Aurora kinases A and B are up-regulated by Myc and are essential for maintenance of the malignant state

J Den Hollander, S Rimpi, JR Doherty… - Blood, The Journal …, 2010 - ashpublications.org
J Den Hollander, S Rimpi, JR Doherty, M Rudelius, A Buck, A Hoellein, M Kremer, N Graf…
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2010ashpublications.org
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 …
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.
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