Regulation of a Dynamic Interaction between Two Microtubule-binding Proteins,EB1 and TIP150, by the Mitotic p300/CBP-associated Factor (PCAF) Orchestrates Kinetochore Microtubule Plasticity and Chromosome Stability during Mitosis

The microtubule cytoskeleton network orchestrates cellular dynamics and chromosome stability in mitosis. Although tubulin acetylation is essential for cellular plasticity, it has remained elusive how kinetochore microtubule plus-end dynamics are regulated by p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) acetylation in mitosis. Here, we demonstrate that the plus-end tracking protein, TIP150, regulates dynamic kinetochore-microtubule attachments by promoting the stability of spindle microtubule plus-ends. Suppression of TIP150 by siRNA results in metaphase alignment delays and perturbations in chromosome biorientation. TIP150 is a tetramer that binds an end-binding protein (EB1) dimer through the C-terminal domains, and overexpression of the C-terminal TIP150 or disruption of the TIP150-EB1 interface by a membrane-permeable peptide perturbs chromosome segregation. Acetylation of EB1-PCAF regulates the TIP150 interaction, and persistent acetylation perturbs EB1-TIP150 interaction and accurate metaphase alignment, resulting in spindle checkpoint activation. Suppression of the mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine protein kinase, BubR1, overrides mitotic arrest induced by impaired EB1-TIP150 interaction, but cells exhibit whole chromosome aneuploidy. Thus, the results identify a mechanism by which the TIP150-EB1 interaction governs kinetochore microtubule plus-end plasticity and establish that the temporal control of the TIP150-EB1 interaction by PCAF acetylation ensures chromosome stability in mitosis.     

Dynein Light Chain 1 (LC8) Association Enhances Microtubule Stability and Promotes Microtubule Bundling

Dynein light chain 1 (LC8), a highly conserved protein, is known to bind to a variety of different polypeptides. It functions as a dimer, which is inactivated through phosphorylation at the Ser-88 residue. A loss of LC8 function causes apoptosis in Drosophila embryos, and its overexpression induces malignant transformation of breast cancer cells. Here we show that LC8 binds to tubulin, promotes microtubule assembly, and induces the bundling of reconstituted microtubules in vitro. Furthermore, LC8 decorates microtubules both in Drosophila embryos and in HeLa cells, increases the microtubule stability, and promotes microtubule bundling in these cells. Microtubule stability influences a number of different cellular functions including mitosis and cell differentiation. The LC8 overexpression reduces the susceptibility of microtubules to cold and nocodazole-induced depolymerization in tissue-cultured cells and increases microtubule acetylation, suggesting that LC8 stabilizes microtubules. We also show that LC8 knockdown or transfection with inhibitory peptides destabilizes microtubules and inhibits bipolar spindle assembly in HeLa cells. In addition, LC8 knockdown leads to the mitotic block in HeLa cells. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis using the crystal structures of tubulin and LC8 dimer indicated that the latter may bind at α-β tubulin junction in a protofilament at sites distinct from the kinesin and dynein binding sites. Together, we provide the first evidence of a novel microtubule-associated protein-like function of LC8 that could explain its reported roles in cellular metastasis and differentiation.     

RHAMM Promotes Interphase Microtubule Instability and Mitotic Spindle Integrity through MEK1/ERK1/2 Activity

An oncogenic form of RHAMM (receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility, mouse, amino acids 163–794 termed RHAMM^Δ163) is a cell surface hyaluronan receptor and mitotic spindle protein that is highly expressed in aggressive human cancers. Its regulation of mitotic spindle integrity is thought to contribute to tumor progression, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this function have not previously been defined. Here, we report that intracellular RHAMM^Δ163 modifies the stability of interphase and mitotic spindle microtubules through ERK1/2 activity. RHAMM^−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts exhibit strongly acetylated interphase microtubules, multi-pole mitotic spindles, aberrant chromosome segregation, and inappropriate cytokinesis during mitosis. These defects are rescued by either expression of RHAMM or mutant active MEK1. Mutational analyses show that RHAMM^Δ163 binds to α- and β-tubulin protein via a carboxyl-terminal leucine zipper, but in vitro analyses indicate this interaction does not directly contribute to tubulin polymerization/stability. Co-immunoprecipitation and pulldown assays reveal complexes of RHAMM^Δ163, ERK1/2-MEK1, and α- and β-tubulin and demonstrate direct binding of RHAMM^Δ163 to ERK1 via a D-site motif. In vitro kinase analyses, expression of mutant RHAMM^Δ163 defective in ERK1 binding in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and blocking MEK1 activity collectively confirm that the effect of RHAMM^Δ163 on interphase and mitotic spindle microtubules is mediated by ERK1/2 activity. Our results suggest a model wherein intracellular RHAMM^Δ163 functions as an adaptor protein to control microtubule polymerization during interphase and mitosis as a result of localizing ERK1/2-MEK1 complexes to their tubulin-associated substrates.     

Lamin B Counteracts the Kinesin Eg5 to Restrain Spindle Pole Separation during Spindle Assembly

Lamin B is a component of the membranous spindle matrix isolated from Xenopus egg extracts, and it is required for proper spindle morphogenesis. Besides lamin B, the spindle matrix contains spindle assembly factors (SAFs) such as Eg5 and dynein which are known to regulate microtubule organization and SAFs known to promote microtubule assembly such as Maskin and XMAP215. Because lamin B does not bind directly to microtubules, it must affect spindle morphogenesis indirectly by influencing the function of spindle matrix-associated SAFs. Using different assays in Xenopus egg extracts, we found that depleting lamin B caused formation of elongated and multipolar spindles, which could be reversed by partially inhibiting the kinesin Eg5, revealing an antagonistic relationship between Eg5 and lamin B. However, lamin B only very weakly antagonizes Eg5 in mediating poleward microtubule-flux based on fluorescence speckle microscopy. Depleting lamin B led to a very small but statistically significant increase in flux. Furthermore, flux reduction caused by partial Eg5 inhibition is only slightly reversed by removing lamin B. Because lamin B does not bind to Eg5, our studies suggest two nonexclusive mechanisms by which lamin B can indirectly antagonize Eg5. It could function in a network that restricts Eg5-driven microtubule sliding only when microtubules come into transient contact with the network. Lamin B could also function to sequester microtubule polymerization activities within the spindle. Without lamin B, increased microtubule assembly caused by the released SAFs would lead to excessive microtubule sliding that results in formation of elongated and multipolar spindles.     

Disruption of a Conserved CAP-D3 Threonine Alters Condensin Loading on Mitotic Chromosomes Leading to Chromosome Hypercondensation

The condensin complex plays a key role in organizing mitotic chromosomes. In vertebrates, there are two condensin complexes that have independent and cooperative roles in folding mitotic chromosomes. In this study, we dissect the role of a putative Cdk1 site on the condensin II subunit CAP-D3 in chicken DT40 cells. This conserved site has been shown to activate condensin II during prophase in human cells, and facilitate further phosphorylation by polo-like kinase I. We examined the functional significance of this phosphorylation mark by mutating the orthologous site of CAP-D3 (CAP-D3^T1403A) in chicken DT40 cells. We show that this mutation is a gain of function mutant in chicken cells; it disrupts prophase, results in a dramatic shortening of the mitotic chromosome axis, and leads to abnormal INCENP localization. Our results imply phosphorylation of CAP-D3 acts to limit condensin II binding onto mitotic chromosomes. We present the first in vivo example that alters the ratio of condensin I:II on mitotic chromosomes. Our results demonstrate this ratio is a critical determinant in shaping mitotic chromosomes.     

Phosphorylation Regulates the p31Comet-Mitotic Arrest-deficient 2 (Mad2) Interaction to Promote Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC) Activity

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) ensures the faithful segregation of the genome during mitosis by ensuring that sister chromosomes form bipolar attachments with microtubules of the mitotic spindle. p31^Comet is an antagonist of the SAC effector Mad2 and promotes silencing of the SAC and mitotic progression. However, p31^Comet interacts with Mad2 throughout the cell cycle. We show that p31^Comet binds Mad2 solely in an inhibitory manner. We demonstrate that attenuating the affinity of p31^Comet for Mad2 by phosphorylation promotes SAC activity in mitosis. Specifically, phosphorylation of Ser-102 weakens p31^Comet-Mad2 binding and enhances p31^Comet-mediated bypass of the SAC. Our results provide the first evidence for regulation of p31^Comet and demonstrate a previously unknown event controlling SAC activity.     

Depletion of p31comet protein promotes sensitivity to antimitotic drugs

Antimitotic spindle poisons are among the most important chemotherapeutic agents available. However, precocious mitotic exit by mitotic slippage limits the cytotoxicity of spindle poisons. The MAD2-binding protein p31(comet) is implicated in silencing the spindle assembly checkpoint after all kinetochores are attached to spindles. In this study, we report that the levels of p31(comet) and MAD2 in different cell lines are closely linked with susceptibility to mitotic slippage. Down-regulation of p31(comet) increased the sensitivity of multiple cancer cell lines to spindle poisons, including nocodazole, vincristine, and Taxol. In the absence of p31(comet), lower concentrations of spindle poisons were required to induce mitotic block. The delay in checkpoint silencing was induced by an accumulation of mitotic checkpoint complexes. The increase in the duration of mitotic block after p31(comet) depletion resulted in a dramatic increase in mitotic cell death upon challenge with spindle poisons. Significantly, cells that are normally prone to mitotic slippage and resistant to spindle disruption-mediated mitotic death were also sensitized after p31(comet) depletion. These results highlight the importance of p31(comet) in checkpoint silencing and its potential as a target for antimitotic therapies.     

High Mitotic Activity of Polo-like Kinase 1 Is Required for Chromosome Segregation and Genomic Integrity in Human Epithelial Cells

Protein kinases play key roles in regulating human cell biology, but manifold substrates and functions make it difficult to understand mechanism. We tested whether we could dissect functions of a pleiotropic mitotic kinase, Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), via distinct thresholds of kinase activity. We accomplished this by titrating Plk1 activity in RPE1 human epithelial cells using chemical genetics and verifying results in additional lines. We found that distinct activity thresholds are required for known functions of Plk1 including (from low to high activity) bipolar spindle formation, timely mitotic entry, and formation of a cytokinesis cleavage furrow. Subtle losses in Plk1 activity impaired chromosome congression and produced severe anaphase dysfunction characterized by poor separation of chromosome masses. These two phenotypes were separable, suggesting that they stem from distinct phosphorylation events. Impaired chromosome segregation in anaphase was the most sensitive to modest loss in Plk1 activity. Mechanistically, it was associated with unpaired sister chromatids with stretched kinetochores, suggestive of merotelic attachments. The C-terminal Polo box domain of Plk1 was required for its anaphase function, although it was dispensable for forming a bipolar spindle. The ultimate effect of partial inhibition of Plk1 was the formation of micronuclei, an increase in tetraploid progeny, and senescence. These results demonstrate that different thresholds of Plk1 activity can elicit distinct phenotypes, illustrating a general method for separating pleiotropic functions of a protein kinase even when these are executed close in time.     

BUBR1 and closed MAD2 (C-MAD2) interact directly to assemble a functional mitotic checkpoint complex

The mitotic checkpoint maintains genomic stability by ensuring that chromosomes are accurately segregated during mitosis. When the checkpoint is activated, the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC), assembled from BUBR1, BUB3, CDC20, and MAD2, directly binds and inhibits the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) until all chromosomes are properly attached and aligned. The mechanisms underlying MCC assembly and MCC-APC/C interaction are not well characterized. Here, we show that a novel interaction between BUBR1 and closed MAD2 (C-MAD2) is essential for MCC-mediated inhibition of APC/C. Intriguingly, Arg(133) and Gln(134) in C-MAD2 are required for BUBR1 interaction. The same residues are also critical for MAD2 dimerization and MAD2 binding to p31(comet), a mitotic checkpoint silencing protein. Along with previously characterized BUBR1-CDC20 and C-MAD2-CDC20 interactions, our results underscore the integrity of the MCC for its activity and suggest the fundamental importance of the MAD2 αC helix in modulating mitotic checkpoint activation and silencing.     

The Symmetrical Structure of Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) and MukB Proteins: Long,Antiparallel Coiled Coils,Folded at a Flexible Hinge

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins function in chromosome condensation and several other aspects of DNA processing. They are large proteins characterized by an NH₂-terminal nucleotide triphosphate (NTP)-binding domain, two long segments of coiled coil separated by a hinge, and a COOH-terminal domain. Here, we have visualized by EM the SMC protein from Bacillus subtilis (BsSMC) and MukB from Escherichia coli, which we argue is a divergent SMC protein. Both BsSMC and MukB show two thin rods with globular domains at the ends emerging from the hinge. The hinge appears to be quite flexible: the arms can open up to 180°, separating the terminal domains by 100 nm, or close to near 0°, bringing the terminal globular domains together.A surprising observation is that the ∼300–amino acid–long coiled coils are in an antiparallel arrangement. Known coiled coils are almost all parallel, and the longest antiparallel coiled coils known previously are 35–45 amino acids long. This antiparallel arrangement produces a symmetrical molecule with both an NH₂- and a COOH-terminal domain at each end. The SMC molecule therefore has two complete and identical functional domains at the ends of the long arms. The bifunctional symmetry and a possible scissoring action at the hinge should provide unique biomechanical properties to the SMC proteins.     

Sequence Determinants of a Microtubule Tip Localization Signal (MtLS)

Microtubule plus-end-tracking proteins (+TIPs) specifically localize to the growing plus-ends of microtubules to regulate microtubule dynamics and functions. A large group of +TIPs contain a short linear motif, SXIP, which is essential for them to bind to end-binding proteins (EBs) and target microtubule ends. The SXIP sequence site thus acts as a widespread microtubule tip localization signal (MtLS). Here we have analyzed the sequence-function relationship of a canonical MtLS. Using synthetic peptide arrays on membrane supports, we identified the residue preferences at each amino acid position of the SXIP motif and its surrounding sequence with respect to EB binding. We further developed an assay based on fluorescence polarization to assess the mechanism of the EB-SXIP interaction and to correlate EB binding and microtubule tip tracking of MtLS sequences from different +TIPs. Finally, we investigated the role of phosphorylation in regulating the EB-SXIP interaction. Together, our results define the sequence determinants of a canonical MtLS and provide the experimental data for bioinformatics approaches to carry out genome-wide predictions of novel +TIPs in multiple organisms.     

Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) Proteins Promote Homolog-Independent Recombination Repair in Meiosis Crucial for Germ Cell Genomic Stability

In meiosis, programmed DNA breaks repaired by homologous recombination (HR) can be processed into inter-homolog crossovers that promote the accurate segregation of chromosomes. In general, more programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are formed than the number of inter-homolog crossovers, and the excess DSBs must be repaired to maintain genomic stability. Sister-chromatid (inter-sister) recombination is postulated to be important for the completion of meiotic DSB repair. However, this hypothesis is difficult to test because of limited experimental means to disrupt inter-sister and not inter-homolog HR in meiosis. We find that the conserved Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) 5 and 6 proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans are required for the successful completion of meiotic homologous recombination repair, yet they appeared to be dispensable for accurate chromosome segregation in meiosis. Mutations in the smc-5 and smc-6 genes induced chromosome fragments and dismorphology. Chromosome fragments associated with HR defects have only been reported in mutants, which have disrupted inter-homolog crossover. Surprisingly, the smc-5 and smc-6 mutations did not disrupt the formation of chiasmata, the cytologically visible linkages between homologous chromosomes formed from meiotic inter-homolog crossovers. The mutant fragmentation defect appeared to be preferentially enhanced by the disruptions of inter-homolog recombination but not by the disruptions of inter-sister recombination. Based on these findings, we propose that the C. elegans SMC-5/6 proteins are required in meiosis for the processing of homolog-independent, presumably sister-chromatid-mediated, recombination repair. Together, these results demonstrate that the successful completion of homolog-independent recombination is crucial for germ cell genomic stability.     

Cancerous Inhibitor of Protein Phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) Protein Is Involved in Centrosome Separation through the Regulation of NIMA (Never In Mitosis Gene A)-related Kinase 2 (NEK2) Protein Activity

Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is overexpressed in most human cancers and has been described as being involved in the progression of several human malignancies via the inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity toward c-Myc. However, with the exception of this role, the cellular function of CIP2A remains poorly understood. On the basis of yeast two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays, we demonstrate here that NIMA (never in mitosis gene A)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a binding partner for CIP2A. CIP2A exhibited dynamic changes in distribution, including the cytoplasm and centrosome, depending on the cell cycle stage. When CIP2A was depleted, centrosome separation and the mitotic spindle dynamics were impaired, resulting in the activation of spindle assembly checkpoint signaling and, ultimately, extension of the cell division time. Our data imply that CIP2A strongly interacts with NEK2 during G₂/M phase, thereby enhancing NEK2 kinase activity to facilitate centrosome separation in a PP1- and PP2A-independent manner. In conclusion, CIP2A is involved in cell cycle progression through centrosome separation and mitotic spindle dynamics.     

Structural Proteins of the SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) Family and Their Role in Chromatin Reorganization

Structural chromatin proteins of the SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) family play an important role in structural DNA reorganization in pro- and eukaryotes. Eukaryotic SMC proteins are the core components of the cohesin and condensin complexes. The cohesin complex is responsible for sister chromatid and homolog cohesion in mitosis and meiosis. The condensin complex uses ATP energy to induce positive coiled-coils in DNA, which results in compaction of the latter and formation of mitotic chromosome scaffold. In addition, the SMC proteins constitute recombination and recombination repair complexes. In hermaphrodites of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the SMC protein-containing complex controls dosage compensation and inactivation of the X chromosome genes.     

Characterization of spindle checkpoint kinase Mps1 reveals domain with functional and structural similarities to tetratricopeptide repeat motifs of Bub1 and BubR1 checkpoint kinases

Kinetochore targeting of the mitotic kinases Bub1, BubR1, and Mps1 has been implicated in efficient execution of their functions in the spindle checkpoint, the self-monitoring system of the eukaryotic cell cycle that ensures chromosome segregation occurs with high fidelity. In all three kinases, kinetochore docking is mediated by the N-terminal region of the protein. Deletions within this region result in checkpoint failure and chromosome segregation defects. Here, we use an interdisciplinary approach that includes biophysical, biochemical, cell biological, and bioinformatics methods to study the N-terminal region of human Mps1. We report the identification of a tandem repeat of the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motif in the N-terminal kinetochore binding region of Mps1, with close homology to the tandem TPR motif of Bub1 and BubR1. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that TPR Mps1 was acquired after the split between deutorostomes and protostomes, as it is distinguishable in chordates and echinoderms. Overexpression of TPR Mps1 resulted in decreased efficiency of both chromosome alignment and mitotic arrest, likely through displacement of endogenous Mps1 from the kinetochore and decreased Mps1 catalytic activity. Taken together, our multidisciplinary strategy provides new insights into the evolution, structural organization, and function of Mps1 N-terminal region.     

Prostate-derived sterile 20-like kinases (PSKs/TAOKs) are activated in mitosis and contribute to mitotic cell rounding and spindle positioning

Prostate-derived sterile 20-like kinases (PSKs) 1-α, 1-β, and 2 are members of the germinal-center kinase-like sterile 20 family of kinases. Previous work has shown that PSK 1-α binds and stabilizes microtubules whereas PSK2 destabilizes microtubules. Here, we have investigated the activation and autophosphorylation of endogenous PSKs and show that their catalytic activity increases as cells accumulate in G(2)/M and declines as cells exit mitosis. PSKs are stimulated in synchronous HeLa cells as they progress through mitosis, and these proteins are activated catalytically during each stage of mitosis. During prophase and metaphase activated PSKs are located in the cytoplasm and at the spindle poles, and during telophase and cytokinesis stimulated PSKs are present in trans-Golgi compartments. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of PSK1-α/β or PSK2 expression inhibits mitotic cell rounding as well as spindle positioning and centralization. These results show that PSK catalytic activity increases during mitosis and suggest that these proteins can contribute functionally to mitotic cell rounding and spindle centralization during cell division.     

Orderly inactivation of the key checkpoint protein mitotic arrest deficient 2 (MAD2) during mitotic progression

Anaphase is promoted by the ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) only when all the chromosomes have achieved bipolar attachment to the mitotic spindles. Unattached kinetochores or the absence of tension between the paired kinetochores activates a surveillance mechanism termed the spindle-assembly checkpoint. A fundamental principle of the checkpoint is the activation of mitotic arrest deficient 2 (MAD2). MAD2 then forms a diffusible complex called mitotic checkpoint complex (designated as MAD2(MCC)) before it is recruited to APC/C (designated as MAD2(APC/C)). Large gaps in our knowledge remain on how MAD2 is inactivated after the checkpoint is satisfied. In this study, we have investigated the regulation of MAD2-containing complexes during mitotic progression. Using selective immunoprecipitation of checkpoint components and gel filtration chromatography, we found that MAD2(MCC) and MAD2(APC/C) were regulated very differently during mitotic exit. Temporally, MAD2(MCC) was broken down ahead of MAD2(APC/C). The inactivation of the two complexes also displayed different requirements of proteolysis; although APC/C and proteasome activities were dispensable for MAD2(MCC) inactivation, they are required for MAD2(APC/C) inactivation. In fact, the degradation of CDC20 is inextricably linked to the breakdown of MAD2(APC/C). These data extended our understanding of the checkpoint complexes during checkpoint silencing.