Haspin, also known as haploid germ cell-specific nuclear protein kinase, is an atypical serine/threonine kinase. It is conserved among most eukaryotes and plays a crucial role in cell cycle progression, especially in mitosis. Haspin phosphorylates threonine 3 of histone 3 (H3T3), which is involved in regulating chromosomal dynamics, such as centromeric sister chromatid cohesion during prophase and prometaphase, ensuring proper chromosome alignment in metaphase and normal segregation in anaphase. It is also associated with primary cilia regulation and cellular polarization [1-5].

In cancer research, knockdown or small-molecule inhibition of Haspin in cancer cells can prevent their growth and induce apoptosis by disrupting normal mitotic progression. For example, in gallbladder carcinoma, Haspin is up-regulated, and its knockdown inhibits cell proliferation, clone-formation ability, and promotes apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo [1]. Inhibiting Haspin can also delay cell cycle progression through interphase in cancer cells, indicating its role at multiple cell cycle stages [2].

In conclusion, Haspin is essential for normal cell cycle progression, especially during mitosis. Its overexpression in malignant tissues and requirement for cancer cell proliferation make it a promising target for cancer therapy. Studies using knockdown or inhibition models in cancer cells have revealed its role in promoting cancer cell growth, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for treating various cancers [1-3].

References:

1. Zhu, Dawei, Gu, Xing, Lin, Zhenyu, Wang, Jing, Li, Li. 2020. HASPIN is involved in the progression of gallbladder carcinoma. In Experimental cell research, 390, 111863. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111863. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31987787/

2. Wang, Peiling, Hua, Xiangmei, Bryner, Yuge Han, Gitter, Christopher B, Dai, Jun. 2019. Haspin inhibition delays cell cycle progression through interphase in cancer cells. In Journal of cellular physiology, 235, 4508-4519. doi:10.1002/jcp.29328. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31625162/