scholarly journals CENP-E–dependent BubR1 autophosphorylation enhances chromosome alignment and the mitotic checkpoint

2012 ◽  
Vol 198 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yige Guo ◽  
Christine Kim ◽  
Sana Ahmad ◽  
Jiayin Zhang ◽  
Yinghui Mao
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
The State ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Single Chromosome ◽  
Checkpoint Signaling ◽  
Mitotic Kinase ◽  
Chromosome Alignment ◽  
Kinetochore Function ◽  
Microtubule Capture

How the state of spindle microtubule capture at the kinetochore is translated into mitotic checkpoint signaling remains largely unknown. In this paper, we demonstrate that the kinetochore-associated mitotic kinase BubR1 phosphorylates itself in human cells and that this autophosphorylation is dependent on its binding partner, the kinetochore motor CENP-E. This CENP-E–dependent BubR1 autophosphorylation at unattached kinetochores is important for a full-strength mitotic checkpoint to prevent single chromosome loss. Replacing endogenous BubR1 with a nonphosphorylatable BubR1 mutant, as well as depletion of CENP-E, the BubR1 kinase activator, results in metaphase chromosome misalignment and a decrease of Aurora B–mediated Ndc80 phosphorylation at kinetochores. Furthermore, expressing a phosphomimetic BubR1 mutant substantially reduces the incidence of polar chromosomes in CENP-E–depleted cells. Thus, the state of CENP-E–dependent BubR1 autophosphorylation in response to spindle microtubule capture by CENP-E is important for kinetochore function in achieving accurate chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals Centromere-associated protein-E is essential for the mammalian mitotic checkpoint to prevent aneuploidy due to single chromosome loss

2003 ◽  
Vol 162 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth A.A. Weaver ◽  
Zahid Q. Bonday ◽  
Frances R. Putkey ◽  
Geert J.P.L. Kops ◽  
Alain D. Silk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Single Chromosome ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
Primary Mouse

Centromere-associated protein-E (CENP-E) is an essential mitotic kinesin that is required for efficient, stable microtubule capture at kinetochores. It also directly binds to BubR1, a kinetochore-associated kinase implicated in the mitotic checkpoint, the major cell cycle control pathway in which unattached kinetochores prevent anaphase onset. Here, we show that single unattached kinetochores depleted of CENP-E cannot block entry into anaphase, resulting in aneuploidy in 25% of divisions in primary mouse fibroblasts in vitro and in 95% of regenerating hepatocytes in vivo. Without CENP-E, diminished levels of BubR1 are recruited to kinetochores and BubR1 kinase activity remains at basal levels. CENP-E binds to and directly stimulates the kinase activity of purified BubR1 in vitro. Thus, CENP-E is required for enhancing recruitment of its binding partner BubR1 to each unattached kinetochore and for stimulating BubR1 kinase activity, implicating it as an essential amplifier of a basal mitotic checkpoint signal.

scholarly journals Microtubule capture by CENP-E silences BubR1-dependent mitotic checkpoint signaling

2005 ◽  
Vol 170 (6) ◽  
pp. 873-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinghui Mao ◽  
Arshad Desai ◽  
Don W. Cleveland
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Control Mechanism ◽  
Cell Cycle Control ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Signaling ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Kinesin Family ◽  
Microtubule Capture

The mitotic checkpoint is the major cell cycle control mechanism for maintaining chromosome content in multicellular organisms. Prevention of premature onset of anaphase requires activation at unattached kinetochores of the BubR1 kinase, which acts with other components to generate a diffusible “stop anaphase” inhibitor. Not only does direct binding of BubR1 to the centromere-associated kinesin family member CENP-E activate its essential kinase, binding of a motorless fragment of CENP-E is shown here to constitutively activate BubR1 bound at kinetochores, producing checkpoint signaling that is not silenced either by spindle microtubule capture or the tension developed at those kinetochores by other components. Using purified BubR1, microtubules, and CENP-E, microtubule capture by the CENP-E motor domain is shown to silence BubR1 kinase activity in a ternary complex of BubR1–CENP-E–microtubule. Together, this reveals that CENP-E is the signal transducing linker responsible for silencing BubR1-dependent mitotic checkpoint signaling through its capture at kinetochores of spindle microtubules.

scholarly journals The small molecule Hesperadin reveals a role for Aurora B in correcting kinetochore–microtubule attachment and in maintaining the spindle assembly checkpoint

2003 ◽  
Vol 161 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke Hauf ◽  
Richard W. Cole ◽  
Sabrina LaTerra ◽  
Christine Zimmer ◽  
Gisela Schnapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Molecule ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Checkpoint Signaling ◽  
Mitotic Kinase ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromosome Alignment

The proper segregation of sister chromatids in mitosis depends on bipolar attachment of all chromosomes to the mitotic spindle. We have identified the small molecule Hesperadin as an inhibitor of chromosome alignment and segregation. Our data imply that Hesperadin causes this phenotype by inhibiting the function of the mitotic kinase Aurora B. Mammalian cells treated with Hesperadin enter anaphase in the presence of numerous monooriented chromosomes, many of which may have both sister kinetochores attached to one spindle pole (syntelic attachment). Hesperadin also causes cells arrested by taxol or monastrol to enter anaphase within <1 h, whereas cells in nocodazole stay arrested for 3–5 h. Together, our data suggest that Aurora B is required to generate unattached kinetochores on monooriented chromosomes, which in turn could promote bipolar attachment as well as maintain checkpoint signaling.

scholarly journals CENP-A Is Required for Accurate Chromosome Segregation and Sustained Kinetochore Association of BubR1

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 3967-3981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinciane Régnier ◽  
Paola Vagnarelli ◽  
Tatsuo Fukagawa ◽  
Tatiana Zerjal ◽  
Elizabeth Burns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Activation ◽  
Checkpoint Signaling ◽  
Centromere Function ◽  
Kinetochore Assembly ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Chicken Dt40 Cell ◽  
Kinetochore Function

ABSTRACT CENP-A is an evolutionarily conserved, centromere-specific variant of histone H3 that is thought to play a central role in directing kinetochore assembly and in centromere function. Here, we have analyzed the consequences of disrupting the CENP-A gene in the chicken DT40 cell line. In CENP-A-depleted cells, kinetochore protein assembly is impaired, as indicated by mislocalization of the inner kinetochore proteins CENP-I, CENP-H, and CENP-C as well as the outer components Nuf2/Hec1, Mad2, and CENP-E. However, BubR1 and the inner centromere protein INCENP are efficiently recruited to kinetochores. Following CENP-A depletion, chromosomes are deficient in proper congression on the mitotic spindle and there is a transient delay in prometaphase. CENP-A-depleted cells further proceed through anaphase and cytokinesis with unequal chromosome segregation, suggesting that some kinetochore function remains following substantial depletion of CENP-A. We furthermore demonstrate that CENP-A-depleted cells exhibit a specific defect in maintaining kinetochore localization of the checkpoint protein BubR1 under conditions of checkpoint activation. Our data thus point to a specific role for CENP-A in assembly of kinetochores competent in the maintenance of mitotic checkpoint signaling.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Checkpoint Genes MEC1, RAD17 and RAD24 Are Required for Normal Meiotic Recombination Partner Choice

Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy M Grushcow ◽  
Teresa M Holzen ◽  
Ken J Park ◽  
Ted Weinert ◽  
Michael Lichten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meiotic Recombination ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Partner Choice ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Spore Viability ◽  
Checkpoint Signaling ◽  
Ectopic Recombination ◽  
Meiotic Progression ◽  
Checkpoint Genes

Abstract Checkpoint gene function prevents meiotic progression when recombination is blocked by mutations in the recA homologue DMC1. Bypass of dmc1 arrest by mutation of the DNA damage checkpoint genes MEC1, RAD17, or RAD24 results in a dramatic loss of spore viability, suggesting that these genes play an important role in monitoring the progression of recombination. We show here that the role of mitotic checkpoint genes in meiosis is not limited to maintaining arrest in abnormal meioses; mec1-1, rad24, and rad17 single mutants have additional meiotic defects. All three mutants display Zip1 polycomplexes in two- to threefold more nuclei than observed in wild-type controls, suggesting that synapsis may be aberrant. Additionally, all three mutants exhibit elevated levels of ectopic recombination in a novel physical assay. rad17 mutants also alter the fraction of recombination events that are accompanied by an exchange of flanking markers. Crossovers are associated with up to 90% of recombination events for one pair of alleles in rad17, as compared with 65% in wild type. Meiotic progression is not required to allow ectopic recombination in rad17 mutants, as it still occurs at elevated levels in ndt80 mutants that arrest in prophase regardless of checkpoint signaling. These observations support the suggestion that MEC1, RAD17, and RAD24, in addition to their proposed monitoring function, act to promote normal meiotic recombination.

scholarly journals Mutational Analysis of the Drosophila Sister-Chromatid Cohesion Protein ORD and Its Role in the Maintenance of Centromeric Cohesion

Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 1319-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon E Bickel ◽  
Dudley W Wyman ◽  
Terry L Orr-Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Random Segregation ◽  
Kinetochore Function ◽  
Segregation Of Chromosomes

The ord gene is required for proper segregation of all chromosomes in both male and female Drosophila meiosis. Here we describe the isolation of a null ord allele and examine the consequences of ablating ord function. Cytologically, meiotic sister-chromatid cohesion is severely disrupted in flies lacking ORD protein. Moreover, the frequency of missegregation in genetic tests is consistent with random segregation of chromosomes through both meiotic divisions, suggesting that sister cohesion may be completely abolished. However, only a slight decrease in viability is observed for ord null flies, indicating that ORD function is not essential for cohesion during somatic mitosis. In addition, we do not observe perturbation of germ-line mitotic divisions in flies lacking ORD activity. Our analysis of weaker ord alleles suggests that ORD is required for proper centromeric cohesion after arm cohesion is released at the metaphase I/anaphase I transition. Finally, although meiotic cohesion is abolished in the ord null fly, chromosome loss is not appreciable. Therefore, ORD activity appears to promote centromeric cohesion during meiosis II but is not essential for kinetochore function during anaphase.

scholarly journals The Spindle Checkpoint of the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Requires Kinetochore Function and Maps to the CBF3 Domain

Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 157 (4) ◽  
pp. 1493-1502
Author(s):  
Richard D Gardner ◽  
Atasi Poddar ◽  
Chris Yellman ◽  
Penny A Tavormina ◽  
M Cristina Monteagudo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Spindle Checkpoint ◽  
Essential Genes ◽  
Gene Fusions ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Checkpoint Signaling ◽  
One Step ◽  
Diploid Cells ◽  
Kinetochore Function

Abstract We have measured the activity of the spindle checkpoint in null mutants lacking kinetochore activity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We constructed deletion mutants for nonessential genes by one-step gene replacements. We constructed heterozygous deletions of one copy of essential genes in diploid cells and purified spores containing the deletion allele. In addition, we made gene fusions for three essential genes to target the encoded proteins for proteolysis (degron alleles). We determined that Ndc10p, Ctf13p, and Cep3p are required for checkpoint activity. In contrast, cells lacking Cbf1p, Ctf19p, Mcm21p, Slk19p, Cse4p, Mif2p, Mck1p, and Kar3p are checkpoint proficient. We conclude that the kinetochore plays a critical role in checkpoint signaling in S. cerevisiae. Spindle checkpoint activity maps to a discreet domain within the kinetochore and depends on the CBF3 protein complex.

scholarly journals The impact of chromosomes and centrosomes on spindle assembly as observed in living cells.

1995 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 1287-1300 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zhang ◽  
R B Nicklas
Keyword(s):  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Specific Site ◽  
Polarization Microscopy ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Single Chromosome ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
The Impact

We analyzed the role that chromosomes, kinetochores, and centrosomes play in spindle assembly in living grasshopper spermatocytes by reconstructing spindles lacking certain components. We used video-enhanced, polarization microscopy to distinguish the effect of each component on spindle microtubule dynamics and we discovered that both chromosomes and centrosomes make potent and very different contributions to the organization of the spindle. Remarkably, the position of a single chromosome can markedly affect the distribution of microtubules within a spindle or even alter the fate of spindle assembly. In an experimentally constructed spindle having only one chromosome, moving the chromosome to one of the two poles induces a dramatic assembly of microtubules at the nearer pole and a concomitant disassembly at the farther pole. So long as a spindle carries a single chromosome it will persist normally. A spindle will also persist even when all chromosomes are detached and then removed from the cell. If, however, a single chromosome remains in the cell but is detached from the spindle and kept in the cytoplasm, the spindle disassembles. One might expect the effect of chromosomes on spindle assembly to relate to a property of a specific site on each chromosome, perhaps the kinetochore. We have ruled out that possibility by showing that it is the size of chromosomes rather than the number of kinetochores that matters. Although chromosomes affect spindle assembly, they cannot organize a spindle in the absence of centrosomes. In contrast, centrosomes can organize a functional bipolar spindle in the absence of chromosomes. If both centrosomes and chromosomes are removed from the cell, the spindle quickly disappears.

scholarly journals Yeast Kinetochores Do Not Stabilize Stu2p-dependent Spindle Microtubule Dynamics

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 4181-4195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad G. Pearson ◽  
Paul S. Maddox ◽  
Ted R. Zarzar ◽  
E.D. Salmon ◽  
Kerry Bloom
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Cell Imaging ◽  
Regulatory Mechanism ◽  
Metaphase Plate ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Stabilization ◽  
Kinetochore Function

The interaction of kinetochores with dynamic microtubules during mitosis is essential for proper centromere motility, congression to the metaphase plate, and subsequent anaphase chromosome segregation. Budding yeast has been critical in the discovery of proteins necessary for this interaction. However, the molecular mechanism for microtubule–kinetochore interactions remains poorly understood. Using live cell imaging and mutations affecting microtubule binding proteins and kinetochore function, we identify a regulatory mechanism for spindle microtubule dynamics involving Stu2p and the core kinetochore component, Ndc10p. Depleting cells of the microtubule binding protein Stu2p reduces kinetochore microtubule dynamics. Centromeres remain under tension but lack motility. Thus, normal microtubule dynamics are not required to maintain tension at the centromere. Loss of the kinetochore (ndc10-1, ndc10-2, and ctf13-30) does not drastically affect spindle microtubule turnover, indicating that Stu2p, not the kinetochore, is the foremost governor of microtubule dynamics. Disruption of kinetochore function with ndc10-1 does not affect the decrease in microtubule turnover in stu2 mutants, suggesting that the kinetochore is not required for microtubule stabilization. Remarkably, a partial kinetochore defect (ndc10-2) suppresses the decreased spindle microtubule turnover in the absence of Stu2p. These results indicate that Stu2p and Ndc10p differentially function in controlling kinetochore microtubule dynamics necessary for centromere movements.

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