Limiting substrates that accumulate when ALDH9A1 is absent can reduce aldehyde production and rescue synthetic lethality in the combined deficiency of ALDH9A1/FANCD2.