Lyuben M Tsvetkov | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

The Plk1 Polo box domain mediates a cell cycle and DNA damage regulated interaction with Chk2.

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) regulates multiple processes during mitosis. Chk2 is a tumor suppressor that participates in DNA damage checkpoint signaling cascades. Plk1 phosphorylates, colocalizes with, and interacts with Chk2, suggesting interconnection of DNA damage checkpoints and mitotic regulation. However, the function of their association is unknown. Here, we show that the interaction between Chk2 and Plk1 is cell cycle-regulated, with a peak in mitosis. DNA damage in G2 and M phases but not in S phase induces dissociation of Plk1 and Chk2. In vitro, the Plk1 PBD binds phosphorylated Chk2, and mediates an interaction independent of other eukaryotic proteins. Additionally, a phosphopeptide encompassing phosphoT68 of Chk2 binds Plk1 in a PBD-dependent manner, and stimulates Plk1 activity. These results identify potential mechanisms for interaction and inter-regulation of these two protein kinases.

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PubMed2002

Chk2 activation and phosphorylation-dependent oligomerization.

The tumor suppressor gene CHK2 encodes a versatile effector serine/threonine kinase involved in responses to DNA damage. Chk2 has an amino-terminal SQ/TQ cluster domain (SCD), followed by a forkhead-associated (FHA) domain and a carboxyl-terminal kinase catalytic domain. Mutations in the SCD or FHA domain impair Chk2 checkpoint function. We show here that autophosphorylation of Chk2 produced in a cell-free system requires trans phosphorylation by a wortmannin-sensitive kinase, probably ATM or ATR. Both SQ/TQ sites and non-SQ/TQ sites within the Chk2 SCD can be phosphorylated by active Chk2. Amino acid substitutions in the SCD and the FHA domain impair auto- and trans-kinase activities of Chk2. Chk2 forms oligomers that minimally require the FHA domain of one Chk2 molecule and the SCD within another Chk2 molecule. Chk2 oligomerization in vivo increases after DNA damage, and when damage is induced by gamma irradiation, this increase requires ATM. Chk2 oligomerization is phosphorylation dependent and can occur in the absence of other eukaryotic proteins. Chk2 can cross-phosphorylate another Chk2 molecule in an oligomeric complex. Induced oligomerization of a Chk2 chimera in vivo concomitant with limited DNA damage augments Chk2 kinase activity. These results suggest that Chk2 oligomerization regulates Chk2 activation, signal amplification, and transduction in DNA damage checkpoint pathways.

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