Borealin: a novel chromosomal passenger required for stability of the bipolar mitotic spindle

The chromosomal passenger complex of Aurora B kinase, INCENP, and Survivin has essential regulatory roles at centromeres and the central spindle in mitosis. Here, we describe Borealin, a novel member of the complex. Approximately half of Aurora B in mitotic cells is complexed with INCENP, Borealin, and Survivin; and Borealin binds Survivin and INCENP in vitro. A second complex contains Aurora B and INCENP, but no Borealin or Survivin. Depletion of Borealin by RNA interference delays mitotic progression and results in kinetochore-spindle misattachments and an increase in bipolar spindles associated with ectopic asters. The extra poles, which apparently form after chromosomes achieve a bipolar orientation, severely disrupt the partitioning of chromosomes in anaphase. Borealin depletion has little effect on histone H3 serine10 phosphorylation. These results implicate the chromosomal passenger holocomplex in the maintenance of spindle integrity and suggest that histone H3 serine10 phosphorylation is performed by an Aurora B-INCENP subcomplex.     

Roles of survivin isoforms in the chemopreventive actions of NSAIDS on colon cancer cells

NSAIDs downregulate survivin (an apoptosis inhibitor), increase apoptosis and reduce growth of colon polyps and cancers. Recently, anti- and pro-apoptosis isoforms of survivin were identified. The roles of these isoforms in NSAID-induced colon cancer cell death have not been examined, and is the focus of this study. The anti-apoptosis isoforms, wild-type (WT) survivin and survivin-ΔEx3, and the pro-apoptosis isoform, survivin-2b, were present in HT-29 and RKO cells. Indomethacin treatment significantly decreased WT survivin and survivin-ΔEx3 (30.5±10.4% and 20.3±6.7%, respectively) but not survivin-2b mRNA in RKO cells. In HT-29 cells, all three isoform mRNAs were slightly decreased by indomethacin treatment. Consistently, indomethacin treatment dramatically reduced WT survivin protein in RKO but not HT-29 cells. Indomethacin treatment increased apoptosis and general cell death more significantly in RKO cells (75.7±1.1% cell death at 48 h) than in HT-29 cells (25.4±3.7% cell death at 48 h). Anti-sense suppression of survivin-2b mRNA increased resistance of both RKO and HT-29 cells to indomethacin. These data support a role for survivin isoforms in colon cancer cell apoptosis, and thus in prevention of colon cancer growth by NSAIDs.     

Subcellular localization of the APOBEC3 proteins during mitosis and implications for genomic DNA deamination

Humans have seven APOBEC3 DNA cytosine deaminases. The activity of these enzymes allows them to restrict a variety of retroviruses and retrotransposons, but may also cause pro-mutagenic genomic uracil lesions. During interphase the APOBEC3 proteins have different subcellular localizations: cell-wide, cytoplasmic or nuclear. This implies that only a subset of APOBEC3s have contact with nuclear DNA. However, during mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down and cytoplasmic proteins may enter what was formerly a privileged zone. To address the hypothesis that all APOBEC3 proteins have access to genomic DNA, we analyzed the localization of the APOBEC3 proteins during mitosis. We show that APOBEC3A, APOBEC3C and APOBEC3H are excluded from condensed chromosomes, but become cell-wide during telophase. However, APOBEC3B, APOBEC3D, APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G are excluded from chromatin throughout mitosis. After mitosis, APOBEC3B becomes nuclear, and APOBEC3D, APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G become cytoplasmic. Both structural motifs as well as size may be factors in regulating chromatin exclusion. Deaminase activity was not dependent on cell cycle phase. We also analyzed APOBEC3-induced cell cycle perturbations as a measure of each enzyme’s capacity to inflict genomic DNA damage. AID, APOBEC3A and APOBEC3B altered the cell cycle profile, and, unexpectedly, APOBEC3D also caused changes. We conclude that several APOBEC3 family members have access to the nuclear compartment and can impede the cell cycle, most likely through DNA deamination and the ensuing DNA damage response. Such genomic damage may contribute to carcinogenesis, as demonstrated by AID in B cell cancers and, recently, APOBEC3B in breast cancers.     

Regulation of Greatwall kinase by protein stabilization and nuclear localization

Greatwall (Gwl) functions as an essential mitotic kinase by antagonizing protein phosphatase 2A. In this study we identified Hsp90, Cdc37 and members of the importin α and β families as the major binding partners of Gwl. Both Hsp90/Cdc37 chaperone and importin complexes associated with the N-terminal kinase domain of Gwl, whereas an intact glycine-rich loop at the N-terminus of Gwl was essential for binding of Hsp90/Cdc37 but not importins. We found that Hsp90 inhibition led to destabilization of Gwl, a mechanism that may partially contribute to the emerging role of Hsp90 in cell cycle progression and the anti-proliferative potential of Hsp90 inhibition. Moreover, in agreement with its importin association, Gwl exhibited nuclear localization in interphase Xenopus S3 cells, and dynamic nucleocytoplasmic distribution during mitosis. We identified KR456/457 as the locus of importin binding and the functional NLS of Gwl. Mutation of this site resulted in exclusion of Gwl from the nucleus. Finally, we showed that the Gwl nuclear localization is indispensable for the biochemical function of Gwl in promoting mitotic entry.     

Aurora-A kinase is required for centrosome maturation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Centrosomes mature as cells enter mitosis, accumulating gamma-tubulin and other pericentriolar material (PCM) components. This occurs concomitant with an increase in the number of centrosomally organized microtubules (MTs). Here, we use RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to examine the role of the aurora-A kinase, AIR-1, during centrosome maturation in Caenorhabditis elegans. In air-1(RNAi) embryos, centrosomes separate normally, an event that occurs before maturation in C. elegans. After nuclear envelope breakdown, the separated centrosomes collapse together, and spindle assembly fails. In mitotic air-1(RNAi) embryos, centrosomal alpha-tubulin fluorescence intensity accumulates to only 40% of wild-type levels, suggesting a defect in the maturation process. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that AIR-1 is required for the increase in centrosomal gamma-tubulin and two other PCM components, ZYG-9 and CeGrip, as embryos enter mitosis. Furthermore, the AIR-1-dependent increase in centrosomal gamma-tubulin does not require MTs. These results suggest that aurora-A kinases are required to execute a MT-independent pathway for the recruitment of PCM during centrosome maturation.     

Survivin 及Anx-A1 在肝癌组织中的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨Survivin及Anx-A1在肝癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法:收集原发性肝癌病例45例,采用免疫组织化染色法检测Survivin及Anx-A1在肝癌组织及癌旁正常组织中的表达,分析Survivin及Anx-A1的表达与肝癌临床病理特征的关系。结果:Survivin在肝癌组织中的阳性表达率为86.67%,在癌旁正常组织中的阳性表达率为17.78%;Anx-A1在肝癌组织中的阳性表达率为46.67%,在癌旁正常组织中的阳性表达率为8.89%;Survivin及Anx-A1在肝癌组织中的阳性表达率均显著高于癌旁正常组织,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);不同肿瘤分级患者肝癌组织中Survivin与Anx-A1的表达水平存在显著差异(P0.01),肿瘤分级越高,Survivin与Anx-A1表达水平越高。结论:Survivin及Anx-A1的表达与肝癌的发生发展密切相关,可用于肝癌的辅助诊断。     

Survivin特异性SiRNA提高鼻咽癌移植瘤放射敏感性

目的：研究Survivin特异性SiRNA（small interfering RNA）对鼻咽癌移植瘤的放疗增敏作用,探索提高鼻咽癌疗效的新方法。方法：Survivin特异性SiRNA转染鼻咽癌5-8F细胞系,培养48h后,采用RT-PCR、流式细胞仪（flow cytometry,FCM）分别检测Survivin mRNA和蛋白在5-8F细胞中表达。将Survivin基因特异性SiRNA转染5-8F细胞,培养24h后,用剂量为6GY的放射线处理,培养6h后,收集细胞,进行裸鼠皮下接种,50d后处死裸鼠,对移植瘤进行分析。结果：Survivin特异性SiRNA能有效抑制5-8F细胞中Survivin表达。Survivin特异性SiRNA组,Survivin表达阳性率12.37±1.86%,与对照组阳性率91.93±1.3%和阴性对照组阳性率92.43±2.34%比较,差别具有显著性（p〈0.01）。特异性SiRNA加放射组移植瘤（0.03±0.03g）显著小于特异性SiRNA组（0.28±0.02g,p〈0.01）与阴性SiRNA加放射组（0.17±0.02g,p〈0.01）。结论：Survivin特异性SiRNA增强了鼻咽癌5-8F细胞移植瘤的放射敏感性。     

Losing balance: the origin and impact of aneuploidy in cancer

Most solid human tumours are aneuploid, that is, they contain an abnormal number of chromosomes. Paradoxically, however, aneuploidy has been reported to induce a stress response that suppresses cellular proliferation in vitro. Here, we review the progress in our understanding of the causes and effects of aneuploidy in cancer and discuss how, in specific contexts, aneuploidy can provide a growth advantage and facilitate cellular transformation. We also explore the emerging possibilities for targeting the cause or consequences of aneuploidy therapeutically.     

HeLa/GFP-Plk1/Cherry-H2B稳定细胞系的构建简

目的：构建可研究Polo样激酶1（Plkl）定位的HeLa细胞系。方法：用PCR方法扩增Plkl基因,定向克隆到pRex-EGFP-IRES-Hygm载体中,构建pRex-EGFP-Plkl-IRES-Hygro表达载体;利用逆转录病毒感染的方法,向HeLa细胞系中依次转染pRex-EGFP-Plkl-IRES-Hygro、pRex-Cherry-H2B-IRES-Hygro,构建Hela/GFP-Plkl/Chef．ry-H2B稳定细胞系;激光共聚焦显微镜观察Hela/GFP-Plkl/Cherry-H2B稳定细胞系在不同有丝细胞分裂期时Plkl的定位。结果：质粒酶切及测序证明pRex-EGFP-Plkl-IRES-Hygro载体构建正确;在Hela/GFP-Plkl/Cherry-H2B稳定细胞系有丝分裂中期和末期时,观察到Plkl分别定位于着丝粒和中间体上。结论：构建了Hela/GFP-Plkl/Cherry-H2B稳定细胞系,为研究Plkl在有丝分裂不同时期的调控机制提供了细胞模型。     

肺癌性胸腔积液中生存素基因检测的诊断意义探讨

目的：生存素基因（survivin）是一种新近发现的抗凋亡基因,在肿瘤组织中呈现表达。本文旨在探讨和比较肺癌性胸腔积液和结核性胸腔积液中生存素基因的表达情况,以及其联合细胞学检查对判断肺癌性胸腔积液的敏感度。方法：应用逆转录酶-聚合酶链反应法（RT-PCR）检测2007年06月～2008年03月42例肺癌患者癌性胸腔积液标本,及同时期28例结核性胸腔积液标本的生存素mRNA表达情况,并联合细胞学检查结果进行对比分析。结果：42例肺癌患者胸腔积液标本中生存素mRNA的阳性率为52138％（22／42）;癌细胞的检出率为30．95％（13／42）;生存素mRNA检测联合细胞学检查诊断肺癌的敏感性为61．90％（26／42）,显著高于单独胸腔积液细胞学检测的敏感性（P〈0．001）。28例结核性胸腔积液标本的生存素mRNA阳性率为7．14％（2／28）,显著低于肺癌患者胸腔积液标本生存素mRNA的阳性率（P〈0．001）。结论：运用RT—PCR方法检测胸腔积液中生存素mRNA的表达在判断肺癌性胸腔积液中具有一定的敏感性和特异性,可能作为肺癌辅助诊断的一个新检测指标。     

The Functional Repertoire of Survivin's Tails

Survivin is a multitasking protein that can inhibit cell death and that is essential for mitosis. Due to these prosurvival activities and the correlation of its expression with tumor resistance to conventional cancer treatments, survivin has received much attention as a potential oncotherapeutic target. Nevertheless, many questions regarding its exact role at the molecular level remain to be elucidated. In this study we ask whether the extreme C- and NH₂ termini of survivin are required for it to carry out its cytoprotective and mitotic duties. When assayed for their ability to act as a cytoprotectant, both survivin_1–120 and survivin_11–142 were able to protect cells against TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, but when challenged with irradiation cells expressing survivin_11–142 had no survival advantage. During mitosis, however, removing the NH₂ terminal 10 amino acids (survivin_11–142) had no apparent effect but truncating 22 amino acids from the C-terminus (survivin_1–120) prevented survivin from transferring to the midzone microtubules during anaphase. Collectively the data herein presented suggest that the C-terminus is required for cell division, and that the NH₂ terminus is dispensable for apoptosis and mitosis but required for protection from irradiation.     

Function and regulation of Aurora／Ipllp kinase family in cell division

During mitosis,the parent cell distributes its genetic materials equally into two daughter cells through chromosome segregation,a complex movements orchestrated by mitotic kinases and its effector proteins.Faithful chromosome segregation and cytokinesis ensure that each daughter cell receives a full copy of genetic materials of parent cell.Defects in these processes can lead to aneuploidy or polyploidy.Aurora/Ipllp family, a class of conserved serine/threonine kinases,plays key roles in chromosome segregation and cytokinesis.This article highlights the function and regulation of Aurora/Ipllp family in mitosis and provides potential links between aberrant regulation of Aurora/Ipllp kinases and pathogenesis of human cancer.     

CDC25B蛋白亚细胞定位调控小鼠1-细胞期受精卵发育

为探讨小鼠细胞分裂周期25B（CDC25B）蛋白149位丝氨酸磷酸化状态对小鼠1 细胞期受精卵中CDC25B的亚细胞定位和发育的影响,应用定制的CDC25B-pS149位的 磷酸化和非磷酸化抗体检测小鼠1-细胞期受精卵各细胞时期的磷酸化和非磷酸化状 态;应用免疫荧光观察各期受精卵中CDC25B蛋白的定位情况;将质粒pEGFP-CDC25B -WT、pEGFP-CDC25B-S149A和pEGFP-CDC25B-S149D融合质粒及空载体质粒显微注射入 G1期受精卵中,观察不同显微注射组小鼠1-细胞期受精卵中外源性CDC25B蛋白亚细 胞定位．结果显示,CDC25B-S149位丝氨酸在G1和S期被磷酸化,在G2和M期去磷酸化 ．1-细胞期受精卵从G2向M期的转换过程中,发生了CDC25B向细胞核区的移位,到2- 细胞初期,部分CDC25B蛋白又从细胞核回到细胞浆．实验结果提示,小鼠1-细胞期受精卵G2/M期转换过程中,CDC25B 的S149位点磷酸化修饰可能是对CDC25B细胞内定 位及其活性的精确调节方式．     

Phase I clinical study of anti-apoptosis protein survivin-derived peptide vaccination for patients with advanced or recurrent urothelial cancer

Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, is expressed in many malignant tumors including urothelial cancer but is hardly detectable in normal, differentiated adult tissues. Previously we reported CD8-positive cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) were successfully induced by stimulation with survivin-2B80-88 peptide in vitro. We started a phase I clinical study of survivin-2B80-88 peptide vaccination for advanced urothelial cancer patients to assess the safety and efficacy of this vaccination. Nine patients were received vaccination and were evaluated for immunological evaluation, adverse events, and clinical responses. A total of 46 vaccinations were carried out. There was no severe adverse event. HLA-A24/survivin-2B80-88 peptide tetramer analysis revealed a significant increase in the peptide-specific CTL frequency after the vaccination in five patients. Slight reduction of the tumor volume was observed in one patient. Survivin-2B80-88 peptide-based vaccination is safe and should be further considered for potential immune and clinical efficacy in urothelial cancer patients.     

靶向survivin基因的siRNA对姜黄素诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的:研究靶向survivin基因的siRNA对胃癌细胞,survivin表达的影响,抑制survivin基因表达对姜黄素诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的影响。方法:通过脂质体将survivinsiRNA导入胃癌细胞株BGC-803,用Real-timePCR和Western-blotting检测转染后细胞内survivin基因表达水平,流式细胞仪和Hochest染色检测细胞凋亡的改变。结果:姜黄素可抑制BGC-803细胞的生长,其生长抑制率和药物浓度与作用时间呈依赖关系;姜黄素作用BGC-803细胞后,survivin蛋白和mRNA表达降低;通过转染survivinsiRNA抑制BGC-803细胞survivin基因的表达能促进姜黄素诱导BGC-803细胞凋亡的作用。结论:靶向抑制survivin基因表达后姜黄素诱导胃癌细胞BGC-803凋亡的作用增强。