Survivin is an essential chromosomal passenger protein required for mitotic progression. It is also an inhibitor of apoptosis and can prevent caspase-mediated cell death. In addition, survivin levels are elevated in cancer cells where its presence correlates with increased resistance to chemo-and radio-therapy, which makes it an attractive target for novel anti-cancer strategies. Interestingly, survivin is phosphorylated by the mitotic kinase, cdk1, and a nonphosphorylatable form, survivin T34A , cannot inhibit apoptosis. Here we rigorously test the ability of survivin T34A and its corresponding phosphomimetic, survivin T34E , to promote cell viability through survivin's dual roles. The effects of these mutations are diametrically opposed: survivin T34A accelerates cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis, whereas survivin T34E retards growth and promotes survival. Thus the phosphorylation status of survivin at T34 is pivotal to a cell's decision to live or die.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.