CDC25B acts as a potential target of PRKACA in fertilized mouse eggs

Protein kinase A (PRKACA) has been documented as a pivotal regulator in meiosis and mitosis arrest. Although our previous work has established that PRKACA regulates cell cycle progression of mouse fertilized eggs by inhibiting M-phase promoting factor (MPF), little is known about the intermediate factor between PRKACA and MPF in the mitotic cell cycle. In this study, we investigated the role of the PRKACA/CDC25B pathway on the early development of mouse fertilized eggs. Overexpression of unphosphorylatable CDC25B mutant (Cdc25b-S321A or Cdc25b-S229A/S321A) rapidly caused G2-phase eggs to enter mitosis. Microinjection of either Cdc25b-WT or Cdc25b-S229A mRNA also promoted G2/M transition, but much less efficiently than Cdc25b-S321A and Cdc25b-S229A/S321A. Moreover, mouse fertilized eggs overrode the G2 arrest by microinjection of either Cdc25b-S321A or Cdc25b-S229A/S321A mRNA, which efficiently resulted in MPF activation by directly dephosphorylating CDC2A-Tyr15, despite culture under conditions that maintained exogenous dibutyryl cAMP. Using a highly specific antibody against phospho-Ser321 of CDC25B in Western blotting, we showed that CDC25B-Ser321 was phosphorylated at the G1 and S phases, whereas Ser321 was dephosphorylated at the G2 and M phases in vivo. Our findings identify CDC25B as a potential target of PRKACA and show that PRKACA regulates G2/M transition by phosphorylating CDC25B-Ser321 but not CDC25B-Ser229 on the first mitotic division of mouse fertilized eggs.     

PKA-regulated phosphorylation status of S149 and S321 sites of CDC25B inhibits mitosis of fertilized mouse eggs

To further test whether protein kinase A (PKA) can affect the mitotic cell cycle, one-cell stage mouse embryos at S phase (22 h after hCG injection) were incubated in M16 medium containing various concentrations of H-89, a PKA inhibitor. With increasing concentrations of H-89 (0-50 μmol/L), the G(2) phase of eggs was decreased and the cleavage rate was accelerated. A concentration of 40 μmol/L H-89 led to all of the mouse eggs entering the M phase of mitosis. Furthermore, to study the role of PKA in regulating the phosphorylation status of S149 and S321 sites of cell division cycle 25B (CDC25B) on one-cell stage fertilized mouse eggs, pBSK-CDC25B-WT, pBSK-CDC25B-S149A, pBSK-CDC25B-S321A and pBSK-CDC25B-S149A/S321A were transcribed into mRNAs in vitro, then mRNAs were microinjected into S phase of mouse fertilized eggs and cultured in M16 medium pretreated with H-89. Then, the cleavage of fertilized eggs, maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity and phosphorylation status of CDC2-Tyr15 were observed. In the presence of 40 μmol/L H-89, the cleavage rate of fertilized eggs in CDC25B-S/A-mRNAs and CDC25B-WT-mRNA injected groups was significantly higher than that in the control groups, and the peak of MPF activity appeared in the CDC25B-S/A-mRNAs and CDC25B-WT-mRNA injected groups earlier than that in the control groups. CDC2-Tyr15 phosphorylation state was consistent with MPF activity. In conclusion, the present study suggests that PKA regulates the early development of mouse embryos by phosphorylation of S149 and S321 of CDC25B, which plays an important role in the regulation of G(2)/M transition in the mitotic cell cycle of fertilized mouse eggs.     

dbcAMP通过Cdc25B蛋白调控小鼠1-细胞期受精卵发育

为了研究PKA激活剂dbcAMP通过调控小鼠Cdc25B蛋白S149和S321位点磷酸化状态影响 小鼠1-细胞期受精卵的发育,将质粒pBSK-Cdc25B-WT、pBSK-Cdc25B-S149A、pBSK- Cdc25B-S321A和pBSK-Cdc25B-S149A/S321A体外转录成mRNA;显微注射入S期受精卵中 ,在2 mmol/L dbcAMP的M16培养基中培养,观察其对受精卵发育、MPF活性及CDC2- pTyr15磷酸化状态的影响. 结果显示,在有dbcAMP存在时,各组受精卵卵裂时间延迟 ,但Cdc25B-S/A mRNAs注射组受精卵卵裂率明显高于Cdc25B-WT mRNA注射组,MPF 活性提前达到高峰;CDC2-pTyr15磷酸化状态和MPF活性变化相一致. 因此,在小鼠1- 细胞期受精卵有丝分裂过程中,PKA对小鼠Cdc25B蛋白S149位点与S321位点的磷酸化 修饰是控制受精卵G2/M转换的重要方式.     

小鼠受精卵微注射Cdc25b mRNA可提高卵裂率并促进受精卵发育

为了观察Cdc25B蛋白及PKA/Cdc25B 信号途径在小鼠受精卵发育中的作用,将突变型和野生型Cdc25b转录成 mRNA,显微注射到小鼠受精卵中,放入含有或不含有dbcAMP的M16中,相差显微镜下观察受精卵卵裂情况;用蛋白激酶活性测定方法检测MPF的活性;利用Western 印迹检测Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态.结果显示,未加dbcAMP的Cdc25b- S321A mRNA注射组与Cdc25b-WT组相比,能够提前使受精卵发生G ₂/M期转变,导致卵裂,并明显提高卵裂率;MPF的活性测定和Cdc2-Tyr15磷酸化状态的检测结果也显示,Cdc25b-S321A组先于Cdc25b-WT组提前激活MPF.此外, Cdc25b-S321A mRNA注射组可以有效恢复由PKA引起的受精卵G ₂期阻滞,显著增加卵裂率;MPF的活性测定和Cdc2-Tyr15磷酸化状态的检测结果也显示,在PKA持续激活的情况下,对比于Cdc25b-WT组,Cdc25b-S321A组提前激活MPF.因此,在小鼠受精卵发育过程中PKA主要通过磷酸化Cdc25B的321位丝氨酸,从而调控MPF的激活与失活来控制有丝分裂进程.     

CDC25B蛋白亚细胞定位调控小鼠1-细胞期受精卵发育

为探讨小鼠细胞分裂周期25B（CDC25B）蛋白149位丝氨酸磷酸化状态对小鼠1 细胞期受精卵中CDC25B的亚细胞定位和发育的影响,应用定制的CDC25B-pS149位的 磷酸化和非磷酸化抗体检测小鼠1-细胞期受精卵各细胞时期的磷酸化和非磷酸化状 态;应用免疫荧光观察各期受精卵中CDC25B蛋白的定位情况;将质粒pEGFP-CDC25B -WT、pEGFP-CDC25B-S149A和pEGFP-CDC25B-S149D融合质粒及空载体质粒显微注射入 G1期受精卵中,观察不同显微注射组小鼠1-细胞期受精卵中外源性CDC25B蛋白亚细 胞定位．结果显示,CDC25B-S149位丝氨酸在G1和S期被磷酸化,在G2和M期去磷酸化 ．1-细胞期受精卵从G2向M期的转换过程中,发生了CDC25B向细胞核区的移位,到2- 细胞初期,部分CDC25B蛋白又从细胞核回到细胞浆．实验结果提示,小鼠1-细胞期受精卵G2/M期转换过程中,CDC25B 的S149位点磷酸化修饰可能是对CDC25B细胞内定 位及其活性的精确调节方式．     

Cdc25B在小鼠受精卵的表达和定位

为阐明细胞分裂周期(Cdc)25B调控小鼠受精卵发育的机制,利用Western印迹检测小鼠受精卵各时期Cdc25B的表达及Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化状态。利用间接免疫荧光技术观察Cdc25B在小鼠受精卵的定位。构建pEGFP-Cdc25B融合表达载体并显微注射到受精卵中,观察Cdc25B在受精卵M期的定位变化。结果表明Cdc25B在G1和S期被磷酸化,在G2和M期去磷酸化。Cdc2-Tyr15在G1和S期处于磷酸化状态,G2期只检测到Cdc2-Tyr15轻微的磷酸化信号,M期未检测到任何Cdc2-Tyr15的磷酸化信号。Cdc25B在G1期定位于细胞质和细胞核中,S和G2期定位于细胞质的皮质部分,M期由细胞质转向核区。证明Cdc25B核输出后激活有丝分裂促进因子,从而启动小鼠受精卵的有丝分裂。     

Wee1B蛋白S15位点突变抑制小鼠1-细胞期受精卵的发育

为研究小鼠Wee1B蛋白S15位点磷酸化状态对小鼠1-细胞期受精卵发育的影响,构建pcDNA3.1/V5-His-TOPO-Wee1B-S15A（Ser突变成Ala）/D（Ser突变成Asp）突变体,体外转录成mRNAs. 对小鼠进行超排卵后当晚与雄鼠1∶1合笼,第2 d早取受精卵后培养至S期,显微注射Wee1B-WT(野生型)/KD（激酶失活型)-mRNAs和突变体Wee1B-S15A/D-mRNAs,观察其对受精卵发育、有丝分裂促进因子（MPF）活性及CDC2-pTyr15磷酸化状态的影响.结果表明,过表达Wee1B -WT和Wee1B-S15A/D可有效抑制受精卵有丝分裂进程,明显降低卵裂率. 过表达模拟磷酸化的突变明显抑制MPF的活性,CDC2-pTyr15磷酸化状态和MPF活性变化相一致. 因此,在小鼠1-细胞期受精卵有丝分裂过程中,PKA对小鼠Wee1B蛋白S15位点的磷酸化修饰是控制受精卵G2/M转换的重要方式.     

Protein kinase A regulates resumption of meiosis by phosphorylation of Cdc25B in mammalian oocytes

In mammalian oocytes, meiosis arrests at prophase I. Meiotic resumption requires activation of Maturation-Promoting Factor (MPF), comprised of a catalytic Cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (Cdk1) and a regulatory subunit cyclin B, and results in germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Cyclic AMP (cAMP)-mediated Protein Kinase A (PKA) activity sustains prophase arrest by inhibiting Cdk1. However, the link between PKA activity and MPF inhibition remains unclear. Cdc25 phosphatases can activate Cdks by removing inhibitory phosphates from Cdks. Thus one method for sustaining prophase arrest could be inhibition of the activity of the Cdc25 protein required for MPF activation. Indeed, studies in Xenopus identify Cdc25C as a target of PKA activity in meiosis. However, in mice, studies suggest that Cdc25B is the phosphatase essential for GVBD and, therefore, the likely target of PKA activity. To assess these questions, we targeted a potential PKA substrate, a highly conserved serine 321 residue of Cdc25B and evaluated the effect on oocyte maturation. A Cdc25B-Ser321Ala point mutant mRNA induces GVBD when injected into prophase-arrested oocytes more rapidly than wild type mRNA. Using fluorescently-tagged proteins we also determined that the mutant protein enters the nucleus more rapidly than its wildtype counterpart. These data suggest that phosphorylation of the Ser321 residue plays a key role in the negative regulation and localization of Cdc25B during prophase arrest. PKA also phosphorylates a wildtype Cdc25B protein but not a Ser321Ala mutant protein in vitro. Mutation of Ser321 in Cdc25B also affects its association with a sequestering protein, 14-3-3. Our studies suggest that Cdc25B is a direct target of PKA in prophase-arrested oocytes and that Cdc25B phosphorylation results in its inhibition and sequestration by the 14-3-3 protein.     

Involvement of protein kinase B/AKT in early development of mouse fertilized eggs

The activation of AKT (also called protein kinase B) is thought to be a critical step in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway that regulates cell growth and differentiation. In this report, we investigated the role of AKT in the regulation of mouse early embryo development. Injection of mRNA coding for a constitutively active myristoylated AKT (myr-Akt1) into one-cell stage fertilized eggs induced cell division more effectively than injection of wild-type AKT (Akt1-WT) mRNA, whereas microinjection of mRNA of kinase-deficient AKT (Akt1-KD) delayed the first mitotic division. Meanwhile, microinjection of different kinds of mRNA of AKT affected the phosphorylation status of CDC2A-Tyr15 and the activation of M-phase promoting factor (MPF). To investigate the intermediate factor between AKT and MPF, we then injected one-cell stage eggs first with Akt1-WT mRNA or myr-Akt1 mRNA and then with mRNA encoding either wild-type CDC25B (Cdc25b-WT) or a AKT-nonphosphorylatable Ser351 to Ala CDC25B mutant (Cdc25b-S351A). Cdc25b-S351A strongly inhibited the effect of AKT. Therefore, AKT causes the activation of MPF and strongly promotes the development of one-cell stage mouse fertilized eggs by inducing AKT-dependent phosphorylation of CDC25B, a member of the CDC25 phosphatase family. Our finding that CDC25B acts as a potential target of AKT provides new insight into the effect of AKT in the regulation of early development of mouse embryos.     

Polo-like kinase 1 may regulate G2/M transition of mouse fertilized eggs by means of inhibiting the phosphorylation of Tyr 15 of Cdc2

Polo-like kinase 1(Plk1) has been reported to be a multifunctional kinase that plays pivotal regulatory roles in microtubule assembly during mammalian early embryonic mitosis. In the present study, we examined the expression of Plk1 at protein and mRNA level in mouse fertilized eggs by Western blot and RT-PCR. We also examined the kinase activity of Plk1. At various developmental phases of mouse one-cell stage embryos, both the protein and the mRNA of Plk1 were uniformly distributed; but the kinase activity of Plk1 increased at G2/M phase and decreased at the end of M phase. At the meantime, the phosphorylation of Tyr 15 of Cdc2 was inhibited at M phase. To investigate its function in mammalian fertilized eggs further, we used specific short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) and scytonemin, the putative inhibitor of Plk1 to suppress the activity of Plk1 in mouse fertilized eggs. Upon blockage of the activation of with Plk1 shRNA and scytonemin in mouse one-cell stage embryos, the cleavage rate decreased and the phosphorylation level of Tyr 15 of Cdc2 increased. These results imply that the Plk1 may regulate cell cycle progression of mouse fertilized eggs by means of inhibiting the phosphorylation of Tyr 15 of Cdc2.     

Effects of protein kinase C on M-phase promoting factor in early development of fertilized mouse eggs

The mechanism of development of mouse fertilized eggs from the one-cell stage to the two-cell stage remains unclear to date. In the present study, we have evaluated protein kinase C (PKC) and M-phase promoting factor (MPF) kinase activity in fertilized mouse eggs treated with a PKC modulator. PKC and MPF activity have similar activity. The two subunits of MPF, p34(cdc2) and cyclin B, were shown to be included in the substrates phosphorylated by PKC in fertilized mouse eggs, while PKC modulator affected the electrophoretic mobility shift of cdc2 and cdc25C by dephosphorylation and phosphorylation. These results clearly indicate that PKC may affect the progression of the cell cycle through post-translational modification of MPF activity.     

Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage of mouse zygotes triggers G2/M checkpoint and phosphorylates Cdc25 and Cdc2

In vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos show both cell cycle and developmental arrest. We previously showed oxidative damage activates the ATM?→?Chk1?→?Cdc25B/Cdc25C cascade to mediate G2/M cell cycle arrest for repair of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage in sperm. However, the mechanisms underlying the developmental delay of zygotes are unknown. To develop a model of oxidative-damaged zygotes, we treated mouse zygotes with different concentrations of H₂O₂ (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05 mM), and evaluated in vitro zygote development, BrdU incorporation to detect the duration of S phase. We also examined reactive oxygen species level and used immunofluorescence to detect activation of γH2AX, Cdc2, and Cdc25. Oxidatively damaged zygotes showed a delay in G2/M phase and produced a higher level of ROS. At the same time, γH2AX was detected in oxidatively damaged zygotes as well as phospho-Cdc25B (Ser323), phospho-Cdc25C (Ser216), and phospho-Cdc2 (Tyr15). Our study indicates that oxidative stress-induced DNA damage of mouse zygotes triggers the cell cycle checkpoint, which results in G2/M cell cycle arrest, and that phospho-Cdc25B (Ser323), phospho-Cdc25C (Ser216), and phospho-Cdc2 (Tyr15) participate in activating the G2/M checkpoint.     

Phosphorylation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 1 (GRK1) is regulated by light but independent of phototransduction in rod photoreceptors

Phosphorylation of rhodopsin by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 1 (GRK1, or rhodopsin kinase) is critical for the deactivation of the phototransduction cascade in vertebrate photoreceptors. Based on our previous studies in vitro, we predicted that Ser(21) in GRK1 would be phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in vivo. Here, we report that dark-adapted, wild-type mice demonstrate significantly elevated levels of phosphorylated GRK1 compared with light-adapted animals. Based on comparatively slow half-times for phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, phosphorylation of GRK1 by PKA is likely to be involved in light and dark adaptation. In mice missing the gene for adenylyl cyclase type 1, levels of phosphorylated GRK1 were low in retinas from both dark- and light-adapted animals. These data are consistent with reports that cAMP levels are high in the dark and low in the light and also indicate that cAMP generated by adenylyl cyclase type 1 is required for phosphorylation of GRK1 on Ser(21). Surprisingly, dephosphorylation was induced by light in mice missing the rod transducin α-subunit. This result indicates that phototransduction does not play a direct role in the light-dependent dephosphorylation of GRK1.     

Wee1B is an oocyte-specific kinase involved in the control of meiotic arrest in the mouse

In most species, the meiotic cell cycle is arrested at the transition between prophase and metaphase through unclear somatic signals. Activation of the Cdc2-kinase component of maturation promoting factor (MPF) triggers germinal vesicle breakdown after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and reentry into the meiotic cell cycle. Although high levels of cAMP and activation of protein kinase A (PKA) play a critical role in maintaining an inactive Cdc2, the steps downstream of PKA in the oocyte remain unknown. Using a small-pool expression-screening strategy, we have isolated several putative PKA substrates from a mouse oocyte cDNA library. One of these clones encodes a Wee1-like kinase that prevents progesterone-induced oocyte maturation when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Unlike the widely expressed Wee1 and Myt1, mWee1B mRNA and its protein are expressed only in oocytes, and mRNA downregulation by RNAi injection in vitro or transgenic overexpression of RNAi in vivo causes a leaky meiotic arrest. Ser15 residue of mWee1B is the major PKA phosphorylation site in vitro, and the inhibitory effects of the kinase are enhanced when this residue is phosphorylated. Thus, mWee1B is a key MPF inhibitory kinase in mouse oocytes, functions downstream of PKA, and is required for maintaining meiotic arrest.     

Participation of MAPK, PKA and PP2A in the regulation of MPF activity in Bufo arenarum oocytes

The objectives of the present paper were to study the involvement and possible interactions of both cAMP-PKA and protein phosphatases in Bufo arenarum oocyte maturation and to determine if these pathways are independent or not of the MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade. Our results indicated that the inhibition of PKA by treatment with H-89, an inhibitor of the catalytic subunit of PKA, was capable of inducing GVBD in a dose-dependent manner by a pathway in which Cdc25 phosphatase but not the MAPK cascade is involved. The injection of 50 nl of H-89 10 μM produced GVBD percentages similar to those obtained with treatment with progesterone. In addition, the assays with okadaic acid (OA), a PP2A inhibitor, significantly enhanced the percentage of oocytes that resumed meiosis by a signal transducing pathway in which the activation of the MEK-MAPK pathway is necessary, but in which Cdc25 phosphatase was not involved. Treatment with H-89, was able to overcome the inhibitory effect of PKA on GVBD; however, the inhibition of Cdc25 activity with NaVO3 was able to overcome the induction of GVBD by H-89. Although the connections between PKA and other signalling molecules that regulate oocytes maturation are still unclear, our results suggest that phosphatase Cdc25 may be the direct substrate of PKA. In Xenopus oocytes it was proposed that PP2A, a major Ser/Thr phosphatase present, is a negative regulator of Cdc2 activation. However, in Bufo arenarum oocytes, inhibition of Cdc25 with NaVO? did not inhibit OA-induced maturation, suggesting that the target of PP2A was not the Cdc25 phosphatase. MAPK activation has been reported to be essential in Xenopus oocytes GVBD. In B. arenarum oocytes we demonstrated that the inhibition of MAPK by PD 98059 prevented the activation of MPF induced by OA, suggesting that the activation of the MAPK cascade produced an inhibition of Myt1 and, in consequence, the activation of MPF without participation of the Cdc25 phosphatase. Our results suggest that in incompetent oocytes of B. arenarum two signal transduction pathways may be involved in the control of MPF activation: (1) the inhibition of phosphatase 2A that through the MEK-MAPK pathway regulates the activity of the Myt1; and (2) the inhibition of AMPc-PKA, which affects the activity of the Cdc25 phosphatase.     

Regulation of cAMP on the first mitotic cell cycle of mouse embryos

Mitosis promoting factor (MPF) plays a central role during the first mitosis of mouse embryo. We demonstrated that MPF activity increased when one-cell stage mouse embryo initiated G2/M transition following the decrease of cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity. When cAMP and PKA activity increases again, MPF activity decreases and mouse embryo starts metaphase-anaphase transition. In the downstream of cAMP/PKA, there are some effectors such as polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), Cdc25, Mos (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase), MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wee1, anaphase-promoting complex (APC), and phosphoprotein phosphatase that are involved in the regulation of MPF activity. Here, we demonstrated that following activation of MPF, MAPK activity was steady, whereas Plk1 activity fluctuated during the first cell cycle. Plk1 activity was the highest at metaphase and decreased at metaphase-anaphase transition. Further, we established a mathematical model using Gepasi algorithm and the simulation was in agreement with the experimental data. Above all the evidences, we suggested that cAMP and PKA might be the upstream factors which were included in the regulation of the first cell cycle development of mouse embryo.     

cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Mediate Stathmin Phosphorylation for the Maintenance of Interphase Microtubules during Osmotic Stress

Dynamic microtubule changes after a cell stress challenge are required for cell survival and adaptation. Stathmin (STMN), a cytoplasmic microtubule-destabilizing phosphoprotein, regulates interphase microtubules during cell stress, but the signaling mechanisms involved are poorly defined. In this study ectopic expression of single alanine-substituted phospho-resistant mutants demonstrated that STMN Ser-38 and Ser-63 phosphorylation were specifically required to maintain interphase microtubules during hyperosmotic stress. STMN was phosphorylated on Ser-38 and Ser-63 in response to hyperosmolarity, heat shock, and arsenite treatment but rapidly dephosphorylated after oxidative stress treatment. Two-dimensional PAGE and Phos-tag gel analysis of stress-stimulated STMN phospho-isoforms revealed rapid STMN Ser-38 phosphorylation followed by subsequent Ser-25 and Ser-63 phosphorylation. Previously, we delineated stress-stimulated JNK targeting of STMN. Here, we identified cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) signaling as responsible for stress-induced STMN Ser-63 phosphorylation. Increased cAMP levels induced by cholera toxin triggered potent STMN Ser-63 phosphorylation. Osmotic stress stimulated an increase in PKA activity and elevated STMN Ser-63 and CREB (cAMP-response element-binding protein) Ser-133 phosphorylation that was substantially attenuated by pretreatment with H-89, a PKA inhibitor. Interestingly, PKA activity and subsequent phosphorylation of STMN were augmented in the absence of JNK activation, indicating JNK and PKA pathway cross-talk during stress regulation of STMN. Taken together our study indicates that JNK- and PKA-mediated STMN Ser-38 and Ser-63 phosphorylation are required to preserve interphase microtubules in response to hyperosmotic stress.     

Plk1 promotes nuclear translocation of human Cdc25C during prophase

The nuclear accumulation of active M-phase promoting factor (MPF) during prophase is thought to be essential for coordinating M-phase events in vertebrate cells. The protein phosphatase Cdc25C, an activator of MPF, enters the nucleus to keep MPF active in the nucleus during prophase. However, the molecular mechanisms that control nuclear translocation of Cdc25C during prophase are unknown. We show that phosphorylation of a serine residue (Ser198) in a nuclear export signal sequence of human Cdc25C occurs during prophase and promotes nuclear localization of Cdc25C. We also show that Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is responsible for this phosphorylation and that constitutively active Plk1 promotes nuclear localization of Cdc25C. Remarkably, a mutant Cdc25C in which Ser198 is replaced by alanine remains in the cytoplasm when wild-type Cdc25C accumulates in the nucleus during prophase. These results suggest that Plk1 phosphorylates Cdc25C on Ser198 and regulates nuclear translocation of Cdc25C during prophase.     

Deletion of the C-terminal phosphorylation sites in the cardiac β-subunit does not affect the basic β-adrenergic response of the heart and the Ca(v)1.2 channel

Phosphorylation of the cardiac β subunit (Ca(v)β(2)) of the Ca(v)1.2 L-type Ca(2+) channel complex has been proposed as a mechanism for regulation of L-type Ca(2+) channels by various protein kinases including PKA, CaMKII, Akt/PKB, and PKG. To test this hypothesis directly in vivo, we generated a knock-in mouse line with targeted mutation of the Ca(v)β(2) gene by insertion of a stop codon after proline 501 in exon 14 (mouse sequence Cacnb2; βStop mouse). This mutation prevented translation of the Ca(v)β(2) C terminus that contains the relevant phosphorylation sites for the above protein kinases. Homozygous cardiac βStop mice were born at Mendelian ratio, had a normal life expectancy, and normal basal L-type I(Ca). The regulation of the L-type current by stimulation of the β-adrenergic receptor was unaffected in vivo and in cardiomyocytes (CMs). βStop mice were cross-bred with mice expressing the Ca(v)1.2 gene containing the mutation S1928A (SAβStop) or S1512A and S1570A (SFβStop) in the C terminus of the α(1C) subunit. The β-adrenergic regulation of the cardiac I(Ca) was unaltered in these mouse lines. In contrast, truncation of the Ca(v)1.2 at Asp(1904) abolished β-adrenergic up-regulation of I(Ca) in murine embryonic CMs. We conclude that phosphorylation of the C-terminal sites in Ca(v)β(2), Ser(1928), Ser(1512), and Ser(1570) of the Ca(v)1.2 protein is functionally not involved in the adrenergic regulation of the murine cardiac Ca(v)1.2 channel.