BubR1 and SIRT2: Insights into aneuploidy, aging, and cancer

Abstract

Aging is a significant risk factor for cancer which is due, in part, to heightened genomic instability. Mitotic surveillance proteins such as BubR1 play a pivotal role in ensuring accurate chromosomal segregation and preventing aneuploidy. BubR1 levels have been shown to naturally decline with age and its loss is associated with various age-related pathologies. Sirtuins, a class of NAD⁺-dependent deacylases, are implicated in cancer and genomic instability. Among them, SIRT2 acts as an upstream regulator of BubR1, offering a critical pathway that can potentially mitigate age-related diseases, including cancer. In this review, we explore BubR1 as a key regulator of cellular processes crucial for aging-related phenotypes. We delve into the intricate mechanisms through which BubR1 influences genomic stability and cellular senescence. Moreover, we highlight the role of NAD⁺ and SIRT2 in modulating BubR1 expression and function, emphasizing its potential as a therapeutic target. The interaction between BubR1 and SIRT2 not only serves as a fundamental regulatory pathway in cellular homeostasis but also represents a promising avenue for developing targeted therapies against age-related diseases, particularly cancer.