Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated- and Rad3-related protein regulates the DNA damage-induced G2/M checkpoint through the Aurora A cofactor Bora protein

Polo-Like Kinase 1 and DNA Damage Response

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, is a key regulator involved in the mitotic process of the cell cycle. Mounting evidence suggests that Plk1 is also involved in a variety of nonmitotic events, including the DNA damage response, DNA replication, cytokinesis, embryonic development, apoptosis, and immune regulation. The DNA damage response (DDR) includes activation of the DNA checkpoint, DNA damage recovery, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Plk1 is not only an important target of the G2/M DNA damage checkpoint but also negatively regulates the G2/M checkpoint commander Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM), promotes G2/M phase checkpoint recovery, and regulates homologous recombination repair by interacting with Rad51 and BRCA1, the key factors of homologous recombination repair. This article briefly reviews the function of Plk1 in response to DNA damage.

A Gold Standard-Derived Modular Barcoding Approach to Cancer Transcriptomics

A challenge with studying cancer transcriptomes is in distilling the wealth of information down into manageable portions of information. In this resource, we develop an approach that creates and assembles cancer type-specific gene expression modules into flexible barcodes, allowing for adaptation to a wide variety of uses. Specifically, we propose that modules derived organically from high-quality gold standards such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) can accurately capture and describe functionally related genes that are relevant to specific cancer types. We show that such modules can: (1) uncover novel gene relationships and nominate new functional memberships, (2) improve and speed up analysis of smaller or lower-resolution datasets, (3) re-create and expand known cancer subtyping schemes, (4) act as a "decoder" to bridge seemingly disparate established gene signatures, and (5) efficiently apply single-cell RNA sequencing information to other datasets. Moreover, such modules can be used in conjunction with native spreadsheet program commands to create a powerful and rapid approach to hypothesis generation and testing that is readily accessible to non-bioinformaticians. Finally, we provide tools for users to create and interpret their own modules. Overall, the flexible modular nature of the proposed barcoding provides a user-friendly approach to rapidly decoding transcriptome-wide data for research or, potentially, clinical uses.

Profiling ubiquitin signalling with UBIMAX reveals DNA damage- and SCFβ-Trcp1-dependent ubiquitylation of the actin-organizing protein Dbn1

Ubiquitin widely modifies proteins, thereby regulating most cellular functions. The complexity of ubiquitin signalling necessitates unbiased methods enabling global detection of dynamic protein ubiquitylation. Here, we describe UBIMAX (UBiquitin target Identification by Mass spectrometry in Xenopus egg extracts), which enriches ubiquitin-conjugated proteins and quantifies regulation of protein ubiquitylation under precise and adaptable conditions. We benchmark UBIMAX by investigating DNA double-strand break-responsive ubiquitylation events, identifying previously known targets and revealing the actin-organizing protein Dbn1 as a major target of DNA damage-induced ubiquitylation. We find that Dbn1 is targeted for proteasomal degradation by the SCFβ-Trcp1 ubiquitin ligase, in a conserved mechanism driven by ATM-mediated phosphorylation of a previously uncharacterized β-Trcp1 degron containing an SQ motif. We further show that this degron is sufficient to induce DNA damage-dependent protein degradation of a model substrate. Collectively, we demonstrate UBIMAX's ability to identify targets of stimulus-regulated ubiquitylation and reveal an SCFβ-Trcp1-mediated ubiquitylation mechanism controlled directly by the apical DNA damage response kinases.

A new wave of innovations within the DNA damage response

Genome instability has been identified as one of the enabling hallmarks in cancer. DNA damage response (DDR) network is responsible for maintenance of genome integrity in cells. As cancer cells frequently carry DDR gene deficiencies or suffer from replicative stress, targeting DDR processes could induce excessive DNA damages (or unrepaired DNA) that eventually lead to cell death. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have brought impressive benefit to patients with breast cancer gene (BRCA) mutation or homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), which proves the concept of synthetic lethality in cancer treatment. Moreover, the other two scenarios of DDR inhibitor application, replication stress and combination with chemo- or radio- therapy, are under active clinical exploration. In this review, we revisited the progress of DDR targeting therapy beyond the launched first-generation PARP inhibitors. Next generation PARP1 selective inhibitors, which could maintain the efficacy while mitigating side effects, may diversify the application scenarios of PARP inhibitor in clinic. Albeit with unavoidable on-mechanism toxicities, several small molecules targeting DNA damage checkpoints (gatekeepers) have shown great promise in preliminary clinical results, which may warrant further evaluations. In addition, inhibitors for other DNA repair pathways (caretakers) are also under active preclinical or clinical development. With these progresses and efforts, we envision that a new wave of innovations within DDR has come of age.

Present and Future Perspective on PLK1 Inhibition in Cancer Treatment

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is the principle member of the well conserved serine/threonine kinase family. PLK1 has a key role in the progression of mitosis and recent evidence suggest its important involvement in regulating the G2/M checkpoint, in DNA damage and replication stress response, and in cell death pathways. PLK1 expression is tightly spatially and temporally regulated to ensure its nuclear activation at the late S-phase, until the peak of expression at the G2/M-phase. Recently, new roles of PLK1 have been reported in literature on its implication in the regulation of inflammation and immunological responses. All these biological processes are altered in tumors and, considering that PLK1 is often found overexpressed in several tumor types, its targeting has emerged as a promising anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. In this review, we will summarize the evidence suggesting the role of PLK1 in response to DNA damage, including DNA repair, cell cycle progression, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, cell death pathways and cancer-related immunity. An update of PLK1 inhibitors currently investigated in preclinical and clinical studies, in monotherapy and in combination with existing chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted therapies will be discussed.

Crosstalk between Plk1, p53, cell cycle, and G2/M DNA damage checkpoint regulation in cancer: computational modeling and analysis

Different cancer cell lines can have varying responses to the same perturbations or stressful conditions. Cancer cells that have DNA damage checkpoint-related mutations are often more sensitive to gene perturbations including altered Plk1 and p53 activities than cancer cells without these mutations. The perturbations often induce a cell cycle arrest in the former cancer, whereas they only delay the cell cycle progression in the latter cancer. To study crosstalk between Plk1, p53, and G2/M DNA damage checkpoint leading to differential cell cycle regulations, we developed a computational model by extending our recently developed model of mitotic cell cycle and including these key interactions. We have used the model to analyze the cancer cell cycle progression under various gene perturbations including Plk1-depletion conditions. We also analyzed mutations and perturbations in approximately 1800 different cell lines available in the Cancer Dependency Map and grouped lines by genes that are represented in our model. Our model successfully explained phenotypes of various cancer cell lines under different gene perturbations. Several sensitivity analysis approaches were used to identify the range of key parameter values that lead to the cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. Our resulting model can be used to predict the effect of potential treatments targeting key mitotic and DNA damage checkpoint regulators on cell cycle progression of different types of cancer cells.

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) signaling in cancer and beyond

PLK1 is an evolutionary conserved Ser/Thr kinase that is best known for its role in cell cycle regulation and is expressed predominantly during the G2/S and M phase of the cell cycle. PLK1-mediated phosphorylation of specific substrates controls cell entry into mitosis, centrosome maturation, spindle assembly, sister chromatid cohesion and cytokinesis. In addition, a growing body of evidence describes additional roles of PLK1 beyond the cell cycle, more specifically in the DNA damage response, autophagy, apoptosis and cytokine signaling. PLK1 has an indisputable role in cancer as it controls several key transcription factors and promotes cell proliferation, transformation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, deregulation of PLK1 results in chromosome instability and aneuploidy. PLK1 is overexpressed in many cancers, which is associated with poor prognosis, making PLK1 an attractive target for cancer treatment. Additionally, PLK1 is involved in immune and neurological disorders including Graft versus Host Disease, Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, newly developed small compound PLK1 inhibitors have only had limited success so far, due to low therapeutic response rates and toxicity. In this review we will highlight the current knowledge about the established roles of PLK1 in mitosis regulation and beyond. In addition, we will discuss its tumor promoting but also tumor suppressing capacities, as well as the available PLK1 inhibitors, elaborating on their efficacy and limitations.

Dysregulated G2 phase checkpoint recovery pathway reduces DNA repair efficiency and increases chromosomal instability in a wide range of tumours

Defective DNA repair is being demonstrated to be a useful target in cancer treatment. Currently, defective repair is identified by specific gene mutations, however defective repair is a common feature of cancers without these mutations. DNA damage triggers cell cycle checkpoints that are responsible for co-ordinating cell cycle arrest and DNA repair. Defects in checkpoint signalling components such as ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) occur in a low proportion of cancers and are responsible for reduced DNA repair and increased genomic instability. Here we have investigated the AURKA-PLK1 cell cycle checkpoint recovery pathway that is responsible for exit from the G2 phase cell cycle checkpoint arrest. We demonstrate that dysregulation of PP6 and AURKA maintained elevated PLK1 activation to promote premature exit from only ATM, and not ATR-dependent checkpoint arrest. Surprisingly, depletion of the B55α subunit of PP2A that negatively regulates PLK1 was capable of overcoming ATM and ATR checkpoint arrests. Dysregulation of the checkpoint recovery pathway reduced S/G2 phase DNA repair efficiency and increased genomic instability. We found a strong correlation between dysregulation of the PP6-AURKA-PLK1-B55α checkpoint recovery pathway with signatures of defective homologous recombination and increased chromosomal instability in several cancer types. This work has identified an unrealised source of G2 phase DNA repair defects and chromosomal instability that are likely to be sensitive to treatments targeting defective repair.

Aurora kinases and DNA damage response

It is well established that Aurora kinases perform critical functions during mitosis. It has become increasingly clear that the Aurora kinases also perform a myriad of non-mitotic functions including DNA damage response. The available evidence indicates that inhibition Aurora kinase A (AURKA) may contribute to the G₂ DNA damage checkpoint through AURKA's functions in PLK1 and CDC25B activation. Both AURKA and Aurora kinase B (AURKB) are also essential in mitotic DNA damage response that guard against DNA damage-induced chromosome segregation errors, including the control of abscission checkpoint and prevention of micronuclei formation. Dysregulation of Aurora kinases can trigger DNA damage in mitosis that is sensed in the subsequent G₁ by a p53-dependent postmitotic checkpoint. Aurora kinases are themselves linked to the G₁ DNA damage checkpoint through p53 and p73 pathways. Finally, several lines of evidence provide a connection between Aurora kinases and DNA repair and apoptotic pathways. Although more studies are required to provide a comprehensive picture of how cells respond to DNA damage, these findings indicate that both AURKA and AURKB are inextricably linked to pathways guarding against DNA damage. They also provide a rationale to support more detailed studies on the synergism between small-molecule inhibitors against Aurora kinases and DNA-damaging agents in cancer therapies.

A guiding torch at the poles: the multiple roles of spindle microtubule-organizing centers during cell division

The spindle constitutes the cellular machinery that enables the segregation of the chromosomes during eukaryotic cell division. The microtubules that form this fascinating and complex genome distribution system emanate from specialized structures located at both its poles and known as microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs). Beyond their structural function, the spindle MTOCs play fundamental roles in cell cycle control, the activation and functionality of the mitotic checkpoints and during cellular aging. This review highlights the pivotal importance of spindle-associated MTOCs in multiple cellular processes and their central role as key regulatory hubs where diverse intracellular signals are integrated and coordinated to ensure the successful completion of cell division and the maintenance of the replicative lifespan.

Aurora Borealis (Bora), Which Promotes Plk1 Activation by Aurora A, Has an Oncogenic Role in Ovarian Cancer

Identifying novel actionable factors that critically contribute to tumorigenesis is essential in ovarian cancer, an aggressive and disseminative tumor, with limited therapeutic options available. Here we show that Aurora Borealis (BORA), a mitotic protein that plays a key role in activating the master mitotic kinase polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), has an oncogenic role in ovarian cancer. Gain and loss of function assays on mouse models and ex vivo patient-derived ascites cultures revealed an oncogenic role of BORA in tumor development and a transcriptome-analysis in clinically representative models depicted BORA's role in survival, dissemination and inflammatory cancer related-pathways. Importantly, combinatory treatments of FDA-approved inhibitors against oncogenic downstream effectors of BORA displayed synergistic effect in ovarian cancer models, offering promising therapeutic value. Altogether, our findings uncovered for the first time a critical role of BORA in the viability of human cancer cells providing potential novel therapeutic opportunities for ovarian cancer management.

DNA damage kinase signaling: checkpoint and repair at 30 years

From bacteria to mammalian cells, damaged DNA is sensed and targeted by DNA repair pathways. In eukaryotes, kinases play a central role in coordinating the DNA damage response. DNA damage signaling kinases were identified over two decades ago and linked to the cell cycle checkpoint concept proposed by Weinert and Hartwell in 1988. Connections between the DNA damage signaling kinases and DNA repair were scant at first, and the initial perception was that the importance of these kinases for genome integrity was largely an indirect effect of their roles in checkpoints, DNA replication, and transcription. As more substrates of DNA damage signaling kinases were identified, it became clear that they directly regulate a wide range of DNA repair factors. Here, we review our current understanding of DNA damage signaling kinases, delineating the key substrates in budding yeast and humans. We trace the progress of the field in the last 30 years and discuss our current understanding of the major substrate regulatory mechanisms involved in checkpoint responses and DNA repair.

DNA Damage Stress: Cui Prodest?

DNA is an entity shielded by mechanisms that maintain genomic stability and are essential for living cells; however, DNA is constantly subject to assaults from the environment throughout the cellular life span, making the genome susceptible to mutation and irreparable damage. Cells are prepared to mend such events through cell death as an extrema ratio to solve those threats from a multicellular perspective. However, in cells under various stress conditions, checkpoint mechanisms are activated to allow cells to have enough time to repair the damaged DNA. In yeast, entry into the cell cycle when damage is not completely repaired represents an adaptive mechanism to cope with stressful conditions. In multicellular organisms, entry into cell cycle with damaged DNA is strictly forbidden. However, in cancer development, individual cells undergo checkpoint adaptation, in which most cells die, but some survive acquiring advantageous mutations and selfishly evolve a conflictual behavior. In this review, we focus on how, in cancer development, cells rely on checkpoint adaptation to escape DNA stress and ultimately to cell death.

Multistage rocket: integrational design of a prodrug-based siRNA delivery system with sequential release for enhanced antitumor efficacy

An integrated peptide-camptothecin prodrug (RSC) system was designed as a nano-sized multistage rocket for the efficient complexation and controlled sequential release of siRNA and anticancer drug under tumor-relevant reductive and esterase-enriched conditions, which facilitated the avoidance of negative interactions and maximized the synergistic effect.

Aurora-PLK1 cascades as key signaling modules in the regulation of mitosis

Mitosis is controlled by reversible protein phosphorylation involving specific kinases and phosphatases. A handful of major mitotic protein kinases, such as the cyclin B-CDK1 complex, the Aurora kinases, and Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), cooperatively regulate distinct mitotic processes. Research has identified proteins and mechanisms that integrate these kinases into signaling cascades that guide essential mitotic events. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of mitotic regulation and may advance the development of novel antimitotic drugs. We review collected evidence that in vertebrates, the Aurora kinases serve as catalytic subunits of distinct complexes formed with the four scaffold proteins Bora, CEP192, INCENP, and TPX2, which we deem "core" Aurora cofactors. These complexes and the Aurora-PLK1 cascades organized by Bora, CEP192, and INCENP control crucial aspects of mitosis and all pathways of spindle assembly. We compare the mechanisms of Aurora activation in relation to the different spindle assembly pathways and draw a functional analogy between the CEP192 complex and the chromosomal passenger complex that may reflect the coevolution of centrosomes, kinetochores, and the actomyosin cleavage apparatus. We also analyze the roles and mechanisms of Aurora-PLK1 signaling in the cell and centrosome cycles and in the DNA damage response.

Effects of Sepantronium Bromide (YM-155) on the Whole Transcriptome of MDA-MB-231 Cells: Highlight on Impaired ATR/ATM Fanconi Anemia DNA Damage Response

Sepantronium bromide (YM-155) is believed to elicit apoptosis and mitotic arrest in tumor cells by reducing (BIRC5, survivin) mRNA. In this study, we monitored changes in survivin mRNA and protein after treating MDA-MB-231 cells with YM-155 concurrent with evaluation of whole transcriptomic (WT) mRNA and long intergenic non-coding RNA at 2 time points: 8 h sub-lethal (83 ng/mL) and 20 h at the LC50 (14.6 ng/mL). The data show a tight association between cell death and the precipitating loss of survivin protein and mRNA (-2.67 fold-change (FC), p<0.001) at 20 h, questioning if the decline in survivin is attributed to cell death or drug impact. The meager loss of survivin mRNA was overshadowed by enormous differential change to the WT in both magnitude and significance for over 2000 differentially up/down-regulated transcripts: (+22 FC to -12 FC, p<0.001). The data show YM-155 to up-regulate transcripts in control of circadian rhythm (NOCT, PER, BHLHe40, NFIL3), tumor suppression (SIK1, FOSB), histone methylation (KDM6B) and negative feedback of NF-kappa B signaling (TNFAIP3). Down-regulated transcripts by YM-155 include glucuronidase (GUSBP3), numerous micro-RNAs, DNA damage repair elements (CENPI, POLQ, RAD54B) and the most affected system was the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM)/Fanconi anemia E3 monoubiquitin ligase core complexes (FANC transcripts - A/B/E/F/G/M), FANC2, FANCI, BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, PALB2 gene and ATR (ATM- and Rad3-Related) pathway. In conclusion, these findings suggest that a primary target of YM-155 is the loss of replicative DNA repair systems.

Antitumor activity of the polo-like kinase inhibitor, TAK-960, against preclinical models of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a serine/threonine kinase that is a key regulator of multiple stages of mitotic progression. Plk1 is upregulated in many tumor types including colorectal cancer (CRC) and portends a poor prognosis. TAK-960 is an ATP-competitive Plk1 inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy across a broad range of cancer cell lines, including CRC. In this study, we investigated the activity of TAK-960 against a large collection of CRC models including 55 cell lines and 18 patient-derived xenografts.

METHODS

Fifty-five CRC cell lines and 18 PDX models were exposed to TAK-960 and evaluated for proliferation (IC50) and Tumor Growth Inhibition Index, respectively. Additionally, 2 KRAS wild type and 2 KRAS mutant PDX models were treated with TAK-960 as single agent or in combination with cetuximab or irinotecan. TAK-960 mechanism of action was elucidated through immunoblotting and cell cycle analysis.

RESULTS

CRC cell lines demonstrated a variable anti-proliferative response to TAK-960 with IC50 values ranging from 0.001 to > 0.75 μmol/L. Anti-proliferative effects were sustained after removal of drug. Following TAK-960 treatment a highly variable accumulation of mitotic (indicating cell cycle arrest) and apoptotic markers was observed. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that TAK-960 treatment induced G2/M arrest and polyploidy. Six out of the eighteen PDX models responded to single agent TAK-960 therapy (TGII< 20). The addition of TAK-960 to standard of care chemotherapy resulted in largely additive antitumor effects.

CONCLUSION

TAK-960 is an active anti-proliferative agent against CRC cell lines and PDX models. Collectively, these data suggest that TAK-960 may be of therapeutic benefit alone or in combination with other agents, although future work should focus on the development of predictive biomarkers and hypothesis-driven rational combinations.

ATM/Wip1 activities at chromatin control Plk1 re-activation to determine G2 checkpoint duration

After DNA damage, the cell cycle is arrested to avoid propagation of mutations. Arrest in G2 phase is initiated by ATM-/ATR-dependent signaling that inhibits mitosis-promoting kinases such as Plk1. At the same time, Plk1 can counteract ATR-dependent signaling and is required for eventual resumption of the cell cycle. However, what determines when Plk1 activity can resume remains unclear. Here, we use FRET-based reporters to show that a global spread of ATM activity on chromatin and phosphorylation of ATM targets including KAP1 control Plk1 re-activation. These phosphorylations are rapidly counteracted by the chromatin-bound phosphatase Wip1, allowing cell cycle restart despite persistent ATM activity present at DNA lesions. Combining experimental data and mathematical modeling, we propose a model for how the minimal duration of cell cycle arrest is controlled. Our model shows how cell cycle restart can occur before completion of DNA repair and suggests a mechanism for checkpoint adaptation in human cells.

Cell cycle protein Bora serves as a novel poor prognostic factor in multiple adenocarcinomas

Cell cycle protein Bora has been identified to integrate the functions of three major mitotic kinases: Cyclin-dependent kinase-1, Polo-like kinase-1, and Aurora A kinase. Overexpression of Bora disrupts spindle assembly and causes genomic instability. However, the clinical relevance of Bora in cancer remains unclear. In this study, we examined the expression of Bora and its association with clinical characteristics in breast (n = 538), lung (n = 144) and gastric (n = 77) adenocarcinomas. We found that Bora was overexpressed in primary breast cancer tissues compared to paired non-cancerous tissues. Bora overexpression was observed at a higher proportion in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC, 77.63%) compared with non-TNBC subtypes (42.76%, P < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that Bora overexpression was associated with unfavourable overall survival (OS, P < 0.0001) and disease-free survival (DFS, P = 0.007) in breast cancer. In addition, Bora subclassified patients with distinct clinical outcomes in both stages (II/III) and subtypes (HR+, HER2+) of breast cancer. Consistently, Bora was associated with adverse prognosis in lung (P = 0.005 for OS and DFS P = 0.001 for DFS) and gastric adenocarcinomas (P < 0.0001 for OS, and P < 0.0001 for DFS). Moreover, Bora was positively correlated with proliferation index Ki67 in breast and gastric cancer (P < 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively). Multivariate analyses further revealed that Bora was an independent prognostic parameter for OS and DFS in all three types of adenocarcinomas. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that Bora was overexpressed and served as an independent biomarker for poor prognosis in multiple adenocarcinomas.

Plk1 Phosphorylation of Mre11 Antagonizes the DNA Damage Response

The mitotic kinase Plk1 contributes to the DNA damage response (DDR) by targeting multiple factors downstream of the core responder kinase ATM/ATR. In this study, we show that Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) also phosphorylates key factors upstream of ATM/ATR and regulates their DDR-related functions. Plk1 phosphorylated Mre11, a component of the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 (MRN) complex, at serine 649 (S649) during DDR. Phosphorylation of Mre11-S649 by Plk1 primed subsequent CK2-mediated phosphorylation at Mre11-serine 688 (S688). Phosphorylation of Mre11 at S649/S688 inhibited loading of the MRN complex to damaged DNA, leading to both premature DNA damage checkpoint termination and inhibition of DNA repair. Tumors expressing phosphomimetic Mre11 were more sensitive to the PARP inhibitor olaparib, compared with those expressing unphosphorylatable Mre11, suggesting that patients with elevated Plk1 expression might benefit from olaparib treatment. Cancer Res; 77(12); 3169-80. ©2017 AACR.

DNA damage response and hematological malignancy

DNA damage is a serious threat to cellular homeostasis. Damaged DNA leads to genomic instability, mutation, senescence, and/or cell death. DNA damage triggers a cellular response called the DNA damage response (DDR), followed by activation of the DNA repair machinery. DDR both maintains cellular homeostasis and prevents cancer development. Germ line mutation of DDR-associated genes can lead to cancer-susceptible syndromes. Somatic mutation of DDR-associated genes has also been reported in various tumors, including hematological malignancies. Therapeutic approaches that target the DDR and DNA repair are thus now being developed. Understanding the mechanism(s) underlying DDR and DNA repair will increase our knowledge of cancer etiology and facilitate development of cancer therapies.

Inhibition of Polo-like kinase 1 during the DNA damage response is mediated through loss of Aurora A recruitment by Bora

When cells in G2 phase are challenged with DNA damage, several key mitotic regulators such as Cdk1/Cyclin B, Aurora A and Plk1 are inhibited to prevent entry into mitosis. Here we have studied how inhibition of Plk1 is established after DNA damage. Using a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor for Plk1 activity, we show that inhibition of Plk1 after DNA damage occurs with relatively slow kinetics and is entirely dependent on loss of Plk1-T210 phosphorylation. As T210 is phosphorylated by the kinase Aurora A in conjunction with its co-factor Bora, we investigated how they are affected by DNA damage. Interestingly, we find that the interaction between Bora and Plk1 remains intact during the early phases of the DNA damage response (DDR), whereas Plk1 activity is already inhibited at this stage. Expression of an Aurora A mutant that is refractory to inhibition by the DDR failed to prevent inhibition of Plk1 and loss of T210 phosphorylation, suggesting that inhibition of Plk1 may be established by perturbing recruitment of Aurora A by Bora. Indeed, expression of a fusion in which Aurora A was directly coupled to Bora prevented DNA damage-induced inhibition of Plk1 activity, as well as inhibition of T210 phosphorylation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that DNA damage affects the function of Aurora A at multiple levels: both by direct inhibition of Aurora A activity, as well as by perturbing the interaction with its co-activator Bora. We propose that the DDR targets recruitment of Aurora A to the Plk1/Bora complex to prevent activation of Plk1 during DNA damage in G2.

Mitotic entry: The interplay between Cdk1, Plk1 and Bora

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is an important mitotic kinase that is crucial for entry into mitosis after recovery from DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest. Plk1 activation is promoted by the conserved protein Bora (SPAT-1 in C. elegans), which stimulates the phosphorylation of a conserved residue in the activation loop by the Aurora A kinase. In a recent article published in Cell Reports, we show that the master mitotic kinase Cdk1 contributes to Plk1 activation through SPAT-1/Bora phosphorylation. We identified 3 conserved Sp/Tp residues that are located in the N-terminal, most conserved part, of SPAT-1/Bora. Phosphorylation of these sites by Cdk1 is essential for Plk1 function in mitotic entry in C. elegans embryos and during DNA damage checkpoint recovery in mammalian cells. Here, using an untargeted Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) biosensor to monitor Plk1 activation, we provide additional experimental evidence supporting the importance of these phosphorylation sites for Plk1 activation and subsequent mitotic entry after DNA damage. We also briefly discuss the mechanism of Plk1 activation and the potential role of Bora phosphorylation by Cdk1 in this process. As Plk1 is overexpressed in cancer cells and this correlates with poor prognosis, understanding how Bora contributes to Plk1 activation is paramount for the development of innovative therapeutical approaches.

Molecular interactions of polo-like kinase 1 in human cancers

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is an essential protein in communicating cell-cycle progression and DNA damage. Overexpression of PLK1 has been validated as a marker for poor prognosis in many cancers. PLK1 knockdown decreases the survival of cancer cells. PLK1 is therefore an attractive target for anticancer treatments. Several inhibitors have been developed, and some have been clinically tested to show additive effects with conventional therapies. Upstream regulation of PLK1 involves multiple interactions of proteins such as FoxM1, E2F and p21. Other cancer-related proteins such as pRB and p53 also indirectly influence PLK1 expression. With the high mutation rates of these genes seen in cancers, they may be associated with PLK1 deregulation. This raises the question of whether PLK1 overexpression is a cause or a consequence of oncogenesis. In addition, hypomethylation of the CpG island of the PLK1 promoter region contributes to its upregulation. PLK1 expression can be affected by many factors; thus, it is possible that PLK1 deregulation in each individual patient tumours could be due to different underlying mechanisms.

Cdk1 Phosphorylates SPAT-1/Bora to Promote Plk1 Activation in C. elegans and Human Cells

The conserved Bora protein is a Plk1 activator, essential for checkpoint recovery after DNA damage in human cells. Here, we show that Bora interacts with Cyclin B and is phosphorylated by Cyclin B/Cdk1 at several sites. The first 225 amino acids of Bora, which contain two Cyclin binding sites and three conserved phosphorylated residues, are sufficient to promote Plk1 phosphorylation by Aurora A in vitro. Mutating the Cyclin binding sites or the three conserved phosphorylation sites abrogates the ability of the N terminus of Bora to promote Plk1 activation. In human cells, Bora-carrying mutations of the three conserved phosphorylation sites cannot sustain mitotic entry after DNA damage. In C. elegans embryos, mutation of the three conserved phosphorylation sites in SPAT-1, the Bora ortholog, results in a severe mitotic entry delay. Our results reveal a crucial and conserved role of phosphorylation of the N terminus of Bora for Plk1 activation and mitotic entry.

Upregulated Polo-Like Kinase 1 Expression Correlates with Inferior Survival Outcomes in Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Human polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) expression has been associated with inferior outcomes in colorectal cancer. Our aims were to analyse PLK1 in rectal cancer, and its association with clinicopathological variables, overall survival as well as tumour regression to neoadjuvant treatment.

METHODS

PLK1 expression was quantified with immunohistochemistry in the centre and periphery (invasive front) of rectal cancers, as well as in the involved regional lymph nodes from 286 patients. Scores were based on staining intensity and percentage of positive cells, multiplied to give weighted scores from 1-12, dichotomised into low (0-5) or high (6-12).

RESULTS

PLK1 scores in the tumour periphery were significantly different to adjacent normal mucosa. Survival analysis revealed that low PLK1 score in the tumour periphery had a hazard ratio of death of 0.59 in multivariate analysis. Other predictors of survival included age, tumour depth, metastatic status, vascular and perineural invasion and adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no statistically significant correlation between PLK1 score and histological tumour regression in the neoadjuvant cohort.

CONCLUSION

Low PLK1 score was an independent predictor of superior overall survival, adjusting for multiple clinicopathological variables including treatment.

Bora downregulation results in radioresistance by promoting repair of double strand breaks

Following DNA double-strand breaks cells activate several DNA-damage response protein kinases, which then trigger histone H2AX phosphorylation and the accumulation of proteins such as MDC1, p53-binding protein 1, and breast cancer gene 1 at the damage site to promote DNA double-strand breaks repair. We identified a novel biomarker, Bora (previously called C13orf34), that is associated with radiosensitivity. In the current study, we set out to investigate how Bora might be involved in response to irradiation. We found a novel function of Bora in DNA damage repair response. Bora down-regulation increased colony formation in cells exposed to irradiation. This increased resistance to irradiation in Bora-deficient cells is likely due to a faster rate of double-strand breaks repair. After irradiation, Bora-knockdown cells displayed increased G2-M cell cycle arrest and increased Chk2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, Bora specifically interacted with the tandem breast cancer gene 1 C-terminal domain of MDC1 in a phosphorylation dependent manner, and overexpression of Bora could abolish irradiation induced MDC1 foci formation. In summary, Bora may play a significant role in radiosensitivity through the regulation of MDC1 and DNA repair.

The same, only different - DNA damage checkpoints and their reversal throughout the cell cycle

Cell cycle checkpoints activated by DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are essential for the maintenance of the genomic integrity of proliferating cells. Following DNA damage, cells must detect the break and either transiently block cell cycle progression, to allow time for repair, or exit the cell cycle. Reversal of a DNA-damage-induced checkpoint not only requires the repair of these lesions, but a cell must also prevent permanent exit from the cell cycle and actively terminate checkpoint signalling to allow cell cycle progression to resume. It is becoming increasingly clear that despite the shared mechanisms of DNA damage detection throughout the cell cycle, the checkpoint and its reversal are precisely tuned to each cell cycle phase. Furthermore, recent findings challenge the dogmatic view that complete repair is a precondition for cell cycle resumption. In this Commentary, we highlight cell-cycle-dependent differences in checkpoint signalling and recovery after a DNA DSB, and summarise the molecular mechanisms that underlie the reversal of DNA damage checkpoints, before discussing when and how cell fate decisions after a DSB are made.

Radiosensitization of human leukemic HL-60 cells by ATR kinase inhibitor (VE-821): phosphoproteomic analysis

DNA damaging agents such as ionizing radiation or chemotherapy are frequently used in oncology. DNA damage response (DDR)-triggered by radiation-induced double strand breaks-is orchestrated mainly by three Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases (PIKKs): Ataxia teleangiectasia mutated (ATM), DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and ATM and Rad3-related kinase (ATR). Their activation promotes cell-cycle arrest and facilitates DNA damage repair, resulting in radioresistance. Recently developed specific ATR inhibitor, VE-821 (3-amino-6-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamide), has been reported to have a significant radio- and chemo-sensitizing effect delimited to cancer cells (largely p53-deficient) without affecting normal cells. In this study, we employed SILAC-based quantitative phosphoproteomics to describe the mechanism of the radiosensitizing effect of VE-821 in human promyelocytic leukemic cells HL-60 (p53-negative). Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)-prefractionation with TiO2-enrichment and nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed 9834 phosphorylation sites. Proteins with differentially up-/down-regulated phosphorylation were mostly localized in the nucleus and were involved in cellular processes such as DDR, all phases of the cell cycle, and cell division. Moreover, sequence motif analysis revealed significant changes in the activities of kinases involved in these processes. Taken together, our data indicates that ATR kinase has multiple roles in response to DNA damage throughout the cell cycle and that its inhibitor VE-821 is a potent radiosensitizing agent for p53-negative HL-60 cells.

Polo-like kinase-1 in DNA damage response

Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) belongs to a family of serine-threonine kinases and plays a critical role in mitotic progression. Plk1 involves in the initiation of mitosis, centrosome maturation, bipolar spindle formation, and cytokinesis, well-reported as traditional functions of Plk1. In this review, we discuss the role of Plk1 during DNA damage response beyond the functions in mitotsis. When DNA is damaged in cells under various stress conditions, the checkpoint mechanism is activated to allow cells to have enough time for repair. When damage is repaired, cells progress continuously their division, which is called checkpoint recovery. If damage is too severe to repair, cells undergo apoptotic pathway. If damage is not completely repaired, cells undergo a process called checkpoint adaptation, and resume cell division cycle with damaged DNA. Plk1 targets and regulates many key factors in the process of damage response, and we deal with these subjects in this review.