CENP-50 is required for papilloma development in the two-stage skin carcinogenesis model.

CENP-50/U is a component of the CENP-O complex (CENP-O/P/Q/R/U) and localizes to the centromere throughout the cell cycle. Aberrant expression ofCENP-50/Uhas been reported in many types of cancers. However, asCenp-50/U-deficient mice die during early embryogenesis, its functions remain poorly understood in vivo. To investigate the role ofCenp-50/Uin skin carcinogenesis, we generatedCenp-50/Uconditional knockout (K14Cre(ER)-Cenp-50/U-fl/fl) mice and subjected them to the 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)/terephthalic acid (TPA) chemical carcinogenesis protocol. As a result, early-stage papillomas decreased inCenp-50/U-deficient mice. In contrast,Cenp-50/U-deficient mice demonstrated almost the same carcinoma incidence as control mice. Furthermore, mRNA expression analysis using DMBA/TPA-induced papillomas and carcinomas revealed thatCenp-50/Uexpression levels in papillomas were significantly higher than in carcinomas. These results suggest thatCenp-50/Ufunctions mainly in early papilloma development and it has little effect on malignant conversion.