posted on 2023-06-07, 14:57authored byRachel M.A. Barrett, Toby P. Osborne, Sally P. Wheatley
Survivin is an essential chromosomal passenger protein required for mitotic progression. It is also an inhibitor of apoptosis and can prevent caspase-mediated cell death. In addition, survivin levels are elevated in cancer cells where its presence correlates with increased resistance to chemo- and radio-therapy, which makes it an attractive target for novel anti-cancer strategies. Interestingly, survivin is phosphorylated by the mitotic kinase, cdk1, and a non-phosphorylatable form, survivin(T34A), cannot inhibit apoptosis. Here we rigorously test the ability of survivin(T34A) and its corresponding phosphomimetic, survivin(T34E), to promote cell viability through survivin's dual roles. The effects of these mutations are diametrically opposed: survivin(T34A) accelerates cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis, whereas survivin(T34E) retards growth and promotes survival. Thus the phosphorylation status of survivin at T34 is pivotal to a cell's decision to live or die.
History
Publication status
Published
Journal
Cell Cycle
ISSN
1538-4101
Publisher
LANDES BIOSCIENCE, 1002 WEST AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR, AUSTIN, TX 78701 USA
Issue
2
Volume
8
Page range
278-283
Department affiliated with
Sussex Centre for Genome Damage Stability Publications