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Chen M, Zhu H, Li J, Luo D, Zhang J, Liu W, Wang J. Research progress on the relationship between AURKA and tumorigenesis: the neglected nuclear function of AURKA. Ann Med 2024; 56:2282184. [PMID: 38738386 PMCID: PMC11095293 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2282184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
AURKA is a threonine or serine kinase that needs to be activated by TPX2, Bora and other factors. AURKA is located on chromosome 20 and is amplified or overexpressed in many human cancers, such as breast cancer. AURKA regulates some basic cellular processes, and this regulation is realized via the phosphorylation of downstream substrates. AURKA can function in either the cytoplasm or the nucleus. It can promote the transcription and expression of oncogenes together with other transcription factors in the nucleus, including FoxM1, C-Myc, and NF-κB. In addition, it also sustains carcinogenic signaling, such as N-Myc and Wnt signaling. This article will focus on the role of AURKA in the nucleus and its carcinogenic characteristics that are independent of its kinase activity to provide a theoretical explanation for mechanisms of resistance to kinase inhibitors and a reference for future research on targeted inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghua Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Huijun Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Danjing Luo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Wenqi Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Nikhil K, Shah K. The significant others of aurora kinase a in cancer: combination is the key. Biomark Res 2024; 12:109. [PMID: 39334449 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00651-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
AURKA is predominantly famous as an essential mitotic kinase. Recent findings have also established its critical role in a plethora of other biological processes including ciliogenesis, mitochondrial dynamics, neuronal outgrowth, DNA replication and cell cycle progression. AURKA overexpression in numerous cancers is strongly associated with poor prognosis and survival. Still no AURKA-targeted drug has been approved yet, partially because of the associated collateral toxicity and partly due to its limited efficacy as a single agent in a wide range of tumors. Mechanistically, AURKA overexpression allows it to phosphorylate numerous pathological substrates promoting highly aggressive oncogenic phenotypes. Our review examines the most recent advances in AURKA regulation and focuses on 33 such direct cancer-specific targets of AURKA and their associated oncogenic signaling cascades. One of the common themes that emerge is that AURKA is often involved in a feedback loop with its substrates, which could be the decisive factor causing its sustained upregulation and hyperactivation in cancer cells, an Achilles heel not exploited before. This dynamic interplay between AURKA and its substrates offers potential opportunities for targeted therapeutic interventions. By targeting these substrates, it may be possible to disrupt this feedback loop to effectively reverse AURKA levels, thereby providing a promising avenue for developing safer AURKA-targeted therapeutics. Additionally, exploring the synergistic effects of AURKA inhibition with its other oncogenic and/or tumor-suppressor targets could provide further opportunities for developing effective combination therapies against AURKA-driven cancers, thereby maximizing its potential as a critical drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Nikhil
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
| | - Kavita Shah
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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3
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Singh M, Haque MA, Tikhomirov AS, Shchekotikhin AE, Das U, Kaur P. Computational and Biophysical Characterization of Heterocyclic Derivatives of Anthraquinone against Human Aurora Kinase A. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:39603-39618. [PMID: 36385832 PMCID: PMC9647706 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human Aurora kinase A (AurA) has recently garnered the attention of researchers worldwide as a promising effective mitotic drug target for its involvement in cancer and related inflammatory anomalies. This study has explored the binding affinity of newly identified heteroarene-fused anthraquinone derivatives against AurA. Molecular docking analyses showed that all the heteroanthraquinone compounds bind to AurA with different affinities. Molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that the compounds maintained relatively stable binding modes in the active site pocket while inducing minimal conformational changes in the AurA structure, interacting with key residues through several noncovalent interactions, including hydrogen bonds. Fluorescence spectroscopy and biolayer interferometry binding assays with synthesized compounds against recombinantly expressed AurA further verified their binding efficacy. Naphthoisatine 3 proved to be the best binder, with compounds anthraimidazole 5 and anthrathiophene 2 showing comparable results. Overall, this study indicates decent binding of heterocyclic derivatives of anthraquinone with the target AurA, which can further be assessed by performing enzymatic assays and cellular studies. The studies also highlight the applicability of the heteroarene-fused anthraquinone scaffold to construct selective and potent inhibitors of Aurora kinases after necessary structural modifications for the development of new anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandeep Singh
- Department
of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi110029, India
| | - Md. Anzarul Haque
- Department
of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi110029, India
| | | | | | - Uddipan Das
- Department
of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi110029, India
| | - Punit Kaur
- Department
of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi110029, India
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4
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Xiao J, Zhang Y. AURKB as a Promising Prognostic Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Evol Bioinform Online 2021; 17:11769343211057589. [PMID: 34866894 PMCID: PMC8637395 DOI: 10.1177/11769343211057589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Aurora kinases form a family of 3 genes encoding serine/threonine kinases and are involved in the regulation of cell division during the mitosis. This study was designed to investigate the prognostic role of Aurora kinases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we analyzed the expression, overall survival (OS) data, promoter methylation level, and relationship with immunoinhibitors of Aurora kinases in patients with HCC from GEPIA2, UALCAN, OncoLnc, and TISIDB databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and Reactome pathway analysis were performed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. We found that the mRNA expression, stages of HCC, and OS of AURKA and AURKB in HCC tissues were significantly different from control tissues, but there were significant inconsistencies in promoter methylation level and relationship with immunoinhibitors for AURKA and AURKB. None of the above items were significantly different for AURKC. Furthermore, a hub module including AURKA, AURKB, and AURKC was identified within the PPI network constructed with the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plug-in in Cytoscape software. Our results show that AURKB could be a potential biomarker for HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingchuan Xiao
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Yingai Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou, Hainan, China.,School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan, China
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5
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Alkhateeb KJ, Crane JE, Sak M, Jorgensen CJ, O'Donnell JP, Zumbar CT, Wozniak JA, Salazar CR, Parwani AV, Lehman NL. Aurora-A kinase is differentially expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm in normal Müllerian epithelium and benign, borderline and malignant serous ovarian neoplasms. Diagn Pathol 2021; 16:98. [PMID: 34706741 PMCID: PMC8549328 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-021-01158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aurora-A kinase is important for cellular proliferation and is implicated in the tumorigenesis of several malignancies, including of the ovary. Information regarding the expression patterns of Aurora-A in normal Müllerian epithelium as well as benign, borderline and malignant epithelial ovarian neoplasms is limited. Methods We investigated Aurora-A expression by immunohistochemistry in 15 benign, 19 borderline and 17 malignant ovarian serous tumors, and 16 benign, 8 borderline, and 2 malignant ovarian mucinous tumors. Twelve fimbriae from seven patients served as normal Müllerian epithelium controls. We also examined Aurora-A protein expression by western blot in normal fimbriae and tumor specimens. Results All normal fimbriae (n = 12) showed nuclear but not cytoplasmic Aurora-A immunoreactivity by immunohistochemistry. Benign ovarian tumors also showed strong nuclear Aurora-A immunoreactivity. Forty-eight percent (13/27) of borderline tumors demonstrated nuclear Aurora-A immunoreactivity, while the remainder (52%, 14/27) lacked Aurora-A staining. Nuclear Aurora-A immunoreactivity was absent in all malignant serous tumors, however, 47% (8/17) demonstrated perinuclear cytoplasmic staining. These results were statistically significant when tumor class (benign/borderline/malignant) was compared to immunoreactivity localization or intensity (Fisher Exact Test, p < 0.01). Western blot analysis confirmed the greater nuclear Aurora-A expression in control Müllerian epithelium compared to borderline and malignant tumors. Conclusion Aurora-A kinase is differentially expressed across normal Müllerian epithelium, benign and borderline serous and mucinous ovarian epithelial neoplasms and malignant serous ovarian tumors., with nuclear expression of unphosphorylated Aurora-A being present in normal and benign neoplastic epithelium, and lost in malignant serous neoplasms. Further studies of the possible biological and clinical implications of the loss of nuclear Aurora-A expression in ovarian tumors, and its role in ovarian carcinogenesis are warranted. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13000-021-01158-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled J Alkhateeb
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Jason E Crane
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Müge Sak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Caitlin J Jorgensen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - James P O'Donnell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Cory T Zumbar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Jason A Wozniak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Clarence R Salazar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Anil V Parwani
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Norman L Lehman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA. .,The Brown Cancer Center, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
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6
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Effect of the HDAC Inhibitor on Histone Acetylation and Methyltransferases in A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57050456. [PMID: 34066975 PMCID: PMC8151761 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57050456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background andObjective: Epigenetic modifications are believed to play a significant role in the development of cancer progression, growth, differentiation, and cell death. One of the most popular histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACIs), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), also known as Vorinostat, can directly activate p21WAF1/CIP1 gene transcription through hyperacetylation of histones by a p53 independent mechanism. In the present investigation, we evaluated the correlation between histone modifications and DNA methyltransferase enzyme levels following SAHA treatments in A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Acetylation of histones and methyltransferases levels were analyzed using RT2 profiler PCR array, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence methods in 2D and 3D cell culture systems. Results: The inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) activities by SAHA can reduce DNA methyl transferases / histone methyl transferases (DNMTs/HMTs) levels through induction of hyperacetylation of histones. Immunofluorescence analysis of cells growing in monolayers and spheroids revealed significant up-regulation of histone acetylation preceding the above-described changes. Conclusions: Our results depict an interesting interplay between histone hyperacetylation and a decrease in methyltransferase levels in ovarian cancer cells, which may have a positive impact on the overall outcomes of cancer treatment.
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7
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Aurora kinase inhibitors as potential anticancer agents: Recent advances. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 221:113495. [PMID: 34020340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aurora kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases that play a crucial role in cell proliferation through the regulation of mitotic spindles. These kinases are the regulatory proteins localized in the various phases of the cell cycle and are involved in centrosome maturation, chromosome alignment, chromosomal segregation, and cytokinesis. They have emerged as one of the validated drug targets for anticancer drug discovery as their overexpression has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various carcinomas. Inhibitors of Aurora kinases induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells. Hence, the design and development of Aurora kinase inhibitors have been widely explored in recent years by the scientific community as potential anticancer agents. Various Aurora kinase inhibitors have been under preclinical and clinical investigations as antitumor agents. This review summarizes the recent strategies of various researchers for the design and development of Aurora kinase inhibitors belonging to different structural classes. Their bioactivity, SARs, molecular modelling, and mechanistic studies have also been described. The comprehensive compilation of research work carried out in the field will provide inevitable scope for the design and development of novel drug candidates with better selectivity and efficacy. The review is constructed after the exhaustive research in this discipline and includes the papers from 2011 to 2020.
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8
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Aurora-A/ERK1/2/mTOR axis promotes tumor progression in triple-negative breast cancer and dual-targeting Aurora-A/mTOR shows synthetic lethality. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:606. [PMID: 31406104 PMCID: PMC6690898 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1855-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), defined as a tumor subtype that lacks ER, PR, and HER2, shows a poor prognosis due to its aggressive tumor biology and limited treatment options. Deregulation of Aurora kinase A (Aur-A), a member of the mitotic serine/threonine Aurora kinase family, and overactivation of the mTOR pathway commonly occur in multiple cancer types. We previously found that Aur-A activated the mTOR pathway and inhibited autophagy activity in breast cancer cell models. Whether and how Aur-A regulates mTOR in TNBC are still unclear. Here, we found that Aur-A and p-mTOR are highly expressed and positively associated with each other in TNBC cells and tissues. Inhibition or knockdown of Aur-A decreased p-mTOR and suppressed cell proliferation and migration, whereas overexpression of Aur-A increased p-mTOR levels and promoted cell proliferation and migration, which was significantly abrogated by simultaneous silencing of mTOR. Intriguingly, overexpression of Aur-A enhanced the expression of p-mTOR and p-ERK1/2, and silencing or inhibition of ERK1/2 blocked Aur-A-induced p-mTOR. However, silencing or inhibition of mTOR failed to reverse Aur-A-induced ERK1/2, indicating that Aur-A/ERK1/2/mTOR forms an oncogenic cascade in TNBC. We finally found that double inhibition of Aur-A and mTOR showed significant synergistic effects in TNBC cell lines and a xenograft model, indicating that Aur-A and mTOR are potential therapeutic targets in the TNBC subtype.
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9
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Tang A, Gao K, Chu L, Zhang R, Yang J, Zheng J. Aurora kinases: novel therapy targets in cancers. Oncotarget 2017; 8:23937-23954. [PMID: 28147341 PMCID: PMC5410356 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinases, consisting of Aurora A (AURKA), Aurora B (AURKB) and Aurora C (AURKC), are essential kinases for cell division via regulating mitosis especially the process of chromosomal segregation. Besides regulating mitosis, Aurora kinases have been implicated in regulating meiosis. The deletion of Aurora kinases could lead to failure of cell division and impair the embryonic development. Overexpression or gene amplification of Aurora kinases has been clarified in a number of cancers. And a growing number of studies have demonstrated that inhibition of Aurora kinases could potentiate the effect of chemotherapies. For the past decades, a series of Aurora kinases inhibitors (AKIs) developed effectively repress the progression and growth of many cancers both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that Aurora kinases could be a novel therapeutic target. In this review, we'll first briefly present the structure, localization and physiological functions of Aurora kinases in mitosis, then describe the oncogenic role of Aurora kinases in tumorigenesis, we shall finally discuss the outcomes of AKIs combination with conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anqun Tang
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Keyu Gao
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Laili Chu
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Jiangsu, China.,Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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FOXM1 recruits nuclear Aurora kinase A to participate in a positive feedback loop essential for the self-renewal of breast cancer stem cells. Oncogene 2017; 36:3428-3440. [PMID: 28114286 PMCID: PMC5485180 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Substantial evidence suggests that breast cancer initiation, recurrence and drug resistance is supported by breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). Recently, we reported a novel role of Aurora kinase A (AURKA) in BCSCs, as a transactivating co-factor in the induction of the c-Myc oncoprotein. However, the mode of action and transcriptional network of nuclear AURKA in BCSCs remain unknown. Here, we report that nuclear AURKA can be recruited by Forkhead box subclass M1 (FOXM1) as a co-factor to transactivate FOXM1 target genes in a kinase-independent manner. In addition, we show that AURKA and FOXM1 participate in a tightly coupled positive feedback loop to enhance BCSC phenotype. Indeed, kinase-dead AURKA can effectively transactivate the FOXM1 promoter through a Forkhead response element, whereas FOXM1 can activate AURKA expression at the transcriptional level in a similar manner. Consistently, breast cancer patient samples portrayed a strong and significant correlation between the expression levels of FOXM1 and AURKA. Moreover, both FOXM1 and AURKA were essential for maintaining the BCSC population. Finally, we demonstrated that the AURKA inhibitor AKI603 and FOXM1 inhibitor thiostrepton acted synergistically to inhibit cytoplasmic AURKA activity and disrupt the nuclear AURKA/FOXM1-positive feedback loop, respectively, resulting in a more effective inhibition of the tumorigenicity and self-renewal ability of BCSCs. Collectively, our study uncovers a previously unknown tightly coupled positive feedback signalling loop between AURKA and FOXM1, crucial for BCSC self-renewal. Remarkably, our data reveal a novel potential therapeutic strategy for targeting both the cytoplasmic and nuclear AURKA function to effectively eliminate BCSCs, so as to overcome both breast cancer and drug resistance.
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Yan M, Wang C, He B, Yang M, Tong M, Long Z, Liu B, Peng F, Xu L, Zhang Y, Liang D, Lei H, Subrata S, Kelley KW, Lam EWF, Jin B, Liu Q. Aurora-A Kinase: A Potent Oncogene and Target for Cancer Therapy. Med Res Rev 2016; 36:1036-1079. [PMID: 27406026 DOI: 10.1002/med.21399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The Aurora kinase family is comprised of three serine/threonine kinases, Aurora-A, Aurora-B, and Aurora-C. Among these, Aurora-A and Aurora-B play central roles in mitosis, whereas Aurora-C executes unique roles in meiosis. Overexpression or gene amplification of Aurora kinases has been reported in a broad range of human malignancies, pointing to their role as potent oncogenes in tumorigenesis. Aurora kinases therefore represent promising targets for anticancer therapeutics. A number of Aurora kinase inhibitors (AKIs) have been generated; some of which are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Recent studies have unveiled novel unexpected functions of Aurora kinases during cancer development and the mechanisms underlying the anticancer actions of AKIs. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in Aurora-A kinase research and targeted cancer therapy, focusing on the oncogenic roles and signaling pathways of Aurora-A kinases in promoting tumorigenesis, the recent preclinical and clinical AKI data, and potential alternative routes for Aurora-A kinase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunli Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bin He
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengying Yang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Mengying Tong
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zijie Long
- Institute of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fei Peng
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lingzhi Xu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dapeng Liang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Haixin Lei
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sen Subrata
- Department of Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Keith W Kelley
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, Department of Animal Sciences, College of ACES, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Eric W-F Lam
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Bilian Jin
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Quentin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China. .,Institute of Hematology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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12
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Aparicio AM, Shen L, Tapia ELN, Lu JF, Chen HC, Zhang J, Wu G, Wang X, Troncoso P, Corn P, Thompson TC, Broom B, Baggerly K, Maity SN, Logothetis CJ. Combined Tumor Suppressor Defects Characterize Clinically Defined Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancers. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:1520-30. [PMID: 26546618 PMCID: PMC4794379 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Morphologically heterogeneous prostate cancers that behave clinically like small-cell prostate cancers (SCPC) share their chemotherapy responsiveness. We asked whether these clinically defined, morphologically diverse, "aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPC)" also share molecular features with SCPC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Fifty-nine prostate cancer samples from 40 clinical trial participants meeting AVPC criteria, and 8 patient-tumor derived xenografts (PDX) from 6 of them, were stained for markers aberrantly expressed in SCPC. DNA from 36 and 8 PDX was analyzed by Oncoscan for copy number gains (CNG) and losses (CNL). We used the AVPC PDX to expand observations and referenced publicly available datasets to arrive at a candidate molecular signature for the AVPC. RESULTS Irrespective of morphology, Ki67 and Tp53 stained ≥10% cells in 80% and 41% of samples, respectively. RB1 stained <10% cells in 61% of samples and AR in 36%. MYC (surrogate for 8q) CNG and RB1 CNL showed in 54% of 44 samples each and PTEN CNL in 48%. All but 1 of 8 PDX bore Tp53 missense mutations. RB1 CNL was the strongest discriminator between unselected castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and the AVPC. Combined alterations in RB1, Tp53, and/or PTEN were more frequent in the AVPC than in unselected CRPC and in The Cancer Genome Atlas samples. CONCLUSIONS Clinically defined AVPC share molecular features with SCPC and are characterized by combined alterations in RB1, Tp53, and/or PTEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Aparicio
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Elsa Li Ning Tapia
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jing-Fang Lu
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Hsiang-Chun Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jiexin Zhang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Guanglin Wu
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xuemei Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Patricia Troncoso
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Paul Corn
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Timothy C Thompson
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Bradley Broom
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Keith Baggerly
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Human and Molecular Genetics Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Sankar N Maity
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Clinical and Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
| | - Christopher J Logothetis
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
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13
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Nuclear AURKA acquires kinase-independent transactivating function to enhance breast cancer stem cell phenotype. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10180. [PMID: 26782714 PMCID: PMC4735655 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Centrosome-localized mitotic Aurora kinase A (AURKA) facilitates G2/M events. Here we show that AURKA translocates to the nucleus and causes distinct oncogenic properties in malignant cells by enhancing breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) phenotype. Unexpectedly, this function is independent of its kinase activity. Instead, AURKA preferentially interacts with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) in the nucleus and acts as a transcription factor in a complex that induces a shift in MYC promoter usage and activates the MYC promoter. Blocking AURKA nuclear localization inhibits this newly discovered transactivating function of AURKA, sensitizing resistant BCSC to kinase inhibition. These findings identify a previously unknown oncogenic property of the spatially deregulated AURKA in tumorigenesis and provide a potential therapeutic opportunity to overcome kinase inhibitor resistance.
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14
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Katsha A, Belkhiri A, Goff L, El-Rifai W. Aurora kinase A in gastrointestinal cancers: time to target. Mol Cancer 2015; 14:106. [PMID: 25987188 PMCID: PMC4436812 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-015-0375-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are a major cause of cancer-related deaths. During the last two decades, several studies have shown amplification and overexpression of Aurora kinase A (AURKA) in several GI malignancies. These studies demonstrated that AURKA not only plays a role in regulating cell cycle and mitosis, but also regulates a number of key oncogenic signaling pathways. Although AURKA inhibitors have moved to phase III clinical trials in lymphomas, there has been slower progress in GI cancers and solid tumors. Ongoing clinical trials testing AURKA inhibitors as a single agent or in combination with conventional chemotherapies are expected to provide important clinical information for targeting AURKA in GI cancers. It is, therefore, imperative to consider investigations of molecular determinants of response and resistance to this class of inhibitors. This will improve evaluation of the efficacy of these drugs and establish biomarker based strategies for enrollment into clinical trials, which hold the future direction for personalized cancer therapy. In this review, we will discuss the available data on AURKA in GI cancers. We will also summarize the major AURKA inhibitors that have been developed and tested in pre-clinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Katsha
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 760 PRB, 2220 Pierce Avenue, 37232-6308, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Abbes Belkhiri
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 760 PRB, 2220 Pierce Avenue, 37232-6308, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Laura Goff
- Department of Hematology, Department of Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 760 PRB, 2220 Pierce Avenue, 37232-6308, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA.
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15
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Teixeira JH, Silva P, Faria J, Ferreira I, Duarte P, Delgado ML, Queirós O, Moreira R, Barbosa J, Lopes CA, do Amaral JB, Monteiro LS, Bousbaa H. Clinicopathologic significance of BubR1 and Mad2 overexpression in oral cancer. Oral Dis 2015; 21:713-20. [PMID: 25754611 DOI: 10.1111/odi.12335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES BubR1 and Mad2 are central components of the mitotic checkpoint complex that inhibits anaphase onset until all chromosomes are correctly aligned at the metaphase plate. We propose to analyse the combined expression of BubR1 and Mad2 and assess its significance to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) diagnosis and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS BubR1 and Mad2 expression was assessed by real-time PCR in OSCC cell lines and in normal human oral keratinocytes, and by immunohistochemistry in 65 patients with OSCC. The results were compared regarding clinicopathological parameters, proliferative activity and survival. RESULTS BubR1 and Mad2 transcripts were overexpressed in OSCC cell lines which also exhibited attenuated spindle assembly checkpoint activity. BubR1 and Mad2 were also overexpressed in patients with OSCC. BubR1 expression was associated with advanced stages and larger tumour size in univariate analysis, and with shorter overall survival both in univariate and multivariate analysis. Mad2 overexpression was associated with that of BubR1 and, importantly, high expression of Mad2 and BubR1 was associated with increased cellular proliferation. CONCLUSION Our data propose a role for BubR1 and Mad2 in OSCC cellular proliferation, progression and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Teixeira
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - Pma Silva
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal.,Centre for Molecular and Structural Biomedicine, CBME/IBB, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - J Faria
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - I Ferreira
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - P Duarte
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - M L Delgado
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - O Queirós
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal.,CBMA - Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - R Moreira
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal.,CBMA - Center of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - J Barbosa
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - C A Lopes
- Molecular Pathology and Immunology Department, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J B do Amaral
- Stomatology Department, Hospital de Santo António, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L S Monteiro
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal
| | - H Bousbaa
- Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde, CESPU, Gandra PRD, Portugal.,Centro de Química Medicinal da Universidade do Porto (CEQUIMED-UP), Porto, Portugal.,Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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16
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Casorzo L, Dell'Aglio C, Sarotto I, Risio M. Aurora kinase A gene copy number is associated with the malignant transformation of colorectal adenomas but not with the serrated neoplasia progression. Hum Pathol 2015; 46:411-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2014.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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17
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Aurora-A signaling is activated in advanced stage of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck cancer and requires osteopontin to stimulate invasive behavior. Oncotarget 2015; 5:2243-62. [PMID: 24810160 PMCID: PMC4039160 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical significances, cellular effects, and molecular mechanisms by which Aurora-A mediate its invasive effects in HNSCC are still unclear. Here, we found that Aurora-A expression is significantly higher in tumor tissues on 14-microarray of HNSCC in Oncomine-databases. The activity of Aurora-A was not only found in HNSCC specimens, but also significantly correlated with advanced-T-classification, positive-N-classification, TNM-stage and the poor 5-year survival rate. HNSCC-microarray profile showed that osteopontin and Aurora-A exhibited positive correlation. Stimulation of HNC cells with osteopontin results in an increase in Aurora-A expression where localized at the centrosome. Functionally, Aurora-A had the abilities to stimulate cell motility in HNC cells through increase ERK1/2 activity under osteopontin stimulation. Conversely, depletion of Aurora-A expression by siRNAs suppressed ERK1/2 activity as well as inhibition of cell invasiveness. Treatment with anti-CD44 antibodies in HNC cells not only caused a decrease of mRNA/protein of Aurora-A and ERK1/2 activity upon osteopontin stimulation, but also affected the abilities of Aurora-A-elicited cell motility. Finally, immunohistochemical/Western-blotting analysis of human aggressive HNSCC specimens showed a significant positively correlation between osteopontin-Aurora-A and ERK1/2. These findings suggest that Aurora-A is not only an important prognostic factor but also a new therapeutic target in the osteopontin/CD44/ERK pathway for HNSCC treatment.
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18
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Edgerton H, Paolillo V, Oakley BR. Spatial regulation of the spindle assembly checkpoint and anaphase-promoting complex in Aspergillus nidulans. Mol Microbiol 2014; 95:442-57. [PMID: 25417844 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.12871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) plays a critical role in preventing mitotic errors by inhibiting anaphase until all kinetochores are correctly attached to spindle microtubules. In spite of the economic and medical importance of filamentous fungi, relatively little is known about the behavior of SAC proteins in these organisms. In our efforts to understand the role of γ-tubulin in cell cycle regulation, we have created functional fluorescent protein fusions of four SAC proteins in Aspergillus nidulans, the homologs of Mad2, Mps1, Bub1/BubR1 and Bub3. Time-lapse imaging reveals that SAC proteins are in distinct compartments of the cell until early mitosis when they co-localize at the spindle pole body. SAC activity is, thus, spatially regulated in A. nidulans. Likewise, Cdc20, an activator of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome, is excluded from interphase nuclei, but enters nuclei at mitotic onset and accumulates to a higher level in mitotic nuclei than in the surrounding nucleoplasm before leaving in anaphase/telophase. The activity of this critical cell cycle regulatory complex is likely regulated by the location of Cdc20. Finally, the γ-tubulin mutation mipAD159 causes a nuclear-specific failure of nuclear localization of Mps1 and Bub1/R1 but not of Cdc20, Bub3 or Mad2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Edgerton
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence, KS, 66045, USA
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19
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Friis-Ottessen M, Burum-Auensen E, Schjølberg AR, Ekstrøm PO, Andersen SN, Clausen OP, De Angelis PM. TP53/p53 alterations and Aurora A expression in progressor and non-progressor colectomies from patients with longstanding ulcerative colitis. Int J Mol Med 2014; 35:24-30. [PMID: 25333414 PMCID: PMC4249752 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy is a common feature in the colonic mucosa of patients suffering from the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis (UC) and often precedes the development of dysplasia and cancer. Aneuploidy is assumed to be caused by missegregation of chromosomes during mitosis, often due to a faulty spindle assembly checkpoint. p53 is a tumour suppressor protein known to regulate the spindle assembly checkpoint and is frequently mutated in aneuploid cells. Aurora A is a presumed oncoprotein, also involved in regulation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. In the present study, we examined the mutational frequency of TP53 and the protein levels of p53 in a set of 20 progressor and 10 non-progressor colectomies from patients suffering from longstanding UC. In addition, we re-examined previously published immunohistochemical data on Aurora A expression using the same material. Levels of Aurora A were re-examined with regard to DNA ploidy status and dysplasia within the progressors, as well as in relation to p53 accumulation and TP53 mutational status. We detected p53 accumulation only within the progressor colectomies, where it could be followed back 14 years prior to the colectomies, in pre-colectomy biopsies. TP53 mutations were detected in both progressors and non-progressors. Expression levels of Aurora A were similar in the progressors and non-progressors. Within the group of progressors however, low levels of Aurora A were associated with areas of DNA aneuploidy, as well as with increasing degrees of dysplasia. Our results indicate that alterations in p53 may be an early biomarker of a progressor colon, and that p53 is accumulated early in UC-related carcinogenesis. Furthermore, a decreased Aurora A expression is associated with the development of DNA aneuploidy, as well as with dysplasia in UC progressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann Friis-Ottessen
- Division of Diagnostics and Intervention, Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Per Olaf Ekstrøm
- Division of Surgery and Cancer Medicine, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig N Andersen
- Department of Pathology, Akershus University Hospital, Division of Medicine and Laboratory Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Paula M De Angelis
- Division of Diagnostics and Intervention, Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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20
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Jia L, Lee HS, Wu CF, Kundu J, Park SG, Kim RN, Wang LH, Erkin ÖC, Choi JS, Chae SW, Yang HB, Choi YL, Shin YK. SMAD4 suppresses AURKA-induced metastatic phenotypes via degradation of AURKA in a TGFβ-independent manner. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 12:1779-95. [PMID: 25061104 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED SMAD4 has been suggested to inhibit the activity of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in cancer. However, the mechanism by which SMAD4 antagonizes WNT/β-catenin signaling in cancer remains largely unknown. Aurora A kinase (AURKA), which is frequently overexpressed in cancer, increases the transcriptional activity of β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF) complex by stabilizing β-catenin through the inhibition of GSK-3β. Here, SMAD4 modulated AURKA in a TGFβ-independent manner. Overexpression of SMAD4 significantly suppressed AURKA function, including colony formation, migration, and invasion of cell lines. In addition, SMAD4 bound to AURKA induced degradation of AURKA by the proteasome. A luciferase activity assay revealed that the transcriptional activity of the β-catenin/TCF complex was elevated by AURKA, but decreased by SMAD4 overexpression. Moreover, target gene analysis showed that SMAD4 abrogated the AURKA-mediated increase of β-catenin target genes. However, this inhibitory effect of SMAD4 was abolished by overexpression of AURKA or silencing of AURKA in SMAD4-overexpressed cells. Meanwhile, the SMAD4-mediated repression of AURKA and β-catenin was independent of TGFβ signaling because blockage of TGFβR1 or restoration of TGFβ signaling did not prevent suppression of AURKA and β-catenin signaling by SMAD4. These results indicate that the tumor-suppressive function of SMAD4 is mediated by downregulation of β-catenin transcriptional activity via AURKA degradation in a TGFβ-independent manner. IMPLICATIONS SMAD4 interacts with AURKA and antagonizes its tumor-promoting potential, thus demonstrating a novel mechanism of tumor suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hun Seok Lee
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chun Fu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Juthika Kundu
- College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Deagu, Korea
| | - Sang Gyu Park
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Gyuggido, Korea
| | - Ryong Nam Kim
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. Tumor Microenvironment Global Core Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Li-Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Özgür Cem Erkin
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Adana Science and Technology, Adana, Turkey
| | - Jong-Sun Choi
- Institutes of Entrepreneurial BioConvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seoung Wan Chae
- Department of Pathology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ho Bin Yang
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon-La Choi
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Kee Shin
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. Tumor Microenvironment Global Core Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. Institutes of Entrepreneurial BioConvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
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21
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Spindle assembly checkpoint protein expression correlates with cellular proliferation and shorter time to recurrence in ovarian cancer. Hum Pathol 2014; 45:1509-19. [PMID: 24792619 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2014.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2013] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian carcinoma (OC) is the most lethal of the gynecological malignancies, often presenting at an advanced stage. Treatment is hampered by high levels of drug resistance. The taxanes are microtubule stabilizing agents, used as first-line agents in the treatment of OC that exert their apoptotic effects through the spindle assembly checkpoint. BUB1-related protein kinase (BUBR1) and mitotic arrest deficient 2 (MAD2), essential spindle assembly checkpoint components, play a key role in response to taxanes. BUBR1, MAD2, and Ki-67 were assessed on an OC tissue microarray platform representing 72 OC tumors of varying histologic subtypes. Sixty-one of these patients received paclitaxel and platinum agents combined; 11 received platinum alone. Overall survival was available for all 72 patients, whereas recurrence-free survival (RFS) was available for 66 patients. Increased BUBR1 expression was seen in serous carcinomas, compared with other histologies (P = .03). Increased BUBR1 was significantly associated with tumors of advanced stage (P = .05). Increased MAD2 and BUBR1 expression also correlated with increased cellular proliferation (P < .0002 and P = .02, respectively). Reduced MAD2 nuclear intensity was associated with a shorter RFS (P = .03), in ovarian tumors of differing histologic subtype (n = 66). In this subgroup, for those women who received paclitaxel and platinum agents combined (n = 57), reduced MAD2 intensity also identified women with a shorter RFS (P < .007). For the entire cohort of patients, irrespective of histologic subtype or treatment, MAD2 nuclear intensity retained independent significance in a multivariate model, with tumors showing reduced nuclear MAD2 intensity identifying patients with a poorer RFS (P = .05).
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22
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Cabibi D, Giannone AG, Mascarella C, Guarnotta C, Castiglia M, Pantuso G, Fiorentino E. Immunohistochemical/histochemical double staining method in the study of the columnar metaplasia of the oesophagus. Eur J Histochem 2014; 58:2326. [PMID: 24705000 PMCID: PMC3980213 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2014.2326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal metaplasia in Barrett's oesophagus (BO) represents an important risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Instead, few and controversial data are reported about the progression risk of columnar-lined oesophagus without intestinal metaplasia (CLO), posing an issue about its clinical management. The aim was to evaluate if some immunophenotypic changes were present in CLO independently of the presence of the goblet cells. We studied a series of oesophageal biopsies from patients with endoscopic finding of columnar metaplasia, by performing some immunohistochemical stainings (CK7, p53, AuroraA) combined with histochemistry (Alcian-blue and Alcian/PAS), with the aim of simultaneously assess the histochemical features in cells that shows an aberrant expression of such antigens. We evidenced a cytoplasmic expression of CK7 and a nuclear expression of Aurora A and p53, both in goblet cells of BO and in non-goblet cells of CLO, some of which showing mild dysplasia. These findings suggest that some immunophenotypic changes are present in CLO and they can precede the appearance of the goblet cells or can be present independently of them, confirming the conception of BO as the condition characterized by any extention of columnar epithelium. This is the first study in which a combined immunohistochemical/histochemical method has been applied to Barrett pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Cabibi
- Department of Sciences for Promotion of Health and Mother and Child care - University of Palermo.
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23
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Liu ZG, Yi W, Tao YL, Chan HC, Zeng MS, Xia YF. Aurora-A is an efficient marker for predicting poor prognosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma with aggressive local invasion: 208 cases with a 10-year follow-up from a single institution. Oncol Lett 2012; 3:1237-1244. [PMID: 22783425 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2012.660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aurora-A kinase (Aur-A), a member of a family of mitotic serine/threonine kinases, is known to be amplified in epithelial malignancies. In this study, we focused our investigation on Aur-A expression and its prognostic significance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Immunohistochemical staining for Aur-A was performed on the paraffin sections of 208 patients with NPC. Data were subjected to statistical analysis with respect to clinicopathological variables, overall survival and disease-free survival. An immunohistochemical analysis showed that Aur-A was highly expressed in 132 (63.5%) of the 208 NPC tissues examined. Aur-A expression was significantly correlated with T classification (P=0.012), clinical stage (P=0.003) and skull base invasion (P=0.003). Statistical analysis showed that Aur-A expression was inversely correlated with the 10-year overall and disease-free survival rates of NPC patients. Results of the multivariate analysis revealed that Aur-A expression was an independent prognostic indicator for patient survival. More significantly, Aur-A was found to be a marker for poor survival, which was mainly attributed to its high expression in the subgroup of T(4) tumor classification with aggressive local invasion. These results indicated that Aur-A expression is inversely correlated with survival and directly correlated with the malignant status of NPC. Therefore, Aur-A may serve as a potential biological marker for poor prognosis in the T(4) subgroup of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510060
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24
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Lagarde P, Pérot G, Kauffmann A, Brulard C, Dapremont V, Hostein I, Neuville A, Wozniak A, Sciot R, Schöffski P, Aurias A, Coindre JM, Debiec-Rychter M, Chibon F. Mitotic checkpoints and chromosome instability are strong predictors of clinical outcome in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 18:826-38. [PMID: 22167411 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-11-1610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The importance of KIT and PDGFRA mutations in the oncogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is well established, but the genetic basis of GIST metastasis is poorly understood. We recently published a 67 gene expression prognostic signature related to genome complexity (CINSARC for Complexity INdex in SARComas) and asked whether it could predict outcome in GISTs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We carried out genome and expression profiling on 67 primary untreated GISTs. RESULTS We show and validate here that it can predict metastasis in a new data set of 67 primary untreated GISTs. The gene whose expression was most strongly associated with metastasis was AURKA, but the AURKA locus was not amplified. Instead, we identified deletion of the p16 (CDKN2A) and retinoblastoma (RB1) genes as likely causal events leading to increased AURKA and CINSARC gene expression, to chromosome rearrangement, and ultimately to metastasis. On the basis of these findings, we established a Genomic Index that integrates the number and type of DNA copy number alterations. This index is a strong prognostic factor in GISTs. We show that CINSARC class, AURKA expression, and Genomic Index all outperform the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) grading system in determining the prognosis of patients with GISTs. Interestingly, these signatures can identify poor prognosis patients in the group classified as intermediate-risk by the AFIP classification. CONCLUSIONS We propose that a high Genomic Index determined by comparative genomic hybridization from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples could be used to identify AFIP intermediate-risk patients who would benefit from imatinib therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Lagarde
- INSERM U916: Genetics and Biology of Sarcomas, Paris Cedex, France
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25
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Calcagno A, Grassi T, Mariuzzi L, Marzinotto S, Londero AP, Orsaria M, Beltrami CA, Marchesoni D. Expression patterns of Aurora A and B kinases, Ki-67 and the estrogen and progesterone receptors determined using an endometriosis tissue microarray model. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:2731-41. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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26
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Nasir A, Chen DT, Gruidl M, Henderson-Jackson EB, Venkataramu C, McCarthy SM, McBride HL, Harris E, Khakpour N, Yeatman TJ. Novel molecular markers of malignancy in histologically normal and benign breast. PATHOLOGY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2011; 2011:489064. [PMID: 21785684 PMCID: PMC3140260 DOI: 10.4061/2011/489064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To detect the molecular changes of malignancy in histologically normal breast (HNB) tissues, we recently developed a novel 117-gene-malignancy-signature. Here we report validation of our leading malignancy-risk-genes, topoisomerase-2-alpha (TOP2A), minichromosome-maintenance-protein-2 (MCM2) and “budding-uninhibited-by-benzimidazoles-1-homolog-beta” (BUB1B) at the protein level. Using our 117-gene malignancy-signature, we classified 18 fresh-frozen HNB tissues from 18 adult female breast cancer patients into HNB-tissues with low-grade (HNB-LGMA; N = 9) and high-grade molecular abnormality (HNB-HGMA; N = 9). Archival sections of additional HNB tissues from these patients, and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) tissues from six other patients were immunostained for these biomarkers. TOP2A/MCM2 expression was assessed as staining index (%) and BUB1B expression as H-scores (0–300). Increasing TOP2A, MCM2, and BUB1B protein expression from HNB-LGMA to HNB-HGMA tissues to IDCs validated our microarray-based molecular classification of HNB tissues by immunohistochemistry. We also demonstrated an increasing expression of TOP2A protein on an independent test set of HNB/benign/reductionmammoplasties, atypical-ductal-hyperplasia with and without synchronous breast cancer, DCIS and IDC tissues using a custom tissue microarray (TMA). In conclusion, TOP2A, MCM2, and BUB1B proteins are potential molecular biomarkers of malignancy in histologically normal and benign breast tissues. Larger-scale clinical validation studies are needed to further evaluate the clinical utility of these molecular biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aejaz Nasir
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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Hannisdal K, Burum-Auensen E, Schjølberg A, De Angelis PM, Clausen OPF. Correlation between reduced expression of the spindle checkpoint protein BubR1 and bad prognosis in tonsillar carcinomas. Head Neck 2011; 32:1354-62. [PMID: 20146332 DOI: 10.1002/hed.21342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spindle checkpoint proteins such as Mad2 and BubR1 are important for chromosome segregation during mitosis. The aim of the present study was to examine their possible impact on prognosis in tonsillar carcinomas and their relation to clinical variables, the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), p53 status, and Ki-67 positivity. METHODS We examined the expression of Mad2 and BubR1 by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays from 105 patients with tonsillar carcinomas. RESULTS BubR1 and Mad2 were both expressed in tonsillar carcinomas. Expression of BubR1 was a significant prognostic factor in univariate survival analysis. In multivariate analyses, BubR1 was a significant prognostic factor together with stage, age, and HPV status p < .01), whereas Mad2 did not show any significant correlations. CONCLUSION We have shown that BubR1 expression is a novel and strong prognostic factor in tonsillar carcinomas, giving additional information to the TNM stage and other known prognostic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Hannisdal
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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Rizzardi C, Torelli L, Barresi E, Schneider M, Canzonieri V, Biasotto M, Di Lenarda R, Melato M. BUBR1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its relationship to tumor stage and survival. Head Neck 2010; 33:727-33. [PMID: 21069850 DOI: 10.1002/hed.21532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Defects in the mitotic spindle checkpoint have been proposed to contribute to the chromosomal instability observed in human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). BUBR1 is a key component of the spindle checkpoint, whose role in oral carcinogenesis still needs to be clarified. METHODS We have analyzed the expression of BUBR1 in 49 cases of OSCC by immunohistochemistry and compared the findings with clinicopathologic parameters, proliferative activity, and DNA ploidy. RESULTS BUBR1 was overexpressed in 11 cases (22.4%). Tumors with overexpression of BUBR1 were associated with a less advanced pathologic stage (p = .05) and showed longer survival periods (p = .38) but shorter recurrence-free survival periods (p = .13) than those without it. CONCLUSIONS Our data imply the possibility that BUBR1 may be involved in the progression of OSCC, and suggest that BUBR1 may be a promising prognostic marker in patients with OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Rizzardi
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
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Gladhaug IP, Westgaard A, Schjølberg AR, Burum-Auensen E, Pomianowska E, Clausen OPF. Spindle proteins in resected pancreatic head adenocarcinomas: BubR1 is an independent prognostic factor in pancreatobiliary-type tumours. Histopathology 2010; 56:345-55. [PMID: 20459534 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2010.03489.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Spindle proteins such as Aurora A, Mad2 and BubR1 are important for chromosome segregation during mitosis. Dysfunction of these proteins is implicated in the development of many cancers. The aim was to examine their possible prognostic impact in resected adenocarcinomas in the pancreatic head. METHODS AND RESULTS Two hundred and eighteen consecutively resected pancreatobiliary-type (n=145) and intestinal-type (n=73) adenocarcinomas involving the pancreatic head were examined for expression of Aurora A, Mad2 and BubR1 by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Aurora A (P<0.001) and Mad2 (P=0.003) were expressed more often and at higher levels in intestinal-type compared with pancreatobiliary-type tumours, whereas BubR1 was equally expressed in both histological types. Expression of BubR1, Aurora A and Mad2 was not associated with ploidy status. None of the spindle proteins was significantly associated with prognosis in intestinal-type tumours. In pancreatobiliary-type tumours, any BubR1 expression was sufficient to predict poor prognosis (P=0.006), whereas Aurora A and Mad2 expression was not significantly associated with prognosis (P=0.86 and P= 0.87, respectively). On adjusted Cox regression analysis, BubR1 expression independently predicted poor prognosis [P=0.002; hazard ratio (HR) 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26, 2.79)], particularly in small tumours (P=0.001; HR 2.93, 95% CI 1.53, 5.62). CONCLUSION BubR1 expression is a novel, independent adverse prognostic factor after pancreatoduodenectomy of pancreatobiliary-type adenocarcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivar P Gladhaug
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, and Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Cammareri P, Scopelliti A, Todaro M, Eterno V, Francescangeli F, Moyer MP, Agrusa A, Dieli F, Zeuner A, Stassi G. Aurora-a is essential for the tumorigenic capacity and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer stem cells. Cancer Res 2010; 70:4655-65. [PMID: 20460511 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-3953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer stem cells (CR-CSC) are responsible for the generation and maintenance of intestinal tumors and are highly resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Aurora-A, a serine-threonine kinase involved in mitosis regulation, plays multiple key functions in tumor initiation and progression. We found that Aurora-A is overexpressed in primary colorectal tumor cells, in the CR-CSC fraction, and in stem cell-derived differentiated cells, compared with normal colon tissue. Aurora-A expression was functionally linked to centrosome amplification in CR-CSC, as indicated by the decrease in cells with multiple centrosomes that followed Aurora-A silencing. Knockdown of Aurora-A resulted in growth inhibition of CR-CSC, alteration of cell cycle kinetics, and downregulation of the expression levels of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members, strongly sensitizing to chemotherapy-induced cell death. Moreover, Aurora-A silencing compromised the ability to form tumor xenografts in immunocompromised mice and reduced the migratory capacity of CR-CSC. Altogether, these results indicate that Aurora-A is essential for CR-CSC regeneration and resistance to cytotoxic stimuli and suggest that therapies directed against Aurora-A may effectively target the stem cell population in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cammareri
- Cellular and Molecular Oncology, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, Pavia, Italy
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Burum-Auensen E, Skotheim RI, Schjølberg AR, Røislien J, Lothe RA, Clausen OPF. Spindle proteins are differentially expressed in the various histological subtypes of testicular germ cell tumors. J Carcinog 2010; 9:1. [PMID: 20411023 PMCID: PMC2856146 DOI: 10.4103/1477-3163.60358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2009] [Accepted: 12/25/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are characterized by an aneuploid DNA content. Aberrant expression of spindle proteins such as the Aurora kinases and the spindle checkpoint proteins MAD2 and BUB1B, are thought to contribute to the development of chromosomal instability and DNA aneuploidy in cancer. The importance of these spindle proteins remains unknown in the development of TGCTs, thus we have explored the expression levels of these proteins in normal and malignant testicular tissues. Materials and Methods: Using tissue microarrays the expression levels of Aurora kinase A (AURKA), Aurora kinase B (AURKB), BUB1B and MAD2 were measured in normal, preneoplastic and malignant testicular tissues of different histological subtypes from 279 orchidectomy specimens by means of immunohistochemistry. Results: All the spindle proteins except for AURKB were expressed in normal testis. Sixty-eight and 36%, respectively, of the primary spermatocytes in the normal testis were positive for BUB1B and MAD2, while only 5% of the cells were positive for AURKA. There was a significantly lower expression of the spindle checkpoint proteins in carcinoma in situ compared to normal testis (P=0.008 and P=0.043 for BUB1B and MAD2, respectively), while the level of AURKA was increased, however, not significantly (P=0.18). The extent of spindle protein expression varied significantly within the different histological subtypes of TGCTs (P<0.001 for AURKB, BUB1B and MAD2, P=0.003 for AURKA). The expression of AURKA was significantly elevated in both non-seminomas (P=0.003) and seminomas (P=0.015). The level of BUB1B was significantly decreased in non-seminomas (P<0.001). A similar tendency was observed for MAD2 (P=0.11). Conclusions: In carcinoma in situ of TGCTs the spindle checkpoint proteins MAD2 and BUB1B are significantly less expressed compared to normal testis, while the expression of AURKA is increased. We suggest that these changes may be of importance in the transition from in situ to invasive testicular cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Espen Burum-Auensen
- Division of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Ando K, Kakeji Y, Kitao H, Iimori M, Zhao Y, Yoshida R, Oki E, Yoshinaga K, Matumoto T, Morita M, Sakaguchi Y, Maehara Y. High expression of BUBR1 is one of the factors for inducing DNA aneuploidy and progression in gastric cancer. Cancer Sci 2010; 101:639-45. [PMID: 20132214 PMCID: PMC11159402 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01457.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancers show high frequency of DNA aneuploidy, a phenotype of chromosomal instability. It is suggested that the abnormal spindle assembly checkpoint is involved in DNA aneuploidy, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We studied the mechanism by assessing the expression of BUBR1 in gastric cancer. The DNA ploidy patterns of 116 gastric cancer samples obtained from the Department of Surgery and Science at Kyushu University Hospital were analyzed. Of those, DNA aneuploidy was seen in 70 (60.3%) cases of gastric cancer. The expression of BUBR1 was studied by immunohistochemistry in 181 gastric cancer samples and by real-time RT-PCR in several gastric cancer cell lines. Ninety-one (50.3%) cases had high expression of BUBR1 and those cases correlated significantly with DNA aneuploidy (P < 0.05). Also high expression of BUBR1 cases had significant correlation with deep invasion, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, and poor prognosis. In gastric cancer cell lines, high expression of BUBR1 had a significant relationship with DNA aneuploidy (P < 0.05). Then, gastric cancer cell lines MKN-28 and SNU-1 were transfected with full-length BUBR1 to observe the significance of the change in BUBR1 expression. Enforced expression of BUBR1 resulted in changes to the ploidy pattern and high Ki-67 expression. Collectively, our clinical and in vitro data indicate that high expression of BUBR1 may be one of causative factors for the induction of DNA aneuploidy and progression of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Ando
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Karthigeyan D, Prasad SBB, Shandilya J, Agrawal S, Kundu TK. Biology of Aurora A kinase: implications in cancer manifestation and therapy. Med Res Rev 2010; 31:757-93. [PMID: 20196102 DOI: 10.1002/med.20203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Aurora A kinase belongs to serine/threonine group of kinases, well known for its role in cell cycle, especially in the regulation of mitosis. Numerous substrates of Aurora A kinase have been identified, which are predominantly related to cell cycle progression while some of them are transcription factors. Aurora A-mediated phosphorylation can either directly or indirectly regulate the function of its substrates. There are overwhelming evidences which report overexpression and gene amplification of Aurora A in several human cancers, and suggest that Aurora A could be a bona fide oncogene involved in tumorigenesis. Hence, Aurora A plays wide-ranging roles in both mitosis and its deregulation manifests in cancer progression. These observations have favored the choice of Aurora kinases as a target for cancer therapy. Recently, numerous small molecules have been discovered against Aurora kinases and many have entered clinical trials. Most of these small-molecule modulators designed are specific against either Aurora A or Aurora B, but some are dual inhibitors targeting the ATP-binding site which is highly conserved among the three human homologues of Aurora kinase. In this review, we discuss the physiological functions of Aurora A, interactions between Aurora A kinase and its cellular substrates, tumorigenesis mediated by Aurora A kinase upon overexpression, and small-molecule modulators of Aurora kinase as targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanasekaran Karthigeyan
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
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Ko YH, Roh JH, Son YI, Chung MK, Jang JY, Byun H, Baek CH, Jeong HS. Expression of mitotic checkpoint proteins BUB1B and MAD2L1 in salivary duct carcinomas. J Oral Pathol Med 2009; 39:349-55. [PMID: 20040022 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0714.2009.00835.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Defects in the mitotic checkpoint lead to aneuploidy and might facilitate tumorigenesis. However, the ploidy status in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) has been reported to play limited role in prediction of prognosis. Thus, we need more reliable markers to reflect the rapid tumor progression in SDCs. We aimed here to investigate the expression of mitotic checkpoint proteins benzimidazole 1 homolog beta (BUB1B) and mitosis arrest-deficient 2 like 1 (MAD2L1) in SDCs and to determine their possible role as surrogate prognostic markers. METHODS We analyzed the clinical courses, pathologic findings and immunohistochemical profiles of mitotic checkpoint proteins (BUB1B and MAD2L1) in 27 pathologically confirmed SDCs. The expression status of BUB1B and MAD2L1 was compared with clinicopathologic factors and other molecular markers, such as TGF-beta, c-erb-B2, androgen receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor, for prognostic significance. RESULTS High BUB1B expression was detected in 25.9% of subjects, and high MAD2L1 expression was in 55.6% of subjects. However, survival analysis revealed that mitotic checkpoint expression did not have prognostic significance in SDCs, nor did the other studied markers. Rather, the clinical variable of N classification at diagnosis (in N+ status, hazard ratio 5.19, 95% CI 1.26-21.32 for disease-free survival and hazard ratio 7.18, 95% CI 1.09-46.99 for overall survival) was strongly associated with survival and prognosis based on the Cox proportional hazard model. CONCLUSIONS Mitotic checkpoint proteins appeared to play a limited role in predicting prognosis in SDCs. Further study is required to elucidate the exact role of mitotic checkpoint proteins in SDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hyeh Ko
- Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Aurora-A phosphorylates, activates, and relocalizes the small GTPase RalA. Mol Cell Biol 2009; 30:508-23. [PMID: 19901077 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00916-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase Ras, which transmits extracellular signals to the cell, and the kinase Aurora-A, which promotes proper mitosis, can both be inappropriately activated in human tumors. Here, we show that Aurora-A in conjunction with oncogenic Ras enhances transformed cell growth. Furthermore, such transformation and in some cases also tumorigenesis depend upon S194 of RalA, a known Aurora-A phosphorylation site. Aurora-A promotes not only RalA activation but also translocation from the plasma membrane and activation of the effector protein RalBP1. Taken together, these data suggest that Aurora-A may converge upon oncogenic Ras signaling through RalA.
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Tatsuka M, Sato S, Kanda A, Miki T, Kamata N, Kitajima S, Kudo Y, Takata T. Oncogenic role of nuclear accumulated Aurora-A. Mol Carcinog 2009; 48:810-20. [PMID: 19204928 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Aurora-A, also known as Aik, BTAK, or STK15, is a centrosomal serine/threonine protein kinase, which is proto-oncogenic and is overexpressed in a wide range of human cancers. Besides gene amplification and mRNA overexpression, proteolytic resistance mechanisms are thought to contribute to overexpression of Aurora-A. However, it is not yet clear how overexpressed Aurora-A affects the expression of transformed phenotype. Here, we found that nuclear accumulation of Aurora-A was critical for transformation activity. Cellular protein fractionation experiments and immunoblot analysis demonstrated a predominance of Aurora-A in the nuclear soluble fraction in head and neck cancer cells. Indirect immunofluorescence using confocal laser microscopy confirmed nuclear Aurora-A in head and neck cancer cells, while most oral keratinocytes exhibited only centrosomal localization. The expression of nuclear export signal-fused Aurora-A demonstrated that the oncogenic transformation activity was lost on disruption of the nuclear localization. Thus, the cytoplasmic localization of overexpressed Aurora-A previously demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis is not likely to correspond to that in intact cancer cells. This study identifies an alternative mode of Aurora-A overexpression in cancer, through nuclear rather than cytoplasmic functions. We suggest that substrates of Aurora-A in the cell nuclear soluble fraction can represent a novel therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Tatsuka
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima 727-0023, Japan
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Samaras V, Stamatelli A, Samaras E, Arnaoutoglou C, Arnaoutoglou M, Stergiou I, Konstantopoulou P, Varsos V, Karameris A, Barbatis C. Comparative immunohistochemical analysis of aurora-A and aurora-B expression in human glioblastomas. Associations with proliferative activity and clinicopathological features. Pathol Res Pract 2009; 205:765-73. [PMID: 19616898 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2009.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2009] [Revised: 05/17/2009] [Accepted: 06/10/2009] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we carried out a comparative immunohistochemical analysis of aurora-A and aurora-B expression in 40 patients with primary glioblastomas, and attempted to identify any associations with Ki-67 index and the patients' clinical features. The impact of various treatment modalities and proliferative activity on patient outcome was also assessed. Immunohistochemistry was carried out using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Aurora-A expression was higher in tumors with high Ki-67 expression (p=0.01) and was positively, though marginally, related to aurora-B expression (p=0.085). Aurora-B expression was not linked to Ki-67 expression (p=0.182). Lower aurora-A immunohistochemical expression, chemotherapy administration, and tumor localization in one lobe of the brain implied a greater probability of patient survival in univariate analysis (p=0.044, p=0.008, p=0.041, respectively). Ki-67 and aurora-B immunoreactivities were not associated with patient survival (p=0.918 and p=0.539, respectively). To our knowledge, for the first time, the association between aurora-A and aurora-B expression, the correlation of aurora-A with Ki-67 index, and the prognostic impact of aurora-A expression were assessed in glioblastomas. Although we addressed a prognostic connotation of aurora-A, we presume that aurora-A and aurora-B play a complicated role within glioblastomas. Further examinations of larger series are required, so that definite conclusions can be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis Samaras
- Department of Histology and Embryology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.
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Lee YK, Choi E, Kim MA, Park PG, Park NH, Lee H. BubR1 as a prognostic marker for recurrence-free survival rates in epithelial ovarian cancers. Br J Cancer 2009; 101:504-10. [PMID: 19603021 PMCID: PMC2720250 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, and has a high recurrence rate. Thus, prognostic markers for recurrence are crucial for the care of ovarian cancer. As ovarian cancers frequently exhibit chromosome instability, we aimed at assessing the prognostic significance of two key mitotic kinases, BubR1 and Aurora A. METHODS We analysed paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 160 ovarian cancer patients whose clinical outcomes had been tracked after first-line treatment. RESULTS The median recurrence-free survival in patients with a positive and negative expression of BubR1 was 27 and 83 months, respectively (P<0.001). A positive BubR1 expression was also associated with advanced stage, serous histology and high grade. In contrast, Aurora A immunostaining did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters analysed. CONCLUSION BubR1, but not Aurora A, is a prognostic marker for recurrence-free survival rates in epithelial ovarian cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-K Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences and Research Center for Functional Cellulomics, College of Natural Science, Seoul National University, San 56-1, Shinlim-dong, Gwanak-ku, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
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Wang L, Yin F, Du Y, Du W, Chen B, Zhang Y, Wu K, Ding J, Liu J, Fan D. MAD2 as a key component of mitotic checkpoint: A probable prognostic factor for gastric cancer. Am J Clin Pathol 2009; 131:793-801. [PMID: 19461085 DOI: 10.1309/ajcpbmhhd0hfcy8w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We studied the subcellular localization of MAD2 in normal human tissues and gastric cancers. MAD2 showed nuclear and cytoplasmic localization in normal tissues such as muscle, testis, thyroid gland, cerebrum, trachea, and skin; blood vessels in some organs were also MAD2+. In normal stomach, MAD2 was expressed mainly in cytoplasm but showed nuclear staining in the majority of gastric cancers. MAD2 was significantly overexpressed in gastric cancer compared with matched adjacent tissues (P < .001), and expression was related to differentiation and other clinical parameters of cancer (P < .001). The cancer/adjacent normal tissue (C/N) ratio of MAD2 expression was higher than 2 and more frequently observed in patients with lymph gland metastasis (P < .05) and related to cancer differentiation. Our findings suggest that the steady-state amount of MAD2 inside cells may serve as a molecular switch in mitotic checkpoint control and that the subcellular localizations of this spindle protein undergo a shift during malignant transformation. The change of MAD2 expression may be involved mainly in gastric carcinogenesis and associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer; a C/N of more than 2 may be associated with the worse prognosis for survival in gastric carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Fang Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yulei Du
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wenqi Du
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Bei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yongguo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Kaichun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jie Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Daiming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases; The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Adler M, Müller K, Rached E, Dekant W, Mally A. Modulation of key regulators of mitosis linked to chromosomal instability is an early event in ochratoxin A carcinogenicity. Carcinogenesis 2009; 30:711-9. [DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgp049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Payne CM, Bernstein C, Dvorak K, Bernstein H. Hydrophobic bile acids, genomic instability, Darwinian selection, and colon carcinogenesis. Clin Exp Gastroenterol 2008; 1:19-47. [PMID: 21677822 PMCID: PMC3108627 DOI: 10.2147/ceg.s4343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporadic colon cancer is caused predominantly by dietary factors. We have selected bile acids as a focus of this review since high levels of hydrophobic bile acids accompany a Western-style diet, and play a key role in colon carcinogenesis. We describe how bile acid-induced stresses cause cell death in susceptible cells, contribute to genomic instability in surviving cells, impose Darwinian selection on survivors and enhance initiation and progression to colon cancer. The most likely major mechanisms by which hydrophobic bile acids induce stresses on cells (DNA damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial damage) are described. Persistent exposure of colon epithelial cells to hydrophobic bile acids can result in the activation of pro-survival stress-response pathways, and the modulation of numerous genes/proteins associated with chromosome maintenance and mitosis. The multiple mechanisms by which hydrophobic bile acids contribute to genomic instability are discussed, and include oxidative DNA damage, p53 and other mutations, micronuclei formation and aneuploidy. Since bile acids and oxidative stress decrease DNA repair proteins, an increase in DNA damage and increased genomic instability through this mechanism is also described. This review provides a mechanistic explanation for the important link between a Western-style diet and associated increased levels of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Payne
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Burum-Auensen E, DeAngelis PM, Schjølberg AR, Røislien J, Mjåland O, Clausen OPF. Reduced level of the spindle checkpoint protein BUB1B is associated with aneuploidy in colorectal cancers. Cell Prolif 2008; 41:645-59. [PMID: 18699967 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2008.00539.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The majority of solid human malignancies demonstrate DNA aneuploidy as a consequence of chromosomal instability. We wanted to investigate whether Aurora A, Aurora B, BUB1B and Mad2 were associated with the development of aneuploidy in colorectal adenocarcinomas as suggested by several in vitro studies, and if their protein levels were related to alterations at the corresponding chromosomal loci. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression levels of these spindle proteins were investigated by immunohistochemistry using tissue micro-arrays in a series of DNA aneuploid and diploid colorectal adenocarcinomas previously examined for genomic aberrations by comparative genomic hybridization. RESULTS All proteins were overexpressed in malignant tissues compared to controls (P < 0.001 for all). BUB1B level was significantly reduced in aneuploid compared to diploid cancers (P = 0.001), whereas expression of the other proteins was not associated with DNA ploidy status. High levels of Aurora A (P = 0.049) and low levels of Aurora B (P = 0.031) were associated with poor prognosis, but no associations were revealed between protein expression and genomic aberration. CONCLUSIONS A significant reduction of BUB1B level was detected in aneuploid compared to diploid colorectal cancers, consistent with earlier studies showing that loss of spindle checkpoint function may be involved in development of DNA aneuploidy. Our data also show that spindle proteins are overexpressed in colorectal cancers, and that expression of the Aurora kinases is associated with prognosis in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Burum-Auensen
- The Pathology Clinic, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, University of Oslo, Faculty of Medicine, 0027 Oslo, Norway.
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Burum-Auensen E, Deangelis PM, Schjølberg AR, Røislien J, Andersen SN, Clausen OPF. Spindle proteins Aurora A and BUB1B, but not Mad2, are aberrantly expressed in dysplastic mucosa of patients with longstanding ulcerative colitis. J Clin Pathol 2007; 60:1403-8. [PMID: 17322345 PMCID: PMC2095563 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2006.044305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long term ulcerative colitis (UC) increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). DNA aneuploidy is a common feature of both dysplastic and non-dysplastic colonic epithelia from patients with longstanding UC, and is regarded as an early sign of possible malignant transformation. The spindle proteins Aurora A, BUB1B and Mad2 have been implicated as contributors to aneuploidy and carcinogenesis. AIMS To investigate the role of these spindle proteins in relation to DNA aneuploidy and during the progressive morphological changes in ulcerative colitis associated colorectal cancer (UCCRC). METHODS Tissue microarrays were made from 31 colectomy specimens from patients with longstanding UC. Expression of Aurora A, BUB1B and Mad2 was investigated by immunohistochemistry and their relation to ploidy status, mucosal morphology and Ki67 levels was explored. RESULTS Expression of Aurora A and BUB1B was significantly associated with the progressive morphological changes of UCCRC. In the progression from non-dysplastic to dysplastic mucosa, Aurora A expression decreased while BUB1B expression increased. There was an increasing incidence of aneuploidy with progression towards cancer; expression of all spindle proteins was associated with the level of Ki67 but not with aneuploidy. CONCLUSION Due to the significant differences in Aurora A and BUB1B expression in dysplastic compared non-dysplastic mucosa, these proteins may serve as putative biological markers for the progressive morphological changes in UC associated carcinogenesis. The close relationship to Ki67 levels reflect that spindle proteins are expressed in tissues with a high proliferative rate; a role for these proteins in the development of aneuploidy was not found.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Burum-Auensen
- The Pathology Clinic, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, University of Oslo, Faculty of Medicine, Oslo, Norway.
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