Protein phosphatases and their regulation in the control of mitosis

Phosphate-binding pocket on cyclin B governs CDK substrate phosphorylation and mitotic timing

Cell cycle progression is governed by complexes of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their regulatory subunits cyclin and Cks1. CDKs phosphorylate hundreds of substrates, often at multiple sites. Multisite phosphorylation depends on Cks1, which binds initial priming phosphorylation sites to promote secondary phosphorylation at other sites. Here, we describe a similar role for a recently discovered phosphate-binding pocket (PP) on B-type cyclins. Mutation of the PP in Clb2, the major mitotic cyclin of budding yeast, alters bud morphology and delays the onset of anaphase. Mutation of the PP reduces multi-site phosphorylation of CDK substrates in vitro, including the Cdc16 and Cdc27 subunits of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome and the Bud6 and Spa2 subunits of the polarisome. We conclude that the cyclin PP, like Cks1, controls the pattern of multisite phosphorylation on CDK substrates, thereby helping to establish the robust timing of cell-cycle events.

Phosphate-binding pocket on cyclin B governs CDK substrate phosphorylation and mitotic timing

Cell cycle progression is governed by complexes of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and their regulatory subunits cyclin and Cks1. CDKs phosphorylate hundreds of substrates, often at multiple sites. Multisite phosphorylation depends on Cks1, which binds initial priming phosphorylation sites to promote secondary phosphorylation at other sites. Here, we describe a similar role for a recently discovered phosphate-binding pocket (PP) on B-type cyclins. Mutation of the PP in Clb2, the major mitotic cyclin of budding yeast, alters bud morphology and delays the onset of anaphase. Mutation of the PP reduces multi-site phosphorylation of CDK substrates in vitro, including the Cdc16 and Cdc27 subunits of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome and the Bud6 and Spa2 subunits of the polarisome. We conclude that the cyclin PP, like Cks1, controls the pattern of multisite phosphorylation on CDK substrates, thereby helping to establish the robust timing of cell-cycle events.

Mechanistic origins of temperature scaling in the early embryonic cell cycle

Temperature profoundly impacts organismal physiology and ecological dynamics, particularly affecting ectothermic species and making them especially vulnerable to climate changes. Although complex physiological processes usually involve dozens of enzymes, empirically it is found that the rates of these processes often obey the Arrhenius equation, which was originally proposed for individual chemical reactions. Here we have examined the temperature scaling of the early embryonic cell cycle, with the goal of understanding why the Arrhenius equation approximately holds and why it breaks down at temperature extremes. Using experimental data from Xenopus laevis, Xenopus tropicalis, and Danio rerio, plus published data from Caenorhabditis elegans, Caenorhabditis briggsae, and Drosophila melanogaster, we find that the apparent activation energies (E a values) for the early embryonic cell cycle for diverse ectotherms are all similar, 75 ± 7 kJ/mol (mean ± std.dev., n = 6), which corresponds to aQ 10 value at 20°C of 2.8 ± 0.2 (mean ± std.dev., n = 6). Using computational models, we find that the approximate Arrhenius scaling and the deviations from it at high and low temperatures can be accounted for by biphasic temperature scaling in critical individual components of the cell cycle oscillator circuit, by imbalances in theE a values for different partially rate-determining enzymes, or by a combination of both. Experimental studies of cycling Xenopus extracts indicate that both of these mechanisms contribute to the general scaling of temperature, and in vitro studies of individual cell cycle regulators confirm that there is in fact a substantial imbalance in theirE a values. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the dynamic interplay between temperature and complex biochemical processes, and into why biological systems fail at extreme temperatures.

Multiwell-based G0-PCC assay for radiation biodosimetry

In major radiological events, rapid assays to detect ionizing radiation exposure are crucial for effective medical interventions. The purpose of these assays is twofold: to categorize affected individuals into groups for initial treatments, and to provide definitive dose estimates for continued care and epidemiology. However, existing high-throughput cytogenetic biodosimetry assays take about 3 days to yield results, which delays critical interventions. We have developed a multiwell-based variant of the chemical-induced G0-phase Premature Chromosome Condensation Assay that delivers same-day results. Our findings revealed that using a concentration of phosphatase inhibitor lower than recommended significantly increases the yield of cells with highly condensed chromosomes. These chromosomes exhibited increased fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner, enabling to quantify radiation damage using a custom Deep Learning algorithm. This algorithm demonstrated reasonable performance in categorizing doses into distinct treatment groups (84% and 80% accuracy for three and four iso-treatment dose bins, respectively) and showed reliability in determining the actual doses received (correlation coefficient of 0.879). This method is amendable to full automation and has the potential to address the need for same-day, high-throughput cytogenetic test for both dose categorization and dose reconstruction in large-scale radiation emergencies.

Reconstitution of nuclear envelope subdomain formation on mitotic chromosomes in semi-intact cells

In metazoans, the nuclear envelope (NE) disassembles during the prophase and reassembles around segregated chromatids during the telophase. The process of NE formation has been extensively studied using live-cell imaging. At the early step of NE reassembly in human cells, specific pattern-like localization of inner nuclear membrane (INM) proteins, connected to the nuclear pore complex (NPC), was observed in the so-called "core" region and "noncore" region on telophase chromosomes, which corresponded to the "pore-free" region and the "pore-rich" region, respectively, in the early G1 interphase nucleus. We refer to these phenomena as NE subdomain formation. To biochemically investigate this process, we aimed to develop an in vitro NE reconstitution system using digitonin-permeabilized semi-intact mitotic human cells coexpressing two INM proteins, emerin and lamin B receptor, which were labeled with fluorescent proteins. The targeting and accumulation of INM proteins to chromosomes before and after anaphase onset in semi-intact cells were observed using time-lapse imaging. Our in vitro NE reconstitution system recapitulated the formation of the NE subdomain, as in living cells, although chromosome segregation and cytokinesis were not observed. This in vitro NE reconstitution required the addition of a mitotic cytosolic fraction supplemented with a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor and energy sources. The cytoplasmic soluble factor(s) dependency of INM protein targeting differed among the segregation states of chromosomes. Furthermore, the NE reconstituted on segregated chromosomes exhibited active nucleocytoplasmic transport competency. These results indicate that the chromosome status changes after anaphase onset for recruiting NPC components.

CYR61 Acts as an Intracellular Microtubule-Associated Protein and Coordinates Mitotic Progression via PLK1-FBW7 Pathway

Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (CYR61), also called CCN1, has long been characterized as a secretory protein. Nevertheless, the intracellular function of CYR61 remains unclear. Here, we found that CYR61 is important for proper cell cycle progression. Specifically, CYR61 interacts with microtubules and promotes microtubule polymerization to ensure mitotic entry. Moreover, CYR61 interacts with PLK1 and accumulates during the mitotic process, followed by degradation as mitosis concludes. The proteolysis of CYR61 requires the PLK1 kinase activity, which directly phosphorylates two conserved motifs on CYR61, enhancing its interaction with the SCF E3 complex subunit FBW7 and mediating its degradation by the proteasome. Mutations of phosphorylation sites of Ser167 and Ser188 greatly increase CYR61's stability, while deletion of CYR61 extends prophase and metaphase and delays anaphase onset. In summary, our findings highlight the precise control of the intracellular CYR61 by the PLK1-FBW7 pathway, accentuating its significance as a microtubule-associated protein during mitotic progression.

Multiwell-based G0-PCC assay for radiation biodosimetry

In cytogenetic biodosimetry, assessing radiation exposure typically requires over 48 hours for cells to reach mitosis, significantly delaying the administration of crucial radiation countermeasures needed within the first 24 hours post-exposure. To improve medical response times, we incorporated the G0-Premature Chromosome Condensation (G0-PCC) technique with the Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool-II (RABiT-II), creating a faster alternative for large-scale radiation emergencies. Our findings revealed that using a lower concentration of Calyculin A (Cal A) than recommended effectively increased the yield of highly-condensed G0-PCC cells (hPCC). However, integrating recombinant CDK1/Cyclin B kinase, vital for chromosome condensation, proved challenging due to the properties of these proteins affecting interactions with cellular membranes. Interestingly, Cal A alone was capable of inducing chromosome compaction in some G0 cells even in the absence of mitotic kinases, although these chromosomes displayed atypical morphologies. This suggests that Cal A mechanism for compacting G0 chromatin may differ from condensation driven by mitotic kinases. Additionally, we observed a correlation between radiation dose and extent of hPCC chromosome fragmentation, which allowed us to automate radiation damage quantification using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Our method can address the need for a same-day cytogenetic biodosimetry test in radiation emergency situations.

CDK1-PP2A-B55 interplay ensures cell cycle oscillation via Apc1-loop300

Cell cycle control relies on a delicate balance of phosphorylation with CDK1 and phosphatases like PP1 and PP2A-B55. Yet, identifying the primary substrate responsible for cell cycle oscillations remains a challenge. We uncover the pivotal role of phospho-regulation in the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), particularly through the Apc1-loop300 domain (Apc1-300L), orchestrated by CDK1 and PP2A-B55. Premature activation of PP2A-B55 during mitosis, induced by Greatwall kinase depletion, leads to Apc1-300L dephosphorylation, stalling APC/C activity and delaying Cyclin B degradation. This effect can be counteracted using the B55-specific inhibitor pEnsa or by removing Apc1-300L. We also show Cdc20's dynamic APC/C interaction across cell cycle stages, but dephosphorylation of Apc1-300L specifically inhibits further Cdc20 recruitment. Our study underscores APC/C's central role in cell cycle oscillation, identifying it as a primary substrate regulated by the CDK-PP2A partnership.

Reusable rule-based cell cycle model explains compartment-resolved dynamics of 16 observables in RPE-1 cells

The mammalian cell cycle is regulated by a well-studied but complex biochemical reaction system. Computational models provide a particularly systematic and systemic description of the mechanisms governing mammalian cell cycle control. By combining both state-of-the-art multiplexed experimental methods and powerful computational tools, this work aims at improving on these models along four dimensions: model structure, validation data, validation methodology and model reusability. We developed a comprehensive model structure of the full cell cycle that qualitatively explains the behaviour of human retinal pigment epithelial-1 cells. To estimate the model parameters, time courses of eight cell cycle regulators in two compartments were reconstructed from single cell snapshot measurements. After optimisation with a parallel global optimisation metaheuristic we obtained excellent agreements between simulations and measurements. The PEtab specification of the optimisation problem facilitates reuse of model, data and/or optimisation results. Future perturbation experiments will improve parameter identifiability and allow for testing model predictive power. Such a predictive model may aid in drug discovery for cell cycle-related disorders.

Genetic complementation screening and molecular docking give new insight on phosphorylation-dependent Mastl kinase activation

Mastl is a mitotic kinase that is essential for error-free chromosome segregation. It is an atypical member of AGC kinase family, possessing a unique non-conserved middle region. The mechanism of Mastl activation has been studied extensively in vitro. Phosphorylation of several residues were identified to be crucial for activation. These sites correspond to T193 and T206 in the activation loop and S861 in the C-terminal tail of mouse Mastl. To date, the significance of these phosphosites was not confirmed in intact mammalian cells. Here, we utilize a genetic complementation approach to determine the essentials of mammalian Mastl kinase activation. We used tamoxifen-inducible conditional knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts to delete endogenous Mastl and screened various mutants for their ability to complement its loss. S861A mutant was able to complement endogenous Mastl loss. In parallel, we performed computational molecular docking studies to evaluate the significance of this residue for kinase activation. Our in-depth sequence and structure analysis revealed that Mastl pS861 does not belong to a conformational state, where the phosphoresidue contributes to C-tail docking. C-tail of Mastl is relatively short and it lacks a hydrophobic (HF) motif that would otherwise help its anchoring over N-lobe, required for the final steps of kinase activation. Our results show that phosphorylation of Mastl C-tail turn motif (S861) is dispensable for kinase function in cellulo.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Analog-sensitive Cdk1 as a tool to study mitotic exit: protein phosphatase 1 is required downstream from Cdk1 inactivation in budding yeast

We show that specific inactivation of the protein kinase Cdk1/cyclin B (Cdc28/Clb2) triggers exit from mitosis in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cells carrying the allele cdc28-as1, which makes Cdk1 (Cdc28) uniquely sensitive to the ATP analog 1NM-PP1, were arrested with spindle poisons and then treated with 1NM-PP1 to inhibit Cdk1. This caused the cells to leave mitosis and enter G1-phase as shown by initiation of rebudding (without cytokinesis), induction of mating projections ("shmoos") by α-factor, stabilization of Sic1, and degradation of Clb2. It is known that Cdk1 must be inactivated for cells to exit mitosis, but our results show that inactivation of Cdk1 is not only necessary but also sufficient to initiate the transition from mitosis to G1-phase. This result suggests a system in which to test requirements for particular gene products downstream from Cdk1 inactivation, for example, by combining cdc28-as1 with conditional mutations in the genes of interest. Using this approach, we demonstrate that protein phosphatase 1 (PPase1; Glc7 in S. cerevisiae) is required for mitotic exit and reestablishment of interphase following Cdk1 inactivation. This system could be used to test the need for other protein phosphatases downstream from Cdk1 inactivation, such as PPase 2A and Cdc14, and it could be combined with phosphoproteomics to gain information about the substrates that the various phosphatases act upon during mitotic exit.

Exit from Mitosis in Budding Yeast: Protein Phosphatase 1 is Required Downstream from Cdk1 Inactivation

We show that inactivation of the protein kinase Cdk1/Cyclin B (Cdc28/Clb 2 in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) is not only necessary for cells to leave mitosis, as is well known, but also sufficient to trigger mitotic exit. Cells carrying the mutation cdc28-as1 , which makes Cdc28 (Cdk1) uniquely sensitive to the ATP analog 1NM-PP1, were arrested with spindle poisons and then treated with 1NM-PP1 to inhibit Cdk1. This treatment caused the cells to exit mitosis and enter G1-phase as shown by initiation of rebudding (without cytokinesis), production of "shmoos" (when α-factor was present), stabilization of Sic1, and degradation of Clb2. This result provides a system in which to test whether particular gene products are required downstream from Cdk1 inactivation in exit from mitosis. In this system, the mutation cdc28-as1 is combined with a conditional mutation in the gene of interest. Using this approach, we demonstrate that Protein Phosphatase 1 (PPase1; Glc7 in S. cerevisiae ) is required for reestablishment of G1-phase following Cdk1 inactivation. This system could be used to test whether other protein phosphatases are also needed downstream from Cdk1 inactivation, and it could be combined with phosphoproteomics to gain information about the substrates those phosphatases act on during mitotic exit.

Waves in Embryonic Development

Embryonic development hinges on effective coordination of molecular events across space and time. Waves have recently emerged as constituting an ubiquitous mechanism that ensures rapid spreading of regulatory signals across embryos, as well as reliable control of their patterning, namely, for the emergence of body plan structures. In this article, we review a selection of recent quantitative work on signaling waves and present an overview of the theory of waves. Our aim is to provide a succinct yet comprehensive guiding reference for the theoretical frameworks by which signaling waves can arise in embryos. We start, then, from reaction-diffusion systems, both static and time dependent; move to excitable dynamics; and conclude with systems of coupled oscillators. We link these theoretical models to molecular mechanisms recently elucidated for the control of mitotic waves in early embryos, patterning of the vertebrate body axis, micropattern cultures, and bone regeneration. Our goal is to inspire experimental work that will advance theory in development and connect its predictions to quantitative biological observations.

A phosphatase-centric mechanism drives stress signaling response

Changing environmental cues lead to the adjustment of cellular physiology by phosphorylation signaling networks that typically center around kinases as active effectors and phosphatases as antagonistic elements. Here, we report a signaling mechanism that reverses this principle. Using the hyperosmotic stress response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system, we find that a phosphatase-driven mechanism causes induction of phosphorylation. The key activating step that triggers this phospho-proteomic response is the Endosulfine-mediated inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A-Cdc55 (PP2ACdc55 ), while we do not observe concurrent kinase activation. In fact, many of the stress-induced phosphorylation sites appear to be direct substrates of the phosphatase, rendering PP2ACdc55 the main downstream effector of a signaling response that operates in parallel and independent of the well-established kinase-centric stress signaling pathways. This response affects multiple cellular processes and is required for stress survival. Our results demonstrate how a phosphatase can assume the role of active downstream effectors during signaling and allow re-evaluating the impact of phosphatases on shaping the phosphorylome.

Modulation of protein phosphatase 1 gamma 2 during cell division of cervical cancer HeLa cells

Introduction

Protein phosphatases (PP) and kinases are known to regulate the cell cycle dynamics. Although kinases have been studied extensively, most of the phosphatases are still unexplored. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association of an isoform of PP1 family protein phosphatases 1 gamma 2 (PP1γ2) in the regulation of cervical cancer HeLa cell proliferation.

Material and methods

Expression of PP1γ2 transcript and protein was assessed in the cervical cancer cell line of HeLa cells through RT-PCR and western blotting. Flow cytometry was employed to confirm its expression quantitatively, and Immuno-fluorescence was done to evaluate the distribution of PP1γ2 in the dividing mononuclear and Taxol-induced multipolar HeLa cells. PP1γ2-specific siRNA-mediated silencing was done to understand downstream pathways. The effect of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment on PP1γ2 expression was also evaluated.

Results

RT-PCR and western blotting confirmed the expression of PP1γ2 in HeLa cells, and flow cytometry analysis established intracellular expression of PP1γ2. Immunofluorescence is localized PP1γ2 in the nucleus of mononuclear cells during interphase, whereas it is transiently redistributed to spindle poles throughout the cell division and localized back to the nucleus after complete karyokinesis. Taxol-induced multipolar HeLa cells also showed a temporal redistribution of PP1γ2 on the spindle poles. Hypoxic conditions upregulated PP1γ2 expression, but downregulated PP1γ2 levels through siRNA increased GSK3β phosphorylation.

Conclusions

Collectively, data suggests that PP1γ2 is modulated during HeLa cell division and regulates GSK3β phosphorylation, which may regulate downstream signalling of cell division.

Protein phosphatase 1 regulates atypical mitotic and meiotic division in Plasmodium sexual stages

PP1 is a conserved eukaryotic serine/threonine phosphatase that regulates many aspects of mitosis and meiosis, often working in concert with other phosphatases, such as CDC14 and CDC25. The proliferative stages of the malaria parasite life cycle include sexual development within the mosquito vector, with male gamete formation characterized by an atypical rapid mitosis, consisting of three rounds of DNA synthesis, successive spindle formation with clustered kinetochores, and a meiotic stage during zygote to ookinete development following fertilization. It is unclear how PP1 is involved in these unusual processes. Using real-time live-cell and ultrastructural imaging, conditional gene knockdown, RNA-seq and proteomic approaches, we show that Plasmodium PP1 is implicated in both mitotic exit and, potentially, establishing cell polarity during zygote development in the mosquito midgut, suggesting that small molecule inhibitors of PP1 should be explored for blocking parasite transmission.

The M-phase regulatory phosphatase PP2A-B55δ opposes protein kinase A on Arpp19 to initiate meiotic division

Oocytes are held in meiotic prophase for prolonged periods until hormonal signals trigger meiotic divisions. Key players of M-phase entry are the opposing Cdk1 kinase and PP2A-B55δ phosphatase. In Xenopus, the protein Arpp19, phosphorylated at serine 67 by Greatwall, plays an essential role in inhibiting PP2A-B55δ, promoting Cdk1 activation. Furthermore, Arpp19 has an earlier role in maintaining the prophase arrest through a second serine (S109) phosphorylated by PKA. Prophase release, induced by progesterone, relies on Arpp19 dephosphorylation at S109, owing to an unknown phosphatase. Here, we identified this phosphatase as PP2A-B55δ. In prophase, PKA and PP2A-B55δ are simultaneously active, suggesting the presence of other important targets for both enzymes. The drop in PKA activity induced by progesterone enables PP2A-B55δ to dephosphorylate S109, unlocking the prophase block. Hence, PP2A-B55δ acts critically on Arpp19 on two distinct sites, opposing PKA and Greatwall to orchestrate the prophase release and M-phase entry.

Wip1 controls the translocation of the chromosomal passenger complex to the central spindle for faithful mitotic exit

Dramatic cellular reorganization in mitosis critically depends on the timely and temporal phosphorylation of a broad range of proteins, which is mediated by the activation of the mitotic kinases and repression of counteracting phosphatases. The mitosis-to-interphase transition, which is termed mitotic exit, involves the removal of mitotic phosphorylation by protein phosphatases. Although protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) drive this reversal in animal cells, the phosphatase network associated with ordered bulk dephosphorylation in mitotic exit is not fully understood. Here, we describe a new mitotic phosphatase relay in which Wip1/PPM1D phosphatase activity is essential for chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) translocation to the anaphase central spindle after release from the chromosome via PP1-mediated dephosphorylation of histone H3T3. Depletion of endogenous Wip1 and overexpression of the phosphatase-dead mutant disturbed CPC translocation to the central spindle, leading to failure of cytokinesis. While Wip1 was degraded in early mitosis, its levels recovered in anaphase and the protein functioned as a Cdk1-counteracting phosphatase at the anaphase central spindle and midbody. Mechanistically, Wip1 dephosphorylated Thr-59 in inner centromere protein (INCENP), which, subsequently bound to MKLP2 and recruited other components to the central spindle. Furthermore, Wip1 overexpression is associated with the overall survival rate of patients with breast cancer, suggesting that Wip1 not only functions as a weak oncogene in the DNA damage network but also as a tumor suppressor in mitotic exit. Altogether, our findings reveal that sequential dephosphorylation of mitotic phosphatases provides spatiotemporal regulation of mitotic exit to prevent tumor initiation and progression.

Bistable, Biphasic Regulation of PP2A-B55 Accounts for the Dynamics of Mitotic Substrate Phosphorylation

The phosphorylation of mitotic proteins is bistable, which contributes to the decisiveness of the transitions into and out of M phase. The bistability in substrate phosphorylation has been attributed to bistability in the activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk1. However, more recently it has been suggested that bistability also arises from positive feedback in the regulation of the Cdk1-counteracting phosphatase PP2A-B55. Here, we demonstrate biochemically using Xenopus laevis egg extracts that the Cdk1-counter-acting phosphatase PP2A-B55 functions as a bistable switch, even when the bistability of Cdk1 activation is suppressed. In addition, Cdk1 regulates PP2A-B55 in a biphasic manner; low concentrations of Cdk1 activate PP2A-B55 and high concentrations inactivate it. As a consequence of this incoherent feedforward regulation, PP2A-B55 activity rises concurrently with Cdk1 activity during interphase and suppresses substrate phosphorylation. PP2A-B55 activity is then sharply downregulated at the onset of mitosis. During mitotic exit, Cdk1 activity initially falls with no obvious change in substrate phosphorylation; dephosphorylation then commences once PP2A-B55 spikes in activity. These findings suggest that changes in Cdk1 activity are permissive for mitotic entry and exit but that the changes in PP2A-B55 activity are the ultimate trigger.

Mitotic transitions are accompanied by drastic changes in the phosphorylation state of proteins. Kamenz et al. demonstrate biochemically that the major mitotic phosphatase PP2A-B55 is regulated by incoherent feedforward and double-negative feedback loops to promote rapid and switch-like mitotic entry and exit.

PP2A-B55 Holoenzyme Regulation and Cancer

Protein phosphorylation is a post-translational modification essential for the control of the activity of most enzymes in the cell. This protein modification results from a fine-tuned balance between kinases and phosphatases. PP2A is one of the major serine/threonine phosphatases that is involved in the control of a myriad of different signaling cascades. This enzyme, often misregulated in cancer, is considered a tumor suppressor. In this review, we will focus on PP2A-B55, a particular holoenzyme of the family of the PP2A phosphatases whose specific role in cancer development and progression has only recently been highlighted. The discovery of the Greatwall (Gwl)/Arpp19-ENSA cascade, a new pathway specifically controlling PP2A-B55 activity, has been shown to be frequently altered in cancer. Herein, we will review the current knowledge about the mechanisms controlling the formation and the regulation of the activity of this phosphatase and its misregulation in cancer.

MicroRNA-941 regulates the proliferation of breast cancer cells by altering histone H3 Ser 10 phosphorylation

Breast cancer including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents an important clinical challenge, as these tumours often develop resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in cell-cycle regulation, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. Herein, we performed Affymetrix Gene Chip miRNA 4.0 microarray and observed differential regulation of miRNAs (75 upregulated and 199 downregulated) in metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells as compared to immortalized human non-tumorigenic breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells. MicroRNA-941 was significantly upregulated in MDA-MB-231 cells (almost nine-fold increase) in comparison to MCF-10A cells. Transfection of MiRNA-941 inhibitor significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells by altering the expressions of p21, Cyclin D1, PP2B-B1, E-cadherin and MMP-13. Interestingly, we provide first evidence that inhibiting miR-941 prevents cell proliferation and phosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser10 residue. Xenograft model of breast cancer was developed by subcutaneous injection of MDA-MB-231 cells into the mammary fat pad of female athymic nude mice (Crl:NU-Foxn1nu). The tumours were allowed to grow to around 60 mm³, thereafter which we divided the animals into seven groups (n = 5). Notably, intratumoral injection of miR-941 inhibitor significantly abolished the tumour growth in MDA-MB-231 xenograft model. 5-Fluorouracil (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as positive control in our study. To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time that targeting miR-941 improves the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to 5-fluorouracil. This can be of profound clinical significance, as it provides novel therapeutic approach for treating variety of cancers (overexpressing miRNA-941) in general and breast cancers in particular.

PP1 promotes cyclin B destruction and the metaphase-anaphase transition by dephosphorylating CDC20

Ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of cyclin B and securin initiates sister chromatid segregation and anaphase. The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome and its coactivator CDC20 (APC/CCDC20) form the main ubiquitin E3 ligase for these two proteins. APC/CCDC20 is regulated by CDK1-cyclin B and counteracting PP1 and PP2A family phosphatases through modulation of both activating and inhibitory phosphorylation. Here, we report that PP1 promotes cyclin B destruction at the onset of anaphase by removing specific inhibitory phosphorylation in the N-terminus of CDC20. Depletion or chemical inhibition of PP1 stabilizes cyclin B and results in a pronounced delay at the metaphase-to-anaphase transition after chromosome alignment. This requirement for PP1 is lost in cells expressing CDK1 phosphorylation-defective CDC206A mutants. These CDC206A cells show a normal spindle checkpoint response and rapidly destroy cyclin B once all chromosomes have aligned and enter into anaphase in the absence of PP1 activity. PP1 therefore facilitates the metaphase-to-anaphase transition by promoting APC/CCDC20-dependent destruction of cyclin B in human cells.

Cdc14 and PP2A Phosphatases Cooperate to Shape Phosphoproteome Dynamics during Mitotic Exit

Temporal control over protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation is crucial for accurate chromosome segregation and for completion of the cell division cycle during exit from mitosis. In budding yeast, the Cdc14 phosphatase is thought to be a major regulator at this time, while in higher eukaryotes PP2A phosphatases take a dominant role. Here, we use time-resolved phosphoproteome analysis in budding yeast to evaluate the respective contributions of Cdc14, PP2A^Cdc55, and PP2A^Rts1. This reveals an overlapping requirement for all three phosphatases during mitotic progression. Our time-resolved phosphoproteome resource reveals how Cdc14 instructs the sequential pattern of phosphorylation changes, in part through preferential recognition of serine-based cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) substrates. PP2A^Cdc55 and PP2A^Rts1 in turn exhibit a broad substrate spectrum with some selectivity for phosphothreonines and a role for PP2A^Rts1 in sustaining Aurora kinase activity. These results illustrate synergy and coordination between phosphatases as they orchestrate phosphoproteome dynamics during mitotic progression.

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Cdc14, PP2A^Cdc55, and PP2A^Rts1 phosphatases cooperate during budding yeast mitosis

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Cdc14 targets serine Cdk motifs for rapid dephosphorylation

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PP2A^Cdc55 dephosphorylates Cdk and Plk substrates on threonine residues

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PP2A^Rts1 displays regulatory crosstalk with Aurora kinase

Polyomavirus Small T Antigen Induces Apoptosis in Mammalian Cells through the UNC5B Pathway in a PP2A-Dependent Manner

UNC5B is a dependence receptor that promotes survival in the presence of its ligand, netrin-1, while inducing cell death in its absence. The receptor has an important role in the development of the nervous and vascular systems. It is also involved in the normal turnover of intestinal epithelium. Netrin-1 and UNC5B are deregulated in multiple cancers, including colorectal, neuroblastoma, and breast tumors. However, the detailed mechanism of UNC5B function is not fully understood. We have utilized the murine polyomavirus small T antigen (PyST) as a tool to study UNC5B-mediated apoptosis. PyST is known to induce mitotic arrest followed by extensive cell death in mammalian cells. Our results show that the expression of PyST increases mRNA levels of UNC5B by approximately 3-fold in osteosarcoma cells (U2OS) and also stabilizes UNC5B at the posttranslational level. Furthermore, UNC5B is upregulated predominantly in those cells that undergo mitotic arrest upon PyST expression. Interestingly, although its expression was previously reported to be regulated by p53, our data show that the increase in UNC5B levels by PyST is p53 independent. The posttranslational stabilization of UNC5B by PyST is regulated by the interaction of PyST with PP2A. We also show that netrin-1 expression, which is known to inhibit UNC5B apoptotic activity, promotes survival of PyST-expressing cells. Our results thus suggest an important role of UNC5B in small-T antigen-induced mitotic catastrophe that also requires PP2A.IMPORTANCE UNC5B, PP2A, and netrin-1 are deregulated in a variety of cancers. UNC5B and PP2A are regarded as tumor suppressors, as they promote apoptosis and are deleted or mutated in many cancers. In contrast, netrin-1 promotes survival by inhibiting dependence receptors, including UNC5B, and is upregulated in many cancers. Here, we show that UNC5B-mediated apoptosis can occur independently of p53 but in a PP2A-dependent manner. A substantial percentage of cancers arise due to p53 mutations and are insensitive to chemotherapeutic treatments that activate p53. Unexpectedly, treatment of cancers having functional p53 with many conventional drugs leads to the upregulation of netrin-1 through activated p53, which is counterintuitive. Therefore, understanding the p53-independent mechanisms of the netrin-UNC5B axis, such as those involving PP2A, assumes greater clinical significance. Anticancer strategies utilizing anti-netrin-1 antibody treatment are already in clinical trials.

The G2-to-M transition from a phosphatase perspective: a new vision of the meiotic division

Cell division is orchestrated by the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of thousands of proteins. These post-translational modifications underlie the molecular cascades converging to the activation of the universal mitotic kinase, Cdk1, and entry into cell division. They also govern the structural events that sustain the mechanics of cell division. While the role of protein kinases in mitosis has been well documented by decades of investigations, little was known regarding the control of protein phosphatases until the recent years. However, the regulation of phosphatase activities is as essential as kinases in controlling the activation of Cdk1 to enter M-phase. The regulation and the function of phosphatases result from post-translational modifications but also from the combinatorial association between conserved catalytic subunits and regulatory subunits that drive their substrate specificity, their cellular localization and their activity. It now appears that sequential dephosphorylations orchestrated by a network of phosphatase activities trigger Cdk1 activation and then order the structural events necessary for the timely execution of cell division. This review discusses a series of recent works describing the important roles played by protein phosphatases for the proper regulation of meiotic division. Many breakthroughs in the field of cell cycle research came from studies on oocyte meiotic divisions. Indeed, the meiotic division shares most of the molecular regulators with mitosis. The natural arrests of oocytes in G2 and in M-phase, the giant size of these cells, the variety of model species allowing either biochemical or imaging as well as genetics approaches explain why the process of meiosis has served as an historical model to decipher signalling pathways involved in the G2-to-M transition. The review especially highlights how the phosphatase PP2A-B55δ critically orchestrates the timing of meiosis resumption in amphibian oocytes. By opposing the kinase PKA, PP2A-B55δ controls the release of the G2 arrest through the dephosphorylation of their substrate, Arpp19. Few hours later, the inhibition of PP2A-B55δ by Arpp19 releases its opposing kinase, Cdk1, and triggers M-phase. In coordination with a variety of phosphatases and kinases, the PP2A-B55δ/Arpp19 duo therefore emerges as the key effector of the G2-to-M transition.

AKT Regulates Mitotic Progression of Mammalian Cells by Phosphorylating MASTL, Leading to Protein Phosphatase 2A Inactivation

Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase like (MASTL), also known as Greatwall (Gwl) kinase, has an important role in the regulation of mitosis. By inhibiting protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), it plays a crucial role in activating one of the most important mitotic kinases, known as cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). MASTL has been seen to be upregulated in various types of cancers and is also involved in tumor recurrence. It is activated by CDK1 through phosphorylations in the activation/T-loop, but the complete mechanism of its activation is still unclear. Here, we report that AKT phosphorylates MASTL at residue T299, which plays a critical role in its activation. Our results suggest that AKT increases CDK1-mediated phosphorylation and hence the activity of MASTL, which, in turn, promotes mitotic progression through PP2A inhibition. We also show that the oncogenic potential of AKT is augmented by MASTL activation, since AKT-mediated proliferation in colorectal cell lines can be attenuated by inhibiting and/or silencing MASTL. In brief, we report that AKT plays an important role in the progression of mitosis in mammalian cells and that it does so through the phosphorylation and activation of MASTL.

Multiple Layers of Phospho-Regulation Coordinate Metabolism and the Cell Cycle in Budding Yeast

The coordination of metabolism and growth with cell division is crucial for proliferation. While it has long been known that cell metabolism regulates the cell division cycle, it is becoming increasingly clear that the cell division cycle also regulates metabolism. In budding yeast, we previously showed that over half of all measured metabolites change concentration through the cell cycle indicating that metabolic fluxes are extensively regulated during cell cycle progression. However, how this regulation is achieved still remains poorly understood. Since both the cell cycle and metabolism are regulated to a large extent by protein phosphorylation, we here decided to measure the phosphoproteome through the budding yeast cell cycle. Specifically, we chose a cell cycle synchronization strategy that avoids stress and nutrient-related perturbations of metabolism, and we grew the yeast on ethanol minimal medium to force cells to utilize their full biosynthetic repertoire. Using a tandem-mass-tagging approach, we found over 200 sites on metabolic enzymes and transporters to be phospho-regulated. These sites were distributed among many pathways including carbohydrate catabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid synthesis and therefore likely contribute to changing metabolic fluxes through the cell cycle. Among all one thousand sites whose phosphorylation increases through the cell cycle, the CDK consensus motif and an arginine-directed motif were highly enriched. This arginine-directed R-R-x-S motif is associated with protein-kinase A, which regulates metabolism and promotes growth. Finally, we also found over one thousand sites that are dephosphorylated through the G1/S transition. We speculate that the phosphatase Glc7/PP1, known to regulate both the cell cycle and carbon metabolism, may play an important role because its regulatory subunits are phospho-regulated in our data. In summary, our results identify extensive cell cycle dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of metabolic enzymes and suggest multiple mechanisms through which the cell division cycle regulates metabolic signaling pathways to temporally coordinate biosynthesis with distinct phases of the cell division cycle.

Greatwall-Endosulfine: A Molecular Switch that Regulates PP2A/B55 Protein Phosphatase Activity in Dividing and Quiescent Cells

During the cell cycle, hundreds of proteins become phosphorylated and dephosphorylated, indicating that protein kinases and protein phosphatases play a central role in its regulation. It has been widely recognized that oscillation in cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity promotes DNA replication, during S-phase, and chromosome segregation, during mitosis. Each CDK substrate phosphorylation status is defined by the balance between CDKs and CDK-counteracting phosphatases. In fission yeast and animal cells, PP2A/B55 is the main protein phosphatase that counteracts CDK activity. PP2A/B55 plays a key role in mitotic entry and mitotic exit, and it is regulated by the Greatwall-Endosulfine (ENSA) molecular switch that inactivates PP2A/B55 at the onset of mitosis, allowing maximal CDK activity at metaphase. The Greatwall-ENSA-PP2A/B55 pathway is highly conserved from yeast to animal cells. In yeasts, Greatwall is negatively regulated by nutrients through TORC1 and S6 kinase, and couples cell growth, regulated by TORC1, to cell cycle progression, driven by CDK activity. In animal cells, Greatwall is phosphorylated and activated by Cdk1 at G2/M, generating a bistable molecular switch that results in full activation of Cdk1/CyclinB. Here we review the current knowledge of the Greatwall-ENSA-PP2A/B55 pathway and discuss its role in cell cycle progression and as an integrator of nutritional cues.

Getting out of mitosis: spatial and temporal control of mitotic exit and cytokinesis by PP1 and PP2A

Here, we will review the evidence showing that mitotic exit is initiated by regulated proteolysis and then driven by the PPP family of phosphoserine/threonine phosphatases. Rapid APC/CCDC20 and ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of cyclin B and securin initiates sister chromatid separation, the first step of mitotic exit. Because proteolysis of Aurora and Polo family kinases dependent on APC/CCDH1 is relatively slow, this creates a new regulatory state, anaphase, different to G2 and M-phase. We will discuss how the CDK1-counteracting phosphatases PP1 and PP2A-B55, together with Aurora and Polo kinases, contribute to the temporal regulation and order of events in the different stages of mitotic exit from anaphase to cytokinesis. For PP2A-B55, these timing properties are created by the ENSA-dependent inhibitory pathway and differential recognition of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine. Finally, we will discuss how Aurora B and PP2A-B56 are needed for the spatial regulation of anaphase spindle formation and how APC/C-dependent destruction of PLK1 acts as a timer for abscission, the final event of cytokinesis.

Inhibition of PP2A activity by H2O2 during mitosis disrupts nuclear envelope reassembly and alters nuclear shape

Many types of cancer cells exhibit abnormal nuclear shapes induced by various molecular changes. However, whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce nuclear deformation has not been fully addressed. Here, we show that hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment induced concentration-dependent alterations in nuclear shape that were abolished by pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine or by catalase overexpression. Interestingly, treatment with H₂O₂ induced nuclear shape alterations significantly more frequently in mitotic cells than in asynchronous cells, suggesting that H₂O₂ mainly affects nuclear envelope disassembly and/or reassembly processes. Because protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) activity is reported to be involved in nuclear envelope reassembly during mitosis, we investigated the possible involvement of PP2A. Indeed, H₂O₂ reduced the activity of PP2A, an effect that was mimicked by the PP1 and PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid. Moreover, overexpression of PP2A but not PP1 or PP4 partially rescued H₂O₂-induced alterations in nuclear shape, indicating that the decrease in PP2A activity induced by H₂O₂ is specifically involved in the observed nuclear shape alterations. We further show that treatment of mitotic cells with H₂O₂ induced the mislocalization of BAF (barrier-to-autointegration factor), a substrate of PP2A, during telophase. This effect was associated with Lamin A/C mislocalization and was rescued by PP2A overexpression. Collectively, our findings suggest that H₂O₂ preferentially affects mitotic cells through PP2A inhibition, which induces the subsequent mislocalization of BAF and Lamin A/C during nuclear envelope reassembly, leading to the formation of an abnormal nuclear shape.

A class of harmful chemical compounds produces morphological abnormalities in the nucleus that may help promote tumor growth. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are DNA- and protein-damaging molecules that originate both from environmental contaminants and as a byproduct of cellular metabolism or stress. Jae-Ho Lee and colleagues at Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea have now identified a mechanism by which ROS can disrupt the shape and structure of the nucleus. They show that ROS exposure reduces the ativity of an enzyme called PP2A, which is required for the targeted recruitment of proteins that rebuild the membrane envelope surrounding the nucleus after cell division. Perturbations in this envelope can potentially contribute to damage to the chromosomal DNA within the nucleus, creating conditions that can trigger or accelerate the process of tumorigenesis.

Ser/Thr protein phosphatases in fungi: structure, regulation and function

Reversible phospho-dephosphorylation of proteins is a major mechanism for the control of cellular functions. By large, Ser and Thr are the most frequently residues phosphorylated in eukar-yotes. Removal of phosphate from these amino acids is catalyzed by a large family of well-conserved enzymes, collectively called Ser/Thr protein phosphatases. The activity of these enzymes has an enormous impact on cellular functioning. In this work we pre-sent the members of this family in S. cerevisiae and other fungal species, and review the most recent findings concerning their regu-lation and the roles they play in the most diverse aspects of cell biology.

The fission yeast Greatwall-Endosulfine pathway is required for proper quiescence/G0 phase entry and maintenance

Cell proliferation and cellular quiescence/G₀ phase must be regulated in response to intra-/extracellular environments, and such regulation is achieved by the orchestration of protein kinases and protein phosphatases. Here, we investigated fission yeast potential orthologs (Cek1, Ppk18 and Ppk31) of the metazoan Greatwall kinase (Gwl), which inhibits type-2A protein phosphatase with B55 subunit (PP2A^B55 ) by phosphorylating and activating the PP2A^B55 inhibitors, α-endosulfine/ARPP-19 (Ensa/ARPP-19). Gwl and Ensa/ARPP-19 regulate mitosis; however, we found Ppk18, Cek1 and Mug134/Igo1, the counterpart of Ensa/ARPP-19, are not essential for normal mitosis but regulate nitrogen starvation (-N)-induced proper G₀ entry and maintenance. Genetic and biochemical analyses indicated that the conserved Gwl site (serine 64) was phosphorylated in the G₀ phase in a Ppk18-dependent manner, and the phosphorylated Mug134/Igo1 inhibited PP2A^B55 in vitro. The alanine substitution of the serine 64 caused defects in G₀ entry and maintenance as well as the mug134/igo1⁺ deletion. These results indicate that PP2A^B55 activity must be regulated properly to establish the G₀ phase. Consistently, simultaneous deletion of the B55 gene with mug134/igo1⁺ partially rescued the Mug134/Igo1 mutant phenotype. We suggest that in fission yeast, PP2A^B55 regulation by the Ppk18-Mug134/Igo1 pathway is required for G₀ entry and establishment of robust viability during the G₀ phase.

Heat Oscillations Driven by the Embryonic Cell Cycle Reveal the Energetic Costs of Signaling

All living systems function out of equilibrium and exchange energy in the form of heat with their environment. Thus, heat flow can inform on the energetic costs of cellular processes, which are largely unknown. Here, we have repurposed an isothermal calorimeter to measure heat flow between developing zebrafish embryos and the surrounding medium. Heat flow increased over time with cell number. Unexpectedly, a prominent oscillatory component of the heat flow, with periods matching the synchronous early reductive cleavage divisions, persisted even when DNA synthesis and mitosis were blocked by inhibitors. Instead, the heat flow oscillations were driven by the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions catalyzed by the cell-cycle oscillator, the biochemical network controlling mitotic entry and exit. We propose that the high energetic cost of cell-cycle signaling reflects the significant thermodynamic burden of imposing accurate and robust timing on cell proliferation during development.

PP2A holoenzymes, substrate specificity driving cellular functions and deregulation in cancer

PP2A is a highly conserved eukaryotic serine/threonine protein phosphatase of the PPP family of phosphatases with fundamental cellular functions. In cells, PP2A targets specific subcellular locations and substrates by forming heterotrimeric holoenzymes, where a core dimer consisting of scaffold (A) and catalytic (C) subunits complexes with one of many B regulatory subunits. PP2A plays a key role in positively and negatively regulating a myriad of cellular processes, as it targets a very sizable fraction of the cellular substrates phosphorylated on Ser/Thr residues. This review focuses on insights made toward the understanding on how the subunit composition and structure of PP2A holoenzymes mediates substrate specificity, the role of substrate modulation in the signaling of cellular division, growth, and differentiation, and its deregulation in cancer.

Aurora-PLK1 cascades as key signaling modules in the regulation of mitosis

Mitosis is controlled by reversible protein phosphorylation involving specific kinases and phosphatases. A handful of major mitotic protein kinases, such as the cyclin B-CDK1 complex, the Aurora kinases, and Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), cooperatively regulate distinct mitotic processes. Research has identified proteins and mechanisms that integrate these kinases into signaling cascades that guide essential mitotic events. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the mechanisms of mitotic regulation and may advance the development of novel antimitotic drugs. We review collected evidence that in vertebrates, the Aurora kinases serve as catalytic subunits of distinct complexes formed with the four scaffold proteins Bora, CEP192, INCENP, and TPX2, which we deem "core" Aurora cofactors. These complexes and the Aurora-PLK1 cascades organized by Bora, CEP192, and INCENP control crucial aspects of mitosis and all pathways of spindle assembly. We compare the mechanisms of Aurora activation in relation to the different spindle assembly pathways and draw a functional analogy between the CEP192 complex and the chromosomal passenger complex that may reflect the coevolution of centrosomes, kinetochores, and the actomyosin cleavage apparatus. We also analyze the roles and mechanisms of Aurora-PLK1 signaling in the cell and centrosome cycles and in the DNA damage response.

Delay models for the early embryonic cell cycle oscillator

Time delays are known to play a crucial role in generating biological oscillations. The early embryonic cell cycle in the frog Xenopus laevis is one such example. Although various mathematical models of this oscillating system exist, it is not clear how to best model the required time delay. Here, we study a simple cell cycle model that produces oscillations due to the presence of an ultrasensitive, time-delayed negative feedback loop. We implement the time delay in three qualitatively different ways, using a fixed time delay, a distribution of time delays, and a delay that is state-dependent. We analyze the dynamics in all cases, and we use experimental observations to interpret our results and put constraints on unknown parameters. In doing so, we find that different implementations of the time delay can have a large impact on the resulting oscillations.

Identification of new inhibitors against human Great wall kinase using in silico approaches

Microtubule associated serine/threonine kinase (MASTL) is an important Ser/Thr kinase belonging to the family of AGC kinases. It is the human orthologue of Greatwall kinase (Gwl) that plays a significant role in mitotic progression and cell cycle regulation. Upregulation of MASTL in various cancers and its association with poor patient survival establishes it as an important drug target in cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the target remains unexplored with the paucity of studies focused on identification of inhibitors against MASTL, which emphasizes the relevance of our present study. We explored various drug databases and performed virtual screening of compounds from both natural and synthetic sources. A list of promising compounds displaying high binding characteristics towards MASTL protein is reported. Among the natural compounds, we found a 6-hydroxynaphthalene derivative ZINC85597499 to display best binding energy value of −9.32 kcal/mol. While among synthetic compounds, a thieno-pyrimidinone based tricyclic derivative ZINC53845290 compound exhibited best binding affinity of value −7.85 kcal/mol. MASTL interactions with these two compounds were further explored using molecular dynamics simulations. Altogether, this study identifies potential inhibitors of human Gwl kinase from both natural and synthetic origin and calls for studying these compounds as potential drugs for cancer therapy.

MPF-based meiotic cell cycle control: Half a century of lessons from starfish oocytes

In metazoans that undergo sexual reproduction, genomic inheritance is ensured by two distinct types of cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis maintains the genomic ploidy in somatic cells reproducing within a generation, whereas meiosis reduces by half the ploidy in germ cells to prepare for successive generations. The meiotic cell cycle is believed to be a derived form of the mitotic cell cycle; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying both of these processes remain elusive. My laboratory has long studied the meiotic cell cycle in starfish oocytes, particularly the control of meiotic M-phase by maturation- or M phase-promoting factor (MPF) and the kinase cyclin B-associated Cdk1 (cyclin B-Cdk1). Using this system, we have unraveled the molecular principles conserved in metazoans that modify M-phase progression from the mitotic type to the meiotic type needed to produce a haploid genome. Furthermore, we have solved a long-standing enigma concerning the molecular identity of MPF, a universal inducer of M-phase both in mitosis and meiosis of eukaryotic cells.

Coupling TOR to the Cell Cycle by the Greatwall-Endosulfine-PP2A-B55 Pathway

Cell growth and division are two processes tightly coupled in proliferating cells. While Target of Rapamycin (TOR) is the master regulator of growth, the cell cycle is dictated by the activity of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). A long-standing question in cell biology is how these processes may be connected. Recent work has highlighted that regulating the phosphatases that revert CDK phosphorylations is as important as regulating the CDKs for cell cycle progression. At mitosis, maintaining a low level of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-B55 activity is essential for CDK substrates to achieve the correct level of phosphorylation. The conserved Greatwall–Endosulfine pathway has been shown to be required for PP2A-B55 inhibition at mitosis in yeasts and multicellular organisms. Interestingly, in yeasts, the Greatwall–Endosulfine pathway is negatively regulated by TOR Complex 1 (TORC1). Moreover, Greatwall–Endosulfine activation upon TORC1 inhibition has been shown to regulate the progression of the cell cycle at different points: the G1 phase in budding yeast, the G2/M transition and the differentiation response in fission yeast, and the entry into quiescence in both budding and fission yeasts. In this review, we discuss the recent findings on how the Greatwall–Endosulfine pathway may provide a connection between cell growth and the cell cycle machinery.

Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) Regulates EG5 to Control Mitotic Progression

EG5 (KIF11) is a member of the kinesin-like protein family involved in centrosome separation and bipolar spindle formation. When a cell enters mitosis, CDK1 phosphorylates EG5 at Thr926 and promotes EG5 localization on the mitotic spindle which drives bipolar spindle formation. EG5 provides power for spindle movement and thus controls the dynamics of spindle assembly. However, little is known about EG5 regulation or how EG5 detaches from the spindle upon mitotic exit. In this study we identify EG5 as a novel substrate of PP2A phosphatase, and we show that the PP2A/B55α complex plays an important role in mitotic exit by a mechanism involving EG5. The PP2A/B55α complex physically associates with the EG5 C-terminal tail domain and dephosphorylates EG5 at Thr926 that enables mitotic exit. Conversely PP2A knockdown cells show a high level of phospho-EG5 in late metaphase, which is associated with a delay in mitotic exit. These phenotypic features are similar to those induced by EG5/T926D transfection that mimics phosphorylated EG5 status. Our results argue that PP2A controls mitotic exit through EG5 dephosphorylation. Lack of PP2A leads to abnormal EG5 activation, resulting in delay of mitotic exit.

TORC1 coordinates the conversion of Sic1 from a target to an inhibitor of cyclin-CDK-Cks1

Eukaryotic cell cycle progression through G₁-S is driven by hormonal and growth-related signals that are transmitted by the target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway. In yeast, inactivation of TORC1 restricts G₁-S transition due to the rapid clearance of G₁ cyclins (Cln) and the stabilization of the B-type cyclin (Clb) cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor Sic1. The latter mechanism remains mysterious but requires the phosphorylation of Sic1-Thr¹⁷³ by Mpk1 and inactivation of the Sic1-pThr¹⁷³-targeting phosphatase (PP2A^Cdc55) through greatwall kinase-activated endosulfines. Here we show that the Sic1-pThr¹⁷³ residue serves as a specific docking site for the CDK phospho-acceptor subunit Cks1 that sequesters, together with a C-terminal Clb5-binding motif in Sic1, Clb5-CDK-Cks1 complexes, thereby preventing them from flagging Sic1 for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. Interestingly, this functional switch of Sic1 from a target to an inhibitor of cyclin-CDK-Cks1 also operates in proliferating cells and is coordinated by the greatwall kinase, which responds to both Cln-CDK-dependent cell-cycle and TORC1-mediated nutritional cues.

Protein Phosphatase 1 inactivates Mps1 to ensure efficient Spindle Assembly Checkpoint silencing

Faithfull genome partitioning during cell division relies on the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC), a conserved signaling pathway that delays anaphase onset until all chromosomes are attached to spindle microtubules. Mps1 kinase is an upstream SAC regulator that promotes the assembly of an anaphase inhibitor through a sequential multi-target phosphorylation cascade. Thus, the SAC is highly responsive to Mps1, whose activity peaks in early mitosis as a result of its T-loop autophosphorylation. However, the mechanism controlling Mps1 inactivation once kinetochores attach to microtubules and the SAC is satisfied remains unknown. Here we show in vitro and in Drosophila that Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) inactivates Mps1 by dephosphorylating its T-loop. PP1-mediated dephosphorylation of Mps1 occurs at kinetochores and in the cytosol, and inactivation of both pools of Mps1 during metaphase is essential to ensure prompt and efficient SAC silencing. Overall, our findings uncover a mechanism of SAC inactivation required for timely mitotic exit.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.25366.001

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 activation and coevolution of its εPKC-mediated phosphorylation sites

Background

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a key enzyme for the metabolism of many toxic aldehydes such as acetaldehyde, derived from alcohol drinking, and 4HNE, an oxidative stress-derived lipid peroxidation aldehyde. Post-translational enhancement of ALDH2 activity can be achieved by serine/threonine phosphorylation by epsilon protein kinase C (εPKC). Elevated ALDH2 is beneficial in reducing injury following myocardial infarction, stroke and other oxidative stress and aldehyde toxicity-related diseases. We have previously identified three εPKC phosphorylation sites, threonine 185 (T185), serine 279 (S279) and threonine 412 (T412), on ALDH2. Here we further characterized the role and contribution of each phosphorylation site to the enhancement of enzymatic activity by εPKC.

Methods

Each individual phosphorylation site was mutated to a negatively charged amino acid, glutamate, to mimic a phosphorylation, or to a non-phosphorylatable amino acid, alanine. ALDH2 enzyme activities and protection against 4HNE inactivation were measured in the presence or absence of εPKC phosphorylation in vitro. Coevolution of ALDH2 and its εPKC phosphorylation sites was delineated by multiple sequence alignments among a diverse range of species and within the ALDH multigene family.

Results

We identified S279 as a critical εPKC phosphorylation site in the activation of ALDH2. The critical catalytic site, cysteine 302 (C302) of ALDH2 is susceptible to adduct formation by reactive aldehyde, 4HNE, which readily renders the enzyme inactive. We show that phosphomimetic mutations of T185E, S279E and T412E confer protection of ALDH2 against 4HNE-induced inactivation, indicating that phosphorylation on these three sites by εPKC likely also protects the enzyme against reactive aldehydes. Finally, we demonstrate that the three ALDH2 phosphorylation sites co-evolved with εPKC over a wide range of species. Alignment of 18 human ALDH isozymes, indicates that T185 and S279 are unique ALDH2, εPKC specific phosphorylation sites, while T412 is found in other ALDH isozymes. We further identified three highly conserved serine/threonine residues (T384, T433 and S471) in all 18 ALDH isozymes that may play an important phosphorylation-mediated regulatory role in this important family of detoxifying enzymes.

Conclusion

εPKC phosphorylation and its coevolution with ALDH2 play an important role in the regulation and protection of ALDH2 enzyme activity.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-016-0312-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A PP2A-B55 recognition signal controls substrate dephosphorylation kinetics during mitotic exit

PP2A-B55 is one of the major phosphatases regulating cell division. Despite its importance for temporal control during mitotic exit, how B55 substrates are recognized and differentially dephosphorylated is unclear. Using phosphoproteomics combined with kinetic modeling to extract B55-dependent rate constants, we have systematically identified B55 substrates and assigned their temporal order in mitotic exit. These substrates share a bipartite polybasic recognition determinant (BPR) flanking a Cdk1 phosphorylation site. Experiments and modeling show that dephosphorylation rate is encoded into B55 substrates, including its inhibitor ENSA, by cooperative action of basic residues within the BPR. A complementary acidic surface on B55 decodes this signal, supporting a cooperative electrostatic mechanism for substrate selection. A further level of specificity is encoded into B55 substrates because B55 displays selectivity for phosphothreonine. These simple biochemical properties, combined with feedback control of B55 activity by the phosphoserine-containing substrate/inhibitor ENSA, can help explain the temporal sequence of events during exit from mitosis.

Bistability of mitotic entry and exit switches during open mitosis in mammalian cells

Mitotic entry and exit are switch-like transitions that are driven by the activation and inactivation of Cdk1 and mitotic cyclins. This simple on/off reaction turns out to be a complex interplay of various reversible reactions, feedback loops, and thresholds that involve both the direct regulators of Cdk1 and its counteracting phosphatases. In this review, we summarize the interplay of the major components of the system and discuss how they work together to generate robustness, bistability, and irreversibility. We propose that it may be beneficial to regard the entry and exit reactions as two separate reversible switches that are distinguished by differences in the state of phosphatase activity, mitotic proteolysis, and a dramatic rearrangement of cellular components after nuclear envelope breakdown, and discuss how the major Cdk1 activity thresholds could be determined for these transitions.

PP2A as a master regulator of the cell cycle

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a critical multi-faceted role in the regulation of the cell cycle. It is known to dephosphorylate over 300 substrates involved in the cell cycle, regulating almost all major pathways and cell cycle checkpoints. PP2A is involved in such diverse processes by the formation of structurally distinct families of holoenzymes, which are regulated spatially and temporally by specific regulators. Here, we review the involvement of PP2A in the regulation of three cell signaling pathways: wnt, mTOR and MAP kinase, as well as the G1→S transition, DNA synthesis and mitotic initiation. These processes are all crucial for proper cell survival and proliferation and are often deregulated in cancer and other diseases.

Resetting a functional G1 nucleus after mitosis

The maintenance of the correct cellular information goes beyond the simple transmission of an intact genetic code from one generation to the next. Epigenetic changes, topological cues and correct protein-protein interactions need to be re-established after each cell division to allow the next cell cycle to resume in the correct regulated manner. This process begins with mitotic exit and re-sets all the changes that occurred during mitosis thus restoring a functional G1 nucleus in preparation for the next cell cycle. Mitotic exit is triggered by inactivation of mitotic kinases and the reversal of their phosphorylation activities on many cellular components, from nuclear lamina to transcription factors and chromatin itself. To reverse all these phosphorylations, phosphatases act during mitotic exit in a timely and spatially controlled manner directing the events that lead to a functional G1 nucleus. In this review, we will summarise the recent developments on the control of phosphatases and their known substrates during mitotic exit, and the key steps that control the restoration of chromatin status, nuclear envelope reassembly and nuclear body re-organisation. Although pivotal work has been conducted in this area in yeast, due to differences between the mitotic exit network between yeast and vertebrates, we will mainly concentrate on the vertebrate system.

Fcp1 phosphatase controls Greatwall kinase to promote PP2A-B55 activation and mitotic progression

During cell division, progression through mitosis is driven by a protein phosphorylation wave. This wave namely depends on an activation-inactivation cycle of cyclin B-dependent kinase (Cdk) 1 while activities of major protein phosphatases, like PP1 and PP2A, appear directly or indirectly repressed by Cdk1. However, how Cdk1 inactivation is coordinated with reactivation of major phosphatases at mitosis exit still lacks substantial knowledge. We show here that activation of PP2A-B55, a major mitosis exit phosphatase, required the phosphatase Fcp1 downstream Cdk1 inactivation in human cells. During mitosis exit, Fcp1 bound Greatwall (Gwl), a Cdk1-stimulated kinase that phosphorylates Ensa/ARPP19 and converts these proteins into potent PP2A-B55 inhibitors during mitosis onset, and dephosphorylated it at Cdk1 phosphorylation sites. Fcp1-catalyzed dephosphorylation drastically reduced Gwl kinase activity towards Ensa/ARPP19 promoting PP2A-B55 activation. Thus, Fcp1 coordinates Cdk1 and Gwl inactivation to derepress PP2A-B55, generating a dephosphorylation switch that drives mitosis progression.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10399.001

Cells multiply through a cell division cycle that has distinct phases. In a phase called mitosis, a cell splits its genetic material, which was duplicated in a preceding phase, into two identical sets. Each of these sets will form the genetic material of daughter cells. If this process goes wrong, then cells can die or become cancerous, and so cells have evolved a complex regulatory process to ensure that mitosis begins and ends at the correct time.

For mitosis to begin, an enzyme adds tags called phosphate groups to hundreds of target proteins. These phosphate groups are then removed again to end mitosis. PP2A-B55 is an enzyme that removes these phosphate groups and is needed to complete mitosis, but must remain inactive before this point. This inactivation occurs because a protein called Greatwall activates two other proteins that inhibit PP2A-B55. To reactivate PP2A-B55 at the end of mitosis, Greatwall must be inactivated, but it was not known how cells do this.

Della Monica, Visconti et al. have now investigated this process in human cells. The experiments show that towards the end of mitosis, another enzyme called Fcp1 inactivates Greatwall by removing phosphate groups from it. This allows PP2A-B55 to reactivate.

These studies reveal that Fcp1 is a key factor that is needed to complete mitosis. The next challenge is to determine how Fcp1 activity is regulated at the end of mitosis.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10399.002

Entry into mitosis: a solution to the decades-long enigma of MPF

Maturation or M phase-promoting factor (MPF) is the universal inducer of M phase common to eukaryotic cells. MPF was originally defined as a transferable activity that can induce the G2/M phase transition in recipient cells. Today, however, MPF is assumed to describe an activity that exhibits its effect in donor cells, and furthermore, MPF is consistently equated with the kinase cyclin B-Cdk1. In some conditions, however, MPF, as originally defined, is undetectable even though cyclin B-Cdk1 is fully active. For over three decades, this inconsistency has remained a long-standing puzzle. The enigma is now resolved through the elucidation that MPF, defined as an activity that exhibits its effect in recipient cells, consists of at least two separate kinases, cyclin B-Cdk1 and Greatwall (Gwl). Involvement of Gwl in MPF can be explained by its contribution to the autoregulatory activation of cyclin B-Cdk1 and by its stabilization of phosphorylations on cyclin B-Cdk1 substrates, both of which are essential when MPF induces the G2/M phase transition in recipient cells. To accomplish these tasks, Gwl helps cyclin B-Cdk1 by suppressing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-B55 that counteracts cyclin B-Cdk1. MPF, as originally defined, is thus not synonymous with cyclin B-Cdk1, but is instead a system consisting of both cyclin B-Cdk1 that directs mitotic entry and Gwl that suppresses the anti-cyclin B-Cdk1 phosphatase. The current view that MPF is a synonym for cyclin B-Cdk1 in donor cells is thus imprecise; instead, MPF is best regarded as the entire pathway involved in the autoregulatory activation of cyclin B-Cdk1, with specifics depending on the experimental system.