title: Centrosome-associated regulators of the G(2)/M checkpoint as targets for cancer therapy.
abstract: In eukaryotic cells, control mechanisms have developed that restrain cell-cycle transitions in response to stress. These regulatory pathways are termed cell-cycle checkpoints. The G(2)/M checkpoint prevents cells from entering mitosis when DNA is damaged in order to afford these cells an opportunity to repair the damaged DNA before propagating genetic defects to the daughter cells. If the damage is irreparable, checkpoint signaling might activate pathways that lead to apoptosis. Since alteration of cell-cycle control is a hallmark of tumorigenesis, cell-cycle regulators represent potential targets for therapy. The centrosome has recently come into focus as a critical cellular organelle that integrates G(2)/M checkpoint control and repairs signals in response to DNA damage. A growing number of G(2)/M checkpoint regulators have been found in the centrosome, suggesting that centrosome has an important role in G(2)/M checkpoint function. In this review, we discuss centrosome-associated regulators of the G(2)/M checkpoint, the dysregulation of this checkpoint in cancer, and potential candidate targets for cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, PR China. yingmeiwang@gmail.com
authors.forename: Yingmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Jinsong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Russell R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Broaddus
authors.forename: Fengxia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018385:Centrosome / Q000378:metabolism*; D016195:G2 Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*