Telomere Dynamics, Gene Expression and Genetic Instability in Glioblastoma Cells Treated with Reversine

Background: In the present study, we analyzed the cytotoxic effect of reversine, a small molecule used for stem cell dedifferentiation and potential to selectively induce cell death, on two human glioblastoma cell lines. The AURKA and AURKB gene expression were quantified in both cell lines following the exposure to different concentrations of reversine, and the effect of reversine on telomere dynamics, in a 3D scale was analyzed. AURKA and AURKB genes express mitotic kinases with an important role in the regulation of several mitotic events. Hyperexpression of these genes are found in patients with cytogenetic abnormalities presenting an unfavorable prognosis.