Abstract
In human neuroblastoma, amplification of the MYCN gene predicts poor prognosis and resistance to therapy. In a shRNA screen of genes that are highly expressed in MYCN-amplified tumors, we have identified AURKA as a gene that is required for the growth of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells but largely dispensable for cells lacking amplified MYCN. Aurora A has a critical function in regulating turnover of the N-Myc protein. Degradation of N-Myc requires sequential phosphorylation by cyclin B/Cdk1 and Gsk3. N-Myc is therefore degraded during mitosis in response to low levels of PI3-kinase activity. Aurora A interacts with both N-Myc and the SCF(Fbxw7) ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitinates N-Myc and counteracts degradation of N-Myc, thereby uncoupling N-Myc stability from growth factor-dependent signals.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aurora Kinase A
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Aurora Kinases
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Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Cell Proliferation
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F-Box Proteins / metabolism
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F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7
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Humans
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Neuroblastoma / genetics
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Neuroblastoma / metabolism*
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Neuroblastoma / pathology
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Protein Binding
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
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RNA Interference
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Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism
Substances
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Cell Cycle Proteins
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F-Box Proteins
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F-Box-WD Repeat-Containing Protein 7
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FBXW7 protein, human
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
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Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
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AURKA protein, human
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Aurora Kinase A
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Aurora Kinases
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases