Cited by 1,269Cell death mechanisms and regulationMicrotubule and mitosis dynamicsCancer-related Molecular Pathways

Cell death by mitotic catastrophe: a molecular definition

Castedo, Maria, Perfettini, Jean-Luc, Roumier, Thomas, Andreau, Karine, Medema, Rene, Kroemer, Guido·2004·Oncogene

Abstract

The current literature is devoid of a clearcut definition of mitotic catastrophe, a type of cell death that occurs during mitosis. Here, we propose that mitotic catastrophe results from a combination of deficient cell-cycle checkpoints (in particular the DNA structure checkpoints and the spindle assembly checkpoint) and cellular damage. Failure to arrest the cell cycle before or at mitosis triggers an attempt of aberrant chromosome segregation, which culminates in the activation of the apoptotic default pathway and cellular demise. Cell death occurring during the metaphase/anaphase transition is characterized by the activation of caspase-2 (which can be activated in response to DNA damage) and/or mitochondrial membrane permeabilization with the release of cell death effectors such as apoptosis-inducing factor and the caspase-9 and-3 activator cytochrome c. Although the morphological aspect of apoptosis may be incomplete, these alterations constitute the biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis. Cells that fail to execute an apoptotic program in response to mitotic failure are likely to divide asymmetrically in the next round of cell division, with the consequent generation of aneuploid cells. This implies that disabling of the apoptotic program may actually favor chromosomal instability, through the suppression of mitotic catastrophe. Mitotic catastrophe thus may be conceived as a molecular device that prevents aneuploidization, which may participate in oncogenesis. Mitotic catastrophe is controlled by numerous molecular players, in particular, cell-cycle-specific kinases (such as the cyclin B1-dependent kinase Cdk1, polo-like kinases and Aurora kinases), cell-cycle checkpoint proteins, survivin, p53, caspases and members of the Bcl-2 family.

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.onc.1207528

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  • Mitotic catastrophe is a regulated oncosuppressive mechanism that impedes proliferation and/or survival of cells unable to complete mitosis due to extensive DNA damage, mitotic machinery problems, and/or mitotic checkpoint failure.

    “Mitotic catastrophe is a regulated oncosuppressive mechanism that impedes the proliferation and/or survival of cells that are unable to complete mitosis owing to extensive DNA damage, problems with the mitotic machinery, and/or failure of mitotic checkpoints [974, 975].”

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Authors
Castedo, M., Perfettini, J.-L., Roumier, T., Andreau, K., Medema, R., & Kroemer, G.
Affiliations
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
Corresponding author
Kroemer, Guido
Venue
Oncogene
Published
2004-04-12
Volume
23
Issue
16
Pages
2825-2837
ISSN
  • 0950-9232 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5594
OpenAlex
W2164660906
Cited by
1,269
References
135
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 59 · 2022: 57 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 49 · 2018: 58 · 2017: 59 · 2016: 64 · 2015: 45 · 2014: 72 · 2013: 78 · 2012: 64
FWCI
4.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Oncogene (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cell death mechanisms and regulation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer-related Molecular Pathways
Keywords
mitotic catastrophe, cell death, cell cycle checkpoints, spindle assembly checkpoint, DNA damage checkpoint, caspase-2, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, cytochrome c, apoptosis-inducing factor, aneuploidy, chromosomal instability, carcinogenesis, CDK1, Polo-like kinase, Aurora kinases, survivin, p53, Bcl-2 family proteins
MeSH terms
Animals, DNA Damage, Humans, Mitosis, Neoplasms, Polyploidy, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53, CDC2 Protein Kinase, Apoptosis, Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases, Cell Cycle Proteins, Cyclin B, Xenopus Proteins, Cyclin B1, Checkpoint Kinase 2

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