ABSTRACT
MCM7, a subunit of mini-chromosome maintenance proteins (MCM) complex, plays an important role in initiating DNA replication during the G1 phase and extending DNA strands during the S phase. Here, we demonstrated that MCM7 is not only sustained but maintains association with chromatin during M phase. Remarkably, MCM7 siRNA can accelerate mitotic exit. MCM7 depletion leads to CDK1 inactivation and promotes subsequent cohesin/RAD21 cleavage, which eventually leads to sister chromatin segregation. Moreover, MCM7 is co-localized with tubulin in the mitotic cells and MCM7 depletion results in aberrant mitosis. Our results indicate that MCM7 may exert certain functions on spindle formation to prevent cytokinesis during early mitosis by regulating CDK1 activity.
Subject(s)
CDC2 Protein Kinase/antagonists & inhibitors , CDC2 Protein Kinase/metabolism , Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7/metabolism , Mitosis , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Chromatin/genetics , Chromatin/metabolism , Gene Expression , Humans , Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 4/metabolism , Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 6/metabolism , Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7/genetics , RNA, Messenger/geneticsABSTRACT
Paclitaxel (PTX) is an antimitotic drug that possesses potent anticancer activity, but its therapeutic potential in the clinic has been hindered by drug resistance. Here, we report a mechanism by which cancer cells can exit from the PTX-induced mitotic arrest, i.e. mitotic slippage, and avoid subsequent death resulting in drug resistance. In cells experiencing mitotic slippage, Cdc6 protein level was significantly upregulated, Cdk1 activity was inhibited, and Cohesin/Rad21 was cleaved as a result. Cdc6 depletion by RNAi or Norcantharidin inhibited PTX-induced Cdc6 up-regulation, maintained Cdk1 activity, and repressed Cohesin/Rad21 cleavage. In all, this resulted in reduced mitotic slippage and reversal of PTX resistance. Moreover, in synchronized cells, the role of Cdc6 in mitotic exit under PTX pressure was also confirmed. This study indicates that Cdc6 may promote mitotic slippage by inactivation of Cdk1. Targeting of Cdc6 may serve as a promising strategy for enhancing the anticancer activity of PTX.
Subject(s)
Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism , Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism , Apoptosis/drug effects , Apoptosis/genetics , Blotting, Western , CDC2 Protein Kinase , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/genetics , Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics , Flow Cytometry , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Humans , Mitosis/drug effects , Mitosis/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Paclitaxel , RNA, Small Interfering/geneticsABSTRACT
High activation of DNA damage response is implicated in cisplatin (CDDP) resistance which presents as a serious obstacle for bladder cancer treatment. Cdc6 plays an important role in the malignant progression of tumor. Here, we reported that Cdc6 expression is up-regulated in bladder cancer tissues and is positively correlated to high tumor grade. Cdc6 depletion can attenuate the malignant properties of bladder cancer cells, including DNA replication, migration and invasion. Furthermore, higher levels of chromatin-binding Cdc6 and ATR were detected in CDDP-resistant bladder cancer cells than in the parent bladder cancer cells. Intriguingly, down-regulation of Cdc6 can enhance sensitivity to CDDP both in bladder cancer cells and CDDP-resistant bladder cancer cells. Cdc6 depletion abrogates S phase arrest caused by CDDP, leading to aberrant mitosis by inactivating ATR-Chk1-Cdc25C pathway. Our results indicate that Cdc6 may be a promising target for overcoming CDDP resistance in bladder cancer.
