Cdc6 disruption leads to centrosome abnormalities and chromosome instability in pancreatic cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 5;10(1):16518. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73474-6.

Abstract

Cell division cycle 6 (Cdc6) plays key roles in regulating DNA replication, and activation and maintenance of cell cycle check points. In addition, Cdc6 exerts oncogenic properties via genomic instability associated with incomplete DNA replication. This study aimed to examine the effects of Cdc6 on pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. Our results showed that Cdc6 expression was higher in clinical PC specimens (based on analysis of the GEPIA database) and cell lines, and the high Cdc6 expression was associated with poorer survival in The Cancer Genome Atlas-PC cohort. In addition, Cdc6-depleted PC cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, delayed G2/M cell cycle progression, and increased expression of p-histone H3 and cyclin A2 levels. These observations could be explained by Cdc6 depletion leading to multipolar and split spindles via centrosome amplification and microtubule disorganization which eventually increases chromosome missegregation. Furthermore, Cdc6-depleted PC cells showed significantly increased apoptosis, which was consistent with increased caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. Collectively, our results demonstrated that Cdc6-depleted PC cells are arrested in mitosis and eventually undergo cell death by induced multipolar spindles, centrosome aberrations, microtubule disorganization, and chromosome instability. In conclusion, Cdc6 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / physiology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Centrosome / metabolism*
  • Centrosome / physiology
  • Chromosomal Instability / genetics
  • Chromosomal Instability / physiology
  • Cyclin A2 / genetics
  • DNA Replication
  • Databases, Genetic
  • Genomic Instability / genetics
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Mitosis
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • Oncogenes / genetics
  • Oncogenes / physiology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*

Substances

  • CDC6 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cyclin A2
  • Histones
  • Nuclear Proteins