Jürgen den Hollander, Sara Rimpi, Joanne R. Doherty, Martina Rudelius, Andreas Buck, Alexander Hoellein, Marcus Kremer, Nikolas Graf, Markus Scheerer, Mark A. Hall, Andrei Goga, Nikolas von Bubnoff, Justus Duyster, Christian Peschel, John L. Cleveland, Jonas A. Nilsson and Ulrich Keller. (02-06-2010).

Blood, 2010

Department: 

Research Area C

Abstract: 

Myc oncoproteins promote continuous cell growth, in part by controlling the transcription of key cell cycle regulators. Here, we report that c-Myc regulates the expression of Aurora A and B kinases (Aurka and Aurkb), and that Aurka and Aurkb transcripts and protein levels are highly elevated in Myc-driven B cell lymphomas in both mice and man. The induction of Aurka by Myc is transcriptional and is directly mediated via E-boxes, while Aurkb is regulated indirectly. Blocking Aurka/b kinase activity with a selective Aurora kinase inhibitor triggers transient mitotic arrest, polyploidization and apoptosis of Myc-induced lymphomas. These phenotypes are selectively bypassed by a kinase inhibitor-resistant Aurkb mutant, demonstrating that Aurkb is the primary therapeutic target in the context of Myc. Importantly apoptosis provoked by Aurk inhibition was p53 independent, suggesting that Aurka/Aurkb inhibitors will show efficacy in treating primary or relapsed malignancies having Myc involvement and/or loss of p53 function.