Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel
08:29

Long-term Live-cell Imaging to Assess Cell Fate in Response to Paclitaxel

Published on: May 14, 2018

Mitotic checkpoint defects in human cancers and their implications to chemotherapy

Xianghong Wang1, Hiu Wing Cheung, Abel C S Chun

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. xhwang@hkucc.hku.hk

Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|November 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Defects in the mitotic checkpoint (spindle assembly checkpoint) are common in human cancers, leading to chromosome instability and resistance to anticancer drugs. Targeting this checkpoint may reverse drug resistance in cancer cells.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The mitotic checkpoint ensures accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.
  • Loss of mitotic checkpoint control is frequent in human cancers, contributing to chromosome instability.
  • Defective mitotic checkpoints are linked to cancer cell resistance to various anticancer drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent evidence on mitotic checkpoint defects in human cancers.
  • To explore the association between these defects and anticancer drug resistance.
  • To discuss the clinical importance and therapeutic potential of targeting the mitotic checkpoint.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on mitotic checkpoints in cancer.
  • Analysis of the relationship between mitotic checkpoint proteins (BUB, MAD) and drug resistance.
  • Examination of the link between mitotic checkpoint function and DNA damage response.

Main Results:

  • Mitotic checkpoint defects are prevalent in human cancers and drive chromosome instability.
  • Inactivation of key mitotic checkpoint proteins (BUB, MAD) confers resistance to microtubule disruptors and DNA damaging agents.
  • A defective mitotic checkpoint enhances cancer cell resistance to certain DNA damaging anticancer drugs.

Conclusions:

  • Mitotic checkpoint defects are a significant factor in cancer development and drug resistance.
  • Targeting the mitotic checkpoint presents a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome drug resistance in cancer.
  • Further research into the clinical implications of targeting the mitotic checkpoint is warranted.

More Related Videos

Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols12:02

Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols

Published on: June 6, 2017

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations07:14

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations

Published on: September 20, 2019

Related Concept Videos

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Positive Regulator Molecules02:39

Positive Regulator Molecules

Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...