Phosphorylation by cyclin B-Cdk underlies release of mitotic exit activator Cdc14 from the nucleolus

Budding yeast protein phosphatase Cdc14 is sequestered in the nucleolus in an inactive state during interphase by the anchor protein Net1. Upon entry into anaphase, the Cdc14 early anaphase release (FEAR) network initiates dispersal of active Cdc14 throughout the cell. We report that the FEARnetwork promotes phosphorylation of Net1 by cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) complexed with cyclin B1 or cyclin B2. These phosphorylations appear to be required for FEAR and sustain the proper timing of late mitotic events. Thus, a regulatory circuit exists to ensure that the arbiter of the mitotic state, Cdk, sets in motion events that culminate in exit from mitosis.     

Greatwall phosphorylates an inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A that is essential for mitosis

Entry into mitosis in eukaryotes requires the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). Cdk1 is opposed by protein phosphatases in two ways: They inhibit activation of Cdk1 by dephosphorylating the protein kinases Wee1 and Myt1 and the protein phosphatase Cdc25 (key regulators of Cdk1), and they also antagonize Cdk1's own phosphorylation of downstream targets. A particular form of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) containing a B55δ subunit (PP2A- B55δ) is the major protein phosphatase that acts on model CDK substrates in Xenopus egg extracts and has antimitotic activity. The activity of PP2A-B55δ is high in interphase and low in mitosis, exactly opposite that of Cdk1. We report that inhibition of PP2A-B55δ results from a small protein, known as α-endosulfine (Ensa), that is phosphorylated in mitosis by the protein kinase Greatwall (Gwl). This converts Ensa into a potent and specific inhibitor of PP2A-B55δ. This pathway represents a previously unknown element in the control of mitosis.     

Separase regulates INCENP-Aurora B anaphase spindle function through Cdc14

The inner centromere-like protein (INCENP) forms a complex with the evolutionarily conserved family of Aurora Bkinases. The INCENP-Aurora complex helps coordinate chromosome segregation, spindle behavior, and cytokinesis during mitosis. INCENP-Aurora associates with kinetochores in metaphase and with spindle microtubules in anaphase, yet the trigger for this abrupt transfer is unknown. Here we show that the conserved phosphatase Cdc14 regulated the yeast INCENP-Aurora complex, Sli15-Ipl1. Cdc14 dephosphorylated Sli15 and thereby directed the complex to spindles. Activation of Cdc14 by separase was sufficient for Sli15 dephosphorylation and relocalization. Cdc14 not only regulates mitotic exit but also modulates spindle midzone assembly through Sli15-Ipl1.     

Rapid destruction of human Cdc25A in response to DNA damage

To protect genome integrity and ensure survival, eukaryotic cells exposed to genotoxic stress cease proliferating to provide time for DNA repair. Human cells responded to ultraviolet light or ionizing radiation by rapid, ubiquitin- and proteasome-dependent protein degradation of Cdc25A, a phosphatase that is required for progression from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle. This response involved activated Chk1 protein kinase but not the p53 pathway, and the persisting inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdk2 blocked entry into S phase and DNA replication. Overexpression of Cdc25A bypassed this mechanism, leading to enhanced DNA damage and decreased cell survival. These results identify specific degradation of Cdc25A as part of the DNA damage checkpoint mechanism and suggest how Cdc25A overexpression in human cancers might contribute to tumorigenesis.     

不同花生品种B06基因的克隆与序列分析

Dof（DNA binding with one finger）转录因子是一类植物特有的、进化上高度保守的基因家族,对植物多方面的生理过程均发挥调控作用。根据Dof家族中的一个B06基因的cDNA保守序列设计引物,对8个品种花生的B06基因进行PCR扩增克隆相似基因,并测定序列。实验成功克隆出四粒红和073103的完整...     

Activation by IKKalpha of a second, evolutionary conserved, NF-kappa B signaling pathway

In mammals, the canonical nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway activated in response to infections is based on degradation of IkappaB inhibitors. This pathway depends on the IkappaB kinase (IKK), which contains two catalytic subunits, IKKalpha and IKKbeta. IKKbeta is essential for inducible IkappaB phosphorylation and degradation, whereas IKKalpha is not. Here we show that IKKalpha is required for B cell maturation, formation of secondary lymphoid organs, increased expression of certain NF-kappaB target genes, and processing of the NF-kappaB2 (p100) precursor. IKKalpha preferentially phosphorylates NF-kappaB2, and this activity requires its phosphorylation by upstream kinases, one of which may be NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK). IKKalpha is therefore a pivotal component of a second NF-kappaB activation pathway based on regulated NF-kappaB2 processing rather than IkappaB degradation.     

蛋白质磷酸化调控羊肉肌原纤维蛋白的功能

【目的】通过激活蛋白激酶的活性提高羊肉肌原纤维蛋白的磷酸化水平,分析磷酸化水平的提高对羊肉肌原纤维蛋白降解程度、收缩功能的影响,进一步揭示蛋白质磷酸化对羊肉肌肉嫩化的作用机理。【方法】通过添加蛋白激酶A激活剂Forskolin、蛋白激酶C激活剂佛波酯（PMA）,提高蛋白激酶的活性,改变羊肉肌原纤维蛋白的磷酸化水平。比较激活剂处理组与空白对照组肌原纤维小片化指数（MFI）、条带降解程度、肌节长度等指标的差异,确定蛋白质磷酸化水平对羊肉肌肉收缩和肌肉降解的影响。【结果】将羊肉样品在蛋白激酶溶液中培养24 h,在培养结束后1、2和4 h,PMA处理组（PKC激活组）的蛋白激酶活性显著高于空白对照组（P＜0.05）,而在培养后1和4 h,Forskolin处理组（PKA激活组）的蛋白激酶活性显著高于空白对照组（P＜0.05）。PMA处理组和Forskolin处理组的最高蛋白激酶活性出现在培养后1 h。Forskolin和PMA通过提高激酶活性显著提高肌联蛋白（Titin）、肌球蛋白结合蛋白C（Myosin binding protein C）、原肌球蛋白（Tropomyosin）、肌球蛋白轻链2（Myosin light chain 2）等蛋白质的磷酸化水平,肌球蛋白重链、肌动蛋白质的磷酸化水平没有显著变化,Forskolin组和PMA组的蛋白质降解程度及肌节长度均低于对照组。【结论】肌原纤维蛋白磷酸化水平提高不利于羊肉肌原纤维蛋白的降解。另一方面,磷酸化水平可能通过对肌球蛋白轻链2的作用增强羊肉肌肉的收缩作用力,通过促进相邻原肌球蛋白的相互作用促进肌细丝收缩,影响肉的僵直进程和嫩化进程。     

Reconstitution of G1 cyclin ubiquitination with complexes containing SCFGrr1 and Rbx1

Control of cyclin levels is critical for proper cell cycle regulation. In yeast, the stability of the G1 cyclin Cln1 is controlled by phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination. Here it is shown that this reaction can be reconstituted in vitro with an SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. Phosphorylated Cln1 was ubiquitinated by SCF (Skp1-Cdc53-F-box protein) complexes containing the F-box protein Grr1, Rbx1, and the E2 Cdc34. Rbx1 promotes association of Cdc34 with Cdc53 and stimulates Cdc34 auto-ubiquitination in the context of Cdc53 or SCF complexes. Rbx1, which is also a component of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor complex, may define a previously unrecognized class of E3-associated proteins.     

Dynamic complex formation during the yeast cell cycle

To analyze the dynamics of protein complexes during the yeast cell cycle, we integrated data on protein interactions and gene expression. The resulting time-dependent interaction network places both periodically and constitutively expressed proteins in a temporal cell cycle context, thereby revealing previously unknown components and modules. We discovered that most complexes consist of both periodically and constitutively expressed subunits, which suggests that the former control complex activity by a mechanism of just-in-time assembly. Consistent with this, we show that additional regulation through targeted degradation and phosphorylation by Cdc28p (Cdk1) specifically affects the periodically expressed proteins.     

Requirement of the prolyl isomerase Pin1 for the replication checkpoint

The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 has been implicated in regulating cell cycle progression. Pin1 was found to be required for the DNA replication checkpoint in Xenopus laevis. Egg extracts depleted of Pin1 inappropriately transited from the G2 to the M phase of the cell cycle in the presence of the DNA replication inhibitor aphidicolin. This defect in replication checkpoint function was reversed after the addition of recombinant wild-type Pin1, but not an isomerase-inactive mutant, to the depleted extract. Premature mitotic entry in the absence of Pin1 was accompanied by hyperphosphorylation of Cdc25, activation of Cdc2/cyclin B, and generation of epitopes recognized by the mitotic phosphoprotein antibody, MPM-2. Therefore, Pin1 appears to be required for the checkpoint delaying the onset of mitosis in response to incomplete replication.     

Inhibition of myosin light chain kinase by p21-activated kinase

p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are implicated in the cytoskeletal changes induced by the Rho family of guanosine triphosphatases. Cytoskeletal dynamics are primarily modulated by interactions of actin and myosin II that are regulated by myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)-mediated phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain (MLC). p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) phosphorylates MLCK, resulting in decreased MLCK activity. MLCK activity and MLC phosphorylation were decreased, and cell spreading was inhibited in baby hamster kidney-21 and HeLa cells expressing constitutively active PAK1. These data indicate that MLCK is a target for PAKs and that PAKs may regulate cytoskeletal dynamics by decreasing MLCK activity and MLC phosphorylation.     

Proteomic screen finds pSer/pThr-binding domain localizing Plk1 to mitotic substrates

We have developed a proteomic approach for identifying phosphopeptide binding domains that modulate kinase-dependent signaling pathways. An immobilized library of partially degenerate phosphopeptides biased toward a particular protein kinase phosphorylation motif is used to isolate phospho-binding domains that bind to proteins phosphorylated by that kinase. Applying this approach to cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), we identified the polo-box domain (PBD) of the mitotic kinase polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) as a specific phosphoserine (pSer) or phosphothreonine (pThr) binding domain and determined its optimal binding motif. This motif is present in known Plk1 substrates such as Cdc25, and an optimal phosphopeptide containing the motif disrupted PBD-substrate binding and localization of the PBD to centrosomes. This finding reveals how Plk1 can localize to specific sites within cells in response to Cdk phosphorylation at those sites and provides a structural mechanism for targeting the Plk1 kinase domain to its substrates.     

Induction of metaphase arrest in cleaving Xenopus embryos by the protein kinase p90Rsk

Before fertilization, vertebrate eggs are arrested in metaphase of meiosis II by cytostatic factor (CSF), an activity that requires activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. To investigate whether CSF arrest is mediated by the protein kinase p90Rsk, which is phosphorylated and activated by MAPK, a constitutively activated (CA) form of Rsk was expressed in Xenopus embryos. Expression of CA Rsk resulted in cleavage arrest, and cytological analysis showed that arrested blastomeres were in M phase with prominent spindles characteristic of meiotic metaphase. Thus, Rsk appears to be the mediator of MAPK-dependent CSF arrest in vertebrate unfertilized eggs.     

Stem cell depletion through epidermal deletion of Rac1

Mammalian epidermis is maintained by self-renewal of stem cells, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Deletion of Rac1, a Rho guanosine triphosphatase, in adult mouse epidermis stimulated stem cells to divide and undergo terminal differentiation, leading to failure to maintain the interfollicular epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. Rac1 exerts its effects in the epidermis by negatively regulating c-Myc through p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) phosphorylation. We conclude that a pleiotropic regulator of cell adhesion and the cytoskeleton plays a critical role in controlling exit from the stem cell niche and propose that Rac and Myc represent a global stem cell regulatory axis.     

Cdc42蛋白在牛卵母细胞中的表达分布及对其成熟的影响

【目的】探明Cdc42蛋白在牛卵母细胞成熟过程中的表达及分布规律,并且研究抑制Cdc42活性对于牛卵母细胞成熟的影响。【方法】首先通过收集体外成熟不同时间（0-24 h）的牛卵母细胞,用Western blotting的方法检测Cdc42蛋白在牛卵母细胞中的表达量变化情况,通过免疫细胞化学的方法检测Cdc42蛋白在牛卵母细胞中的分布及定位情况。根据GenBank公布的牛Cdc42基因（GenBank登录号：NM_001046332.1）的mRNA序列设计引物,并在正向和反向引物的末端分别加上KpnⅠ和EcoRⅠ酶切位点,用PCR的方法扩增牛Cdc42基因的CDS区,将PCR产物和pMD19T载体连接得到野生型的克隆载体pMD19T-Cdc42WT。用定点突变引物以pMD19T-Cdc42WT为模板进行PCR反应,得到Cdc42的显性负性突变体Cdc42T17N的克隆载体pMD19T-Cdc42T17N。将pMD19T-Cdc42WT和pMD19T-Cdc42T17N分别酶切后,将Cdc42WT（775 bp）和Cdc42T17N（775 bp）片段分别连接到pcDNA3.1（+）的多克隆位点区域,得到相应的原核表达载体pcDNA3.1（+）-Cdc42WT和pcDNA3.1（+）-Cdc42T17N。用体外转录的方法分别得到Cdc42WT和Cdc42T17N的cRNA,用显微注射的方法将相应的cRNA分别注入到牛GV期卵母细胞质内,检测其成熟率的变化。【结果】①Cdc42蛋白分别在牛卵母细胞中成熟培养0、4、8、12、16、20以及24 h时表达量没有明显差异,但是其分布规律随着减数分裂的进行发生着动态的变化：Cdc42蛋白在卵母细胞皮质区域集中分布的模式在生发泡（germinal vesicle,GV）期卵母细胞中很少出现,而在第一次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅰ,MⅠ）卵母细胞中出现得最多也最为明显;Cdc42蛋白在染色体附近的皮质富集的现象开始出现于前中期（pro-metaphase Ⅰ,pMⅠ）,并且出现频率从pMⅠ期到第2次减数分裂中期（metaphase Ⅱ,MⅡ）逐渐增多;Cdc42蛋白和纺锤体重叠定位的现象在第1次减数分裂后期（anaphase Ⅰ,AⅠ）到末期（telophaseⅠ,TⅠ）的卵母细胞中占有有很高比例,而到MⅡ期时这种现象又很少出现。②从牛卵母细胞的总cDNA中扩增Cdc42基因得到785 bp的片段,构建的牛Cdc42的野生型及其显性负性突变体的克隆载体pMD19T-Cdc42WT和pMD19T-Cdc42T17N经酶切鉴定和以及测序比对后,符合预期结果,即成功克隆了牛野生型Cdc42基因并得到其显性负性突变体Cdc42T17N;③构建的相应的原核表达载体pcDNA3.1（+）-Cdc42WT和pcDNA3.1（+）-Cdc42T17N经酶切鉴定和测序比对,符合预期结果,经过体外转录均得到一个3079 bases和987 bases的RNA片段,符合预期结果,即成功构建了相应的原核表达载体并获得相应的cRNA;④与正常成熟培养组和注射Cdc42WTcRNA的牛卵母细胞相比,注射Cdc42T17NcRNA的成熟率显著降低（P<0.05）。【结论】卵母细胞在卵泡发育过程中就已经积累了足够的Cdc42蛋白,而在减数分裂过程中Cdc42可以在卵母细胞的皮质以及纺锤体的位置发挥作用,而且正常的Cdc42活性是牛卵母细胞完成成熟过程并排出第一极体所必需的。     

Regulation of cell polarity and protrusion formation by targeting RhoA for degradation

The Rho family of small guanosine triphosphatases regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics that underlie cellular functions such as cell shape changes, migration, and polarity. We found that Smurf1, a HECT domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulated cell polarity and protrusive activity and was required to maintain the transformed morphology and motility of a tumor cell. Atypical protein kinase C zeta (PKCzeta), an effector of the Cdc42/Rac1-PAR6 polarity complex, recruited Smurf1 to cellular protrusions, where it controlled the local level of RhoA. Smurf1 thus links the polarity complex to degradation of RhoA in lamellipodia and filopodia to prevent RhoA signaling during dynamic membrane movements.     

Ability of the c-mos product to associate with and phosphorylate tubulin.

The mos proto-oncogene product, pp39mos, is a protein kinase and has been equated with cytostatic factor (CSF), an activity in unfertilized eggs that is thought to be responsible for the arrest of meiosis at metaphase II. The biochemical properties and potential substrates of pp39mos were examined in unfertilized eggs and in transformed cells in order to study how the protein functions both as CSF and in transformation. The pp39mos protein associated with polymers under conditions that favor tubulin oligomerization and was present in an approximately 500-kilodalton "core" complex under conditions that favor depolymerization. beta-Tubulin was preferentially coprecipitated in pp39mos immunoprecipitates and was the major phosphorylated product in a pp39mos-dependent immune complex kinase assay. Immunofluorescence analysis of NIH 3T3 cells transformed with Xenopus c-mos showed that pp39mos colocalizes with tubulin in the spindle during metaphase and in the midbody and asters during telophase. Disruption of microtubules with nocodazole affected tubulin and pp39mos organization in the same way. It therefore appears that pp39mos is a tubulin-associated protein kinase and may thus participate in the modification of microtubules and contribute to the formation of the spindle. This activity expressed during interphase in somatic cells may be responsible for the transforming activity of pp39mos.     

Phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitination of cyclin E by the SCFFbw7 ubiquitin ligase

Cyclin E binds and activates the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk2 and catalyzes the transition from the G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle. The amount of cyclin E protein present in the cell is tightly controlled by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Here we identify the ubiquitin ligase responsible for cyclin E ubiquitination as SCFFbw7 and demonstrate that it is functionally conserved in yeast, flies, and mammals. Fbw7 associates specifically with phosphorylated cyclin E, and SCFFbw7 catalyzes cyclin E ubiquitination in vitro. Depletion of Fbw7 leads to accumulation and stabilization of cyclin E in vivo in human and Drosophila melanogaster cells. Multiple F-box proteins contribute to cyclin E stability in yeast, suggesting an overlap in SCF E3 ligase specificity that allows combinatorial control of cyclin E degradation.     

Chromosome alignment and segregation regulated by ubiquitination of survivin

Proper chromosome segregation requires the attachment of sister kinetochores to microtubules from opposite spindle poles to form bi-oriented chromosomes on the metaphase spindle. The chromosome passenger complex containing Survivin and the kinase Aurora B regulates this process from the centromeres. We report that a de-ubiquitinating enzyme, hFAM, regulates chromosome alignment and segregation by controlling both the dynamic association of Survivin with centromeres and the proper targeting of Survivin and Aurora B to centromeres. Survivin is ubiquitinated in mitosis through both Lys(48) and Lys(63) ubiquitin linkages. Lys(63) de-ubiquitination mediated by hFAM is required for the dissociation of Survivin from centromeres, whereas Lys(63) ubiquitination mediated by the ubiquitin binding protein Ufd1 is required for the association of Survivin with centromeres. Thus, ubiquitinaton regulates dynamic protein-protein interactions and chromosome segregation independently of protein degradation.