Successful mitosis requires the right protein be degraded at the right time. Central to this is t... more Successful mitosis requires the right protein be degraded at the right time. Central to this is the spindle checkpoint that prevents the destruction of securin and cyclin B1 when there are improperly attached chromosomes. The principal target of the checkpoint is Cdc20, which activates the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). A Drosophila Cdc20/fizzy mutant arrests in mitosis with high levels of cyclins A and B, but paradoxically the spindle checkpoint does not stabilize cyclin A. Here, we investigated this paradox and found that Cdc20 is rate limiting for cyclin A destruction. Indeed, Cdc20 binds efficiently to cyclin A before and in mitosis, and this complex has little associated Mad2. Furthermore, the cyclin A complex must bind to a Cks protein to be degraded independently of the checkpoint. Thus, we identify a crucial role for the Cks proteins in mitosis and one mechanism by which the APC/C can target substrates independently of the spindle checkpoint.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-reviews on Cancer, 2008
For successful mitosis, Cyclin B1 and Securin must be degraded efficiently before anaphase. Destr... more For successful mitosis, Cyclin B1 and Securin must be degraded efficiently before anaphase. Destruction of these mitotic regulators by the 26S proteasome is the result of their poly-ubiquitination by a multi-subunit E3 ligase: the Anaphase-Promoting Complex or Cyclosome (APC/C). Clearly, the APC/C is not just important for mitosis. Destruction of APC/C substrates such as Cdc20, Plk1, Aurora A and Skp2 directs events in G1. Strikingly, the APC/C needs to stay active even in quiescent cells to keep them out of the cell cycle and forms an intriguing link with pRb. An inactive APC/C stabilizes Geminin, Cyclin A and Cyclin B1, thereby securing completion of DNA synthesis and progression through G2-phase. In prometaphase the APC/C becomes active again, but is controlled by the spindle assembly checkpoint. Here we discuss how the APC/C is either held in check or released. We argue that shedding more light on the APC/C is also important to understand cancer and could help the design of treatment.
Progression through mitosis and cytokinesis requires the sequential proteolysis of several cell-c... more Progression through mitosis and cytokinesis requires the sequential proteolysis of several cell-cycle regulators. This proteolysis is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, with the E3 ligase being the anaphase-promoting complex, also known as the cyclosome (APC/C). The APC/C is regulated by two activators, namely Cdc20 and Cdh1. The current view is that prior to anaphase, the APC/C is activated by Cdc20, but that following anaphase, APC/C switches to Cdh1-dependent activation. However, here we present an analysis of the kinetochore protein Cenp-F that is inconsistent with this notion. Although it has long been appreciated that Cenp-F is degraded sometime during or after mitosis, exactly when and how has not been clear. Here we show that degradation of Cenp-F initiates about six minutes after anaphase, and that this is dependent on a C-terminal KEN-box. Although these two observations are consistent with Cenp-F being a substrate of Cdh1-activated APC/C, Cenp-F is degraded normally in Cdh1-null cells. By contrast, RNAi-mediated repression of APC/C subunits or Cdc20 does inhibit Cenp-F degradation. These findings therefore suggest that the APC/C does not simply 'switch' upon anaphase onset; rather, our observations indicate that Cdc20 also contributes to post-anaphase activation of the APC/C. We also show that the post-anaphase, KEN-box-dependent degradation of Cenp-F requires it to be farnesylated, a post-translational modification usually linked to membrane association. Because so many of the behaviours of Cenp-F are farnesylation-dependent, we suggest that this modification plays a more global role in Cenp-F function.
The Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors are direct targets of Ras, providing a mechanism for ... more The Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors are direct targets of Ras, providing a mechanism for Ral activation by extracellular signals. In addition, Ral can be activated by a Ras-independent pathway. Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors contribute to cellular transformation induced by oncogenic Ras through an Erk-independent mechanism which may involve activation of transcription.
The small GTPase Ral is a Ras-like GTPase [1] that has been implicated in growth-factor-induced a... more The small GTPase Ral is a Ras-like GTPase [1] that has been implicated in growth-factor-induced and Ras-induced DNA synthesis [2], [3] and [4], and Ras-induced oncogenic transformation [3] and [5]. Recently, we and others found that three different Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Ral GEFs) – Ral GDS, Rgl and Rlf – bind specifically to the GTP-bound form of several Ras-like GTPases [6], [7], [8] and [9]. Although oncogenic Ras is able to activate these Ral GEFs [2], [5] and [10], it is unknown whether growth factors can induce the activation of Ral and, if so, which small GTPase is involved in this process. Here, we show that stimulation of various growth factor receptors, including receptor tyrosine kinases and serpentine receptors, results in rapid activation of Ral. This activation correlates with the activation of Ras, and dominant-negative Ras completely inhibits Ral activation induced by insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF). From these results, we conclude that Ral activation is a direct downstream effect of growth-factor-induced Ras activation
Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) performs multiple essential functions during the cell cycle. Here we sh... more Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) performs multiple essential functions during the cell cycle. Here we show that human Plk1-deficient cells are unable to separate their centrosomes, fail to form a bipolar spindle, and undergo a Mad2/BubR1-dependent prometaphase arrest. However, electron microscopy demonstrates that kinetochore-microtubule interactions can be established in cells lacking Plk1. In addition, co-depletion of Plk1 and survivin allows mitotic exit. This indicates that Plk1 depletion does not prevent microtubule attachment, but specifically interferes with the generation of tension, as a consequence of a failure to form a bipolar spindle. Moreover, we find that after silencing of the spindle assembly checkpoint, degradation of cyclin B1 is unaffected in cells lacking Plk1. These data indicate that activation of the anaphase promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C)-Cdc20 complex that is under control of the spindle assembly checkpoint does not require Plk1 activity. Finally, we find that translocation of chromosome passengers and initiation of cleavage furrow ingression is unaffected in cells depleted of Plk1. Thus, our data confirm an important role of Plk1 in bipolar spindle formation, and also demonstrate that Plk1 is dispensable for APC/C-Cdc20 activation and the initiation of cytokinesis.
Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking expression of all three retinoblastoma protein family... more Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking expression of all three retinoblastoma protein family members (TKO MEFs) have lost the G1 restriction point. However, in the absence of mitogens these cells become highly sensitive to apoptosis. Here, we show that TKO MEFs that survive serum depletion pass G1 but completely arrest in G2. p21CIP1 and p27KIP1 inhibit Cyclin A-Cdk2 activity and sequester Cyclin B1-Cdk1 in inactive complexes in the nucleus. This response is alleviated by mitogen restimulation or inactivation of p53. Thus, our results disclose a cell cycle arrest mechanism in G2 that restricts the proliferative capacity of mitogen-deprived cells that have lost the G1 restriction point. The involvement of p53 provides a rationale for the synergism between loss of Rb and p53 in tumorigenesis.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-molecular Cell Research, 1993
We demonstrate that exposure of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells to epidermal growth factor ... more We demonstrate that exposure of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells to epidermal growth factor (EGF) results in phosphorylation of eIF-4B within minutes after addition of EGF. The EGF-induced phosphorylation of eIF-4B is not caused by the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase itself, since no tyrosine-phosphorylated eIF-4B could be detected upon immunoprecipitation using an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Enhanced phosphorylation of eIF-4B was also detected upon exposure of the cells to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that eIF-4B may be a substrate of PKC. However, down-regulation of PKC did not influence the EGF-induced eIF-4B phosphorylation, which indicates that eIF-4B is phosphorylated by an as yet unknown kinase, activated early in the EGF-induced signal transduction cascade.
Successful mitosis requires the right protein be degraded at the right time. Central to this is t... more Successful mitosis requires the right protein be degraded at the right time. Central to this is the spindle checkpoint that prevents the destruction of securin and cyclin B1 when there are improperly attached chromosomes. The principal target of the checkpoint is Cdc20, which activates the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). A Drosophila Cdc20/fizzy mutant arrests in mitosis with high levels of cyclins A and B, but paradoxically the spindle checkpoint does not stabilize cyclin A. Here, we investigated this paradox and found that Cdc20 is rate limiting for cyclin A destruction. Indeed, Cdc20 binds efficiently to cyclin A before and in mitosis, and this complex has little associated Mad2. Furthermore, the cyclin A complex must bind to a Cks protein to be degraded independently of the checkpoint. Thus, we identify a crucial role for the Cks proteins in mitosis and one mechanism by which the APC/C can target substrates independently of the spindle checkpoint.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-reviews on Cancer, 2008
For successful mitosis, Cyclin B1 and Securin must be degraded efficiently before anaphase. Destr... more For successful mitosis, Cyclin B1 and Securin must be degraded efficiently before anaphase. Destruction of these mitotic regulators by the 26S proteasome is the result of their poly-ubiquitination by a multi-subunit E3 ligase: the Anaphase-Promoting Complex or Cyclosome (APC/C). Clearly, the APC/C is not just important for mitosis. Destruction of APC/C substrates such as Cdc20, Plk1, Aurora A and Skp2 directs events in G1. Strikingly, the APC/C needs to stay active even in quiescent cells to keep them out of the cell cycle and forms an intriguing link with pRb. An inactive APC/C stabilizes Geminin, Cyclin A and Cyclin B1, thereby securing completion of DNA synthesis and progression through G2-phase. In prometaphase the APC/C becomes active again, but is controlled by the spindle assembly checkpoint. Here we discuss how the APC/C is either held in check or released. We argue that shedding more light on the APC/C is also important to understand cancer and could help the design of treatment.
Progression through mitosis and cytokinesis requires the sequential proteolysis of several cell-c... more Progression through mitosis and cytokinesis requires the sequential proteolysis of several cell-cycle regulators. This proteolysis is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, with the E3 ligase being the anaphase-promoting complex, also known as the cyclosome (APC/C). The APC/C is regulated by two activators, namely Cdc20 and Cdh1. The current view is that prior to anaphase, the APC/C is activated by Cdc20, but that following anaphase, APC/C switches to Cdh1-dependent activation. However, here we present an analysis of the kinetochore protein Cenp-F that is inconsistent with this notion. Although it has long been appreciated that Cenp-F is degraded sometime during or after mitosis, exactly when and how has not been clear. Here we show that degradation of Cenp-F initiates about six minutes after anaphase, and that this is dependent on a C-terminal KEN-box. Although these two observations are consistent with Cenp-F being a substrate of Cdh1-activated APC/C, Cenp-F is degraded normally in Cdh1-null cells. By contrast, RNAi-mediated repression of APC/C subunits or Cdc20 does inhibit Cenp-F degradation. These findings therefore suggest that the APC/C does not simply 'switch' upon anaphase onset; rather, our observations indicate that Cdc20 also contributes to post-anaphase activation of the APC/C. We also show that the post-anaphase, KEN-box-dependent degradation of Cenp-F requires it to be farnesylated, a post-translational modification usually linked to membrane association. Because so many of the behaviours of Cenp-F are farnesylation-dependent, we suggest that this modification plays a more global role in Cenp-F function.
The Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors are direct targets of Ras, providing a mechanism for ... more The Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors are direct targets of Ras, providing a mechanism for Ral activation by extracellular signals. In addition, Ral can be activated by a Ras-independent pathway. Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors contribute to cellular transformation induced by oncogenic Ras through an Erk-independent mechanism which may involve activation of transcription.
The small GTPase Ral is a Ras-like GTPase [1] that has been implicated in growth-factor-induced a... more The small GTPase Ral is a Ras-like GTPase [1] that has been implicated in growth-factor-induced and Ras-induced DNA synthesis [2], [3] and [4], and Ras-induced oncogenic transformation [3] and [5]. Recently, we and others found that three different Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Ral GEFs) – Ral GDS, Rgl and Rlf – bind specifically to the GTP-bound form of several Ras-like GTPases [6], [7], [8] and [9]. Although oncogenic Ras is able to activate these Ral GEFs [2], [5] and [10], it is unknown whether growth factors can induce the activation of Ral and, if so, which small GTPase is involved in this process. Here, we show that stimulation of various growth factor receptors, including receptor tyrosine kinases and serpentine receptors, results in rapid activation of Ral. This activation correlates with the activation of Ras, and dominant-negative Ras completely inhibits Ral activation induced by insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF). From these results, we conclude that Ral activation is a direct downstream effect of growth-factor-induced Ras activation
Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) performs multiple essential functions during the cell cycle. Here we sh... more Polo-like kinase-1 (Plk1) performs multiple essential functions during the cell cycle. Here we show that human Plk1-deficient cells are unable to separate their centrosomes, fail to form a bipolar spindle, and undergo a Mad2/BubR1-dependent prometaphase arrest. However, electron microscopy demonstrates that kinetochore-microtubule interactions can be established in cells lacking Plk1. In addition, co-depletion of Plk1 and survivin allows mitotic exit. This indicates that Plk1 depletion does not prevent microtubule attachment, but specifically interferes with the generation of tension, as a consequence of a failure to form a bipolar spindle. Moreover, we find that after silencing of the spindle assembly checkpoint, degradation of cyclin B1 is unaffected in cells lacking Plk1. These data indicate that activation of the anaphase promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C)-Cdc20 complex that is under control of the spindle assembly checkpoint does not require Plk1 activity. Finally, we find that translocation of chromosome passengers and initiation of cleavage furrow ingression is unaffected in cells depleted of Plk1. Thus, our data confirm an important role of Plk1 in bipolar spindle formation, and also demonstrate that Plk1 is dispensable for APC/C-Cdc20 activation and the initiation of cytokinesis.
Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking expression of all three retinoblastoma protein family... more Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking expression of all three retinoblastoma protein family members (TKO MEFs) have lost the G1 restriction point. However, in the absence of mitogens these cells become highly sensitive to apoptosis. Here, we show that TKO MEFs that survive serum depletion pass G1 but completely arrest in G2. p21CIP1 and p27KIP1 inhibit Cyclin A-Cdk2 activity and sequester Cyclin B1-Cdk1 in inactive complexes in the nucleus. This response is alleviated by mitogen restimulation or inactivation of p53. Thus, our results disclose a cell cycle arrest mechanism in G2 that restricts the proliferative capacity of mitogen-deprived cells that have lost the G1 restriction point. The involvement of p53 provides a rationale for the synergism between loss of Rb and p53 in tumorigenesis.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta-molecular Cell Research, 1993
We demonstrate that exposure of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells to epidermal growth factor ... more We demonstrate that exposure of human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells to epidermal growth factor (EGF) results in phosphorylation of eIF-4B within minutes after addition of EGF. The EGF-induced phosphorylation of eIF-4B is not caused by the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase itself, since no tyrosine-phosphorylated eIF-4B could be detected upon immunoprecipitation using an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Enhanced phosphorylation of eIF-4B was also detected upon exposure of the cells to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that eIF-4B may be a substrate of PKC. However, down-regulation of PKC did not influence the EGF-induced eIF-4B phosphorylation, which indicates that eIF-4B is phosphorylated by an as yet unknown kinase, activated early in the EGF-induced signal transduction cascade.
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Papers by Rob Wolthuis