20. Increased Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) expression promotes centrosome amplification, chromosomal instability, and tumor formation in a mouse model

Abstract

Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) functions as a regulator of mitotic events. By completing a meta-analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas, we determined that PLK1 overexpression is positively associated with genome-wide copy number alterations and a poorer prognosis in multiple human cancers. However, it is uncertain whether elevated PLK1 expression is a downstream marker for aggressive tumors or represents a driving force behind tumor progression. To address this question, we established a mouse model that ubiquitously express exogenous Plk1 in a graded manner [Plk1TA/+ (heterozygous) and Plk1TA/TA (homozygous)].