Inhibition of mitotic kinase Mps1 promotes cell death in neuroblastoma

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 20;10(1):11997. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68829-y.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is the most common paediatric cancer type. Patients diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma have poor prognosis and occasionally tumours relapse. As a result, novel treatment strategies are needed for relapse and refractory neuroblastoma patients. Here, we found that high expression of Mps1 kinase (mitotic kinase Monopolar Spindle 1) was associated with relapse-free neuroblastoma patient outcomes and poor overall survival. Silencing and inhibition of Mps1 in neuroblastoma or PDX-derived cells promoted cell apoptosis via the caspase-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The mechanism of cell death upon Mps1 inhibition was dependent on the polyploidization/aneuploidization of the cells before undergoing mitotic catastrophe. Furthermore, tumour growth retardation was confirmed in a xenograft mouse model after Mps1-inhibitor treatment. Altogether, these results suggest that Mps1 expression and inhibition can be considered as a novel prognostic marker as well as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitosis*
  • Neuroblastoma / enzymology*
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology*
  • Polyploidy
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • TTK protein, human