Overexpression of Aurora-C interferes with the spindle checkpoint by promoting the degradation of Aurora-B

Cell Death Dis. 2014 Mar 6;5(3):e1106. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2014.37.

Abstract

The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) plays a pivotal role in controlling accurate chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during cell division. Aurora-B, one of the chromosomal passenger proteins, is important for the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Previous reports noted that Aurora-C is predominantly expressed in male germ cells and has the same subcellular localization as Aurora-B. Increasing evidence indicates that Aurora-C is overexpressed in many somatic cancers, although its function is uncertain. Our previous study showed that the aberrant expression of Aurora-C increases the tumorigenicity of cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that overexpressed Aurora-C displaces the centromeric localization of CPCs, including INCENP, survivin, and Aurora-B. When cells were treated with nocodazole to turn on SAC, both the Aurora-B protein stability and kinase activity were affected by overexpressed Aurora-C. As a result, the activation of spindle checkpoint protein, BubR1, and phosphorylation of histone H3 and MCAK were also eliminated in Aurora-C-overexpressing cells. Thus, our results suggest that aberrantly expressed Aurora-C in somatic cancer cells may impair SAC by displacing the centromeric localization of CPCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aurora Kinase B / metabolism*
  • Aurora Kinase C / genetics
  • Aurora Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Centromere / enzymology
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • HeLa Cells
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins / metabolism
  • Kinesins / metabolism
  • M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints* / drug effects
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Nocodazole / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proteolysis
  • Spindle Apparatus / drug effects
  • Spindle Apparatus / enzymology*
  • Survivin
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • BIRC5 protein, human
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Histones
  • INCENP protein, human
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • KIF2C protein, human
  • Survivin
  • AURKB protein, human
  • AURKC protein, human
  • Aurora Kinase B
  • Aurora Kinase C
  • BUB1 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Kinesins
  • Nocodazole