Oncogenic potential of BEX4 is conferred by Polo-like kinase 1-mediated phosphorylation

Exp Mol Med. 2018 Oct 22;50(10):1-12. doi: 10.1038/s12276-018-0168-0.

Abstract

The brain-expressed X-linked 4 (BEX4) gene has been recently identified as a mediator of microtubule hyperacetylation through sirtuin 2 inhibition and is highly overexpressed in human cancers. However, the gain-of-function molecular mechanism of the BEX4 gene in human cancers still needs to be elucidated. This study shows that BEX4 colocalizes and interacts with Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) at centrosomes, spindle poles, and midbodies, particularly during mitosis. Interestingly, PLK1-mediated phosphorylation upregulates the stability of BEX4 protein, and the PLK1-BEX4 interaction allows abnormal mitotic cells to adapt to aneuploidy rather than undergo apoptotic cell death. In summary, these results suggest that the oncogenicity of BEX4 is conferred by PLK1-mediated phosphorylation, and thus, the BEX4-PLK1 interaction is a novel oncogenic signal that enables the acquisition of chromosomal aneuploidy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aneuploidy
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitosis / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Polo-Like Kinase 1
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • BEX4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases