Exploring the role of CENP-A Ser18 phosphorylation in CIN and Tumorigenesis

ABSTRACT

Chromosome instability (CIN) contributes to the development of many cancer. In this paper, we summarize our recent finding that a novel pathway by which FBW7 loss promotes Centromere Protein A (CENP-A) phosphorylation on Serine 18 through Cyclin E1/CDK2, therefore promoting CIN and tumorigenesis. Our finding demonstrates the importance of CENP-A post-translational modification on modulating centromere and mitotic functions in cancer.

KEYWORDS:

• chromosome instability
• centromere
• CENP-A
• Cyclin E1
• FBW7
• tumorigenesis

Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by University Cancer Research Fund (UCRF) to QZ. The authors also acknowledge grant support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 GM119011 (to G.K), NIH (K99/R00 CA160351), Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Career Development Award (W81XWH-15-1-0599), The V Foundation Scholar Award, Kimmel Scholar Award, Mary Kay Foundation Award and Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Award (to Q.Z.).

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed

Additional information

Funding

The authors also acknowledge grant support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 GM119011 (to G.K), NIH (K99/R00 CA160351), Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Career Development Award (W81XWH-15-1-0599), The V Foundation Scholar Award, Kimmel Scholar Award, Mary Kay Foundation Award and Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Award (to Q.Z.).