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PLK4: a link between centriole biogenesis and cancer
Radhika Radha Maniswami1, Seema Prashanth1, Archana Venkataramana Karanth1
1a Jubilant Biosys Ltd, Bioinformatics , Bangalore , India.
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|November 25, 2017
Summary
Polo-like kinase-4 (PLK4) is crucial for cell division and centriole duplication. Its deregulation contributes to cancer, making PLK4 a promising therapeutic target for advanced cancers.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Oncology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Polo-like kinase (PLK) family regulates cell cycle processes.
- Polo-like kinase-4 (PLK4) is essential for centriole duplication.
- PLK4 deregulation is linked to altered mitotic fidelity and tumorigenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure, expression, localization, and functions of PLK4.
- To discuss PLK4 regulation by interacting proteins.
- To explore PLK4's role in cancer development and therapeutic targeting.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PLK4 structure, function, and regulation.
- Analysis of PLK4's role in cell cycle and cancer.
- Overview of current pre-clinical and clinical PLK4 inhibitors.
Main Results:
- PLK4 is vital for correct centriole duplication and mitotic accuracy.
- Altered PLK4 levels (overexpression or depletion) promote cancer.
- PLK4 inhibitors are under investigation for cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- PLK4 is critical for maintaining genomic stability in normal cells.
- PLK4 deregulation significantly impacts cancer genesis.
- Further understanding of PLK4 in cancer is needed for effective inhibitor design.
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