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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
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Caspase 2 in mitotic catastrophe: The terminator of aneuploid and tetraploid cells

Ilio Vitale1,2, Gwenola Manic1, Maria Castedo3,4

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy.

Molecular & Cellular Oncology
|June 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Mitotic catastrophe prevents cancer by eliminating cells with faulty cell division. Caspase 2 (CASP2) is identified as a key executioner, limiting chromosomal instability and supporting tumor suppression.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular oncology
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Mitotic catastrophe is a crucial oncosuppressive mechanism.
  • It prevents cancer progression by eliminating cells with defective mitosis.
  • Karyotypic aberrations arising from faulty cell division can drive oncogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize evidence on caspase 2 (CASP2) as the main executor of mitotic catastrophe.
  • To discuss signals activating CASP2 during mitotic aberrations.
  • To outline CASP2 effector pathways in limiting chromosomal instability.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and experimental evidence summary.
  • Analysis of cell cycle checkpoints and regulated cell death pathways.
  • Investigation of p53-dependent and -independent effector mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Caspase 2 (CASP2) is confirmed as the primary executor of mitotic catastrophe.
  • Specific signals activating CASP2 in response to mitotic errors are discussed.
  • CASP2 effectively limits chromosomal instability and non-diploidy.

Conclusions:

  • CASP2 plays a critical role in mitotic catastrophe.
  • CASP2-mediated pathways provide robust oncosuppressive functions.
  • Targeting CASP2 could be a strategy in cancer therapy.
Keywords:
Chromosome instabilitymitotic slippagepolyploidyreplication stressspindle assembly checkpointtargeted cancer therapy

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