scholarly journals Cyclin a Is Destroyed in Prometaphase and Can Delay Chromosome Alignment and Anaphase

2001 ◽  
Vol 153 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole den Elzen ◽  
Jonathon Pines

Mitosis is controlled by the specific and timely degradation of key regulatory proteins, notably the mitotic cyclins that bind and activate the cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks). In animal cells, cyclin A is always degraded before cyclin B, but the exact timing and the mechanism underlying this are not known. Here we use live cell imaging to show that cyclin A begins to be degraded just after nuclear envelope breakdown. This degradation requires the 26S proteasome, but is not affected by the spindle checkpoint. Neither deletion of its destruction box nor disrupting Cdk binding prevents cyclin A proteolysis, but Cdk binding is necessary for degradation at the correct time. We also show that increasing the levels of cyclin A delays chromosome alignment and sister chromatid segregation. This delay depends on the proteolysis of cyclin A and is not caused by a lag in the bipolar attachment of chromosomes to the mitotic spindle, nor is it mediated via the spindle checkpoint. Thus, proteolysis that is not under the control of the spindle checkpoint is required for chromosome alignment and anaphase.

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter van Zon ◽  
Rob M.F. Wolthuis

Active cyclin B1–Cdk1 (cyclin-dependent kinase 1) keeps cells in mitosis, allowing time for spindle microtubules to capture the chromosomes and for incorrect chromosome-spindle attachments to be repaired. Meanwhile, securin, an inhibitor of separase, secures cohesion between sister chromatids, preventing anaphase onset. The spindle checkpoint is a signalling pathway emerging from improperly attached chromosomes that inhibits Cdc20, the mitotic activator of the APC/C (anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome) ubiquitin ligase. Blocking Cdc20 stabilizes cyclin B1 and securin to delay mitotic exit and anaphase until all chromosomes reach bipolar spindle attachments. Cells entering mitosis in the absence of a functional spindle checkpoint degrade cyclin B1 and securin right after nuclear-envelope breakdown, in prometaphase. Interestingly, two APC/C substrates, cyclin A and Nek2A, are normally degraded at nuclear-envelope breakdown, even when the spindle checkpoint is active. This indicates that the APC/C is activated early in mitosis, whereas cyclin B1 and securin are protected as long as the spindle checkpoint inhibits Cdc20. Remarkably, destruction of cyclin A and Nek2A also depends on Cdc20. The paradox of Cdc20 being both active and inhibited in prometaphase could be explained if cyclin A and Nek2A are either exceptionally efficient Cdc20 substrates, or if they are equipped with ‘stealth’ mechanisms to effectively escape detection by the spindle checkpoint. In the present paper, we discuss recently emerging models for spindle-checkpoint-independent APC/C–Cdc20 activity, which might even have implications for cancer therapy.


2004 ◽  
Vol 378 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suchira BOSE ◽  
Fiona L. L. STRATFORD ◽  
Kerry I. BROADFOOT ◽  
Grant G. F. MASON ◽  
A. Jennifer RIVETT

In animal cells there are several regulatory complexes which interact with 20S proteasomes and give rise to functionally distinct proteasome complexes. γ-Interferon upregulates three immuno beta catalytic subunits of the 20S proteasome and the PA28 regulator, and decreases the level of 26S proteasomes. It also decreases the level of phosphorylation of two proteasome alpha subunits, C8 (α7) and C9 (α3). In the present study we have investigated the role of phosphorylation of C8 by protein kinase CK2 in the formation and stability of 26S proteasomes. An epitope-tagged C8 subunit expressed in mammalian cells was efficiently incorporated into both 20S proteasomes and 26S proteasomes. Investigation of mutants of C8 at the two known CK2 phosphorylation sites demonstrated that these are the two phosphorylation sites of C8 in animal cells. Although phosphorylation of C8 was not absolutely essential for the formation of 26S proteasomes, it did have a substantial effect on their stability. Also, when cells were treated with γ-interferon, there was a marked decrease in phosphorylation of C8, a decrease in the level of 26S proteasomes, and an increase in immunoproteasomes and PA28 complexes. These results suggest that the down-regulation of 26S proteasomes after γ-interferon treatment results from the destabilization that occurs after dephosphorylation of the C8 subunit.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 4868-4874 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Wohlschlegel ◽  
Brian T. Dwyer ◽  
David Y. Takeda ◽  
Anindya Dutta

ABSTRACT Inhibitors, activators, and substrates of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) utilize a cyclin-binding sequence, known as a Cy or RXL motif, to bind directly to the cyclin subunit. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of the Cy motif of the cdk inhibitor p21 revealed that the conserved arginine or leucine (constituting the conserved RXL sequence) was important for p21's ability to inhibit cyclin E-cdk2 activity. Further analysis of mutant Cy motifs showed, however, that RXL was neither necessary nor sufficient for a functional cyclin-binding motif. Replacement of either of these two residues with small hydrophobic residues such as valine preserved p21's inhibitory activity on cyclin E-cdk2, while mutations in either polar or charged residues dramatically impaired p21's inhibitory activity. Expressing p21N with non-RXL Cy sequences inhibited growth of mammalian cells, providing in vivo confirmation that RXL was not necessary for a functional Cy motif. We also show that the variant Cy motifs identified in this study can effectively target substrates to cyclin-cdk complexes for phosphorylation, providing additional evidence that these non-RXL motifs are functional. Finally, binding studies using p21 Cy mutants demonstrated that the Cy motif was essential for the association of p21 with cyclin E-cdk2 but not with cyclin A-cdk2. Taking advantage of this differential specificity toward cyclin E versus cyclin A, we demonstrate that cell growth inhibition was absolutely dependent on the ability of a p21 derivative to inhibit cyclin E-cdk2.


2013 ◽  
Vol 201 (7) ◽  
pp. 1013-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Clijsters ◽  
Janneke Ogink ◽  
Rob Wolthuis

DNA replication depends on a preceding licensing event by Cdt1 and Cdc6. In animal cells, relicensing after S phase but before mitosis is prevented by the Cdt1 inhibitor geminin and mitotic cyclin activity. Here, we show that geminin, like cyclin B1 and securin, is a bona fide target of the spindle checkpoint and APC/CCdc20. Cyclin B1 and geminin are degraded simultaneously during metaphase, which directs Cdt1 accumulation on segregating sister chromatids. Subsequent activation of APC/CCdh1 leads to degradation of Cdc6 well before Cdt1 becomes unstable in a replication-coupled manner. In mitosis, the spindle checkpoint supports Cdt1 accumulation, which promotes S phase onset. We conclude that the spindle checkpoint, APC/CCdc20, and APC/CCdh1 act successively to ensure that the disappearance of licensing inhibitors coincides exactly with a peak of Cdt1 and Cdc6. Whereas cell cycle entry from quiescence requires Cdc6 resynthesis, our results indicate that proliferating cells use a window of time in mitosis, before Cdc6 is degraded, as an earlier opportunity to direct S phase.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 7029-7035
Author(s):  
M A Ikeda ◽  
J R Nevins

The adenovirus E1A protein can disrupt protein complexes containing the E2F transcription factor in association with cellular regulatory proteins such as the retinoblastoma gene product (Rb) and the Rb-related p107 protein. Previous experiments have shown that the CR1 and CR2 domains of E1A are required for this activity. We now demonstrate that the CR2 domain is essential for allowing E1A to interact with the E2F-Rb or the E2F-p107-cyclin A-cdk2 complex. Multimeric complexes containing E1A can be detected when the CR1 domain has been rendered inactive by mutation. In addition, the E1A CR1 domain, but not the CR2 domain, is sufficient to prevent the interaction of E2F with Rb or p107. On the basis of these results, we suggest a model whereby the CR2 domain brings E1A to the E2F complexes and then, upon a normal equilibrium dissociation of Rb or p107 from E2F, the E1A CR1 domain is able to block the site of interaction on Rb or p107, thereby preventing the re-formation of the complexes.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong Su ◽  
Mingyue Yang ◽  
Pingping Wang ◽  
Yanxiu Zhao ◽  
Changle Ma

All eukaryotes rely on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy to control the abundance of key regulatory proteins and maintain a healthy intracellular environment. In the UPS, damaged or superfluous proteins are ubiquitinated and degraded in the proteasome, mediated by three types of ubiquitin enzymes: E1s (ubiquitin activating enzymes), E2s (ubiquitin conjugating enzymes), and E3s (ubiquitin protein ligases). Conversely, in autophagy, a vesicular autophagosome is formed that transfers damaged proteins and organelles to the vacuole, mediated by a series of ATGs (autophagy related genes). Despite the use of two completely different componential systems, the UPS and autophagy are closely interconnected and mutually regulated. During autophagy, ATG8 proteins, which are autophagosome markers, decorate the autophagosome membrane similarly to ubiquitination of damaged proteins. Ubiquitin is also involved in many selective autophagy processes and is thus a common factor of the UPS and autophagy. Additionally, the components of the UPS, such as the 26S proteasome, can be degraded via autophagy, and conversely, ATGs can be degraded by the UPS, indicating cross regulation between the two pathways. The UPS and autophagy cooperate and jointly regulate homeostasis of cellular components during plant development and stress response.


2016 ◽  
Vol 473 (24) ◽  
pp. 4551-4558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaim Kahana

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the first and rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyamines, low-molecular-mass aliphatic polycations that are ubiquitously present in all living cells and are essential for fundamental cellular processes. Most cellular polyamines are bound, whereas the free pools, which regulate cellular functions, are subjected to tight regulation. The regulation of the free polyamine pools is manifested by modulation of their synthesis, catabolism, uptake and excretion. A central element that enables this regulation is the rapid degradation of key enzymes and regulators of these processes, particularly that of ODC. ODC degradation is part of an autoregulatory circuit that responds to the intracellular level of the free polyamines. The driving force of this regulatory circuit is a protein termed antizyme (Az). Az stimulates the degradation of ODC and inhibits polyamine uptake. Az acts as a sensor of the free intracellular polyamine pools as it is expressed via a polyamine-stimulated ribosomal frameshifting. Az binds to monomeric ODC subunits to prevent their reassociation into active homodimers and facilitates their ubiquitin-independent degradation by the 26S proteasome. In addition, through a yet unidentified mechanism, Az inhibits polyamine uptake. Interestingly, a protein, termed antizyme inhibitor (AzI) that is highly homologous with ODC, but retains no ornithine decarboxylating activity, seems to regulate cellular polyamines through its ability to negate Az. Overall, the degradation of ODC is a net result of interactions with regulatory proteins and possession of signals that mediate its ubiquitin-independent recognition by the proteasome.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 1056-1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra E. Encalada ◽  
John Willis ◽  
Rebecca Lyczak ◽  
Bruce Bowerman

During mitosis, chromosome segregation is regulated by a spindle checkpoint mechanism. This checkpoint delays anaphase until all kinetochores are captured by microtubules from both spindle poles, chromosomes congress to the metaphase plate, and the tension between kinetochores and their attached microtubules is properly sensed. Although the spindle checkpoint can be activated in many different cell types, the role of this regulatory mechanism in rapidly dividing embryonic animal cells has remained controversial. Here, using time-lapse imaging of live embryonic cells, we show that chemical or mutational disruption of the mitotic spindle in early Caenorhabditis elegans embryos delays progression through mitosis. By reducing the function of conserved checkpoint genes in mutant embryos with defective mitotic spindles, we show that these delays require the spindle checkpoint. In the absence of a functional checkpoint, more severe defects in chromosome segregation are observed in mutants with abnormal mitotic spindles. We also show that the conserved kinesin CeMCAK, the CENP-F-related proteins HCP-1 and HCP-2, and the core kinetochore protein CeCENP-C all are required for this checkpoint. Our analysis indicates that spindle checkpoint mechanisms are functional in the rapidly dividing cells of an early animal embryo and that this checkpoint can prevent chromosome segregation defects during mitosis.


1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1815-1827 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Shiyanov ◽  
S Hayes ◽  
N Chen ◽  
D G Pestov ◽  
L F Lau ◽  
...  

p27Kip1 is an inhibitor of the cyclin-dependent kinases and it plays an inhibitory role in the progression of cell cycle through G1 phase. To investigate the mechanism of cell cycle inhibition by p27Kip1, we constructed a cell line that inducibly expresses p27Kip1 upon addition of isopropyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside in the culture medium. Isopropyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside-induced expression of p27Kip1 in these cells causes a specific reduction in the expression of the E2F-regulated genes such as cyclin E, cyclin A, and dihydrofolate reductase. The reduction in the expression of these genes correlates with the p27Kip1-induced accumulation of the repressor complexes of the E2F family of factors (E2Fs). Our previous studies indicated that p21WAF1 could disrupt the interaction between cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) and the E2F repressor complexes E2F-p130 and E2F-p107. We show that p27Kip1, like p21WAF1, disrupts cyclin/cdk2-containing complexes of E2F-p130 leading to the accumulation of the E2F-p130 complexes, which is found in growth-arrested cells. In transient transfection assays, expression of p27Kip1 specifically inhibits transcription of a promoter containing E2F-binding sites. Mutants of p27Kip1 harboring changes in the cyclin- and cdk2-binding motifs are deficient in inhibiting transcription from the E2F sites containing reporter gene. Moreover, these mutants of p27Kip1 are also impaired in disrupting the interaction between cyclin/cdk2 and the repressor complexes of E2Fs. Taken together, these observations suggest that p27Kip1 reduces expression of the E2F-regulated genes by generating repressor complexes of E2Fs. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate that p27Kip1 inhibits expression of cyclin A and cyclin E, which are critical for progression through the G1-S phases.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 7029-7035 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Ikeda ◽  
J R Nevins

The adenovirus E1A protein can disrupt protein complexes containing the E2F transcription factor in association with cellular regulatory proteins such as the retinoblastoma gene product (Rb) and the Rb-related p107 protein. Previous experiments have shown that the CR1 and CR2 domains of E1A are required for this activity. We now demonstrate that the CR2 domain is essential for allowing E1A to interact with the E2F-Rb or the E2F-p107-cyclin A-cdk2 complex. Multimeric complexes containing E1A can be detected when the CR1 domain has been rendered inactive by mutation. In addition, the E1A CR1 domain, but not the CR2 domain, is sufficient to prevent the interaction of E2F with Rb or p107. On the basis of these results, we suggest a model whereby the CR2 domain brings E1A to the E2F complexes and then, upon a normal equilibrium dissociation of Rb or p107 from E2F, the E1A CR1 domain is able to block the site of interaction on Rb or p107, thereby preventing the re-formation of the complexes.


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