a b s t r a c tAurora B kinase (Aurora-B) functions in chromosome segregation and cleavage of polar spindle microtubules. However, its role in cellular senescence remains elusive. Here, we investigated Aurora-B effects on cellular senescence in human fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Aurora-B levels were reduced during replicative senescence and premature senescence by adriamycin. Aurora-B overexpression in old cells partially reversed senescence phenotypes. In contrast, Aurora-B down-regulation accelerated cellular senescence. p53 knockdown but not p16 knockdown inhibited cellular senescence by Aurora-B reduction. These results suggest that Aurora-B might function in the regulation of cellular senescence of human primary cells via a p53-dependent pathway.

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Sodium channel blockers are important antiseizure drugs. Since the launch of phenobarbital in 1912, it has a development history of nearly 100 years. However, because of the confounding symptoms, complications, and complex intrinsic pathogenesis of epilepsy, the design and development of blockers specifically targeting sodium channels as antiseizure drugs are difficult and rarely reported. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel benzo­[d]­isoxazole derivatives as anticonvulsants. Among them, the most potent Z-6b displayed high protection against the MES-induced seizures with an ED50 value of 20.5 mg/kg and a high protective index (TD50/ED50) of 10.3. In addition, Z-6b significantly inhibited NaV1.1 channels in patch-clamp experiments but almost did not inhibit NaV1.2, NaV1.3, and NaV1.6 channels. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that new benzo­[d]­isoxazole derivatives display anticonvulsant activity by selectively blocking voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.1, which provides good alternatives for developing selective NaV1.1 channel blockers as antiseizure drugs in the future.

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