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TACC1-chTOG-Aurora A protein complex in breast cancer

Nathalie Conte1, Bénédicte Delaval, Christophe Ginestier

  • 1Department of Molecular Oncology, U119 Inserm, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, IFR57, Marseille, France.

Oncogene
|November 7, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Transforming acidic coiled-coil (TACC) proteins and Aurora A are downregulated in some breast tumors. These TACC proteins, along with chTOG and Aurora A, are crucial for cell division and mRNA translation, potentially impacting cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Protein Interactions

Background:

  • The three human transforming acidic coiled-coil (TACC) genes encode proteins with poorly understood functions, though they are implicated in oncogenesis.
  • Homologs of TACC proteins in other species, like Maskin in Xenopus and D-TACC in Drosophila, are involved in translational control and microtubule dynamics during cell division.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the protein interactions of TACC1.
  • To investigate the relevance of the TACC1-associated complex in human breast cancer.
  • To explore the role of TACC proteins, chTOG, and Aurora A in cell division and mRNA translation.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays to examine TACC1, TACC2, TACC3, chTOG, and Aurora A expression in breast tumors.
  • siRNA-mediated depletion of chTOG and TACC1 to assess their impact on cell division.
  • Protein interaction studies to identify binding partners of TACC1.

Main Results:

  • TACC1 was found to interact with chTOG, TRAP, Aurora A, and LSM7.
  • TACC1, TACC2, TACC3, and Aurora A expression levels were significantly correlated and found to be downregulated in a subset of breast tumors.
  • Depletion of chTOG and TACC1 using siRNAs disrupted cell division.

Conclusions:

  • TACC proteins (also named 'Taxins') likely control mRNA translation and cell division, working in concert with microtubule organization and associated proteins like chTOG and Aurora A.
  • These TACC-protein complexes and their associated cellular processes may be dysregulated during mammary gland oncogenesis.
  • Further research into TACC proteins and their roles in cancer is warranted.

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