Polo on the Rise-from Mitotic Entry to Cytokinesis with Plk1

Cell division cycle 6, a mitotic substrate of polo-like kinase 1, regulates chromosomal segregation mediated by cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and separase

Defining the links between cell division and DNA replication is essential for understanding normal cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis. In this report we explore the effect of phosphorylation of cell division cycle 6 (Cdc6), a DNA replication initiation factor, by polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) on the regulation of chromosomal segregation. In mitosis, the phosphorylation of Cdc6 was highly increased, in correlation with the level of Plk1, and conversely, Cdc6 is hypophosphorylated in Plk1-depleted cells, although cyclin A- and cyclin B1-dependent kinases are active. Binding between Cdc6 and Plk1 occurs through the polo-box domain of Plk1, and Cdc6 is phosphorylated by Plk1 on T37. Immunohistochemistry studies reveal that Cdc6 and Plk1 colocalize to the central spindle in anaphase. Expression of T37V mutant of Cdc6 (Cdc6-TV) induces binucleated cells and incompletely separated nuclei. Wild-type Cdc6 but not Cdc6-TV binds cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). Expression of wild-type Plk1 but not kinase-defective mutant promotes the binding of Cdc6 to Cdk1. Cells expressing wild-type Cdc6 display lower Cdk1 activity and higher separase activity than cells expressing Cdc6-TV. These results suggest that Plk1-mediated phosphorylation of Cdc6 promotes the interaction of Cdc6 and Cdk1, leading to the attenuation of Cdk1 activity, release of separase, and subsequent anaphase progression.

Dbf4 regulates the Cdc5 Polo-like kinase through a distinct non-canonical binding interaction

Cdc7-Dbf4 is a conserved, two-subunit kinase required for initiating eukaryotic DNA replication. Recent studies have shown that Cdc7-Dbf4 also regulates the mitotic exit network (MEN) and monopolar homolog orientation in meiosis I (Matos, J., Lipp, J. J., Bogdanova, A., Guillot, S., Okaz, E., Junqueira, M., Shevchenko, A., and Zachariae, W. (2008) Cell 135, 662-678 and Miller, C. T., Gabrielse, C., Chen, Y. C., and Weinreich, M. (2009) PLoS Genet. 5, e1000498). Both activities likely involve a Cdc7-Dbf4 interaction with Cdc5, the single Polo-like kinase in budding yeast. We previously showed that Dbf4 binds the Cdc5 polo-box domain (PBD) via an ∼40-residue N-terminal sequence, which lacks a PBD consensus binding site (S(pS/pT)(P/X)), and that Dbf4 inhibits Cdc5 function during mitosis. Here we identify a non-consensus PBD binding site within Dbf4 and demonstrate that the PBD-Dbf4 interaction occurs via a distinct PBD surface from that used to bind phosphoproteins. Genetic and biochemical analysis of multiple dbf4 mutants indicate that Dbf4 inhibits Cdc5 function through direct binding. Surprisingly, mutation of invariant Cdc5 residues required for binding phosphorylated substrates has little effect on yeast viability or growth rate. Instead, cdc5 mutants defective for binding phosphoproteins exhibit enhanced resistance to microtubule disruption and an increased rate of spindle elongation. This study, therefore, details the molecular nature of a new type of PBD binding and reveals that Cdc5 targeting to phosphorylated substrates likely regulates spindle dynamics.

Dishevelled, a Wnt signalling component, is involved in mitotic progression in cooperation with Plk1

Wnt signalling is known to promote G1/S progression through the stimulation of gene expression, but whether this signalling regulates mitotic progression is not clear. Here, the function of dishevelled 2 (Dvl2), which transmits the Wnt signal, in mitosis was examined. Dvl2 localized to the spindles and spindle poles during mitosis. When cells were treated with nocodazole, Dvl2 was observed at the kinetochores (KTs). Dvl2 bound to and was phosphorylated at Thr206 by a mitotic kinase, Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), and this phosphorylation was required for spindle orientation and stable microtubule (MT)-KT attachment. Dvl2 was also found to be involved in the activation of a spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) kinase, Mps1, and the recruitment of other SAC components, Bub1 and BubR1, to the KTs. However, the phosphorylation of Dvl2 by Plk1 was dispensable for SAC. Furthermore, Wnt receptors were involved in spindle orientation, but not in MT-KT attachment or SAC. These results suggested that Dvl2 is involved in mitotic progression by regulating the dynamics of MT plus-ends and the SAC in Plk1-dependent and -independent manners.

Plk1-mediated mitotic phosphorylation of PinX1 regulates its stability

PinX1 was originally identified as a Pin2/TRF1-interacting protein that suppresses telomerase activity via its telomerase inhibitor domain (TID) and regulates the nucleolar localization of TRF1 in telomerase-positive cells. In addition to its telomeric localization, PinX1 can be found in the nucleoli of human cells. Our recent studies have shown that PinX1 localizes to the chromosome periphery and kinetochores in mitosis. Depletion of PinX1 results in lagging chromosomes in mitosis and micronuclei in interphase. However, less is known about the post-translational modification of PinX1 in mitosis. Here, we show that Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a novel interacting protein of PinX1. Plk1 interacts with and phosphorylates PinX1 in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of Plk1 promotes protein turnover of PinX1, a process that depends on ubiquitin-associated proteasomal degradation. Depletion of Plk1 using siRNA increases the stability of PinX1 at protein level in mitosis. Moreover, Plk1-mediated phosphorylation of PinX1 at five phosphorylation sites is essential for its Plk1-induced degradation. These findings suggest that Plk1 may negatively regulate the stability of PinX1 by mitotic phosphorylation.

The transforming parasite Theileria co-opts host cell mitotic and central spindles to persist in continuously dividing cells

The protozoan parasite Theileria inhabits the host cell cytoplasm and possesses the unique capacity to transform the cells it infects, inducing continuous proliferation and protection against apoptosis. The transforming schizont is a multinucleated syncytium that resides free in the host cell cytoplasm and is strictly intracellular. To maintain transformation, it is crucial that this syncytium is divided over the two daughter cells at each host cell cytokinesis. This process was dissected using different cell cycle synchronization methods in combination with the targeted application of specific inhibitors. We found that Theileria schizonts associate with newly formed host cell microtubules that emanate from the spindle poles, positioning the parasite at the equatorial region of the mitotic cell where host cell chromosomes assemble during metaphase. During anaphase, the schizont interacts closely with host cell central spindle. As part of this process, the schizont recruits a host cell mitotic kinase, Polo-like kinase 1, and we established that parasite association with host cell central spindles requires Polo-like kinase 1 catalytic activity. Blocking the interaction between the schizont and astral as well as central spindle microtubules prevented parasite segregation between the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Our findings provide a striking example of how an intracellular eukaryotic pathogen that evolved ways to induce the uncontrolled proliferation of the cells it infects usurps the host cell mitotic machinery, including Polo-like kinase 1, one of the pivotal mitotic kinases, to ensure its own persistence and survival.

Plk1 regulates both ASAP localization and its role in spindle pole integrity

Bipolar spindle formation is essential for faithful chromosome segregation at mitosis. Because centrosomes define spindle poles, abnormal number and structural organization of centrosomes can lead to loss of spindle bipolarity and genetic integrity. ASAP (aster-associated protein or MAP9) is a centrosome- and spindle-associated protein, the deregulation of which induces severe mitotic defects. Its phosphorylation by Aurora A is required for spindle assembly and mitosis progression. Here, we show that ASAP is localized to the spindle poles by Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) (a mitotic kinase that plays an essential role in centrosome regulation and mitotic spindle assembly) through the γ-TuRC-dependent pathway. We also demonstrate that ASAP is a novel substrate of Plk1 phosphorylation and have identified serine 289 as the major phosphorylation site by Plk1 in vivo. ASAP phosphorylated on serine 289 is localized to centrosomes during mitosis, but this phosphorylation is not required for its Plk1-dependent localization at the spindle poles. We show that phosphorylated ASAP on serine 289 contributes to spindle pole stability in a microtubule-dependent manner. These data reveal a novel function of ASAP in centrosome integrity. Our results highlight dual ASAP regulation by Plk1 and further confirm the importance of ASAP for spindle pole organization, bipolar spindle assembly, and mitosis.

Inhibition of Plk1 induces mitotic infidelity and embryonic growth defects in developing zebrafish embryos

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is central to cell division. Here, we report that Plk1 is critical for mitosis in the embryonic development of zebrafish. Using a combination of several cell biology tools, including single-cell live imaging applied to whole embryos, we show that Plk1 is essential for progression into mitosis during embryonic development. Plk1 morphant cells displayed mitotic infidelity, such as abnormal centrosomes, irregular spindle assembly, hypercondensed chromosomes, and a failure of chromosome arm separation. Consequently, depletion of Plk1 resulted in mitotic arrest and finally death by 6days post-fertilization. In comparison, Plk2 or Plk3 morphant embryos did not display any significant abnormalities. Treatment of embryos with the Plk1 inhibitor, BI 2536, caused a block in mitosis, which was more severe when used to treat plk1 morphants. Finally, using an assay to rescue the Plk1 morphant phenotype, we found that the kinase domain and PBD domains are both necessary for Plk1 function in zebrafish development. Our studies demonstrate that Plk1 is required for embryonic proliferation because its activity is crucial for mitotic integrity. Furthermore, our study suggests that zebrafish will be an efficient and economical in vivo system for the validation of anti-mitotic drugs.

Computational analysis of phosphopeptide binding to the polo-box domain of the mitotic kinase PLK1 using molecular dynamics simulation

The Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1) acts as a central regulator of mitosis and is over-expressed in a wide range of human tumours where high levels of expression correlate with a poor prognosis. PLK1 comprises two structural elements, a kinase domain and a polo-box domain (PBD). The PBD binds phosphorylated substrates to control substrate phosphorylation by the kinase domain. Although the PBD preferentially binds to phosphopeptides, it has a relatively broad sequence specificity in comparison with other phosphopeptide binding domains. We analysed the molecular determinants of recognition by performing molecular dynamics simulations of the PBD with one of its natural substrates, CDC25c. Predicted binding free energies were calculated using a molecular mechanics, Poisson-Boltzmann surface area approach. We calculated the per-residue contributions to the binding free energy change, showing that the phosphothreonine residue and the mainchain account for the vast majority of the interaction energy. This explains the very broad sequence specificity with respect to other sidechain residues. Finally, we considered the key role of bridging water molecules at the binding interface. We employed inhomogeneous fluid solvation theory to consider the free energy of water molecules on the protein surface with respect to bulk water molecules. Such an analysis highlights binding hotspots created by elimination of water molecules from hydrophobic surfaces. It also predicts that a number of water molecules are stabilized by the presence of the charged phosphate group, and that this will have a significant effect on the binding affinity. Our findings suggest a molecular rationale for the promiscuous binding of the PBD and highlight a role for bridging water molecules at the interface. We expect that this method of analysis will be very useful for probing other protein surfaces to identify binding hotspots for natural binding partners and small molecule inhibitors.

Multifaceted polo-like kinases: drug targets and antitargets for cancer therapy

The polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) acts in concert with cyclin-dependent kinase 1-cyclin B1 and Aurora kinases to orchestrate a wide range of critical cell cycle events. Because PLK1 has been preclinically validated as a cancer target, small-molecule inhibitors of PLK1 have become attractive candidates for anticancer drug development. Although the roles of the closely related PLK2, PLK3 and PLK4 in cancer are less well understood, there is evidence showing that PLK2 and PLK3 act as tumour suppressors through their functions in the p53 signalling network, which guards the cell against various stress signals. In this article, recent insights into the biology of PLKs will be reviewed, with an emphasis on their role in malignant transformation, and progress in the development of small-molecule PLK1 inhibitors will be examined.

Polo-like kinase 1 is essential to DNA damage recovery

Radiation treatment and chemotherapy can both cause DNA damage to tumor cells. Tumor cells have specific self-protecting mechanisms to escape death. In this study, we explored the effects of polo-like kinase 1 on the DNA damage recovery system in lymphoma cell lines. DNA damage caused inhibition of polo-like kinase 1 activity and induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Once the DNA damage was repaired, polo-like kinase 1 activity was restored and cell cycle arrest was removed. Unexpectedly, polo-like kinase 1 depletion hampered the cell cycle progress of cells recovered from DNA damage, and induced apoptosis.

Polo-box domain: a versatile mediator of polo-like kinase function

Members of the polo subfamily of protein kinases have emerged as important regulators in diverse aspects of the cell cycle and cell proliferation. A large body of evidence suggests that a highly conserved polo-box domain (PBD) present in the C-terminal non-catalytic region of polo kinases plays a pivotal role in the function of these enzymes. Recent advances in our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying mammalian polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1)-dependent protein-protein interactions revealed that the PBD serves as an essential molecular mediator that brings the kinase domain of Plk1 into proximity with its substrates, mainly through phospho-dependent interactions with its target proteins. In this review, current understanding of the structure and functions of PBD, mode of PBD-dependent interactions and substrate phosphorylation, and other phospho-independent functions of PBD are discussed.

Quantitative proteome analysis of pluripotent cells by iTRAQ mass tagging reveals post-transcriptional regulation of proteins required for ES cell self-renewal

Embryonic stem cells and embryonal carcinoma cells share two key characteristics: pluripotency (the ability to differentiate into endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm) and self-renewal (the ability to grow without change in an untransformed, euploid state). Much has been done to identify and characterize transcription factors that are necessary or sufficient to maintain these characteristics. Oct-4 and Nanog are necessary to maintain pluripotency; they are down-regulated at the mRNA level by differentiation. There may be additional regulatory genes whose mRNA levels are unchanged but whose proteins are destabilized during differentiation. We generated proteome-wide, quantitative profiles of ES and embryonal carcinoma cells during differentiation, replicating a microarray-based study by Aiba et al. (Aiba, K., Sharov, A. A., Carter, M. G., Foroni, C., Vescovi, A. L., and Ko, M. S. (2006) Defining a developmental path to neural fate by global expression profiling of mouse embryonic stem cells and adult neural stem/progenitor cells. Stem Cells 24, 889-895) who triggered differentiation by treatment with 1 μM all-trans-retinoic acid. We identified several proteins whose levels decreased during differentiation in both cell types but whose mRNA levels were unchanged. We confirmed several of these cases by RT-PCR and Western blot. Racgap1 (also known as mgcRacgap) was particularly interesting because it is required for viability of preimplantation embryos and hematopoietic stem cells, and it is also required for differentiation. To confirm our observation that RACGAP-1 declines during retinoic acid-mediated differentiation, we used multiple reaction monitoring, a targeted mass spectrometry-based quantitation method, and determined that RACGAP-1 levels decline by half during retinoic acid-mediated differentiation. We knocked down Racgap-1 mRNA levels using a panel of five shRNAs. This resulted in a loss of self-renewal that correlated with the level of knockdown. We conclude that RACGAP-1 is post-transcriptionally regulated during blastocyst development to enable differentiation by inhibiting ES cell self-renewal.

Transcriptomics approach to investigate zebrafish heart regeneration

In mammals, after a myocardial infarction episode, the damaged myocardium is replaced by scar tissue with negligible cardiomyocyte proliferation. Zebrafish, in contrast, display an extensive regenerative capacity, as they are able to restore completely lost cardiac tissue after partial ventricular amputation. Although questions about the early signals that drive the regenerative response and the relative role of each cardiac cell type in this process still need to be answered, the zebrafish is emerging as a very valuable tool to understand heart regeneration and to devise strategies that may be of potential value to treat human cardiac disease. Here, we performed a genome-wide transcriptome profile analysis focusing on the early time points of zebrafish heart regeneration and compared our results with those of previously published data. Our analyses confirmed the differential expression of several transcripts and identified additional genes whose expression is differentially regulated during zebrafish heart regeneration. We validated the microarray data by conventional and/or quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For a subset of these genes, their expression pattern was analyzed by in-situ hybridization and shown to be upregulated in the regenerating area of the heart. Our results offer new insights into the biology of heart regeneration in the zebrafish and, together with future experiments in mammals, may be of potential interest for clinical applications.

Inactivation of DNA-dependent protein kinase leads to spindle disruption and mitotic catastrophe with attenuated checkpoint protein 2 Phosphorylation in response to DNA damage

DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) is well known as a critical component involving the nonhomologous end joining pathway of DNA double-strand breaks repair. Here, we showed another important role of DNA-PKcs in stabilizing spindle formation and preventing mitotic catastrophe in response to DNA damage. Inactivation of DNA-PKcs by small interfering RNA or specific inhibitor NU7026 resulted in an increased outcome of polyploidy after 2-Gy or 4-Gy irradiation. Simultaneously, a high incidence of multinucleated cells and multipolar spindles was detected in DNA-PKcs-deficient cells. Time-lapse video microscopy revealed that depression of DNA-PKcs results in mitotic catastrophe associated with mitotic progression failure in response to DNA damage. Moreover, DNA-PKcs inhibition led to a prolonged G(2)-M arrest and increased the outcome of aberrant spindles and mitotic catastrophe in Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM)-deficient AT5BIVA cells. We have also revealed the localizations of phosphorylated DNA-PKcs/T2609 at the centrosomes, kinetochores, and midbody during mitosis. We have found that the association of DNA-PKcs and checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) is driven by Ku70/80 heterodimer. Inactivation of DNA-PKcs strikingly attenuated the ionizing radiation-induced phosphorylation of Chk2/T68 in both ATM-efficient and ATM-deficient cells. Chk2/p-T68 was also shown to localize at the centrosomes and midbody. These results reveal an important role of DNA-PKcs on stabilizing spindle formation and preventing mitotic catastrophe in response to DNA damage and provide another prospect for understanding the mechanism coupling DNA repair and the regulation of mitotic progression.

Lin9, a subunit of the mammalian DREAM complex, is essential for embryonic development, for survival of adult mice, and for tumor suppression

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) and related p107 and p130 "pocket proteins" function together with the E2F transcription factors to repress gene expression during the cell cycle and development. Recent biochemical studies have identified the multisubunit DREAM pocket protein complexes in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans in regulating developmental gene repression. Although a conserved DREAM complex has also been identified in mammalian cells, its physiological function in vivo has not been determined. Here we addressed this question by targeting Lin9, a conserved core subunit of DREAM. We found that LIN9 is essential for early embryonic development and for viability of adult mice. Loss of Lin9 abolishes proliferation and leads to multiple defects in mitosis and cytokinesis because of its requirement for the expression of a large set of mitotic genes, such as Plk1, Aurora A, and Kif20a. While Lin9 heterozygous mice are healthy and normal, they are more susceptible to lung tumorigenesis induced by oncogenic c-Raf than wild-type mice. Together these experiments provide the first direct genetic evidence for the role of LIN9 in development and mitotic gene regulation and they suggest that it may function as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor.

Re-examination of siRNA specificity questions role of PICH and Tao1 in the spindle checkpoint and identifies Mad2 as a sensitive target for small RNAs

The DNA-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH) has recently been implicated in spindle checkpoint (SAC) signaling (Baumann et al., Cell 128(1):101-114, 2007). Depletion of PICH by siRNA abolished the SAC and resulted in an apparently selective loss of Mad2 from kinetochores, suggesting a role for PICH in the regulation of the Mad1-Mad2 interaction. An apparent rescue of SAC functionality by overexpression of PICH in PICH-depleted cells initially seemed to confirm a role for PICH in the SAC. However, we have subsequently discovered that all PICH-directed siRNA oligonucleotides that abolish the SAC also reduce Mad2 mRNA and protein expression. This reduction is functionally significant, as PICH siRNA does not abolish SAC activity in a cell line that harbors a bacterial artificial chromosome driving the expression of murine Mad2. Moreover, we identified several siRNA duplexes that effectively deplete PICH but do not significantly affect SAC functionality or Mad2 abundance or localization. Finally, we discovered that the ability of overexpressed PICH to restore SAC activity in PICH-depleted cells depends on sequestration of the mitotic kinase Plk1 rather than ATPase activity of PICH, pointing to an underlying mechanism of "bypass suppression." In support of this view, depletion or inhibition of Plk1 also rescued SAC activity in cells harboring low levels of Mad2. This observation suggests that a reduction of Plk1 activity partially compensates for reduced Mad2 levels and argues that Plk1 normally reduces the strength of SAC signaling. Collectively, our results question the role of PICH in the SAC and instead identify Mad2 as a sensitive off target for small RNA duplexes. In support of the latter conclusion, our evidence suggests that an off-target effect on Mad2 may also contribute to explain the apparent role of the Tao1 kinase in SAC signaling.

Identification of 2-anilino-9-methoxy-5,7-dihydro-6H-pyrimido[5,4-d][1]benzazepin-6-ones as dual PLK1/VEGF-R2 kinase inhibitor chemotypes by structure-based lead generation

To develop multikinase inhibitors with dual PLK1/VEGF-R2 inhibitory activity, the d-annulated 1-benzazepin-2-one scaffold present in the paullone family of kinase inhibitors was investigated as a general structure template suitable for anchoring annulated heterocycles at the hinge region of the ATP binding site. For this purpose, the indole substructure of the paullones was replaced by other nitrogen containing heteroaromatics. The designed scaffolds were synthesized and tested on the indicated kinases. The 2-anilino-5,7-dihydro-6H-pyrimido[5,4-d][1]benzazepin-6-ones were found to be VEGF-R2 inhibitors with selectivity against the insulin receptor kinase. The attachment of a methoxy group to the 9-position of the scaffold led to additional PLK1 inhibitory activity, which was explained by an alternative binding mode of the 9-methoxy derivatives. Selected members of the compound class inhibited the VEGF-R2 autophosphorylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the sprouting of human umbilical vein endothelial cell speroids, and the proliferation of diverse cancer cell lines.

Dissecting the M phase-specific phosphorylation of serine-proline or threonine-proline motifs

M phase induction in eukaryotic cell cycles is associated with a burst of protein phosphorylation, primarily at serine or threonine followed by proline (S/TP motif). The mitotic phosphoprotein antibody MPM-2 recognizes a significant subset of mitotically phosphorylated S/TP motifs; however, the required surrounding sequences of and the key kinases that phosphorylate these S/TP motifs remain to be determined. By mapping the mitotic MPM-2 epitopes in Xenopus Cdc25C and characterizing the mitotic MPM-2 epitope kinases in Xenopus oocytes and egg extracts, we have determined that phosphorylation of TP motifs that are surrounded by hydrophobic residues at both -1 and +1 positions plays a dominant role in M phase-associated burst of MPM-2 reactivity. Although mitotic Cdk and MAPK may phosphorylate subsets of these motifs that have a basic residue at the +2 position and a proline residue at the -2 position, respectively, the majority of these motifs that are preferentially phosphorylated in mitosis do not have these features. The M phase-associated burst of MPM-2 reactivity can be induced in Xenopus oocytes and egg extracts in the absence of MAPK or Cdc2 activity. These findings indicate that the M phase-associated burst of MPM-2 reactivity represents a novel type of protein phosphorylation in mitotic regulation.

From proteome lists to biological impact--tools and strategies for the analysis of large MS data sets

MS has become a method-of-choice for proteome analysis, generating large data sets, which reflect proteome-scale protein-protein interaction and PTM networks. However, while a rapid growth in large-scale proteomics data can be observed, the sound biological interpretation of these results clearly lags behind. Therefore, combined efforts of bioinformaticians and biologists have been made to develop strategies and applications to help experimentalists perform this crucial task. This review presents an overview of currently available analytical strategies and tools to extract biologically relevant information from large protein lists. Moreover, we also present current research publications making use of these tools as examples of how the presented strategies may be incorporated into proteomic workflows. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of Gene Ontology terms, interaction networks, biological pathways and PTMs. In addition, topics including domain analysis and text mining are reviewed in the context of computational analysis of proteomic results. We expect that these types of analyses will significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of individual proteins, protein networks and pathways in complex systems.

CYLD: a tumor suppressor deubiquitinase regulating NF-kappaB activation and diverse biological processes

Protein ubiquitination is a reversible reaction, in which the ubiquitin chains are deconjugated by a family of deubiquitinases (DUBs). The presence of a large number of DUBs suggests that they likely possess certain levels of substrate selectivity and functional specificity. Indeed, recent studies show that a tumor suppressor DUB, cylindromatosis (CYLD), has a predominant role in the regulation of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor that promotes cell survival and oncogenesis. NF-kappaB activation involves attachment of K63-linked ubiquitin chains to its upstream signaling factors, which is thought to facilitate protein-protein interactions in the assembly of signaling complexes. By deconjugating these K63-linked ubiquitin chains, CYLD negatively regulates NF-kappaB activation, which may contribute to its tumor suppressor function. CYLD also regulates diverse physiological processes, ranging from immune response and inflammation to cell cycle progression, spermatogenesis, and osteoclastogenesis. Interestingly, CYLD itself is subject to different mechanisms of regulation.

Mutual dependence of Mob1 and the chromosomal passenger complex for localization during mitosis

The spatial and temporal coordination of chromosome segregation with cytokinesis is essential to ensure that each daughter cell receives the correct complement of chromosomal and cytoplasmic material. In yeast, mitotic exit and cytokinesis are coordinated by signaling cascades whose terminal components include a nuclear Dbf2-related family kinase and a noncatalytic subunit, Mps one binding (Mob) 1. There are five human Mob1 isoforms, all of which display redundant localization patterns at the spindle poles and kinetochores in early mitosis, and the spindle midzone during cytokinesis. Mob1 shares similar localization patterns to Polo-like kinase (Plk1) and the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), and although depletion of Plk1 resulted in a loss of Mob1 from the spindle poles, Mob1 recruitment to kinetochores was unaffected. Conversely, disruption of CPC signaling resulted in a loss of Mob1 from kinetochores without disrupting recruitment to the spindle poles. In Mob1-depleted cells, the relocalization of the CPC and mitotic kinesin-like protein (MKLP) 2 to the spindle midzone was delayed during early anaphase, and as a consequence, the midzone recruitment of MKLP1 also was affected. Together, these results suggest that Mob1 and the other mammalian orthologues of the mitotic exit network regulate mitotic progression by facilitating the timely mobilization of the CPC to the spindle midzone.

CDC5 inhibits the hyperphosphorylation of the checkpoint kinase Rad53, leading to checkpoint adaptation

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae polo-like kinase Cdc5 promotes adaptation to the DNA damage checkpoint, in addition to its numerous roles in mitotic progression. The process of adaptation occurs when cells are presented with persistent or irreparable DNA damage and escape the cell-cycle arrest imposed by the DNA damage checkpoint. However, the precise mechanism of adaptation remains unknown. We report here that CDC5 is dose-dependent for adaptation and that its overexpression promotes faster adaptation, indicating that high levels of Cdc5 modulate the ability of the checkpoint to inhibit the downstream cell-cycle machinery. To pinpoint the step in the checkpoint pathway at which Cdc5 acts, we overexpressed CDC5 from the GAL1 promoter in damaged cells and examined key steps in checkpoint activation individually. Cdc5 overproduction appeared to have little effect on the early steps leading to Rad53 activation. The checkpoint sensors, Ddc1 (a member of the 9-1-1 complex) and Ddc2 (a member of the Ddc2/Mec1 complex), properly localized to damage sites. Mec1 appeared to be active, since the Rad9 adaptor retained its Mec1 phosphorylation. Moreover, the damage-induced interaction between phosphorylated Rad9 and Rad53 remained intact. In contrast, Rad53 hyperphosphorylation was significantly reduced, consistent with the observation that cell-cycle arrest is lost during adaptation. Thus, we conclude Cdc5 acts to attenuate the DNA damage checkpoint through loss of Rad53 hyperphosphorylation to allow cells to adapt to DNA damage. Polo-like kinase homologs have been shown to inhibit the ability of Claspin to facilitate the activation of downstream checkpoint kinases, suggesting that this function is conserved in vertebrates.

BI_2536--targeting the mitotic kinase Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1)

Human Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is an essential regulator of mitotic progression. Targeted inhibition of this kinase was effective in killing tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. The Plk1 inhibitor BI_2536 was well tolerated and showed antitumor activity in the first clinical trials enrolling patients with advanced solid tumors and refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia.

Polo-like kinase inhibitors: an emerging opportunity for cancer therapeutics

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

The Polo-like kinase (Plk) family has emerged as an important regulator in cell cycle progression. Plks belong to a family of serine/threonine kinases and exist in four isoforms Plk1- 4. However, only one of these isoforms, Plk1, is shown to be involved in the activation of Cdc2, chromosome segregation, centrosome maturation, bipolar spindle formation and execution of cytokinesis. The activity of Plk1 is elevated in tissues and cells with a high mitotic index. In patients, Plk1 is overexpressed in tumors including those derived from lung, breast, colon, pancreas, prostate and ovary. Plk1 depletion is associated with the decrease in cell viability and induction of apoptosis in various cancerous cells. Several Plk1 inhibitors are in different phases of clinical development for anticancer therapy.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

The focus of present review is to highlight Plk1 as a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer. The review discusses the role of Plk1 in cancer and the current status of Plk1 inhibitors, as well as highlighting the possible beneficial effect of inhibition of Plk1 as compared to other mitotic targets.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

Readers will get a comprehensive overview of Plk1 as a novel anticancer drug target. This review will also update readers about the progress made in the field of Plk1 inhibitors.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

The current literature about Plk1 inhibitors and knockout studies favor Plk1 inhibition as a potential antitumor therapy.

Development of high-throughput assays based on fluorescence polarization for inhibitors of the polo-box domains of polo-like kinases 2 and 3

The serine/threonine kinases Plk1, Plk2, and Plk3 harbor a protein-protein interaction domain dubbed polo-box domain (PBD). Recently, the inhibition of the PBD of the cancer target Plk1 has been successfully explored as an alternative to the inhibition of the kinase by ATP-competitive ligands. However, because the PBDs of Plk1, Plk2, and Plk3 have very similar optimal binding motifs, absolute specificity for the PBD of Plk1 over the PBDs of Plk2 and Plk3 may also represent a big challenge for a small molecule. To aid in the activity profiling of Plk PBD inhibitors, and to identify selective small molecules that will reveal the cellular consequences of inhibiting the PBDs of Plk2 and Plk3, we have developed high-throughput assays based on fluorescence polarization against the PBDs of Plk2 and Plk3. The assays are stable with regard to time and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and have Z' values > or = 0.7, making them well-suited for high-throughput screening. Moreover, our data provide insights into the binding preferences of the PBDs of Plk2 and Plk3.

Physiological and oncogenic Aurora-A pathway

Aurora family of protein kinases have emerged as crucial factors of, not only mitosis and cytokinesis, but also human carcinogenesis. Among these family members is Aurora-A that is frequently overexpressed in varieties of human cancer. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that Aurora-A induces tumorigenesis through genome instability. These studies have further shown that cell signaling cross-talk between Aurora-A and other cellular proteins are essential for fully-transformed phenotypes. This review summarizes recent progress of Aurora-A-associated carcinogenesis.

Polo kinase and separase regulate the mitotic licensing of centriole duplication in human cells

It has been proposed that separase-dependent centriole disengagement at anaphase licenses centrosomes for duplication in the next cell cycle. Here we test whether such a mechanism exists in intact human cells. Loss of separase blocked centriole disengagement during mitotic exit and delayed assembly of new centrioles during the following S phase; however, most engagements were eventually dissolved. We identified Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) as a parallel activator of centriole disengagement. Timed inhibition of Plk1 mapped its critical period of action to late G2 or early M phase, i.e., prior to securin destruction and separase activation at anaphase onset. Crucially, when cells exited mitosis after downregulation of both separase and Plk1, centriole disengagement failed completely, and subsequent centriole duplication in interphase was also blocked. Our results indicate that Plk1 and separase act at different times during M phase to license centrosome duplication, reminiscent of their roles in removing cohesin from chromosomes.

GAK, a regulator of clathrin-mediated membrane traffic, also controls centrosome integrity and chromosome congression

Cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK) is an association partner of clathrin heavy chain (CHC) and is essential for clathrin-mediated membrane trafficking. Here, we report two novel functions of GAK: maintenance of proper centrosome maturation and of mitotic chromosome congression. Indeed, GAK knockdown by siRNA caused cell-cycle arrest at metaphase, which indicates that GAK is required for proper mitotic progression. We found that this impaired mitotic progression was due to activation of the spindle-assembly checkpoint, which senses protruded, misaligned or abnormally condensed chromosomes in GAK-siRNA-treated cells. GAK knockdown also caused multi-aster formation, which was due to abnormal fragmentation of pericentriolar material, but not of the centrioles. Moreover, GAK and CHC cooperated in the same pathway and interacted in mitosis to regulate the formation of a functional spindle. Taken together, we conclude that GAK and clathrin function cooperatively not only in endocytosis, but also in mitotic progression.

Polo kinase regulates mitotic chromosome condensation by hyperactivation of condensin DNA supercoiling activity

A defining feature of mitosis is the reorganization of chromosomes into highly condensed structures capable of withstanding separation and large-scale intracellular movements. This reorganization is promoted by condensin, an evolutionarily conserved multisubunit ATPase. Here we show, using budding yeast, that condensin is regulated by phosphorylation specifically in anaphase. This phosphorylation depends on several mitotic regulators, and the ultimate effector is the Polo kinase Cdc5. We demonstrate that Cdc5 directly phosphorylates all three regulatory subunits of the condensin complex in vivo and that this causes a hyperactivation of condensin DNA supercoiling activity. Strikingly, abrogation of condensin phosphorylation is incompatible with viability, and cells expressing condensin mutants that have a reduced ability to be phosphorylated in vivo are defective in anaphase-specific chromosome condensation. Our results reveal the existence of a regulatory mechanism essential for the promotion of genome integrity through the stimulation of chromosome condensation in late mitosis.

Alternative functions of core cell cycle regulators in neuronal migration, neuronal maturation, and synaptic plasticity

Recent studies have demonstrated that boundaries separating a cycling cell from a postmitotic neuron are not as concrete as expected. Novel and unique physiological functions in neurons have been ascribed for proteins fundamentally required for cell cycle progression and control. These "core" cell cycle regulators serve diverse postmitotic functions that span various developmental stages of a neuron, including neuronal migration, axonal elongation, axon pruning, dendrite morphogenesis, and synaptic maturation and plasticity. In this review, we detail the nonproliferative postmitotic roles that these cell cycle proteins have recently been reported to play, the significance of their expression in neurons, mechanistic insight when available, and future prospects.

Nip2/centrobin may be a substrate of Nek2 that is required for proper spindle assembly during mitosis in early mouse embryos

Nek2 is a mitotic kinase with multiple cellular functions involving phosphorylation of diverse substrates. Suppression of Nek2 in early mouse embryos has been shown to arrest development at the 4-cell stage with defects in mitotic spindle assembly as well as in interphase nuclear morphology. In the present study, we suppressed expression of two Nek2 centrosomal substrates, Nip2 and C-Nap1, in early mouse embryos. The development of the Nip2-suppressed embryo was arrested at the 4-cell stage with mitotic defects in the blastomeres. In contrast, C-Nap1 suppression did not produce a visible phenotype. The phenotypic similarities of the Nip2- and Nek2-suppressed embryos suggest that Nip2 may be a substrate of Nek2 that is required for mitotic spindle assembly in early mouse embryos.

Aurora-A and hBora join the game of Polo

Overactivation of both Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) and Aurora-A is linked to cancer development, and small-molecule inhibitors that target these kinases are currently tested as anticancer drugs. Here, we discuss recent advances in the understanding of the functional crosstalk between Plk1 and Aurora-A before and during mitosis. Several recent findings have led to a better appreciation of how the activities of these distinct mitotic kinases are intertwined. Such insight is important for the expected utility of small-molecule inhibitors targeting Plk1 or Aurora-A, and it might help us to improve their application.

A genome-wide RNAi screen identifies multiple synthetic lethal interactions with the Ras oncogene

Oncogenic mutations in the small GTPase Ras are highly prevalent in cancer, but an understanding of the vulnerabilities of these cancers is lacking. We undertook a genome-wide RNAi screen to identify synthetic lethal interactions with the KRAS oncogene. We discovered a diverse set of proteins whose depletion selectively impaired the viability of Ras mutant cells. Among these we observed a strong enrichment for genes with mitotic functions. We describe a pathway involving the mitotic kinase PLK1, the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome, and the proteasome that, when inhibited, results in prometaphase accumulation and the subsequent death of Ras mutant cells. Gene expression analysis indicates that reduced expression of genes in this pathway correlates with increased survival of patients bearing tumors with a Ras transcriptional signature. Our results suggest a previously underappreciated role for Ras in mitotic progression and demonstrate a pharmacologically tractable pathway for the potential treatment of cancers harboring Ras mutations.

Plk1 self-organization and priming phosphorylation of HsCYK-4 at the spindle midzone regulate the onset of division in human cells

Animal cells initiate cytokinesis in parallel with anaphase onset, when an actomyosin ring assembles and constricts through localized activation of the small GTPase RhoA, giving rise to a cleavage furrow. Furrow formation relies on positional cues provided by anaphase spindle microtubules (MTs), but how such cues are generated remains unclear. Using chemical genetics to achieve both temporal and spatial control, we show that the self-organized delivery of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) to the midzone and its local phosphorylation of a MT-bound substrate are critical for generating this furrow-inducing signal. When Plk1 was active but unable to target itself to this equatorial landmark, both cortical RhoA recruitment and furrow induction failed to occur, thus recapitulating the effects of anaphase-specific Plk1 inhibition. Using tandem mass spectrometry and phosphospecific antibodies, we found that Plk1 binds and directly phosphorylates the HsCYK-4 subunit of centralspindlin (also known as MgcRacGAP) at the midzone. At serine 157, this modification creates a major docking site for the tandem BRCT repeats of the Rho GTP exchange factor Ect2. Cells expressing only a nonphosphorylatable form of HsCYK-4 failed to localize Ect2 at the midzone and were severely impaired in cleavage furrow formation, implying that HsCYK-4 is Plk1's rate-limiting target upstream of RhoA. Conversely, tethering an inhibitor-resistant allele of Plk1 to HsCYK-4 allowed furrows to form despite global inhibition of all other Plk1 molecules in the cell. Our findings illuminate two key mechanisms governing the initiation of cytokinesis in human cells and illustrate the power of chemical genetics to probe such regulation both in time and space.

Role of Filia, a maternal effect gene, in maintaining euploidy during cleavage-stage mouse embryogenesis

During oogenesis, mammalian eggs accumulate proteins required for early embryogenesis. Although limited data suggest a vital role of these maternal factors in chromatin reprogramming and embryonic genome activation, the full range of their functions in preimplantation development remains largely unknown. Here we report a role for maternal proteins in maintaining chromosome stability and euploidy in early-cleavage mouse embryogenesis. Filia, expressed in growing oocytes, encodes a protein that binds to MATER and participates in a subcortical maternal complex essential for cleavage-stage embryogenesis. The depletion of maternal stores of Filia impairs preimplantation embryo development with a high incidence of aneuploidy that results from abnormal spindle assembly, chromosome misalignment, and spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) inactivation. In helping to ensure normal spindle morphogenesis, Filia regulates the proper allocation of the key spindle assembly regulators (i.e., AURKA, PLK1, and gamma-tubulin) to the microtubule-organizing center via the RhoA signaling pathway. Concurrently, Filia is required for the placement of MAD2, an essential component of the SAC, to kinetochores to enable SAC function. Thus, Filia is central to integrating the spatiotemporal localization of regulators that helps ensure euploidy and high-quality cell cycle progression in preimplantation mouse development. Defects in the well-conserved human homologue could play a similar role and account for recurrent human fetal wastage.

A pan-specific inhibitor of the polo-box domains of polo-like kinases arrests cancer cells in mitosis

Playing polo: Small-molecule inhibitors of polo-like kinase 1 are mostly ATP-competitive, and thus face enormous specificity hurdles. This communication explores the concept of inhibiting Plk1 with a small-molecule inhibitor of the protein-protein interactions required for Plk1 function.

BI 6727, a Polo-like kinase inhibitor with improved pharmacokinetic profile and broad antitumor activity

PURPOSE

Antimitotic chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of multimodality treatment for locally advanced and metastatic cancers. To identify novel mitosis-specific agents with higher selectivity than approved tubulin-binding agents (taxanes, Vinca alkaloids), we have generated inhibitors of Polo-like kinase 1, a target that functions predominantly in mitosis.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The first compound in this series, suitable for i.v. administration, has entered clinical development. To fully explore the potential of Polo-like kinase 1 inhibition in oncology, we have profiled additional compounds and now describe a novel clinical candidate.

RESULTS

BI 6727 is a highly potent (enzyme IC(50) = 0.87 nmol/L, EC(50) = 11-37 nmol/L on a panel of cancer cell lines) and selective dihydropteridinone with distinct properties. First, BI 6727 has a pharmacokinetic profile favoring sustained exposure of tumor tissues with a high volume of distribution and a long terminal half-life in mice (V(ss) = 7.6 L/kg, t(1/2) = 46 h) and rats (V(ss) = 22 L/kg, t(1/2) = 54 h). Second, BI 6727 has physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties that allow in vivo testing of i.v. as well as oral formulations, adding flexibility to dosing schedules. Finally, BI 6727 shows marked antitumor activity in multiple cancer models, including a model of taxane-resistant colorectal cancer. With oral and i.v. routes of administration, the total weekly dose of BI 6727 is most relevant for efficacy, supporting the use of a variety of well-tolerated dosing schedules.

CONCLUSION

These findings warrant further investigation of BI 6727 as a tailored antimitotic agent; clinical studies have been initiated.

Polo-like kinase-1 controls Aurora A destruction by activating APC/C-Cdh1

Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) is activated before mitosis by Aurora A and its cofactor Bora. In mitosis, Bora is degraded in a manner dependent on Plk1 kinase activity and the E3 ubiquitin ligase SCF-betaTrCP. Here, we show that Plk1 is also required for the timely destruction of its activator Aurora A in late anaphase. It has been shown that Aurora A destruction is controlled by the auxiliary subunit Cdh1 of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C). Remarkably, we found that Plk1-depletion prevented the efficient dephosphorylation of Cdh1 during mitotic exit. Plk1 mediated its effect on Cdh1, at least in part, through direct phosphorylation of the human phosphatase Cdc14A, controlling the phosphorylation state of Cdh1. We conclude that Plk1 facilitates efficient Aurora A degradation through APC/C-Cdh1 activation after mitosis, with a potential role for hCdc14A.

The decision to enter mitosis: feedback and redundancy in the mitotic entry network

The decision to enter mitosis is mediated by a network of proteins that regulate activation of the cyclin B–Cdk1 complex. Within this network, several positive feedback loops can amplify cyclin B–Cdk1 activation to ensure complete commitment to a mitotic state once the decision to enter mitosis has been made. However, evidence is accumulating that several components of the feedback loops are redundant for cyclin B–Cdk1 activation during normal cell division. Nonetheless, defined feedback loops become essential to promote mitotic entry when normal cell cycle progression is perturbed. Recent data has demonstrated that at least three Plk1-dependent feedback loops exist that enhance cyclin B–Cdk1 activation at different levels. In this review, we discuss the role of various feedback loops that regulate cyclin B–Cdk1 activation under different conditions, the timing of their activation, and the possible identity of the elusive trigger that controls mitotic entry in human cells.

Polo-like kinases: conservation and divergence in their functions and regulation

Polo-like kinases (Plks) are potent regulators of M phase that are conserved from yeasts to humans. Their roles in mitotic entry, spindle pole functions and cytokinesis are broadly conserved despite physical and molecular differences in these processes in disparate organisms. Plks are characterized by their Polo-box domain, which mediates protein interactions. They are additionally controlled by phosphorylation, proteolysis and transcription, depending on the biological context. Plks are now recognized to link cell division to developmental processes and to function in differentiated cells. A comparison of Plk function and regulation between organisms offers insight into the rich variations of cell division.

Mid1p/anillin and the septation initiation network orchestrate contractile ring assembly for cytokinesis

In both animal cells and fungi, cytokinesis proceeds via a contractile actomyosin ring (CAR). Many CAR components and regulators are evolutionarily conserved. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the spatial cue for cytokinesis is provided by Mid1p/Anillin, whereas temporal coordination is ensured by the septation initiation network (SIN). However, neither Mid1p nor the SIN is considered to be essential for CAR assembly per se. Here, using 4D imaging, we reveal an unanticipated, novel role for the SIN in CAR assembly. We demonstrate that CAR assembly involves three, genetically separable steps: establishment of a cortical network of CAR proteins, its lateral condensation, and finally, the formation of a homogeneous CAR. We show that SIN mutants fail to form a homogeneous CAR; we identify hypophosphorylation and recruitment of the conserved PCH-family protein Cdc15p to the CAR as critical steps requiring SIN function. Furthermore, we show that in the absence of Mid1p, CAR assembly proceeds via an actomyosin filament, rather than a cortical network of CAR proteins. This mode of assembly is totally dependent on SIN signaling, thereby demonstrating a direct role for the SIN in CAR formation. Taken together, these data establish that Mid1p and the SIN are the key regulators that orchestrate CAR assembly.

Phenotypic fingerprinting of small molecule cell cycle kinase inhibitors for drug discovery

Phenotypic drug discovery, primarily abandoned in the 1980’s in favor of targeted approaches to drug development, is once again demonstrating its value when used in conjunction with new technologies. Phenotypic discovery has been brought back to the fore mainly due to recent advances in the field of high content imaging (HCI). HCI elucidates cellular responses using a combination of immunofluorescent assays and computer analysis which increase both the sensitivity and throughput of phenotypic assays. Although HCI data characterize cellular responses in individual cells, these data are usually analyzed as an aggregate of the treated population and are unable to discern differentially responsive subpopulations. A collection of 44 kinase inhibitors affecting cell cycle and apoptosis were characterized with a number of univariate, bivariate, and multivariate subpopulation analyses demonstrating that each level of complexity adds additional information about the treated populations and often distinguishes between compounds with seemingly similar mechanisms of action. Finally, these subpopulation data were used to characterize compounds as they relate in chemical space.

Cell cycle, CDKs and cancer: a changing paradigm

Tumour-associated cell cycle defects are often mediated by alterations in cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. Misregulated CDKs induce unscheduled proliferation as well as genomic and chromosomal instability. According to current models, mammalian CDKs are essential for driving each cell cycle phase, so therapeutic strategies that block CDK activity are unlikely to selectively target tumour cells. However, recent genetic evidence has revealed that, whereas CDK1 is required for the cell cycle, interphase CDKs are only essential for proliferation of specialized cells. Emerging evidence suggests that tumour cells may also require specific interphase CDKs for proliferation. Thus, selective CDK inhibition may provide therapeutic benefit against certain human neoplasias.

Kinase signaling in the spindle checkpoint

The spindle checkpoint is a cell cycle surveillance system that ensures the fidelity of chromosome segregation. In mitosis, it elicits the "wait anaphase" signal to inhibit the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome until all chromosomes achieve bipolar microtubule attachment and align at the metaphase plate. Because a single kinetochore unattached to microtubules activates the checkpoint, the wait anaphase signal is thought to be generated by this kinetochore and is then amplified and distributed throughout the cell to inhibit the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome. Several spindle checkpoint kinases participate in the generation and amplification of this signal. Recent studies have begun to reveal the activation mechanisms of these checkpoint kinases. Increasing evidence also indicates that the checkpoint kinases not only help to generate the wait anaphase signal but also actively correct kinetochore-microtubule attachment defects.

Mitotic crisis: the unmasking of a novel role for RPA

Mitotic DNA damage is a constant threat to genomic integrity, yet understanding of the cellular responses to this stress remain incomplete. Recent work by Anantha et al. (2008; PNAS 105:12903-8) has found surprising evidence that RPA, the primary eukaryotic single-stranded DNA-binding protein, can stimulate the ability of cells to exit mitosis into a 2N G(1) phase. Along with providing additional discussion of this study, we review evidence suggesting that DNA replication and repair factors can modulate mitotic transit by acting through Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) and the centrosome. 'A crisis unmasks everyone.'-Mason Cooley, U.S. aphorist.

Mechanism, function and regulation of microtubule-dependent microtubule amplification in mitosis

Mitotic spindle mediates the segregation of chromosomes in the cell cycle and the proper function of the spindle is crucial to the high fidelity of chromosome segregation and to the stability of the genome. Nucleation of microtubules (MTs) from centrosomes and chromatin represents two well-characterized pathways essential for the assembly of a dynamic spindle in mitosis. Recently, we identified a third MT nucleation pathway, in which existing MTs in the spindle act as a template to promote the nucleation and polymerization of MTs, thereby efficiently amplifying MTs in the spindle. We will review here our current understanding on the molecular mechanism, the physiological function and the cell-cycle regulation of MT amplification.

The balance of Polo-like kinase 1 in tumorigenesis

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) belongs to a family of conserved serine/threonine kinases with a polo-box domain, which have similar but non-overlapping functions in the cell cycle progression. Plk1 plays a key role to ensure the normal mitosis. Interestingly, overexpression of Plk1 is associated with tumor development and could serve as a prognostic marker for many cancers. Due to Plk1 overexpression, several Plk1 inhibitors have been developed and tested for the cancer treatment. However, in a recent study, it has been suggested that down-regulation of Plk1 could also induce aneuploidy and tumor formation in vivo. Therefore, a normal level of Plk1 is important for mitosis. And caution should be taken when Plk1 inhibitors are used in the clinical trial and their side effects including tumorigenesis should be carefully evaluated.

Topoisomerase IIalpha controls the decatenation checkpoint

Topoisomerase II (Topo II) is required to separate intertwined sister chromatids before chromosome segregation can occur in mitosis. However, it remains to be resolved whether Topo II has any role in checkpoint control. Here we report that when phosphorylated, Ser 1524 of Topo IIalpha acts as a binding site for the BRCT domain of MDC1 (mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein-1), thereby recruiting MDC1 to chromatin. Although Topo IIalpha-MDC1 interaction is not required for checkpoint activation induced by DNA damage, it is required for activation of the decatenation checkpoint. Mutation of Ser 1524 results in a defective decatenation checkpoint. These results reveal an important role of Topo II in checkpoint activation and in the maintenance of genomic stability.