Prometaphase APCcdh1 activity prevents non-disjunction in mammalian oocytes

The first female meiotic division (meiosis I, MI) is uniquely prone to chromosome segregation errors through non-disjunction, resulting in trisomies and early pregnancy loss. Here, we show a fundamental difference in the control of mammalian meiosis that may underlie such susceptibility. It involves a reversal in the well-established timing of activation of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) by its co-activators cdc20 and cdh1. APC(cdh1) was active first, during prometaphase I, and was needed in order to allow homologue congression, as loss of cdh1 speeded up MI, leading to premature chromosome segregation and a non-disjunction phenotype. APC(cdh1) targeted cdc20 for degradation, but did not target securin or cyclin B1. These were degraded later in MI through APC(cdc20), making cdc20 re-synthesis essential for successful meiotic progression. The switch from APC(cdh1) to APC(cdc20) activity was controlled by increasing CDK1 and cdh1 loss. These findings demonstrate a fundamentally different mechanism of control for the first meiotic division in mammalian oocytes that is not observed in meioses of other species.     

Insights into the cellular mechanism of the yeast ubiquitin ligase APC/C-Cdh1 from the analysis of in vivo degrons

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) controls a variety of cellular processes through its ability to target numerous protein substrates for timely degradation. Substrate selection by this ubiquitin ligase depends on related activator proteins, Cdc20 and Cdh1, which bind and activate the APC/C at distinct cell cycle stages. Biochemical and structural studies revealed that Cdc20 and Cdh1 carry conserved receptor domains to recognize specific sequence motifs in substrates, such as D and KEN boxes. The mechanisms for ordered degradation of APC/C substrates, however, remain incompletely understood. Here we describe minimal degradation sequences (degrons) sufficient for rapid APC/C-Cdh1–specific in vivo degradation. The polo kinase Cdc5–derived degron contained an essential KEN motif, whereas a single RxxL-type D box was the relevant signal in the Cdc20-derived degradation domain, indicating that either motif may support specific recognition by Cdh1. In both degrons, the APC/C recognition motif was flanked by a nuclear localization sequence. Forced localization of the degron constructs revealed that proteolysis mediated by APC/C-Cdh1 is restricted to the nucleus and maximally active in the nucleoplasm. Levels of Iqg1, a cytoplasmic Cdh1 substrate, decreased detectably later than the nucleus-localized Cdh1 substrate Ase1, indicating that confinement to the nucleus may allow for temporal control of APC/C-Cdh1–mediated proteolysis.     

Securin degradation is mediated by fzy and fzr, and is required for complete chromatid separation but not for cytokinesis

We have studied the ubiquitination and degradation patterns of the human securin/PTTG protein. We show that, in contrast to budding yeast pds1, securin degradation is catalyzed by both fzy (fizzy/cdc20) and fzr (fizzy-related/cdh1/hct1). Both fzy and fzr also induce the APC/C to ubiquitinate securin in vitro. Securin degradation is mediated by an RXXL destruction box and a KEN box, and is inhibited only when both sequences are mutated. Interestingly, the non-degradable securin mutant is also partially ubiquitinated by fzy and fzr in vitro. Expressing the non-degradable securin mutant in cells frequently resulted in incomplete chromatid separation and gave rise to daughter cells connected by a thin chromatin fiber, presumably of chromosomes that failed to split completely. Strikingly, the mutant securin did not prevent the majority of sister chromatids from separating completely, nor did it prevent mitotic cyclin degradation and cytokinesis. This phenotype, reminiscent of the fission yeast cut (cells untimely torn) phenotype, is reported here for the first time in mammals.     

Unique D box and KEN box sequences limit ubiquitination of Acm1 and promote pseudosubstrate inhibition of the anaphase-promoting complex

The anaphase-promoting complex (APC) regulates cell division in eukaryotes by targeting specific proteins for destruction. APC substrates generally contain one or more short degron sequences that help mediate their recognition and poly-ubiquitination by the APC. The most common and well characterized degrons are the destruction box (D box) and the KEN box. The budding yeast Acm1 protein, an inhibitor of Cdh1-activated APC (APC(Cdh1)) also contains several conserved D and KEN boxes, and here we report that two of these located in the central region of Acm1 constitute a pseudosubstrate sequence required for APC(Cdh1) inhibition. Acm1 interacted with and inhibited substrate binding to the WD40 repeat domain of Cdh1. Combined mutation of the central D and KEN boxes strongly reduced both binding to the Cdh1 WD40 domain and APC(Cdh1) inhibition. Despite this, the double mutant, but not wild-type Acm1, was poly-ubiquitinated by APC(Cdh1) in vitro. Thus, unlike substrates in which D and KEN boxes promote ubiquitination, these same elements in the central region of Acm1 prevent ubiquitination. We propose that this unique property of the Acm1 degron sequences results from an unusually high affinity interaction with the substrate receptor site on the WD40 domain of Cdh1 that may serve both to promote APC inhibition and protect Acm1 from destruction.     

Timing of APC/C substrate degradation is determined by fzy/fzr specificity of destruction boxes

The anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), activated by fzy and fzr, degrades cell cycle proteins that carry RXXL or KEN destruction boxes (d-boxes). APC/C substrates regulate sequential events and must be degraded in the correct order during mitosis and G(1). We studied how d-boxes determine APC/C(fzy)/APC/C(fzr) specificity and degradation timing. Cyclin B1 has an RXXL box and is degraded by both APC/C(fzy) and APC/C(fzr); fzy has a KEN box and is degraded by APC/C(fzr) only. We characterized the degradation of substrates with swapped d-boxes. Cyclin B1 with KEN was degraded by APC/C(fzr) only. Fzy with RXXL could be degraded by APC/C(fzy) and APC/C(fzr). Interestingly, APC/C(fzy)- but not APC/C(fzr)-specific degradation is highly dependent on the location of RXXL. We studied degradation of tagged substrates in real time and observed that APC/C(fzr) is activated in early G(1). These observations demonstrate how d-box specificities of APC/C(fzy) and APC/C(fzr), and the successive activation of APC/C by fzy and fzr, establish the temporal degradation pattern. Our observations can explain further why some endogenous RXXL substrates are degraded by APC/C(fzy), while others are restricted to APC/C(fzr).     

Human Kid is Degraded by the APC/CCdh1 but Not by the APC/CCdc20

The APC/CCdh1 (Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome) targets numerous cell cycle proteins for ubiquitin mediated degradation in late mitosis and G1. The KEN box is one of two major recognition motifs of APC/CCdh1 substrates. This motif is however very common and shared by a tenth of the human proteome, the vast majority of which are obviously not APC/C substrates. We have observed that most known functional KEN boxes are followed by a proline residue and show that this proline plays a role in APC/CCdh1 specific degradation. This insight can be instrumental for identifying novel APC/CCdh1 substrates. We used this KENxP motif to identify human Aurora B and Kid as APC/CCdh1 substrates. The degradation of Xenopus XKid at metaphase by APC/CCdc20 is essential for chromatid segregation. Human Kid in contrast is degraded later and its APC/CCdh1 specific degradation is not required for mitotic progress. It is thus likely that Kid inactivation in G1 takes place both by nuclear sequestration and degradation by the APC/CCdh1.     

The spindle checkpoint functions of Mad3 and Mad2 depend on a Mad3 KEN box-mediated interaction with Cdc20-anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C)

Mitotic progression is driven by proteolytic destruction of securin and cyclins. These proteins are labeled for destruction by an ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3) known as the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C). The APC/C requires activators (Cdc20 or Cdh1) to efficiently recognize its substrates, which are specified by destruction (D box) and/or KEN box signals. The spindle assembly checkpoint responds to unattached kinetochores and to kinetochores lacking tension, both of which reflect incomplete biorientation of chromosomes, by delaying the onset of anaphase. It does this by inhibiting Cdc20-APC/C. Certain checkpoint proteins interact directly with Cdc20, but it remains unclear how the checkpoint acts to efficiently inhibit Cdc20-APC/C activity. In the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we find that the Mad3 and Mad2 spindle checkpoint proteins interact stably with the APC/C in mitosis. Mad3 contains two KEN boxes, conserved from yeast Mad3 to human BubR1, and mutation of either of these abrogates the spindle checkpoint. Strikingly, mutation of the N-terminal KEN box abolishes incorporation of Mad3 into the mitotic checkpoint complex (Mad3-Mad2-Slp1 in S. pombe, where Slp1 is the Cdc20 homolog that we will refer to as Cdc20 hereafter) and stable association of both Mad3 and Mad2 with the APC/C. Our findings demonstrate that this Mad3 KEN box is a critical mediator of Cdc20-APC/C inhibition, without which neither Mad3 nor Mad2 can associate with the APC/C or inhibit anaphase onset.     

Mechanisms of pseudosubstrate inhibition of the anaphase promoting complex by Acm1

The anaphase promoting complex (APC) is a ubiquitin ligase that promotes the degradation of cell-cycle regulators by the 26S proteasome. Cdc20 and Cdh1 are WD40-containing APC co-activators that bind destruction boxes (DB) and KEN boxes within substrates to recruit them to the APC for ubiquitination. Acm1 is an APC(Cdh1) inhibitor that utilizes a DB and a KEN box to bind Cdh1 and prevent substrate binding, although Acm1 itself is not a substrate. We investigated what differentiates an APC substrate from an inhibitor. We identified the Acm1 A-motif that interacts with Cdh1 and together with the DB and KEN box is required for APC(Cdh1) inhibition. A genetic screen identified Cdh1 WD40 domain residues important for Acm1 A-motif interaction and inhibition that appears to reside near Cdh1 residues important for DB recognition. Specific lysine insertion mutations within Acm1 promoted its ubiquitination by APC(Cdh1) whereas lysine removal from the APC substrate Hsl1 converted it into a potent APC(Cdh1) inhibitor. These findings suggest that tight Cdh1 binding combined with the inaccessibility of ubiquitinatable lysines contributes to pseudosubstrate inhibition of APC(Cdh1).     

Mad3 KEN boxes mediate both Cdc20 and Mad3 turnover, and are critical for the spindle checkpoint

Mitotic progression is controlled by proteolytic destruction of securin and cyclin. The mitotic E3 ubiquitin ligase, known as the anaphase promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C), in partnership with its activators Cdc20p and Cdh1p, targets these proteins for degradation. In the presence of defective kinetochore-microtubule interactions, APC/C(Cdc20) is inhibited by the spindle checkpoint, thereby delaying anaphase onset and providing more time for spindle assembly. Cdc20p interacts directly with Mad2p, and its levels are subject to careful regulation, but the precise mode(s) of APC/C( Cdc20) inhibition remain unclear. The mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC, consisting of Mad3p, Mad2p, Bub3p and Cdc20p in budding yeast) is a potent APC/C inhibitor. Here we focus on Mad3p and how it acts, in concert with Mad2p, to efficiently inhibit Cdc20p. We identify and analyse the function of two motifs in Mad3p, KEN30 and KEN296, which are conserved from yeast Mad3p to human BubR1. These KEN amino acid sequences resemble 'degron' signals that confer interaction with APC/C activators and target proteins for degradation. We show that both Mad3p KEN boxes are necessary for spindle checkpoint function. Mutation of KEN30 abolished MCC formation and stabilised Cdc20p in mitosis. In addition, mutation of Mad3-KEN30, APC/C subunits, or Cdh1p, stabilised Mad3p in G1, indicating that the N-terminal KEN box could be a Mad3p degron. To determine the significance of Mad3p turnover, we analysed the consequences of MAD3 overexpression and found that four-fold overproduction of Mad3p led to chromosome bi-orientation defects and significant chromosome loss during recovery from anti-microtubule drug induced checkpoint arrest. In conclusion, Mad3p KEN30 mediates interactions that regulate the proteolytic turnover of Cdc20p and Mad3p, and the levels of both of these proteins are critical for spindle checkpoint signaling and high fidelity chromosome segregation.     

Ubiquitination site preferences in anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) substrates

Ordered progression of mitosis requires precise control in abundance of mitotic regulators. The anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) ubiquitin ligase plays a key role by directing ubiquitin-mediated destruction of targets in a temporally and spatially defined manner. Specificity in APC/C targeting is conferred through recognition of substrate D-box and KEN degrons, while the specificity of ubiquitination sites, as another possible regulated dimension, has not yet been explored. Here, we present the first analysis of ubiquitination sites in the APC/C substrate ubiquitome. We show that KEN is a preferred ubiquitin acceptor in APC/C substrates and that acceptor sites are enriched in predicted disordered regions and flanked by serine residues. Our experimental data confirm a role for the KEN lysine as an ubiquitin acceptor contributing to substrate destruction during mitotic progression. Using Aurora A and Nek2 kinases as examples, we show that phosphorylation on the flanking serine residue could directly regulate ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of substrates. We propose a novel layer of regulation in substrate ubiquitination, via phosphorylation adjacent to the KEN motif, in APC/C-mediated targeting.     

Mitotic degradation of human thymidine kinase 1 is dependent on the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome-CDH1-mediated pathway

The expression of human thymidine kinase 1 (hTK1) is highly dependent on the growth states and cell cycle stages in mammalian cells. The amount of hTK1 is significantly increased in the cells during progression to the S and M phases, and becomes barely detectable in the early G(1) phase by a proteolytic control during mitotic exit. This tight regulation is important for providing the correct pool of dTTP for DNA synthesis at the right time in the cell cycle. Here, we investigated the mechanism responsible for mitotic degradation of hTK1. We show that hTK1 is degraded via a ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in mammalian cells and that anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activator Cdh1 is not only a necessary but also a rate-limiting factor for mitotic degradation of hTK1. Furthermore, a KEN box sequence located in the C-terminal region of hTK1 is required for its mitotic degradation and interaction capability with Cdh1. By in vitro ubiquitinylation assays, we demonstrated that hTK1 is targeted for degradation by the APC/C-Cdh1 ubiquitin ligase dependent on this KEN box motif. Taken together, we concluded that activation of the APC/C-Cdh1 complex during mitotic exit controls timing of hTK1 destruction, thus effectively minimizing dTTP formation from the salvage pathway in the early G(1) phase of the cell cycle in mammalian cells.     

Multiple Anaphase-promoting Complex/Cyclosome Degrons Mediate the Degradation of Human Sgo1

Shugoshin 1 (Sgo1) protects centromeric sister-chromatid cohesion in early mitosis and, thus, prevents premature sister-chromatid separation. The protein level of Sgo1 is regulated during the cell cycle; it peaks in mitosis and is down-regulated in G₁/S. Here we show that Sgo1 is degraded during the exit from mitosis, and its degradation depends on the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). Overexpression of Cdh1 reduces the protein levels of ectopically expressed Sgo1 in human cells. Sgo1 is ubiquitinated by APC/C bound to Cdh1 (APC/C^Cdh1) in vitro. We have further identified two functional degradation motifs in Sgo1; that is, a KEN (Lys-Glu-Asn) box and a destruction box (D box). Although removal of either motif is not sufficient to stabilize Sgo1, Sgo1 with both KEN box and D box deleted is stable in cells. Surprisingly, mitosis progresses normally in the presence of non-degradable Sgo1, indicating that degradation of Sgo1 is not required for sister-chromatid separation or mitotic exit. Finally, we show that the spindle checkpoint kinase Bub1 contributes to the maintenance of Sgo1 steady-state protein levels in an APC/C-independent mechanism.Loss of sister-chromatid cohesion triggers chromosome segregation in mitosis and occurs in two steps in vertebrate cells (1-3). In prophase, cohesin is phosphorylated by mitotic kinases including Plk1 and removed from chromosome arms (1, 4). Then, cleavage of centromeric cohesin by separase takes place at the metaphase-to-anaphase transition to allow sister-chromatid separation (5). The shugoshin (Sgo) family of proteins plays an important role in the protection of centromeric cohesion (6, 7). Human cells depleted of Sgo1 by RNAi undergo massive chromosome missegregation (8-11). In cells with compromised Sgo1 function, centromeric cohesin is improperly phosphorylated and removed (4, 11), resulting in premature sister-chromatid separation. It has been shown recently that Sgo1 collaborates with PP2A to counteract the action of Plk1 and other mitotic kinases and to protect centromeric cohesin from premature removal (12-14). In addition, Sgo1 has also been shown to promote stable kinetochore-microtubule attachment and sense tension across sister kinetochores (8, 15). Thus, Sgo1 is crucial for mitotic progression and chromosome segregation.Orderly progression through mitosis is regulated by the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C),² a large multiprotein ubiquitin ligase that targets key mitotic regulators for destruction by the proteasome (16). APC/C selects substrates for ubiquitination by using the Cdc20 or Cdh1 activator proteins to recognize specific sequences called APC/C degrons within target proteins (17). Several APC/C degrons have been characterized, including the destruction box (D box) and the Lys-Glu-Asn box (KEN box) (18, 19). The D box, with the consensus amino acid sequence of RXXLXXXN(X indicates any amino acid), are found in many APC/C substrates, including mitotic cyclins and are essential for their ubiquitin-mediated destruction. The KEN box, which contains a consensus KEN motif, is also found in several APC/C substrates and is preferentially but not exclusively recognized by APC/C^Cdh1. When APC/C is active, it directs progression through and exit from mitosis by catalyzing the ubiquitination and timely destruction of mitotic regulators, including cyclin A, cyclin B, and the separase inhibitor securin (16). The APC/C activity needs to be tightly controlled to prevent unscheduled substrate degradation. An important mechanism for APC/C regulation is the spindle checkpoint, which prevents the activation of APC/C and destruction of its substrates in response to kinetochores that have not properly attached to the mitotic spindle (20).Recent evidence shows that Sgo1 is a substrate of APC/C, and its protein levels oscillate during the cell cycle (8, 9). In this article we study the degradation of Sgo1 in human cells. We show that Sgo1 is degraded during mitotic exit, and this degradation depends on APC/C^Cdh1. We further show that both KEN and D boxes are required for Sgo1 degradation in vivo and ubiquitination in vitro. Removal of these motifs stabilizes Sgo1 in vivo. The prolonged presence of stable Sgo1 protein in human cells does not change the kinetics of chromosome segregation and mitotic exit. Therefore, a timely scheduled degradation of Sgo1 takes place but is not required for mitotic exit. Finally, we show that Bub1 regulates Sgo1 protein levels through a mechanism that does not involve APC/C-mediated degradation.     

Orthologues of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome coactivators Cdc20p and Cdh1p are important for mitotic progression and morphogenesis in Candida albicans

The conserved anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) system mediates protein degradation during mitotic progression. Conserved coactivators Cdc20p and Cdh1p regulate the APC/C during early to late mitosis and G(1) phase. Candida albicans is an important fungal pathogen of humans, and it forms highly polarized cells when mitosis is blocked through depletion of the polo-like kinase Cdc5p or other treatments. However, the mechanisms governing mitotic progression and associated polarized growth in the pathogen are poorly understood. In order to gain insights into these processes, we characterized C. albicans orthologues of Cdc20p and Cdh1p. Cdc20p-depleted cells were blocked in early or late mitosis with elevated levels of Cdc5p and the mitotic cyclin Clb2p, suggesting that Cdc20p is essential and has some conserved functions during mitosis. However, the yeast cells formed highly polarized buds in contrast to the large doublets of S. cerevisiae cdc20 mutants, implying a distinct role in morphogenesis. In comparison, cdh1Δ/cdh1Δ cells were viable but showed enrichment of Clb2p and Cdc5p, suggesting that Cdh1p may influence mitotic exit. The cdh1Δ/cdh1Δ phenotype was pleiotropic, consisting of normal or enlarged yeast, pseudohyphae, and some elongated buds, whereas S. cerevisiae cdh1Δ yeast cells were reduced in size. Thus, C. albicans Cdh1p may have some distinct functions. Finally, absence of Cdh1p or Cdc20p had a minor or no effect on hyphal development, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that Cdc20p and Cdh1p may be APC/C activators that are important for mitosis but also morphogenesis in C. albicans. Their novel features imply additional variations in function and underscore rewiring in the emerging mitotic regulatory networks of the pathogen.     

Assembly of an APC-Cdh1-substrate complex is stimulated by engagement of a destruction box

The anaphase-promoting complex (APC) is a ubiquitin ligase that promotes the degradation of cell-cycle regulators. Cdh1p is an APC coactivator that directly binds APC substrates. A genetic screen in budding yeast identified residues within Cdh1p critical for its function. Cdh1p proteins containing mutations within the "C box" or the "IR" motif could bind substrate, but not the APC, whereas mutants that only bound the APC were not identified, suggesting an ordered assembly of the ternary APC-Cdh1p-substrate complex. Supporting this hypothesis, we found that substrate binding to wild-type Cdh1p enhanced its association with the APC in yeast cells. We used peptide competition assays to demonstrate that Cdh1p interacts directly with the D box and the KEN box, two motifs within APC substrates known to be required for APC-mediated degradation. Moreover, an intact D box domain within a substrate was required to stimulate the association between the Cdh1p-substrate complex and the APC.     

Degradation of human Aurora-A protein kinase is mediated by hCdh1

Human Aurora-A is related to a protein kinase originally identified by its close homology to Ipl1p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and aurora from Drosophila melanogaster, which are key regulators of the structure and function of the mitotic spindle. We previously showed that human Aurora-A is turned over through the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C)-ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The association of two distinct WD40 repeat proteins known as Cdc20 and Cdh1, respectively, sequentially activates the APC/C. The present study shows that Aurora-A degradation is dependent on hCdh1 in vivo, not on hCdc20, and that Aurora-A is targeted for proteolysis through distinct structural features of the destruction box, the KEN box motifs and its kinase activity.     

A mutual inhibition between APC/C and its substrate Mes1 required for meiotic progression in fission yeast

The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a cell-cycle-regulated essential E3 ubiquitin ligase; however, very little is known about its meiotic regulation. Here we show that fission yeast Mes1 is a substrate of the APC/C as well as an inhibitor, allowing autoregulation of the APC/C in meiosis. Both traits require a functional destruction box (D box) and KEN box. We show that Mes1 directly binds the WD40 domain of the Fizzy family of APC/C activators. Intriguingly, expression of nonubiquitylatable Mes1 blocks cells in metaphase I with high levels of APC/C substrates, suggesting that ubiquitylation of Mes1 is required for partial degradation of cyclin B in meiosis I by alleviating Mes1 inhibitory function. Consistently, a ternary complex, APC/C-Fizzy/Cdc20-Mes1, is stabilized by inhibiting Mes1 ubiquitylation. These results demonstrate that the fine-tuning of the APC/C activity, by a substrate that is also an inhibitor, is required for the precise coordination and transition through meiosis.     

Structure and substrate recruitment of the human spindle checkpoint kinase Bub1

In mitosis, the spindle checkpoint detects a single unattached kinetochore, inhibits the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C), and prevents premature sister chromatid separation. The checkpoint kinase Bub1 contributes to checkpoint sensitivity through phosphorylating the APC/C activator, Cdc20, and inhibiting APC/C catalytically. We report here the crystal structure of the kinase domain of Bub1, revealing the requirement of an N-terminal extension for its kinase activity. Though the activation segment of Bub1 is ordered and has structural features indicative of active kinases, the C-terminal portion of this segment sterically restricts substrate access to the active site. Bub1 uses docking motifs, so-called KEN boxes, outside its kinase domain to recruit Cdc20, one of two known KEN box receptors. The KEN boxes of Bub1 are required for the spindle checkpoint in human cells. Therefore, its unusual active-site conformation and mode of substrate recruitment suggest that Bub1 has an exquisitely tuned specificity for Cdc20.     

Ama1p-activated anaphase-promoting complex regulates the destruction of Cdc20p during meiosis II

The execution of meiotic divisions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regulated by anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C)-mediated protein degradation. During meiosis, the APC/C is activated by association with Cdc20p or the meiosis-specific activator Ama1p. We present evidence that, as cells exit from meiosis II, APC/C(Ama1) mediates Cdc20p destruction. APC/C(Ama1) recognizes two degrons on Cdc20p, the destruction box and destruction degron, with either domain being sufficient to mediate Cdc20p destruction. Cdc20p does not need to associate with the APC/C to bind Ama1p or be destroyed. Coimmunoprecipitation analyses showed that the diverged amino-terminal region of Ama1p recognizes both Cdc20p and Clb1p, a previously identified substrate of APC/C(Ama1). Domain swap experiments revealed that the C-terminal WD region of Cdh1p, when fused to the N-terminal region of Ama1p, could direct most of Ama1p functions, although at a reduced level. In addition, this fusion protein cannot complement the spore wall defect in ama1Δ strains, indicating that substrate specificity is also derived from the WD repeat domain. These findings provide a mechanism to temporally down-regulate APC/C(Cdc20) activity as the cells complete meiosis II and form spores.     

APC/CCdh1 Targets Brain-Specific Kinase 2 (BRSK2) for Degradation via the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway

Studies of brain-specific kinase 2 (BRSK2), an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-related kinase, and its homologs suggest that they are multifunctional regulators of cell-cycle progression. BRSK2, which contains a ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain, is polyubiquitinated in cells. However, the regulatory mechanisms and exact biological function of BRSK2 remain unclear. Herein, we show that BRSK2 co-localizes with the centrosomes during mitosis. We also demonstrate that BRSK2 protein levels fluctuate during the cell cycle, peaking during mitosis and declining in G1 phase. Furthermore, Cdh1, rather than Cdc20, promotes the degradation of BRSK2 in vivo. Consistent with this finding, knock-down of endogenous Cdh1 blocks BRSK2 degradation during the G1 phase. The conserved KEN box of BRSK2 is required for anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome-Cdh1 (APC/C^Cdh1)-dependent degradation. Additionally, overexpression of either BRSK2(WT) or BRSK2(ΔKEN) increases the percentage of cells in G2/M. Thus, our results provide the first evidence that BRSK2 regulates cell-cycle progression controlled by APC/C^Cdh1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.     

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 oncoprotein tax promotes unscheduled degradation of Pds1p/securin and Clb2p/cyclin B1 and causes chromosomal instability

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia. The HTLV-1 transactivator, Tax, is implicated as the viral oncoprotein. Na?ve cells expressing Tax for the first time develop severe cell cycle abnormalities that include increased DNA synthesis, mitotic arrest, appearance of convoluted nuclei with decondensed DNA, and formation of multinucleated cells. Here we report that Tax causes a drastic reduction in Pds1p/securin and Clb2p/cyclin B levels in yeast, rodent, and human cells and a loss of cell viability. With a temperature-sensitive mutant of the CDC23 subunit of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC), cdc23(ts); a temperature-sensitive mutant of cdc20; and a cdh1-null mutant, we show that the diminution of Pds1p and Clb2p brought on by Tax is mediated via the Cdc20p-associated anaphase-promoting complex, APC(Cdc20p). This loss of Pds1p/securin and Clb2p/cyclin B1 occurred before cellular entry into mitosis, caused a G(2)/M cell cycle block, and was accompanied by severe chromosome aneuploidy in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and human diploid fibroblasts. Our results support the notion that Tax aberrantly targets and activates APC(Cdc20p), leading to unscheduled degradation of Pds1p/securin and Clb2p/cyclin B1, a delay or failure in mitotic entry and progression, and faulty chromosome transmission. The chromosomal instability resulting from a Tax-induced deficiency in securin and cyclin B1 provides an explanation for the highly aneuploid nature of adult T-cell leukemia cells.