1
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Zheng D, Li J, Yan H, Zhang G, Li W, Chu E, Wei N. Emerging roles of Aurora-A kinase in cancer therapy resistance. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023. [PMID: 37521867 PMCID: PMC10372834 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (Aurora-A), a serine/threonine kinase, plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes, including mitotic entry, centrosome maturation and spindle formation. Overexpression or gene-amplification/mutation of Aurora-A kinase occurs in different types of cancer, including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. Alteration of Aurora-A impacts multiple cancer hallmarks, especially, immortalization, energy metabolism, immune escape and cell death resistance which are involved in cancer progression and resistance. This review highlights the most recent advances in the oncogenic roles and related multiple cancer hallmarks of Aurora-A kinase-driving cancer therapy resistance, including chemoresistance (taxanes, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide), targeted therapy resistance (osimertinib, imatinib, sorafenib, etc.), endocrine therapy resistance (tamoxifen, fulvestrant) and radioresistance. Specifically, the mechanisms of Aurora-A kinase promote acquired resistance through modulating DNA damage repair, feedback activation bypass pathways, resistance to apoptosis, necroptosis and autophagy, metastasis, and stemness. Noticeably, our review also summarizes the promising synthetic lethality strategy for Aurora-A inhibitors in RB1, ARID1A and MYC gene mutation tumors, and potential synergistic strategy for mTOR, PAK1, MDM2, MEK inhibitors or PD-L1 antibodies combined with targeting Aurora-A kinase. In addition, we discuss the design and development of the novel class of Aurora-A inhibitors in precision medicine for cancer treatment.
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2
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Xie J, Zhang W, Zhu X, Deng M, Lai L. Coevolution-based prediction of key allosteric residues for protein function regulation. eLife 2023; 12:81850. [PMID: 36799896 PMCID: PMC9981151 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Allostery is fundamental to many biological processes. Due to the distant regulation nature, how allosteric mutations, modifications, and effector binding impact protein function is difficult to forecast. In protein engineering, remote mutations cannot be rationally designed without large-scale experimental screening. Allosteric drugs have raised much attention due to their high specificity and possibility of overcoming existing drug-resistant mutations. However, optimization of allosteric compounds remains challenging. Here, we developed a novel computational method KeyAlloSite to predict allosteric site and to identify key allosteric residues (allo-residues) based on the evolutionary coupling model. We found that protein allosteric sites are strongly coupled to orthosteric site compared to non-functional sites. We further inferred key allo-residues by pairwise comparing the difference of evolutionary coupling scores of each residue in the allosteric pocket with the functional site. Our predicted key allo-residues are in accordance with previous experimental studies for typical allosteric proteins like BCR-ABL1, Tar, and PDZ3, as well as key cancer mutations. We also showed that KeyAlloSite can be used to predict key allosteric residues distant from the catalytic site that are important for enzyme catalysis. Our study demonstrates that weak coevolutionary couplings contain important information of protein allosteric regulation function. KeyAlloSite can be applied in studying the evolution of protein allosteric regulation, designing and optimizing allosteric drugs, and performing functional protein design and enzyme engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xie
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Weilin Zhang
- BNLMS, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- School of Sciences, Anhui Agricultural UniversityHefeiChina
| | - Minghua Deng
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- Center for Statistical Science, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Luhua Lai
- Center for Quantitative Biology, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- BNLMS, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences at the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- Research Unit of Drug Design Method, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU014)BeijingChina
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3
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Candido MF, Medeiros M, Veronez LC, Bastos D, Oliveira KL, Pezuk JA, Valera ET, Brassesco MS. Drugging Hijacked Kinase Pathways in Pediatric Oncology: Opportunities and Current Scenario. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020664. [PMID: 36839989 PMCID: PMC9966033 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood cancer is considered rare, corresponding to ~3% of all malignant neoplasms in the human population. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a universal occurrence of more than 15 cases per 100,000 inhabitants around the globe, and despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and supportive care, one child dies of cancer every 3 min. Consequently, more efficient, selective and affordable therapeutics are still needed in order to improve outcomes and avoid long-term sequelae. Alterations in kinases' functionality is a trademark of cancer and the concept of exploiting them as drug targets has burgeoned in academia and in the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century. Consequently, an increasing plethora of inhibitors has emerged. In the present study, the expression patterns of a selected group of kinases (including tyrosine receptors, members of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways, coordinators of cell cycle progression, and chromosome segregation) and their correlation with clinical outcomes in pediatric solid tumors were accessed through the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform and by a thorough search of published literature. To further illustrate the importance of kinase dysregulation in the pathophysiology of pediatric cancer, we analyzed the vulnerability of different cancer cell lines against their inhibition through the Cancer Dependency Map portal, and performed a search for kinase-targeted compounds with approval and clinical applicability through the CanSAR knowledgebase. Finally, we provide a detailed literature review of a considerable set of small molecules that mitigate kinase activity under experimental testing and clinical trials for the treatment of pediatric tumors, while discuss critical challenges that must be overcome before translation into clinical options, including the absence of compounds designed specifically for childhood tumors which often show differential mutational burdens, intrinsic and acquired resistance, lack of selectivity and adverse effects on a growing organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Ferreira Candido
- Department of Cell Biology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Medeiros
- Regional Blood Center, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Chain Veronez
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - David Bastos
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Karla Laissa Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
| | - Elvis Terci Valera
- Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, SP, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Departament of Biotechnology and Innovation, Anhanguera University of São Paulo, UNIAN/SP, São Paulo 04119-001, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-16-3315-9144; Fax: +55-16-3315-4886
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4
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Zhao Z, Wang H, Kang N, Wang Z, Hou X, Hu L, Qie S, Guo J, Wei S, Ruan X, Zheng X. Aurora kinase a promotes the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma by activating the mTORC2-AKT signalling pathway. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:195. [PMID: 36471438 PMCID: PMC9721059 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00934-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment failure is the main cause of death from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). It is urgent to look for new intervention targets and to develop new therapies for treating PTC. Aurora-A kinase (AURKA) functionally regulates cell mitosis and is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of tumours. However, the expression and potential functions of AURKA in PTC remain largely elusive. RESULTS Clinicopathologically, AURKA is highly expressed in PTC tissues compared to normal tissues and is correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and patient prognosis. Biologically, AURKA functions as an oncoprotein to promote the proliferation and migration of PTC cells. Mechanistically, AURKA directly binds to SIN1 and compromises CUL4B-based E3 ligase-mediated ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of SIN1, leading to hyperactivation of the mTORC2-AKT pathway in PTC cells. CONCLUSIONS We found that AURKA plays critical roles in regulating the progression of PTC by activating the mTORC2-AKT pathway, highlighting the potential of targeting AURKA to treat PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewei Zhao
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Huijuan Wang
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Ning Kang
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Xiukun Hou
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Linfei Hu
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Shuo Qie
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Jianping Guo
- grid.412615.50000 0004 1803 6239Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275 Guangdong China
| | - Songfeng Wei
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Xianhui Ruan
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
| | - Xiangqian Zheng
- grid.411918.40000 0004 1798 6427Department of Thyroid and Neck Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, 300060 China
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5
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Kim CL, Lim SB, Kim K, Jeong HS, Mo JS. Phosphorylation analysis of the Hippo-YAP pathway using Phos-tag. J Proteomics 2022; 261:104582. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2022.104582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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6
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Yan Z, Shi Q, Liu X, Li J, Ahire V, Zhang S, Zhang J, Yang D, Allen TD. The phytochemical, corynoline, diminishes Aurora kinase B activity to induce mitotic defect and polyploidy. Pharmacotherapy 2022; 147:112645. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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7
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Xiao Y, Dong J. The Hippo Signaling Pathway in Cancer: A Cell Cycle Perspective. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246214. [PMID: 34944834 PMCID: PMC8699626 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer is increasingly viewed as a cell cycle disease in that the dysregulation of the cell cycle machinery is a common feature in cancer. The Hippo signaling pathway consists of a core kinase cascade as well as extended regulators, which together control organ size and tissue homeostasis. The aberrant expression of cell cycle regulators and/or Hippo pathway components contributes to cancer development, and for this reason, we specifically focus on delineating the roles of the Hippo pathway in the cell cycle. Improving our understanding of the Hippo pathway from a cell cycle perspective could be used as a powerful weapon in the cancer battlefield. Abstract Cell cycle progression is an elaborate process that requires stringent control for normal cellular function. Defects in cell cycle control, however, contribute to genomic instability and have become a characteristic phenomenon in cancers. Over the years, advancement in the understanding of disrupted cell cycle regulation in tumors has led to the development of powerful anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, an in-depth exploration of cell cycle dysregulation in cancers could provide therapeutic avenues for cancer treatment. The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily conserved regulator network that controls organ size, and its dysregulation is implicated in various types of cancers. Although the role of the Hippo pathway in oncogenesis has been widely investigated, its role in cell cycle regulation has not been comprehensively scrutinized. Here, we specifically focus on delineating the involvement of the Hippo pathway in cell cycle regulation. To that end, we first compare the structural as well as functional conservation of the core Hippo pathway in yeasts, flies, and mammals. Then, we detail the multi-faceted aspects in which the core components of the mammalian Hippo pathway and their regulators affect the cell cycle, particularly with regard to the regulation of E2F activity, the G1 tetraploidy checkpoint, DNA synthesis, DNA damage checkpoint, centrosome dynamics, and mitosis. Finally, we briefly discuss how a collective understanding of cell cycle regulation and the Hippo pathway could be weaponized in combating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jixin Dong
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +402-559-5596; Fax: +402-559-4651
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8
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Meng F, Xie B, Martin JF. Targeting the Hippo pathway in heart repair. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:2402-2414. [PMID: 34528077 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily and functionally conserved signaling pathway that controls organ size by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Emerging evidence has shown that the Hippo pathway plays critical roles in cardiac development, homeostasis, disease, and regeneration. Targeting the Hippo pathway has tremendous potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating intractable cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure. In this review, we summarize the function of the Hippo pathway in the heart. Particularly, we highlight the posttranslational modification of Hippo pathway components, including the core kinases LATS1/2 and their downstream effectors YAP/TAZ, in different contexts, which has provided new insights and avenues in cardiac research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fansen Meng
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - Bing Xie
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77030
| | - James F Martin
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas, 77030.,Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas, 77030
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9
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Machado CB, DA Silva EL, Dias Nogueira BM, DA Silva JBS, DE Moraes Filho MO, Montenegro RC, DE Moraes MEA, Moreira-Nunes CA. The Relevance of Aurora Kinase Inhibition in Hematological Malignancies. CANCER DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS 2021; 1:111-126. [PMID: 35399305 DOI: 10.21873/cdp.10016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Aurora kinases are a family of serine/threonine protein kinases that play a central role in eukaryotic cell division. Overexpression of aurora kinases in cancer and their role as major regulators of the cell cycle quickly inspired the idea that their inhibition might be a potential pathway when treating oncologic patients. Over the past couple of decades, the search for designing and testing of molecules capable of inhibiting aurora activities fueled many pre-clinical and clinical studies. In this study, data from the past 10 years of in vitro and in vivo investigations, as well as clinical trials, utilizing aurora kinase inhibitors as therapeutics for hematological malignancies were compiled and discussed, aiming to highlight potential uses of these inhibitors as a novel monotherapy model or alongside conventional chemotherapies. While there is still much to be elucidated, it is clear that these kinases play a key role in oncogenesis, and their manageable toxicity and potentially synergistic effects still render them a focus of interest for future investigations in combinatorial clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio Bezerra Machado
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM),Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Emerson Lucena DA Silva
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM),Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Maria Dias Nogueira
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM),Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Jean Breno Silveira DA Silva
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM),Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Manoel Odorico DE Moraes Filho
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM),Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Raquel Carvalho Montenegro
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM),Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Caroline Aquino Moreira-Nunes
- Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Drug Research and Development Center (NPDM),Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
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10
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Du R, Huang C, Liu K, Li X, Dong Z. Targeting AURKA in Cancer: molecular mechanisms and opportunities for Cancer therapy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:15. [PMID: 33451333 PMCID: PMC7809767 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 222] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase A (AURKA) belongs to the family of serine/threonine kinases, whose activation is necessary for cell division processes via regulation of mitosis. AURKA shows significantly higher expression in cancer tissues than in normal control tissues for multiple tumor types according to the TCGA database. Activation of AURKA has been demonstrated to play an important role in a wide range of cancers, and numerous AURKA substrates have been identified. AURKA-mediated phosphorylation can regulate the functions of AURKA substrates, some of which are mitosis regulators, tumor suppressors or oncogenes. In addition, enrichment of AURKA-interacting proteins with KEGG pathway and GO analysis have demonstrated that these proteins are involved in classic oncogenic pathways. All of this evidence favors the idea of AURKA as a target for cancer therapy, and some small molecules targeting AURKA have been discovered. These AURKA inhibitors (AKIs) have been tested in preclinical studies, and some of them have been subjected to clinical trials as monotherapies or in combination with classic chemotherapy or other targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Du
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.
| | - Chuntian Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China.,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Zigang Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China. .,China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, No. 127, Dongming Road, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou, 450008, Henan, China. .,The Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,College of medicine, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.
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11
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Ng DCH, Richards DK, Mills RJ, Ho UY, Perks HL, Tucker CR, Voges HK, Pagan JK, Hudson JE. Centrosome Reduction Promotes Terminal Differentiation of Human Cardiomyocytes. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:817-826. [PMID: 32946803 PMCID: PMC7561510 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Centrosome reduction and redistribution of pericentriolar material (PCM) coincides with cardiomyocyte transitions to a post-mitotic and matured state. However, it is unclear whether centrosome changes are a cause or consequence of terminal differentiation. We validated that centrosomes were intact and functional in proliferative human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs), consistent with their immature phenotype. We generated acentrosomal hPSC-CMs, through pharmacological inhibition of centriole duplication, and showed that centrosome loss was sufficient to promote post-mitotic transitions and aspects of cardiomyocyte maturation. As Hippo kinases are activated during post-natal cardiac maturation, we pharmacologically activated the Hippo pathway using C19, which was sufficient to trigger centrosome disassembly and relocalization of PCM components to perinuclear membranes. This was due to specific activation of Hippo kinases, as direct inhibition of YAP-TEAD interactions with verteporfin had no effect on centrosome organization. This suggests that Hippo kinase-centrosome remodeling may play a direct role in cardiac maturation. Centrosomes are intact and functional in immature human cardiomyocytes Centrosome loss promotes maturation of human cardiomyocytes Centrosomes are returned with cell cycle reinitiation in post-natal cardiomyocytes Hippo kinases promote disassembly and redistribution of centrosomal proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic C H Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Dominic K Richards
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard J Mills
- Cardiac Bioengineering Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Uda Y Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Hannah L Perks
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Callum R Tucker
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Holly K Voges
- Cardiac Bioengineering Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Julia K Pagan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - James E Hudson
- Cardiac Bioengineering Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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12
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Centrosome Aurora A gradient ensures single polarity axis in C. elegans embryos. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1243-1253. [PMID: 32597472 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cellular asymmetries are vital for generating cell fate diversity during development and in stem cells. In the newly fertilized Caenorhabditis elegans embryo, centrosomes are responsible for polarity establishment, i.e. anterior-posterior body axis formation. The signal for polarity originates from the centrosomes and is transmitted to the cell cortex, where it disassembles the actomyosin network. This event leads to symmetry breaking and the establishment of distinct domains of evolutionarily conserved PAR proteins. However, the identity of an essential component that localizes to the centrosomes and promotes symmetry breaking was unknown. Recent work has uncovered that the loss of Aurora A kinase (AIR-1 in C. elegans and hereafter referred to as Aurora A) in the one-cell embryo disrupts stereotypical actomyosin-based cortical flows that occur at the time of polarity establishment. This misregulation of actomyosin flow dynamics results in the occurrence of two polarity axes. Notably, the role of Aurora A in ensuring a single polarity axis is independent of its well-established function in centrosome maturation. The mechanism by which Aurora A directs symmetry breaking is likely through direct regulation of Rho-dependent contractility. In this mini-review, we will discuss the unconventional role of Aurora A kinase in polarity establishment in C. elegans embryos and propose a refined model of centrosome-dependent symmetry breaking.
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13
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Hadzipasic A, Wilson C, Nguyen V, Kern N, Kim C, Pitsawong W, Villali J, Zheng Y, Kern D. Ancient origins of allosteric activation in a Ser-Thr kinase. Science 2020; 367:912-917. [PMID: 32079772 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay9959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A myriad of cellular events are regulated by allostery; therefore, evolution of this process is of fundamental interest. Here, we use ancestral sequence reconstruction to resurrect ancestors of two colocalizing proteins, Aurora A kinase and its allosteric activator TPX2 (targeting protein for Xklp2), to experimentally characterize the evolutionary path of allosteric activation. Autophosphorylation of the activation loop is the most ancient activation mechanism; it is fully developed in the oldest kinase ancestor and has remained stable over 1 billion years of evolution. As the microtubule-associated protein TPX2 appeared, efficient kinase binding to TPX2 evolved, likely owing to increased fitness by virtue of colocalization. Subsequently, TPX2-mediated allosteric kinase regulation gradually evolved. Surprisingly, evolution of this regulation is encoded in the kinase and did not arise by a dominating mechanism of coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelajda Hadzipasic
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Christopher Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Vy Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Nadja Kern
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Chansik Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Warintra Pitsawong
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Janice Villali
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Yuejiao Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Dorothee Kern
- Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
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14
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Kapoor S, Kotak S. Centrosome Aurora A regulates RhoGEF ECT-2 localisation and ensures a single PAR-2 polarity axis in C. elegans embryos. Development 2019; 146:dev174565. [PMID: 31636075 PMCID: PMC7115938 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Proper establishment of cell polarity is essential for development. In the one-cell C. elegans embryo, a centrosome-localised signal provides spatial information for polarity establishment. It is hypothesised that this signal causes local inhibition of the cortical actomyosin network, and breaks symmetry to direct partitioning of the PAR proteins. However, the molecular nature of the centrosomal signal that triggers cortical anisotropy in the actomyosin network to promote polarity establishment remains elusive. Here, we discover that depletion of Aurora A kinase (AIR-1 in C. elegans) causes pronounced cortical contractions on the embryo surface, and this creates more than one PAR-2 polarity axis. This function of AIR-1 appears to be independent of its role in microtubule nucleation. Importantly, upon AIR-1 depletion, centrosome positioning becomes dispensable in dictating the PAR-2 axis. Moreover, we uncovered that a Rho GEF, ECT-2, acts downstream of AIR-1 in regulating contractility and PAR-2 localisation, and, notably, AIR-1 depletion influences ECT-2 cortical localisation. Overall, this study provides a novel insight into how an evolutionarily conserved centrosome Aurora A kinase inhibits promiscuous PAR-2 domain formation to ensure singularity in the polarity establishment axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukriti Kapoor
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Sachin Kotak
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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15
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Du J, Yan L, Torres R, Gong X, Bian H, Marugán C, Boehnke K, Baquero C, Hui YH, Chapman SC, Yang Y, Zeng Y, Bogner SM, Foreman RT, Capen A, Donoho GP, Van Horn RD, Barnard DS, Dempsey JA, Beckmann RP, Marshall MS, Chio LC, Qian Y, Webster YW, Aggarwal A, Chu S, Bhattachar S, Stancato LF, Dowless MS, Iversen PW, Manro JR, Walgren JL, Halstead BW, Dieter MZ, Martinez R, Bhagwat SV, Kreklau EL, Lallena MJ, Ye XS, Patel BKR, Reinhard C, Plowman GD, Barda DA, Henry JR, Buchanan SG, Campbell RM. Aurora A-Selective Inhibitor LY3295668 Leads to Dominant Mitotic Arrest, Apoptosis in Cancer Cells, and Shows Potent Preclinical Antitumor Efficacy. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 18:2207-2219. [PMID: 31530649 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-18-0529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although Aurora A, B, and C kinases share high sequence similarity, especially within the kinase domain, they function distinctly in cell-cycle progression. Aurora A depletion primarily leads to mitotic spindle formation defects and consequently prometaphase arrest, whereas Aurora B/C inactivation primarily induces polyploidy from cytokinesis failure. Aurora B/C inactivation phenotypes are also epistatic to those of Aurora A, such that the concomitant inactivation of Aurora A and B, or all Aurora isoforms by nonisoform-selective Aurora inhibitors, demonstrates the Aurora B/C-dominant cytokinesis failure and polyploidy phenotypes. Several Aurora inhibitors are in clinical trials for T/B-cell lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukemia, lung, and breast cancers. Here, we describe an Aurora A-selective inhibitor, LY3295668, which potently inhibits Aurora autophosphorylation and its kinase activity in vitro and in vivo, persistently arrests cancer cells in mitosis, and induces more profound apoptosis than Aurora B or Aurora A/B dual inhibitors without Aurora B inhibition-associated cytokinesis failure and aneuploidy. LY3295668 inhibits the growth of a broad panel of cancer cell lines, including small-cell lung and breast cancer cells. It demonstrates significant efficacy in small-cell lung cancer xenograft and patient-derived tumor preclinical models as a single agent and in combination with standard-of-care agents. LY3295668, as a highly Aurora A-selective inhibitor, may represent a preferred approach to the current pan-Aurora inhibitors as a cancer therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Du
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana.
| | - Lei Yan
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Xueqian Gong
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Huimin Bian
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | | | | | - Yu-Hua Hui
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Yanzhu Yang
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yi Zeng
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Sarah M Bogner
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Robert T Foreman
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Andrew Capen
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Gregory P Donoho
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Robert D Van Horn
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Darlene S Barnard
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jack A Dempsey
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Richard P Beckmann
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mark S Marshall
- Ped-Hematology/Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Li-Chun Chio
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yuewei Qian
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yue W Webster
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Amit Aggarwal
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Shaoyou Chu
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Shobha Bhattachar
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Louis F Stancato
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Michele S Dowless
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Phillip W Iversen
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jason R Manro
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jennie L Walgren
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Bartley W Halstead
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Matthew Z Dieter
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Ricardo Martinez
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Shripad V Bhagwat
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Emiko L Kreklau
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Xiang S Ye
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Bharvin K R Patel
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Christoph Reinhard
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Gregory D Plowman
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - David A Barda
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - James R Henry
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Sean G Buchanan
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Robert M Campbell
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
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16
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The hippo pathway provides novel insights into lung cancer and mesothelioma treatment. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2018; 144:2097-2106. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-018-2727-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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17
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Castro-Gamero AM, Pezuk JA, Brassesco MS, Tone LG. G2/M inhibitors as pharmacotherapeutic opportunities for glioblastoma: the old, the new, and the future. Cancer Biol Med 2018; 15:354-374. [PMID: 30766748 PMCID: PMC6372908 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2018.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest tumors and has a median survival of 3 months if left untreated. Despite advances in rationally targeted pharmacological approaches, the clinical care of GBM remains palliative in intent. Since the majority of altered signaling cascades involved in cancer establishment and progression eventually affect cell cycle progression, an alternative approach for cancer therapy is to develop innovative compounds that block the activity of crucial molecules needed by tumor cells to complete cell division. In this context, we review promising ongoing and future strategies for GBM therapeutics aimed towards G2/M inhibition such as anti-microtubule agents and targeted therapy against G2/M regulators like cyclin-dependent kinases, Aurora inhibitors, PLK1, BUB, 1, and BUBR1, and survivin. Moreover, we also include investigational agents in the preclinical and early clinical settings. Although several drugs were shown to be gliotoxic, most of them have not yet entered therapeutic trials. The use of either single exposure or a combination with novel compounds may lead to treatment alternatives for GBM patients in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Mauricio Castro-Gamero
- Human Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Natural Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Julia Alejandra Pezuk
- Biotechnology and Innovation in Health Program and Pharmacy Program, Anhanguera University São Paulo (UNIAN-SP), São Paulo 05145-200, Brazil
| | - María Sol Brassesco
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Luiz Gonzaga Tone
- Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14049-900, Brazil
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18
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Zhu C, Ji X, Zhang H, Zhou Q, Cao X, Tang M, Si Y, Yan H, Li L, Liang T, Feng XH, Zhao B. Deubiquitylase USP9X suppresses tumorigenesis by stabilizing large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) in the Hippo pathway. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:1178-1191. [PMID: 29183995 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway plays important roles in controlling organ size and in suppressing tumorigenesis through large tumor suppressor kinase 1/2 (LATS1/2)-mediated phosphorylation of YAP/TAZ transcription co-activators. The kinase activity of LATS1/2 is regulated by phosphorylation in response to extracellular signals. Moreover, LATS2 protein levels are repressed by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in conditions such as hypoxia. However, the mechanism that removes the ubiquitin modification from LATS2 and thereby stabilizes the protein is not well understood. Here, using tandem affinity purification (TAP), we found that anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), a ubiquitin ligase complex, and USP9X, a deubiquitylase, specifically interact with LATS2. We also found that although APC1 co-localizes with LATS2 to intracellular vesicle structures, it does not regulate LATS2 protein levels and activity. In contrast, USP9X ablation drastically diminished LATS2 protein levels. We further demonstrated that USP9X deubiquitinates LATS2 and thus prevents LATS2 degradation by the proteasome. Furthermore, in pancreatic cancer cells, USP9X loss activated YAP and enhanced the oncogenic potential of the cells. In addition, the tumorigenesis induced by the USP9X ablation depended not only on LATS2 repression, but also on YAP/TAZ activity. We conclude that USP9X is a deubiquitylase of the Hippo pathway kinase LATS2 and that the Hippo pathway functions as a downstream signaling cascade that mediates USP9X's tumor-suppressive activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Zhu
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Xinyan Ji
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Haitao Zhang
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Qi Zhou
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Xiaolei Cao
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Mei Tang
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Yuan Si
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Huan Yan
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Li Li
- the Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China and
| | - Xin-Hua Feng
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
| | - Bin Zhao
- From the Life Sciences Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network and
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19
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Abstract
Proper cellular functionality and homeostasis are maintained by the convergent integration of various signaling cascades, which enable cells to respond to internal and external changes. The Dbf2-related kinases LATS1 and LATS2 (LATS) have emerged as central regulators of cell fate, by modulating the functions of numerous oncogenic or tumor suppressive effectors, including the canonical Hippo effectors YAP/TAZ, the Aurora mitotic kinase family, estrogen signaling and the tumor suppressive transcription factor p53. While the basic functions of the LATS kinase module are strongly conserved over evolution, the genomic duplication event leading to the emergence of two closely related kinases in higher organisms has increased the complexity of this signaling network. Here, we review the LATS1 and LATS2 intrinsic features as well as their reported cellular activities, emphasizing unique characteristics of each kinase. While differential activities between the two paralogous kinases have been reported, many converge to similar pathways and outcomes. Interestingly, the regulatory networks controlling the mRNA expression pattern of LATS1 and LATS2 differ strongly, and may contribute to the differences in protein binding partners of each kinase and in the subcellular locations in which each kinase exerts its functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Furth
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, POB 26, 234 Herzl St., Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yael Aylon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, POB 26, 234 Herzl St., Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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20
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Nakatani K, Maehama T, Nishio M, Goto H, Kato W, Omori H, Miyachi Y, Togashi H, Shimono Y, Suzuki A. Targeting the Hippo signalling pathway for cancer treatment. J Biochem 2017; 161:237-244. [PMID: 28003431 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvw074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signalling pathway monitors cell-cell contact and external factors that shape tissue structure. In mice, tumourigenesis and developmental abnormalities are common consequences of dysregulated Hippo signalling. Expression of Hippo pathway components is also frequently altered in human tumours and correlates with poor prognosis and reduced patient survival. Thus, the Hippo pathway is an attractive anti-cancer target. Here, we provide an overview of the function and regulation of Hippo signalling components and summarize progress to date on the development of agents able to regulate Hippo signalling for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Nakatani
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.,Division of Cancer Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Maehama
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miki Nishio
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.,Division of Cancer Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Goto
- Division of Cancer Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Wakako Kato
- Division of Cancer Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Omori
- Division of Cancer Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yosuke Miyachi
- Division of Cancer Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hideru Togashi
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yohei Shimono
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Akira Suzuki
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.,Division of Cancer Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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21
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Vertii A, Hehnly H, Doxsey S. The Centrosome, a Multitalented Renaissance Organelle. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2016; 8:8/12/a025049. [PMID: 27908937 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a025049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The centrosome acts as a microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) from the G1 to G2 phases of the cell cycle; it can mature into a spindle pole during mitosis and/or transition into a cilium by elongating microtubules (MTs) from the basal body on cell differentiation or cell cycle arrest. New studies hint that the centrosome functions in more than MT organization. For instance, it has recently been shown that a specific substructure of the centrosome-the mother centriole appendages-are required for the recycling of endosomes back to the plasma membrane. This alone could have important implications for a renaissance in our understanding of the development of primary cilia, endosome recycling, and the immune response. Here, we review newly identified roles for the centrosome in directing membrane traffic, the immunological synapse, and the stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastassiia Vertii
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Heidi Hehnly
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
| | - Stephen Doxsey
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
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22
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Kemppainen K, Wentus N, Lassila T, Laiho A, Törnquist K. Sphingosylphosphorylcholine regulates the Hippo signaling pathway in a dual manner. Cell Signal 2016; 28:1894-1903. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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23
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Abstract
Centrosome amplification is a common feature of both solid and hematological human malignancies. Extra centrosomes are not merely innocent bystanders in cancer cells, but rather promote tumor progression by disrupting normal cellular architecture and generating chromosome instability. Consequently, centrosome amplification correlates with advanced tumor grade and overall poor clinical prognosis. By contrast, extra centrosomes are adversely tolerated in non-transformed cells and hinder cell proliferation. This suggests that in addition to acquiring extra centrosomes, cancer cells must also adapt to overcome the deleterious consequences associated with them. Here, we review evidence that implicates core components of the Hippo tumor suppressor pathway as having key roles in both the direct and indirect regulation of centrosome number. Intriguingly, functional inactivation of the Hippo pathway, which is common across broad spectrum of human cancers, likely represents one key adaptation that enables cancer cells to tolerate extra centrosomes.
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24
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Aurora A kinase activates YAP signaling in triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene 2016; 36:1265-1275. [PMID: 27593935 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an effector that transduces the output of the Hippo pathway to transcriptional modulation. Considering the role of YAP in cancers, this protein has emerged as a key node in malignancy development. In this study, we determined that Aurora A kinase acts as a positive regulator for YAP-mediated transcriptional machinery. Specifically, YAP associates with Aurora A predominantly in the nucleus. Activation of Aurora A can impinge on YAP activity through direct phosphorylation. Moreover, aberrant expression of YAP and Aurora A signaling is highly correlated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We herein provide evidence to establish the functional relevance of this newly discovered regulatory axis in TNBC.
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25
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Kotak S, Afshar K, Busso C, Gönczy P. Aurora A kinase regulates proper spindle positioning in C. elegans and in human cells. J Cell Sci 2016; 129:3015-25. [PMID: 27335426 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.184416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate spindle positioning is essential for error-free cell division. The one-cell Caenorhabditis elegans embryo has proven instrumental for dissecting mechanisms governing spindle positioning. Despite important progress, how the cortical forces that act on astral microtubules to properly position the spindle are modulated is incompletely understood. Here, we report that the PP6 phosphatase PPH-6 and its associated subunit SAPS-1, which positively regulate pulling forces acting on spindle poles, associate with the Aurora A kinase AIR-1 in C. elegans embryos. We show that acute inactivation of AIR-1 during mitosis results in excess pulling forces on astral microtubules. Furthermore, we uncover that AIR-1 acts downstream of PPH-6-SAPS-1 in modulating spindle positioning, and that PPH-6-SAPS-1 negatively regulates AIR-1 localization at the cell cortex. Moreover, we show that Aurora A and the PP6 phosphatase subunit PPP6C are also necessary for spindle positioning in human cells. There, Aurora A is needed for the cortical localization of NuMA and dynein during mitosis. Overall, our work demonstrates that Aurora A kinases and PP6 phosphatases have an ancient function in modulating spindle positioning, thus contributing to faithful cell division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Kotak
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Katayon Afshar
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Coralie Busso
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Gönczy
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
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26
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Abstract
In this review, Meng et al. focus on recent developments in our understanding of the molecular actions of the core Hippo kinase cascade and discuss key open questions in Hippo pathway regulation and function. The Hippo pathway was initially identified in Drosophila melanogaster screens for tissue growth two decades ago and has been a subject extensively studied in both Drosophila and mammals in the last several years. The core of the Hippo pathway consists of a kinase cascade, transcription coactivators, and DNA-binding partners. Recent studies have expanded the Hippo pathway as a complex signaling network with >30 components. This pathway is regulated by intrinsic cell machineries, such as cell–cell contact, cell polarity, and actin cytoskeleton, as well as a wide range of signals, including cellular energy status, mechanical cues, and hormonal signals that act through G-protein-coupled receptors. The major functions of the Hippo pathway have been defined to restrict tissue growth in adults and modulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration in developing organs. Furthermore, dysregulation of the Hippo pathway leads to aberrant cell growth and neoplasia. In this review, we focus on recent developments in our understanding of the molecular actions of the core Hippo kinase cascade and discuss key open questions in the regulation and function of the Hippo pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Meng
- Department of Pharmacology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Toshiro Moroishi
- Department of Pharmacology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Kun-Liang Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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27
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Furth N, Bossel Ben-Moshe N, Pozniak Y, Porat Z, Geiger T, Domany E, Aylon Y, Oren M. Down-regulation of LATS kinases alters p53 to promote cell migration. Genes Dev 2016; 29:2325-30. [PMID: 26588988 PMCID: PMC4691886 DOI: 10.1101/gad.268185.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
p53 is a pivotal tumor suppressor and a major barrier against cancer. We now report that silencing of the Hippo pathway tumor suppressors LATS1 and LATS2 in nontransformed mammary epithelial cells reduces p53 phosphorylation and increases its association with the p52 NF-κB subunit. Moreover, it partly shifts p53's conformation and transcriptional output toward a state resembling cancer-associated p53 mutants and endows p53 with the ability to promote cell migration. Notably, LATS1 and LATS2 are frequently down-regulated in breast cancer; we propose that such down-regulation might benefit cancer by converting p53 from a tumor suppressor into a tumor facilitator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Furth
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Noa Bossel Ben-Moshe
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yair Pozniak
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ziv Porat
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Biological Services, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Tamar Geiger
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Eytan Domany
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yael Aylon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Moshe Oren
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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28
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Okamoto A, Yabuta N, Mukai S, Torigata K, Nojima H. Phosphorylation of CHO1 by Lats1/2 regulates the centrosomal activation of LIMK1 during cytokinesis. Cell Cycle 2016; 14:1568-82. [PMID: 25786116 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1026489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Large tumor suppressor 1 and 2 (Lats1/2) regulate centrosomal integrity, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. As components of the centralspindlin complex, the kinesin-like protein CHO1 and its splicing variant MKLP1 colocalize with chromosome passenger proteins and GTPases and regulate the formation of the contractile ring and cytokinesis; however, the regulatory mechanisms of CHO1/MKLP1 remain elusive. Here, we show that Lats1/2 phosphorylate Ser716 in the F-actin-interacting region of CHO1, which is absent in MKLP1. Phosphorylated CHO1 localized to the centrosomes and midbody, and the actin polymerization factor LIM-kinase 1 (LIMK1) was identified as its binding partner. Overexpression of constitutively phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated CHO1 altered the mitotic localization and activation of LIMK1 at the centrosomes in HeLa cells, leading to the inhibition of cytokinesis through excessive phosphorylation of Cofilin and mislocalization of Ect2. These results suggest that Lats1/2 stringently control cytokinesis by regulating CHO1 phosphorylation and the mitotic activation of LIMK1 on centrosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Okamoto
- a Department of Molecular Genetics ; Research Institute for Microbial Diseases; Osaka University ; Suita City , Osaka , Japan
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29
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Dahlhaus M, Burkovski A, Hertwig F, Mussel C, Volland R, Fischer M, Debatin KM, Kestler HA, Beltinger C. Boolean modeling identifies Greatwall/MASTL as an important regulator in the AURKA network of neuroblastoma. Cancer Lett 2016; 371:79-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Revised: 11/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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30
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de Groot CO, Hsia JE, Anzola JV, Motamedi A, Yoon M, Wong YL, Jenkins D, Lee HJ, Martinez MB, Davis RL, Gahman TC, Desai A, Shiau AK. A Cell Biologist's Field Guide to Aurora Kinase Inhibitors. Front Oncol 2015; 5:285. [PMID: 26732741 PMCID: PMC4685510 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinases are essential for cell division and are frequently misregulated in human cancers. Based on their potential as cancer therapeutics, a plethora of small molecule Aurora kinase inhibitors have been developed, with a subset having been adopted as tools in cell biology. Here, we fill a gap in the characterization of Aurora kinase inhibitors by using biochemical and cell-based assays to systematically profile a panel of 10 commercially available compounds with reported selectivity for Aurora A (MLN8054, MLN8237, MK-5108, MK-8745, Genentech Aurora Inhibitor 1), Aurora B (Hesperadin, ZM447439, AZD1152-HQPA, GSK1070916), or Aurora A/B (VX-680). We quantify the in vitro effect of each inhibitor on the activity of Aurora A alone, as well as Aurora A and Aurora B bound to fragments of their activators, TPX2 and INCENP, respectively. We also report kinome profiling results for a subset of these compounds to highlight potential off-target effects. In a cellular context, we demonstrate that immunofluorescence-based detection of LATS2 and histone H3 phospho-epitopes provides a facile and reliable means to assess potency and specificity of Aurora A versus Aurora B inhibition, and that G2 duration measured in a live imaging assay is a specific readout of Aurora A activity. Our analysis also highlights variation between HeLa, U2OS, and hTERT-RPE1 cells that impacts selective Aurora A inhibition. For Aurora B, all four tested compounds exhibit excellent selectivity and do not significantly inhibit Aurora A at effective doses. For Aurora A, MK-5108 and MK-8745 are significantly more selective than the commonly used inhibitors MLN8054 and MLN8237. A crystal structure of an Aurora A/MK-5108 complex that we determined suggests the chemical basis for this higher specificity. Taken together, our quantitative biochemical and cell-based analyses indicate that AZD1152-HQPA and MK-8745 are the best current tools for selectively inhibiting Aurora B and Aurora A, respectively. However, MK-8745 is not nearly as ideal as AZD1152-HQPA in that it requires high concentrations to achieve full inhibition in a cellular context, indicating a need for more potent Aurora A-selective inhibitors. We conclude with a set of “good practice” guidelines for the use of Aurora inhibitors in cell biology experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian O de Groot
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Judy E Hsia
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - John V Anzola
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Amir Motamedi
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Michelle Yoon
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Yao Liang Wong
- Laboratory of Chromosome Biology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David Jenkins
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Hyun J Lee
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Mallory B Martinez
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Robert L Davis
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Timothy C Gahman
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
| | - Arshad Desai
- Laboratory of Chromosome Biology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew K Shiau
- Small Molecule Discovery Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research , La Jolla, CA , USA
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31
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Lats1 suppresses centrosome overduplication by modulating the stability of Cdc25B. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16173. [PMID: 26530630 PMCID: PMC4632022 DOI: 10.1038/srep16173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerical aberration of the centrosome results in chromosome missegregation, eventually leading to chromosomal instability, a hallmark of human tumor malignancy. Large tumor suppressors 1 and 2 (Lats1 and Lats2) are central kinases in the Hippo pathway and regulate development and tumorigenesis by coordinating the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Importantly, Lats1 and Lats2 also play pivotal roles in cell cycle checkpoint and mitosis. The Lats proteins localize at centrosomes, but their centrosomal functions remain elusive. Here, we generated Lats1-null knockout (Lats1−/−) mice and established Lats1-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). In Lats1−/− MEFs, centrosomes were markedly overduplicated, leading to severe mitotic defects such as chromosome missegregation and cytokinesis failure. We also found that Lats1 physically interacts with Cdc25B phosphatase that localizes both at the centrosome and in the nucleus and regulates the linkage between the centrosome cycle and mitotic progression. Although Lats1 did not phosphorylate Cdc25B, loss of Lats1 in MEFs caused abnormal accumulation of Cdc25B protein and hyperactivation of Cdk2 toward nucleophosmin (NPM/B23), one of the licensing factors involved in centriole duplication. Taken together, these data suggest that Lats1 regulates Cdc25B protein level and subsequent Cdk2 activity, thereby suppressing centrosome overduplication during interphase.
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32
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Dewey EB, Sanchez D, Johnston CA. Warts phosphorylates mud to promote pins-mediated mitotic spindle orientation in Drosophila, independent of Yorkie. Curr Biol 2015; 25:2751-2762. [PMID: 26592339 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Multicellular animals have evolved conserved signaling pathways that translate cell polarity cues into mitotic spindle positioning to control the orientation of cell division within complex tissue structures. These oriented cell divisions are essential for the development of cell diversity and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Despite intense efforts, the molecular mechanisms that control spindle orientation remain incompletely defined. Here, we describe a role for the Hippo (Hpo) kinase complex in promoting Partner of Inscuteable (Pins)-mediated spindle orientation. Knockdown of Hpo, Salvador (Sav), or Warts (Wts) each result in a partial loss of spindle orientation, a phenotype previously described following loss of the Pins-binding protein Mushroom body defect (Mud). Similar to orthologs spanning yeast to mammals, Wts kinase localizes to mitotic spindle poles, a prominent site of Mud localization. Wts directly phosphorylates Mud in vitro within its C-terminal coiled-coil domain. This Mud coiled-coil domain directly binds the adjacent Pins-binding domain to dampen the Pins/Mud interaction, and Wts-mediated phosphorylation uncouples this intramolecular Mud interaction. Loss of Wts prevents cortical Pins/Mud association without affecting Mud accumulation at spindle poles, suggesting phosphorylation acts as a molecular switch to specifically activate cortical Mud function. Finally, loss of Wts in Drosophila imaginal disc epithelial cells results in diminished cortical Mud and defective planar spindle orientation. Our results provide new insights into the molecular basis for dynamic regulation of the cortical Pins/Mud spindle positioning complex and highlight a novel link with an essential, evolutionarily conserved cell proliferation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan B Dewey
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Desiree Sanchez
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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33
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Tsunematsu T, Arakaki R, Yamada A, Ishimaru N, Kudo Y. The Non-Canonical Role of Aurora-A in DNA Replication. Front Oncol 2015; 5:187. [PMID: 26380219 PMCID: PMC4548192 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Aurora-A is a well-known mitotic kinase that regulates mitotic entry, spindle formation, and chromosome maturation as a canonical role. During mitosis, Aurora-A protein is stabilized by its phosphorylation at Ser51 via blocking anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome-mediated proteolysis. Importantly, overexpression and/or hyperactivation of Aurora-A is involved in tumorigenesis via aneuploidy and genomic instability. Recently, the novel function of Aurora-A for DNA replication has been revealed. In mammalian cells, DNA replication is strictly regulated for preventing over-replication. Pre-replication complex (pre-RC) formation is required for DNA replication as an initiation step occurring at the origin of replication. The timing of pre-RC formation depends on the protein level of geminin, which is controlled by the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Aurora-A phosphorylates geminin to prevent its ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis at the mitotic phase to ensure proper pre-RC formation and ensuing DNA replication. In this review, we introduce the novel non-canonical role of Aurora-A in DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Tsunematsu
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School , Tokushima , Japan
| | - Rieko Arakaki
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School , Tokushima , Japan
| | - Akiko Yamada
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School , Tokushima , Japan
| | - Naozumi Ishimaru
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School , Tokushima , Japan
| | - Yasusei Kudo
- Department of Oral Molecular Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School , Tokushima , Japan
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34
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Chou CH, Loh JK, Yang MC, Lin CC, Hong MC, Cho CL, Chou AK, Wang CH, Lieu AS, Howng SL, Hsu CM, Hong YR. AIBp regulates mitotic entry and mitotic spindle assembly by controlling activation of both Aurora-A and Plk1. Cell Cycle 2015; 14:2764-76. [PMID: 26114227 PMCID: PMC4614063 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1066536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that Aurora-A and the hNinein binding protein AIBp facilitate centrosomal structure maintenance and contribute to spindle formation. Here, we report that AIBp also interacts with Plk1, raising the possibility of functional similarity to Bora, which subsequently promotes Aurora-A-mediated Plk1 activation at Thr210 as well as Aurora-A activation at Thr288. In kinase assays, AIBp acts not only as a substrate but also as a positive regulator of both Aurora-A and Plk1. However, AIBp functions as a negative regulator to block phosphorylation of hNinein mediated by Aurora-A and Plk1. These findings suggest a novel AIBp-dependent regulatory machinery that controls mitotic entry. Additionally, knockdown of hNinein caused failure of AIBp to target the centrosome, whereas depletion of AIBp did not affect the localization of hNinein and microtubule nucleation. Notably, knockdown of AIBp in HeLa cells impaired both Aurora-A and Plk1 kinase, resulting in phenotypes with multiple spindle pole formation and chromosome misalignment. Our data show that depletion of AIBp results in the mis-localization of TACC3 and ch-TOG, but not CEP192 and CEP215, suggesting that loss of AIBp dominantly affects the Aurora-A substrate to cause mitotic aberrations. Collectively, our data demonstrate that AIBp contributes to mitotic entry and bipolar spindle assembly and may partially control localization, phosphorylation, and activation of both Aurora-A and Plk1 via hNinein during mitotic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hua Chou
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine; College of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Joon-Khim Loh
- Department of Surgery; Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery; Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chang Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Laboratory of Medical Research; Center of Education and Faculty Development; Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chih Lin
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine; College of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chang Hong
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine; College of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Lung Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - An-Kuo Chou
- Department of Anesthesiology; Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and College of Medicine; Chang Gung University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Huei Wang
- Department of Biotechnology; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ann-Shung Lieu
- Graduate Institute of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery; Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Long Howng
- Graduate Institute of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Neurosurgery; Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Mei Hsu
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ren Hong
- Department of Biochemistry; Faculty of Medicine; College of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Sciences; National Sun Yat-Sen University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine; Kaohsiung Medical University; Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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35
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Dong C, Wei KJ, Zhang WB, Sun H, Pan HY, Zhang L. LATS2 induced by TNF-alpha and inhibited cell proliferation and invasion by phosphorylating YAP in oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Pathol Med 2015; 44:475-81. [PMID: 25782587 DOI: 10.1111/jop.12317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cong Dong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Science; Ninth People's Hospital; Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Shanghai China
- Shanghai Stomatological Disease Center; Shanghai China
| | - Kui-Jie Wei
- Department of Stomatology; Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital; Fudan University; Shanghai China
| | - Wen-Bin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Science; Ninth People's Hospital; Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Shanghai China
| | - Hao Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Science; Ninth People's Hospital; Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Shanghai China
| | - Hong-Ya Pan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Science; Ninth People's Hospital; Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Shanghai China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Science; Ninth People's Hospital; Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Shanghai China
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36
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Aurora A kinase modulates actin cytoskeleton through phosphorylation of Cofilin: Implication in the mitotic process. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1843:2719-29. [PMID: 25090971 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2014] [Revised: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aurora A kinase regulates early mitotic events through phosphorylation and activation of a variety of proteins. Specifically, Aur-A is involved in centrosomal separation and formation of mitotic spindles in early prophase. The effect of Aur-A on mitotic spindles is mediated by the modulation of microtubule dynamics and association with microtubule binding proteins. In this study we show that Aur-A exerts its effects on spindle organization through the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Aurora A phosphorylates Cofilin at multiple sites including S(3) resulting in the inactivation of its actin depolymerizing function. Aur-A interacts with Cofilin in early mitotic phases and regulates its phosphorylation status. Cofilin phosphorylation follows a dynamic pattern during the progression of prophase to metaphase. Inhibition of Aur-A activity induced a delay in the progression of prophase to metaphase. Aur-A inhibitor also disturbed the pattern of Cofilin phosphorylation, which correlated with the mitotic delay. Our results establish a novel function of Aur-A in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton reorganization, through Cofilin phosphorylation during early mitotic stages.
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37
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Li W, Cooper J, Zhou L, Yang C, Erdjument-Bromage H, Zagzag D, Snuderl M, Ladanyi M, Hanemann CO, Zhou P, Karajannis MA, Giancotti FG. Merlin/NF2 loss-driven tumorigenesis linked to CRL4(DCAF1)-mediated inhibition of the hippo pathway kinases Lats1 and 2 in the nucleus. Cancer Cell 2014; 26:48-60. [PMID: 25026211 PMCID: PMC4126592 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
It is currently unclear whether Merlin/NF2 suppresses tumorigenesis by activating upstream components of the Hippo pathway at the plasma membrane or by inhibiting the E3 ubiquitin ligase CRL4(DCAF1) in the nucleus. We found that derepressed CRL4(DCAF1) promotes YAP- and TEAD-dependent transcription by ubiquitylating and, thereby, inhibiting Lats1 and 2 in the nucleus. Genetic epistasis experiments and analysis of tumor-derived missense mutations indicate that this signaling connection sustains the oncogenicity of Merlin-deficient tumor cells. Analysis of clinical samples confirms that this pathway operates in NF2-mutant tumors. We conclude that derepressed CRL4(DCAF1) promotes activation of YAP by inhibiting Lats1 and 2 in the nucleus.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Animals
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Nucleus/enzymology
- Cell Nucleus/pathology
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Child
- Epistasis, Genetic
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Hep G2 Cells
- Hippo Signaling Pathway
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Nude
- Middle Aged
- Mutation, Missense
- Neurofibromatosis 2/enzymology
- Neurofibromatosis 2/genetics
- Neurofibromatosis 2/pathology
- Neurofibromin 2/genetics
- Neurofibromin 2/metabolism
- Phosphoproteins/metabolism
- Phosphorylation
- Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- RNA Interference
- Signal Transduction
- Time Factors
- Transcription Factors
- Transcription, Genetic
- Transfection
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism
- Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
- Ubiquitination
- YAP-Signaling Proteins
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Cell Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Jonathan Cooper
- Cell Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Sloan Kettering Division, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lu Zhou
- Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK
| | - Chenyi Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - David Zagzag
- NYU Cancer Institute and Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Matija Snuderl
- NYU Cancer Institute and Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Marc Ladanyi
- Department of Pathology and Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - C Oliver Hanemann
- Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth PL6 8BU, UK
| | - Pengbo Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Matthias A Karajannis
- NYU Cancer Institute and Department of Pediatrics, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Filippo G Giancotti
- Cell Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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38
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Komrskova P, Susor A, Malik R, Prochazkova B, Liskova L, Supolikova J, Hladky S, Kubelka M. Aurora kinase A is not involved in CPEB1 phosphorylation and cyclin B1 mRNA polyadenylation during meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. PLoS One 2014; 9:e101222. [PMID: 24983972 PMCID: PMC4077738 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of mRNA translation by cytoplasmic polyadenylation is known to be important for oocyte maturation and further development. This process is generally controlled by phosphorylation of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB1). The aim of this study is to determine the role of Aurora kinase A in CPEB1 phosphorylation and the consequent CPEB1-dependent polyadenylation of maternal mRNAs during mammalian oocyte meiosis. For this purpose, we specifically inhibited Aurora kinase A with MLN8237 during meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. Using poly(A)-test PCR method, we monitored the effect of Aurora kinase A inhibition on poly(A)-tail extension of long and short cyclin B1 encoding mRNAs as markers of CPEB1-dependent cytoplasmic polyadenylation. Our results show that inhibition of Aurora kinase A activity impairs neither cyclin B1 mRNA polyadenylation nor its translation and that Aurora kinase A is unlikely to be involved in CPEB1 activating phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavla Komrskova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Susor
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Malik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Prochazkova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Liskova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslava Supolikova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Stepan Hladky
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kubelka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Libechov, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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Luo SY, Sit KY, Sihoe ADL, Suen WS, Au WK, Tang X, Ma ESK, Chan WK, Wistuba II, Minna JD, Tsao GSW, Lam DCL. Aberrant large tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2) gene expression correlates with EGFR mutation and survival in lung adenocarcinomas. Lung Cancer 2014; 85:282-92. [PMID: 24976335 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2014.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2) gene is a putative tumor suppressor gene with potential roles in regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis in lung cancer. The aim of this study is to explore the association of aberrant LATS2 expression with EGFR mutation and survival in lung adenocarcinoma (AD), and the effects of LATS2 silencing in both lung AD cell lines. METHODS LATS2 mRNA and protein expression in resected lung AD were correlated with demographic characteristics, EGFR mutation and survival. LATS2-specific siRNA was transfected into four EGFR wild-type (WT) and three EGFR mutant AD cell lines and the changes in LATS2 expression and relevant signaling molecules before and after LATS2 knockdown were assayed. RESULTS Fifty resected lung AD were included (M:F=23:27, smokers:non-smokers=19:31, EGFR mutant:wild-type=21:29) with LATS2 mRNA levels showed no significant difference between gender, age, smoking and pathological stages while LATS2 immunohistochemical staining on an independent set of 79 lung AD showed similar trend. LATS2 mRNA level was found to be a significant independent predictor for survival status (disease-free survival RR=0.217; p=0.003; Overall survival RR=0.238; p=0.036). siRNA-mediated suppression of LATS2 expression resulted in augmentation of ERK phosphorylation in EGFR wild-type AD cell lines with high basal LATS2 expression, discriminatory modulation of Akt signaling between EGFR wild-type and mutant cells, and induction of p53 accumulation in AD cell lines with low baseline p53 levels. CONCLUSIONS LATS2 expression level is predictive of survival in patients with resected lung AD. LATS2 may modulate and contribute to tumor growth via different signaling pathways in EGFR mutant and wild-type tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Y Luo
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ko-Yung Sit
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Alan D L Sihoe
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wai-Sing Suen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wing-Kuk Au
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ximing Tang
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
| | - Edmond S K Ma
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Wai-Kong Chan
- Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Ignacio I Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
| | - John D Minna
- Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, TX, USA
| | - George S W Tsao
- Department of Anatomy, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - David C L Lam
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Zorba A, Buosi V, Kutter S, Kern N, Pontiggia F, Cho YJ, Kern D. Molecular mechanism of Aurora A kinase autophosphorylation and its allosteric activation by TPX2. eLife 2014; 3:e02667. [PMID: 24867643 PMCID: PMC4032492 DOI: 10.7554/elife.02667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We elucidate the molecular mechanisms of two distinct activation strategies (autophosphorylation and TPX2-mediated activation) in human Aurora A kinase. Classic allosteric activation is in play where either activation loop phosphorylation or TPX2 binding to a conserved hydrophobic groove shifts the equilibrium far towards the active conformation. We resolve the controversy about the mechanism of autophosphorylation by demonstrating intermolecular autophosphorylation in a long-lived dimer by combining X-ray crystallography with functional assays. We then address the allosteric activation by TPX2 through activity assays and the crystal structure of a domain-swapped dimer of dephosphorylated Aurora A and TPX21−25. While autophosphorylation is the key regulatory mechanism in the centrosomes in the early stages of mitosis, allosteric activation by TPX2 of dephosphorylated Aurora A could be at play in the spindle microtubules. The mechanistic insights into autophosphorylation and allosteric activation by TPX2 binding proposed here, may have implications for understanding regulation of other protein kinases. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02667.001 The kinase, Aurora A, is a human protein that is needed for cells to divide normally. Kinases are enzymes that control other proteins by adding phosphate groups to these proteins; however, like other kinases, Aurora A must first be activated or ‘switched on’ before it can do this. Aurora A kinase can be switched on in two ways: by having a phosphate group added to its ‘activation loop’; or by binding to another protein called TPX2. Also like other kinases, Aurora A can self-activate, but the details of this process are not understood. Does a single Aurora A kinase add a phosphate group to its own activation loop, or does one Aurora A kinase activate a second? Furthermore, it is not clear how binding to TPX2 can activate an Aurora A kinase without adding a phosphate group to the activation loop. Zorba, Buosi et al. now show that Aurora A kinases that have been activated in different ways—via the addition of a phosphate group or binding to TPX2—are equally good at adding phosphate groups to other proteins. Zorba, Buosi et al. also worked out the three-dimensional shapes of the kinases activated in these two ways—since many proteins change shape when they are switched on—and found that they were also the same. Finally, it was shown that self-activation involves two Aurora A kinases binding to each other, and one kinase adding a phosphate group to the other, rather than a single kinase adding a phosphate group to itself. Since other protein kinases can be activated in similar ways to Aurora A, the findings of Zorba, Buosi et al. might also help us to understand how other protein kinases can be switched ‘on’ or ‘off’. And, as mutations in Aurora A have been linked to the development of cancer, uncovering how this kinase is controlled could help efforts to design new drugs to treat this disease. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02667.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelajda Zorba
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States
| | - Vanessa Buosi
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States
| | - Steffen Kutter
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States
| | - Nadja Kern
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States
| | - Francesco Pontiggia
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States
| | - Young-Jin Cho
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States
| | - Dorothee Kern
- Department of Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University, Waltham, United States
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Bai M, Ni J, Wu J, Wang B, Shen S, Yu L. A novel mechanism for activation of Aurora-A kinase by Ajuba. Gene 2014; 543:133-9. [PMID: 24680704 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2014.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aurora-A is a centrosome-localized serine/threonine kinase, which plays a critical role in mitotic and meiotic cell division processes. However, the regulation of Aurora-A is still not fully understood. Previously, we have found an intramolecular inhibitory regulation mechanism of Aurora-A: the N-terminal regulatory domain (aa 1-128, Nt) can interact with the C-terminal catalytic domain (aa 129-403, Cd) and inhibit the kinase activity of Aurora-A. In this study, we found that the PreLIM domain of Ajuba, another important activator of Aurora-A, induces the autophosphorylation of the C-terminal kinase domain of Aurora-A, and is phosphorylated by the C-terminal. Moreover, the LIM domain of Ajuba can competitively bind to the N-terminal of Aurora-A, and inhibited the interaction between N-terminal and C-terminal of Aurora A. Taken together, these results suggest a novel mechanism for regulation of Aurora-A by Ajuba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meirong Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaxue Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Wang
- School of Computer Science, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Suqin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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42
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Goldenson B, Crispino JD. The aurora kinases in cell cycle and leukemia. Oncogene 2014; 34:537-45. [PMID: 24632603 PMCID: PMC4167158 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Aurora kinases, which include Aurora A (AURKA), Aurora B (AURKB) and Aurora C (AURKC), are serine/threonine kinases required for the control of mitosis (AURKA and AURKB) and meiosis (AURKC). Since their discovery nearly 20 years ago, Aurora kinases have been studied extensively in cell and cancer biology. Several early studies found that Aurora kinases are amplified and overexpressed at the transcript and protein level in various malignancies, including several types of leukemia. These discoveries and others provided a rationale for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of Aurora kinases as leukemia therapies. The first generation of Aurora kinase inhibitors did not fare well in clinical trials, owing to poor efficacy and high toxicity. However, the creation of second-generation, highly selective Aurora kinase inhibitors has increased the enthusiasm for targeting these proteins in leukemia. This review will describe the functions of each Aurora kinase, summarize their involvement in leukemia and discuss inhibitor development and efficacy in leukemia clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Goldenson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J D Crispino
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Zhang L, Yang S, Wennmann DO, Chen Y, Kremerskothen J, Dong J. KIBRA: In the brain and beyond. Cell Signal 2014; 26:1392-9. [PMID: 24642126 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2014.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, the KIBRA locus has been associated with memory performance and cognition by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism screening. Genetic studies in Drosophila and human cells have identified KIBRA as a novel regulator of the Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in human tumorigenesis. Recent studies also indicated that KIBRA is involved in other physiological processes including cell polarity, membrane/vesicular trafficking, mitosis and cell migration. At the biochemical level, KIBRA protein is highly phosphorylated by various kinases in epithelial cells. Here, we discuss the updates concerning the function and regulation of KIBRA in the brain and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Shuping Yang
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | | | - Yuanhong Chen
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | | | - Jixin Dong
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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Wang G, Jiang Q, Zhang C. The role of mitotic kinases in coupling the centrosome cycle with the assembly of the mitotic spindle. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:4111-22. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.151753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The centrosome acts as the major microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) for cytoskeleton maintenance in interphase and mitotic spindle assembly in vertebrate cells. It duplicates only once per cell cycle in a highly spatiotemporally regulated manner. When the cell undergoes mitosis, the duplicated centrosomes separate to define spindle poles and monitor the assembly of the bipolar mitotic spindle for accurate chromosome separation and the maintenance of genomic stability. However, centrosome abnormalities occur frequently and often lead to monopolar or multipolar spindle formation, which results in chromosome instability and possibly tumorigenesis. A number of studies have begun to dissect the role of mitotic kinases, including NIMA-related kinases (Neks), cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), Polo-like kinases (Plks) and Aurora kinases, in regulating centrosome duplication, separation and maturation and subsequent mitotic spindle assembly during cell cycle progression. In this Commentary, we review the recent research progress on how these mitotic kinases are coordinated to couple the centrosome cycle with the cell cycle, thus ensuring bipolar mitotic spindle fidelity. Understanding this process will help to delineate the relationship between centrosomal abnormalities and spindle defects.
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45
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Smole Z, Thoma CR, Applegate KT, Duda M, Gutbrodt KL, Danuser G, Krek W. Tumor suppressor NF2/Merlin is a microtubule stabilizer. Cancer Res 2013; 74:353-62. [PMID: 24282279 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-1334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated mutations in oncogene products and tumor suppressors contributing to tumor progression manifest themselves, at least in part, by deregulating microtubule-dependent cellular processes that play important roles in many cell biological pathways, including intracellular transport, cell architecture, and primary cilium and mitotic spindle organization. An essential characteristic of microtubules in the performance of these varied cell processes is their ability to continuously remodel, a phenomenon known as dynamic instability. It is therefore conceivable that part of the normal function of certain cancer-causing genes is to regulate microtubule dynamic instability. Here, we report the results of a high-resolution live-cell image-based RNA interference screen targeting a collection of 70 human tumor suppressor genes to uncover cancer genes affecting microtubule dynamic instability. Extraction and computational analysis of microtubule dynamics from EB3-GFP time-lapse image sequences identified the products of the tumor suppressor genes NF1 and NF2 as potent microtubule-stabilizing proteins. Further in-depth characterization of NF2 revealed that it binds to and stabilizes microtubules through attenuation of tubulin turnover by lowering both rates of microtubule polymerization and depolymerization as well as by reducing the frequency of microtubule catastrophes. The latter function appears to be mediated, in part, by inhibition of hydrolysis of tubulin-bound GTP on the growing microtubule plus end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatko Smole
- Authors' Affiliations: Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; and Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
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46
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Couzens AL, Knight JDR, Kean MJ, Teo G, Weiss A, Dunham WH, Lin ZY, Bagshaw RD, Sicheri F, Pawson T, Wrana JL, Choi H, Gingras AC. Protein interaction network of the mammalian Hippo pathway reveals mechanisms of kinase-phosphatase interactions. Sci Signal 2013; 6:rs15. [PMID: 24255178 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.2004712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway regulates organ size and tissue homeostasis in response to multiple stimuli, including cell density and mechanotransduction. Pharmacological inhibition of phosphatases can also stimulate Hippo signaling in cell culture. We defined the Hippo protein-protein interaction network with and without inhibition of serine and threonine phosphatases by okadaic acid. We identified 749 protein interactions, including 599 previously unrecognized interactions, and demonstrated that several interactions with serine and threonine phosphatases were phosphorylation-dependent. Mutation of the T-loop of MST2 (mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 2), which prevented autophosphorylation, disrupted its association with STRIPAK (striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase complex). Deletion of the amino-terminal forkhead-associated domain of SLMAP (sarcolemmal membrane-associated protein), a component of the STRIPAK complex, prevented its association with MST1 and MST2. Phosphatase inhibition produced temporally distinct changes in proteins that interacted with MOB1A and MOB1B (Mps one binder kinase activator-like 1A and 1B) and promoted interactions with upstream Hippo pathway proteins, such as MST1 and MST2, and with the trimeric protein phosphatase 6 complex (PP6). Mutation of three basic amino acids that are part of a phospho-serine- and phospho-threonine-binding domain in human MOB1B prevented its interaction with MST1 and PP6 in cells treated with okadaic acid. Collectively, our results indicated that changes in phosphorylation orchestrate interactions between kinases and phosphatases in Hippo signaling, providing a putative mechanism for pathway regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L Couzens
- 1Centre for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
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Yang S, Zhang L, Liu M, Chong R, Ding SJ, Chen Y, Dong J. CDK1 phosphorylation of YAP promotes mitotic defects and cell motility and is essential for neoplastic transformation. Cancer Res 2013; 73:6722-33. [PMID: 24101154 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-13-2049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Yes-associated protein, YAP, is a downstream effector of the Hippo pathway of cell-cycle control that plays important roles in tumorigenesis. Hippo-mediated phosphorylation YAP, mainly at S127, inactivates YAP function. In this study, we define a mechanism for positive regulation of YAP activity that is critical for its oncogenic function. Specifically, we found that YAP is phosphorylated in vitro and in vivo by the cell-cycle kinase CDK1 at T119, S289, and S367 during the G2-M phase of the cell cycle. We also found that ectopic expression of a phosphomimetic YAP mutant (YAP3D, harboring T119D/S289D/S367D) was sufficient to induce mitotic defects in immortalized epithelial cells, including centrosome amplification, multipolar spindles, and chromosome missegregation. Finally, we documented that mitotic phosphorylation of YAP was sufficient to promote cell migration and invasion in a manner essential for neoplastic cell transformation. In support of our findings, CDK1 inhibitors largely suppressed cell motility mediated by activated YAP-S127A but not the phosphomimetic mutant YAP3D. Collectively, our results reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism for controlling the activity of YAP that is crucial for its oncogenic function mediated by mitotic dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Yang
- Authors' Affiliations: Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases; Department of Pathology and Microbiology; and Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Core Facility, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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Hergovich A. Regulation and functions of mammalian LATS/NDR kinases: looking beyond canonical Hippo signalling. Cell Biosci 2013; 3:32. [PMID: 23985307 PMCID: PMC3849777 DOI: 10.1186/2045-3701-3-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The metazoan Hippo pathway is an essential tumour suppressor signalling cascade that ensures normal tissue growth by co-ordinating cell proliferation, cell death and cell differentiation. Over the past years, various genetic and biochemical studies in Drosophila and mammals have defined a conserved core Hippo signalling module, composed of members of the Ste20-like kinase, the MOB co-activator and the AGC kinase families. In Drosophila, stimulated Hippo kinase phosphorylates and thereby activates the Mats/Warts complex, which consequently phosphorylates and inactivates the transcriptional co-activator Yorkie. In mammals, the counterparts of the Hippo/Mats/Warts/Yorkie cascade, namely MST1/2, MOB1A/B, LATS1/2 and YAP/TAZ, function in a similar fashion. These canonical Hippo pathways are so highly conserved that human MST2, hMOB1A and LATS1 can compensate for the loss of Hippo, Mats and Warts in flies. However, recent reports have shown that Hippo signalling is more diverse and complex, in particular in mammals. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of mammalian LATS1/2 kinases together with their closest relatives, the NDR1/2 kinases. The regulation of the LATS/NDR family of kinases will be discussed, followed by a summary of all currently known LATS/NDR substrates. Last, but not least, the biological roles of LATS/NDR kinases will be reviewed with specific emphasis on recent discoveries of canonical and non-canonical LATS/NDR functions in the extended Hippo pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hergovich
- Tumour Suppressor Signalling Networks laboratory, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
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49
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Orr B, Compton DA. A double-edged sword: how oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes can contribute to chromosomal instability. Front Oncol 2013; 3:164. [PMID: 23825799 PMCID: PMC3695391 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Most solid tumors are characterized by abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploidy) and karyotypic profiling has shown that the majority of these tumors are heterogeneous and chromosomally unstable. Chromosomal instability (CIN) is defined as persistent mis-segregation of whole chromosomes and is caused by defects during mitosis. Large-scale genome sequencing has failed to reveal frequent mutations of genes encoding proteins involved in mitosis. On the contrary, sequencing has revealed that most mutated genes in cancer fall into a limited number of core oncogenic signaling pathways that regulate the cell cycle, cell growth, and apoptosis. This led to the notion that the induction of oncogenic signaling is a separate event from the loss of mitotic fidelity, but a growing body of evidence suggests that oncogenic signaling can deregulate cell cycle progression, growth, and differentiation as well as cause CIN. These new results indicate that the induction of CIN can no longer be considered separately from the cancer-associated driver mutations. Here we review the primary causes of CIN in mitosis and discuss how the oncogenic activation of key signal transduction pathways contributes to the induction of CIN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Orr
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Hanover, NH , USA ; The Norris-Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth , Hanover, NH , USA
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50
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Nikonova AS, Astsaturov I, Serebriiskii IG, Dunbrack RL, Golemis EA. Aurora A kinase (AURKA) in normal and pathological cell division. Cell Mol Life Sci 2013; 70:661-87. [PMID: 22864622 PMCID: PMC3607959 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-1073-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 321] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Revised: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Temporally and spatially controlled activation of the Aurora A kinase (AURKA) regulates centrosome maturation, entry into mitosis, formation and function of the bipolar spindle, and cytokinesis. Genetic amplification and mRNA and protein overexpression of Aurora A are common in many types of solid tumor, and associated with aneuploidy, supernumerary centrosomes, defective mitotic spindles, and resistance to apoptosis. These properties have led Aurora A to be considered a high-value target for development of cancer therapeutics, with multiple agents currently in early-phase clinical trials. More recently, identification of additional, non-mitotic functions and means of activation of Aurora A during interphase neurite elongation and ciliary resorption have significantly expanded our understanding of its function, and may offer insights into the clinical performance of Aurora A inhibitors. Here we review the mitotic and non-mitotic functions of Aurora A, discuss Aurora A regulation in the context of protein structural information, and evaluate progress in understanding and inhibiting Aurora A in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Nikonova
- Program in Developmental Therapeutics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, W406, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
| | - Igor Astsaturov
- Program in Developmental Therapeutics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, W406, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
| | - Ilya G. Serebriiskii
- Program in Developmental Therapeutics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, W406, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
| | - Roland L. Dunbrack
- Program in Developmental Therapeutics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, W406, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
| | - Erica A. Golemis
- Program in Developmental Therapeutics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, W406, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 USA
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