Publication
Aurora kinases A and B are up-regulated by Myc and are essential for maintenance of the malignant state
Journal Paper/Review - Jun 2, 2010
Den Hollander Jürgen, Nilsson Jonas A, Cleveland John L, Peschel Christian, Duyster Justus, von Bubnoff Nikolas, Goga Andrei, Hall Mark A, Scheerer Markus, Graf Nikolas, Kremer Marcus, Hoellein Alexander, Buck Andreas, Rudelius Martina, Doherty Joanne R, Rimpi Sara, Keller Ulrich
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
Myc oncoproteins promote continuous cell growth, in part by controlling the transcription of key cell cycle regulators. Here, we report that c-Myc regulates the expression of Aurora A and B kinases (Aurka and Aurkb), and that Aurka and Aurkb transcripts and protein levels are highly elevated in Myc-driven B-cell lymphomas in both mice and humans. The induction of Aurka by Myc is transcriptional and is directly mediated via E-boxes, whereas Aurkb is regulated indirectly. Blocking Aurka/b kinase activity with a selective Aurora kinase inhibitor triggers transient mitotic arrest, polyploidization, and apoptosis of Myc-induced lymphomas. These phenotypes are selectively bypassed by a kinase inhibitor-resistant Aurkb mutant, demonstrating that Aurkb is the primary therapeutic target in the context of Myc. Importantly, apoptosis provoked by Aurk inhibition was p53 independent, suggesting that Aurka/Aurkb inhibitors will show efficacy in treating primary or relapsed malignancies having Myc involvement and/or loss of p53 function.