Biomedical subjects

Marco Geymonat

Publications and source records attributed to Marco Geymonat.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Polo kinase controls cell-cycle-dependent transcription by targeting a coactivator protein.

Polo kinases have crucial conserved functions in controlling the eukaryotic cell cycle through orchestrating several events during mitosis. An essential element of cell cycle control is exerted by altering the expression of key regulators. Here we show an important function for the polo kinase Cdc5p in controlling cell-cycle-dependent gene expression that is crucial for the execution of mitosis in the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In particular, we find that Cdc5p is temporally recruited to promoters of the cell-cycle-regulated CLB2 gene cluster, where it targets the Mcm1p-Fkh2p-Ndd1p transcription factor complex, through direct phosphorylation of the coactivator protein Ndd1p. This phosphorylation event is required for the normal temporal expression of cell-cycle-regulated genes such as CLB2 and SWI5 in G2/M phases. Furthermore, severe defects in cell division occur in the absence of Cdc5p-mediated phosphorylation of Ndd1p. Thus, polo kinase is required for the production of key mitotic regulators, in addition to previously defined roles in controlling other mitotic events.

Cell Cycle↗

PubMed2004

Clb6/Cdc28 and Cdc14 regulate phosphorylation status and cellular localization of Swi6.

Nuclear export of the transcription factor Swi6 during the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell cycle is known to require phosphorylation of the Swi6 serine 160 residue. We show that Clb6/Cdc28 kinase is required for this nuclear export. Furthermore, Cdc28 combined with the S-phase cyclin Clb6 specifically phosphorylates serine 160 of Swi6 in vitro. Nuclear import of Swi6 occurs concomitantly with dephosphorylation of serine 160 in late M phase. We show that Cdc14 phosphatase, the principal effector of the mitotic exit network, can trigger nuclear import of Swi6 in vivo and that Cdc14 dephosphorylates Swi6 at serine 160 in vitro. Taken together, these observations show how Swi6 dephosphorylation and phosphorylation are integrated into changes of Cdc28 activity governing entry and exit from the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2003

Cell cycle-regulated transcription through the FHA domain of Fkh2p and the coactivator Ndd1p.

Recent studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using global approaches have significantly enhanced our knowledge of the components involved in the transcriptional regulation of the cell cycle. The Mcm1p-Fkh2p complex, in combination with the coactivator Ndd1p, plays an important role in the cell cycle-dependent expression of the CLB2 gene cluster during the G2 and M phases ([4-7]; see [8-10]for reviews). Fkh2p is phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, and peak phosphorylation occurs coincidentally with maximal expression of Mcm1p-Fkh2p-dependent gene expression. However, the mechanism by which this complex is activated in a cell cycle-dependent manner is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the forkhead-associated (FHA) domain of Fkh2p directs cell cycle-regulated transcription and that the activity of this domain is dependent on the coactivator Ndd1p. Ndd1p was found to be phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner by Cdc28p-Clb2p, and, importantly, this phosphorylation event promotes interactions between Ndd1p and the FHA domain of Fkh2p. Furthermore, mutation of the FHA domain blocks these phosphorylation-dependent interactions and abolishes transcriptional activity. Our data therefore link the transcriptional activity of the FHA domain with cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of the coactivator Ndd1p and reveal a mechanism that permits precise temporal activation of the Mcm1p-Fkh2p complex.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2003

In vitro regulation of budding yeast Bfa1/Bub2 GAP activity by Cdc5.

The Cdc5 protein of budding yeast is a polo-like kinase that has multiple roles in mitosis including control of the mitotic exit network (MEN). MEN activity brings about loss of mitotic kinase activity so that the mitotic spindle is disassembled and cytokinesis can proceed. Activity of the MEN is regulated by a small GTPase, Tem1, which in turn is controlled by a two-component GTPase-activating protein (GAP) formed by Bfa1 and Bub2. Bfa1 has been identified as a regulatory target of Cdc5 but there are conflicting deductions from indirect in vivo assays as to whether phosphorylation inhibits or stimulates Bfa1 activity. To resolve this question, we have used direct in vitro assays to observe the effects of phosphorylation on Bfa1 activity. We show that when Bfa1 is phosphorylated by Cdc5, its GAP activity with Bub2 is inhibited although its ability to interact with Tem1 is unaffected. Thus, in vivo inactivation of Bfa1-Bub2 by Cdc5 would have a positive regulatory effect by increasing levels of Tem1-GTP so stimulating exit from mitosis.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

PubMed2002

Spatial regulation of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Lte1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In budding yeast, activation of the small Ras-like GTPase Tem1 triggers exit from mitosis and cytokinesis. Tem1 is regulated by Bub2/Bfa1, a two-component GTPase-activating protein (GAP), and by Lte1, a putative guanine nucleotide exchange factor. Lte1 is confined to the bud cortex, and its spatial separation from Tem1 at the spindle pole body (SPB) is important to prevent untimely exit from mitosis. The pathways contributing to Lte1 asymmetry have not been elucidated. Here we show that establishment of Lte1 at the cortex occurs by an actin-independent mechanism, which requires activation of Cdc28/Cln kinase at START and Cdc42, a key regulator of cell polarity and cytoskeletal organisation. This defines a novel role for Cdc42 in late mitotic events. In turn, dissociation of Lte1 from the cortex in telophase depends on activation of the Cdc14 phosphatase. Ectopic expression of Cdc14 at metaphase results in premature dephosphorylation of Lte1 coincident with its release from the cortex. In vitro phosphatase assays confirm that Lte1 is a direct substrate for Cdc14. Our results suggest that the asymmetry in Lte1 localisation is imposed by Cdc28-dependent phosphorylation. Finally, we report a mutational analysis undertaken to investigate intrinsic Lte1 determinants for localisation. Our data suggest that an intrameric interaction between the N-and C-terminal regions of Lte1 is important for cortex association.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Mitotic exit: the Cdc14 double cross.

The release of Cdc14 from the nucleolus occurs in two waves in early and late anaphase, controlled by the FEAR and MEN pathways, respectively. Two new papers report the localisation at the spindle pole body of the Cdc14 released in early anaphase and, surprisingly, show that the two pulses of released Cdc14 have opposite effects on MEN activation.

Anaphase↗

PubMed2002

Control of mitotic exit in budding yeast. In vitro regulation of Tem1 GTPase by Bub2 and Bfa1.

The elimination of mitotic kinase activity at the end of mitosis is essential for progression to the next stage of the eukaryotic cell cycle. In budding yeast, this process is controlled by a regulatory cascade called the mitotic exit network. Extensive genetic data indicate that mitotic exit network activity is determined by a GTP-binding protein, Tem1, and its putative regulators, Bub2, Bfa1, and Lte1. Here we describe the purification and in vitro activities of Tem1, Bub2, and Bfa1. We describe the nucleotide binding properties of Tem1 and characterize its intrinsic GTPase activity. The combination of Bfa1 and Bub2 acts as a two-component GTPase-activating protein for Tem1. In the absence of Bub2, Bfa1 inhibits the GTPase and GTP exchange activities of Tem1. This inhibition is elicited by either the N- or C-terminal regions of Bfa1, which also retain some ability to co-activate GTPase activity in the presence of Bub2. Although the C-terminal region of Bfa1 binds to Bub2, no interaction of the N-terminal half of Bfa1 with Bub2 was detected despite their combined GAP activity. Therefore, we propose that Bfa1 acts both as an adaptor to connect Bub2 and Tem1 and as an allosteric effector that facilitates this interaction.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

PubMed2002

Mitotic exit: delaying the end without FEAR.

Activation of Cdc14 phosphatase, controlled by a signalling cascade known as the mitotic exit network, is the final switch that drives cells from mitosis into the next cell cycle. The recent discovery of a novel network that regulates early Cdc14 activation has revealed the unexpected existence of a two-step control of mitotic exit.

Anaphase↗