Aurora-A: a potential DNA repair modulator

Tumour Biol. 2014 Apr;35(4):2831-6. doi: 10.1007/s13277-013-1393-8. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Abstract

It is well-known that overexpression of Aurora-A promotes tumorigenesis, but the role of Aurora-A in the development of cancer has not been fully investigated. Recent studies indicate that Aurora-A may confer cancer cell chemo- and radioresistance through dysregulation of cell cycle progression and DNA damage response. Direct evidences from literatures suggest that Aurora-A inhibits pRb, p53, p21(waf1/cip1), and p27(cip/kip) but enhances Plk1, CDC25, CDK1, and cyclin B1 to repeal cell cycle checkpoints and to promote cell cycle progression. Other studies indicate that Aurora-A suppresses BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51, poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP), and gamma-H2AX to dysregulate DNA damage response. Aurora-A may also interact with RAS and Myc to control DNA repair indirectly. In this review, we summarized the potential role of Aurora-A in DNA repair from the current literatures and concluded that Aurora-A may function as a DNA repair modulator to control cancer cell radio- and chemosensitivity, and that Aurora-A-associated DNA repair molecules may be considered for targeted cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aurora Kinase A / physiology*
  • Cell Cycle
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly
  • DNA Repair*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Aurora Kinase A