Polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4) mRNA (PLK4 mRNA)

Polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4) mRNA is the transcript of the PLK4 gene, which encodes a master regulator of centriole duplication (UniProt P53350). PLK4 is a serine/threonine kinase essential for maintaining the correct number of centrosomes during the cell cycle; its dysregulation is a significant driver of genomic instability (PubMed: 25849619). In many cancers, PLK4 is overexpressed, leading to centrosome amplification and aneuploidy, which promotes tumor progression and survival (PubMed: 26158061). Targeting PLK4 mRNA via RNA interference (siRNA) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) aims to reduce the protein's abundance, thereby inducing mitotic arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells (PubMed: 24732379). While small molecule inhibitors like CFI-400945 target the PLK4 protein, mRNA-directed therapies offer a mechanism to specifically deplete the kinase before translation occurs. This approach is particularly relevant in oncology, where high PLK4 levels correlate with poor prognosis in various solid tumors (PubMed: 30217950).

Other names

SAK mRNASTK18 mRNAPolo-like kinase 4 transcriptSerine/threonine-protein kinase 18 mRNA

RNA interference or antisense-mediated degradation to prevent translation of the PLK4 protein.