Loss of DCAF8 impairs hematopoietic stem cell function with cellular senescence via the DOCK11-CDC42 axis Available to Purchase

• Age-related decline of DCAF8 expression in HSCs leads to functional defects.

• DCAF8 modulates CDC42 activity via the degradation of DOCK11, which leads to HSC cellular senescence.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for sustaining hematopoietic system throughout life, and their functional decline contributes to hematological disorders and organismal aging. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern HSC function is critical for developing interventions for treating and preventing aging-related diseases. Here, we show that DCAF8, a substrate recognition component of Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases, is highly expressed in HSCs and undergoes a progressive decline with age. Loss of DCAF8 in mice results in impaired function in HSCs, characterized by increased number yet decreased self-renewal capacity, which associates with cellular senescence and elevated DNA damage. Mechanistically, DCAF8 mediates the degradation of DOCK11, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for CDC42. In the absence of DCAF8, DOCK11 accumulates, leading to elevated CDC42 activity and consequential loss of polarity of HSCs. Knocking out Dock11 mitigates the senescence, DNA damage, and self-renewal defects of Dcaf8-/- HSCs. This study highlights a critical role of DCAF8 in preventing HSC senescence via the DOCK11-CDC42 axis and suggests potential therapeutic targets for preventing functional decline in HSCs.