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Inactivation of Cdc2 increases the level of apoptosis induced by DNA damage.

A number of lines of evidence have suggested a possible involvement of the mitosis-promoting protein kinase Cdc2 in the process of apoptotic cell death, and one recent study concluded that premature activation of Cdc2 is required for apoptosis. Here we have used a temperature-sensitive murine Cdc2 mutant cell line and Cdc2 inhibitor compounds to study the effect of inhibition of this protein kinase on apoptosis induced by DNA-damaging drugs. Inhibition of Cdc2 activity before or during exposure to DNA strand break-inducing drugs had the effect of increasing the level of subsequent apoptosis, as assessed by electron microscopy and flow cytometry. We conclude that, far from being required for cell death, a form of mammalian Cdc2 suppresses apoptosis induced by DNA damage. This form of Cdc2 appears to be active in G2-arrested cells and is therefore presumably distinct from the mitosis-promoting Cdc2-cyclin B heterodimer.

Animals↗

Mutations at sites involved in Suc1 binding inactivate Cdc2.

suc1+ encodes an essential cell cycle regulator of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Its product, a 13-kDa protein, interacts with the Cdc2 protein kinase. Both positive and negative effects on cell cycle progression have been attributed to Suc1. To date, the exact mechanisms and the physiological role of the interaction between Suc1 and Cdc2 remain unclear. Here we have studied the molecular basis of this association. We show that Cdc2 can bind Suc1 or its mammalian homolog directly in the absence of any additional protein component. Using an alanine scanning mutagenesis method, we analyzed the interaction between Cdc2 and Suc1. We show that the integrity of several domains on the Cdc2 protein, including sites directly involved in catalytic activity, is required for binding to Suc1. Furthermore, Cdc2 mutant proteins unable to bind Suc1 (but able to bind cyclins) are nonfunctional when overexpressed in S. pombe, indicating that a specific interaction with Suc1 is required for Cdc2 function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The cell cycle control gene cdc2+ of fission yeast encodes a protein kinase potentially regulated by phosphorylation.

The cdc2+ gene function has an important role in controlling the commitment of the fission yeast cell to the mitotic cycle and the timing of mitosis. We have raised antibodies against the cdc2+ protein using synthetic peptides and have demonstrated that it is a 34 kd phosphoprotein with protein kinase activity. The protein level and phosphorylation state remain unchanged during the mitotic cycle of rapidly growing cells. When cells cease to proliferate and arrest in G1 the protein becomes dephosphorylated and loses protein kinase activity. Exit from the mitotic cycle and entry into stationary phase may be controlled in part by modulation of the cdc2 protein kinase activity by changes in its phosphorylation state.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of protein kinase CKII during the cell division cycle.

Protein kinase CKII is a prevalent serine/threonine protein kinase whose structure is highly conserved among eukaryotic organisms. Its involvement in the eukaryotic cell division cycle has been implicated by genetic experiments in yeast, antisense DNA, and inhibitory antibody experiments in mammalian cells, changes in activity during growth stimulation experiments, and protection of cells from radiation damage to replicating DNA. In addition, the cdc2 protein kinase, which is central to cell division cycle control, serves as a substrate for CKII specifically during the G1 phase of human cells. In this report, extracts of HeLa cells were prepared using neutral, aqueous buffers at low ionic strength. The cells were enriched for specific stages of the cell division cycle by treatment with drugs or by centrifugal elutriation. The results indicate that CKII activity in these extracts is highest during the G1 phase, and there appears to be a reduction in soluble CKII activity during the S phase. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that high CKII is necessary for a normal G1 phase but that progression through the S phase requires inhibition of CKII.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isolation and characterization of cDNA clones encoding cdc2 homologues from Oryza sativa: a functional homologue and cognate variants.

Using probes obtained by PCR amplification, we have isolated two cognate rice cDNAs (cdc2Os-1 and cdc2Os-2) encoding structural homologues of the cdc2+/CDC28 (cdc2) protein kinase from a cDNA library prepared from cultured rice cells. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of cdc2Os-1 and cdc2Os-2 showed that they are 83% identical. They are 62% identical to CDC28 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and much more similar to the yeast and mammalian p34cdc2 kinases than to rice R2, a cdc2-related kinase isolated previously by screening the same rice cDNA library with a different oligonucleotide probe. Southern blot analysis indicated that the three rice clones (cdc2Os-1, cdc2Os-2 and R2) are derived from distinct genes and are each found in a single copy per rice haploid genome. RNA blot analysis revealed that these genes are expressed in proliferating rice cells and in young rice seedlings. cdc2Os-1 could complement a temperature-sensitive yeast mutant of cdc28. However, despite the similarity in structure, both cdc2Os-2 and R2 were unable to complement the same mutant. Thus, the present results demonstrate the presence of structurally related, but functionally distinct cognates of the cdc2 cell cycle kinase in rice.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

E1A induces phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein independently of direct physical association between the E1A and retinoblastoma products.

We have studied the initial effects of adenovirus E1A expression on the retinoblastoma (RB) gene product in normal quiescent cells. Although binding of the E1A products to pRB could, in theory, make pRB phosphorylation unnecessary for cell cycle progression, we have found that the 12S wild-type E1A product is capable of inducing phosphorylation of pRB in normal quiescent cells. The induction of pRB phosphorylation correlates with E1A-mediated induction of p34cdc2 expression and kinase activity, consistent with the possibility that p34cdc2 is a pRB kinase. Expression of simian virus 40 T antigen induces similar effects. Induction of pRB phosphorylation is independent of the pRB binding activity of the E1A products; E1A domain 2 mutants do not bind detectable levels of pRB but remain competent to induce pRB phosphorylation and to activate cdc2 protein kinase expression and activity. Although the kinetics of induction are slower, domain 2 mutants induce wild-type levels of pRB phosphorylation and host cell DNA synthesis and yet fail to induce cell proliferation. These results imply that direct physical interaction between the RB and E1A products does not play a required role in the early stages of E1A-mediated cell cycle induction and that pRB phosphorylation is not, of itself, sufficient to allow quiescent cells to divide. These results suggest that the E1A products do not need to bind pRB in order to stimulate resting cells to enter the cell cycle. Indeed, a more important role of the RB binding activity of the E1A products may be to prevent dividing cells from returning to G0.

Adenoviridae↗

Trans-acting factors involved in species-specificity and control of mouse ribosomal gene transcription.

Faithful and efficient transcription initiation at the mouse ribosomal gene promoter requires besides RNA polymerase I (pol I) four polypeptide trans-acting factors, termed TIF-IA, TIF-IB, TIF-IC, and mUBF. We have partially purified these proteins from cultured Ehrlich ascites cells and show that in the presence of TIF-IA and TIF-IB, pol I directs very low amounts of specific transcripts. Neither TIF-IC nor mUBF on their own significantly stimulate the efficiency of template utilization. However, both factors together strongly activate transcription. Interestingly, factor TIF-IB - the murine homologue of human SL1 - fails to program a human extract to transcribe the murine template, but requires its homologous RNA polymerase I. This finding implicates that not only some rDNA transcription factors but also pol I exhibits species-specific differences. The growth-related factor TIF-IA, on the other hand, stimulates both mouse and human rDNA transcription. This regulatory factor whose amount or activity fluctuates according to the proliferation rate of the cells, is functionally inactivated by antibodies against cdc2 protein kinase. This result together with the observation that transcription is stimulated by ATP-gamma S, an ATP analogue which is a substrate for protein kinases but not for protein phosphatases, strongly suggests that post-translational protein modification is involved in rDNA transcription regulation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mitotic role for the Cdc28 protein kinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Cdc28 protein kinase functions in the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This is in contrast with observations of the homologous protein kinase from a variety of metazoans, where activity and function are associated with the G2 to M phase transition. We present evidence that the Cdc28 protein kinase is also required for mitosis and that this function is executed in the G2 interval of the cell cycle. We show, in addition, that the protein kinase is highly active during this phase of the cell cycle. The dual role of the Cdc28 protein kinase in the S. cerevisiae cell cycle thus parallels that demonstrated for the cdc2 protein kinase of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Hydroxyurea↗

Multiple forms of maturation-promoting factor in unfertilized Xenopus eggs.

Maturation-promoting factor (MPF), which is functionally defined by its ability to induce frog oocyte maturation independent of protein synthesis, is hypothesized to be the mitotic inducer in eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that the cdc2 protein kinase complex (p34cdc2-cyclin) meets the criteria for MPF. In the present study, we show that MPF activity in extracts of unfertilized Xenopus eggs can be resolved into three fractions by Q-Sepharose chromatography. Of the total MPF activity recovered, approximately 20% was in the flow-through fraction that was accounted for by the cdc2 kinase complex, approximately 40% was in the 0.2 M NaCl eluate, and the remaining approximately 40% was in the 0.5 M NaCl eluate. Neither eluate contained cdc2 kinase, but each could activate cdc2 kinase upon microinjection into Xenopus oocytes. The MPF activity in the two eluates, but not in the flow-through fraction, could be depleted by the mitosis-specific monoclonal antibody MPM-2. This antibody has been shown to inhibit Xenopus oocyte maturation and deplete MPF activity from mature oocyte extract but does not recognize the cdc2 kinase complex. The three MPFs differed in apparent molecular size, H1 kinase activity, and stability at 4 degrees C. We propose that MPF activity in unfertilized Xenopus eggs resides in at least three different molecular species, the combined activities of which may be required for autoamplification of MPF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of cdc2 activity in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: the role of phosphorylation.

The cdc2 protein kinase, first identified as a cell cycle gene required for transition into the S- and M-phases of budding and fission yeast, has been shown to act as a key component in the regulation of the eukaryotic cell cycle. The periodic activation of cdc2 kinase, which is required for entry into M-phase, is regulated by subunit association with cyclin B, the cdc25, wee1, mik1 gene products and differential phosphorylation of the cdc2 protein. Phosphorylation at Tyr 15 inhibits activation of the cdc2/cdc13 complex whereas phosphorylation of Thr 167 is required for kinase activity.

CDC2 Protein Kinase↗

The MO15 gene encodes the catalytic subunit of a protein kinase that activates cdc2 and other cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) through phosphorylation of Thr161 and its homologues.

Phosphorylation of Thr161, a residue conserved in all members of the cdc2 family, has been reported to be absolutely required for the catalytic activity of cdc2, the major regulator of eukaryotic cell cycle. In the present work, we have purified from starfish oocytes a kinase that specifically activates cdc2 in a cyclin-dependent manner through phosphorylation of its Thr161 residue. Our most highly purified preparation contained only two major proteins of apparent M(r) 37 and 40 kDa (p37 and p40), which could not be separated from each other without loss of activity. The purified kinase was found to phosphorylate not only cdc2, but also cdk2 and a divergent cdc2-like protein from Caenorhabditis, in chimeric complexes including both mitotic and G1/S cyclins. Extensive microsequencing of p40 did not reveal any convincing homology with any known protein. In contrast, p37 is the starfish homologue of the M015 gene product, a kinase previously cloned by homology probing from a Xenopus cDNA library. As expected, immunodepletion of the MO15 protein depleted Xenopus egg extracts of CAK (cdk-activating kinase) activity, which was recovered in immunoprecipitates. Taken together, the above results demonstrate that MO15 is a gene conserved throughout evolution (at least from echinoderms to vertebrates) that encodes the catalytic subunit of a protein kinase that activates cdc2-cdks complexes through phosphorylation of Thr161 (or its homologues).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Activation of Cdc2/cyclin B and inhibition of centrosome amplification in cells depleted of Plk1 by siRNA.

The events of the cell cycle, the stages at which the cell proliferates and divides, are facilitated and controlled by multiple signaling pathways. Among the many regulatory enzymes that contribute to these processes is the polo-like kinase (Plk). Plks have been reported to mediate multiple mitotic processes, including bipolar spindle formation, activation of Cdc25C, actin ring formation, centrosome maturation, and activation of the anaphase-promoting complex. To investigate its functions in mammalian cells further, we used the recently developed small interfering RNA technique specifically to deplete Plk1 in cultured cells. We find that Plk1 depletion results in elevated Cdc2 protein kinase activity and thus attenuates cell-cycle progression. About 45% of cells treated with Plk1 small interfering RNA show the formation of a dumbbell-like DNA organization, suggesting that sister chromatids are not completely separated. About 15% of these cells do complete anaphase but do not complete cytokinesis. Finally, Plk1 depletion significantly reduces centrosome amplification in hydroxyurea-treated U2OS cells. These data provide direct evidence that Plk is required for multiple mitotic processes in mammalian cells and their significance is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

The polo-like kinase Plx1 is required for M phase exit and destruction of mitotic regulators in Xenopus egg extracts.

Polo-like kinases (Plks), named after the Drosophila gene product polo, have been implicated in the regulation of multiple aspects of mitotic progression, including the activation of the Cdc25 phosphatase, bipolar spindle formation and cytokinesis. Genetic analyses performed in yeast and Drosophila suggest a function for Plks at late stages of mitosis, but biochemical data to support such a function in vertebrate organisms are lacking. Here we have taken advantage of Xenopus egg extracts for exploring the function of Plx1, a Xenopus Plk, during the cell cycle transition from M phase to interphase (I phase). We found that the addition of a catalytically inactive Plx1 mutant to M phase-arrested egg extracts blocked their Ca2+-induced release into interphase. Concomitantly, the proteolytic destruction of several targets of the anaphase-promoting complex and the inactivation of the Cdc2 protein kinase (Cdk1) were prevented. Moreover, the M to I phase transition could be abolished by immunodepletion of Plx1, but was restored upon the addition of recombinant Plx1. These results demonstrate that the exit of egg extracts from M phase arrest requires active Plx1, and they strongly suggest an important role for Plx1 in the activation of the proteolytic machinery that controls the exit from mitosis.

Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome↗

Altered phosphorylation pattern of simian virus 40 T antigen expressed in insect cells by using a baculovirus vector.

The phosphorylation pattern of simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor (T) antigen purified from insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus was compared with that reported previously for T antigen from SV40-infected monkey cells. The specific activity of metabolic phosphate labeling of baculovirus T antigen was reduced, and the phosphopeptide map of the baculovirus protein, while qualitatively similar to that of lytic T, revealed several quantitative differences. The most striking difference was the prominence in the baculovirus map of peptides containing phosphothreonine 124. These peptides are known to arise from other phosphopeptides upon dephosphorylation of neighboring serines, suggesting that baculovirus T may be underphosphorylated at these serines and perhaps other sites. Functional assays used to further investigate the phosphorylation state of the baculovirus protein included SV40 DNA binding after enzymatic dephosphorylation with alkaline phosphatase and after phosphorylation by a murine homolog of cdc2 protein kinase. The results imply that baculovirus T antigen is underphosphorylated, in particular at those serine residues whose phosphorylation is responsible for down regulation of DNA-binding activity at site II in the core origin of DNA replication. In contrast, no evidence for a functionally significant underphosphorylation at threonine 124 could be found.

Animals↗

Characterization of the fission yeast mcs2 cyclin and its associated protein kinase activity.

We have previously described the isolation of mcs2-75, a mutation obtained as an allele-specific suppressor of a dominant allele of cdc2. mcs2 was cloned and determined to be an essential gene, the product of which shares homology with the cyclin family of proteins. In contrast to the behavior of some, but not all cyclins, the mcs2 protein is constant in its abundance and localization throughout the cell cycle. A kinase activity that co-precipitates with mcs2 can be detected when myelin basic protein (MBP) is provided as an exogenous substrate. This kinase activity is constant throughout the cell cycle. mcs2 does not appear to associate with the cdc2 protein kinase or an antigenically related kinase. Finally, a protein kinase termed csk1 (cyclin suppressing kinase) was isolated as a high copy suppressor of an mcs2 mutation. csk1 is not essential, however, the level of kinase activity that co-precipitates with mcs2 is reduced approximately 3-fold in strains harboring a csk1 null allele. Therefore, csk1 may encode a protein kinase physically associated with mcs2 or alternatively may function as an upstream activator of the mcs2-associated kinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of both Myt-1 and Wee-1 as necessary mediators of the p21-independent inactivation of the cdc-2/cyclin B1 complex and growth inhibition of TRAMP cancer cells by genistein.

BACKGROUND: The G2/M cell-cycle arrest is one mechanism by which genistein exerts its anti-proliferative effects, and the proposed underlying causes encompass the transcriptional repression of cyclin B1 and the activation of p21. However, the involvement of upstream kinases Myt-1 and Wee-1 in this arrest remains to be elucidated. METHODS: Myt-1 and Wee-1 modulation by genistein was examined via Western blot analysis and the effect of their inhibition by siRNA on cyclin B1 levels/localization, cdc2 kinase activity, and cellular proliferation of genistein-treated TRAMP-C2 cells was determined. RESULTS: The sustained G2/M arrest by genistein in TRAMP-C2 cells is associated with increased phospho-cdc2(Tyr15), decreased cdc2 protein, and cytoplasmic retention of cyclinB1, resulting in decreased cdc2 kinase activity independently of p21. Genistein treatment increased Myt-1 levels and decreased Wee-1 phosphorylation. Downregulation of Myt-1 and Wee-1 by siRNA restored cdc2 levels, its kinase activity, cyclinB1 nuclear localization, and partially restored cell proliferation of genistein-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Myt-1 and Wee-1 rather than p21 are necessary for genistein-induced G2/M arrest in TRAMP-C2 cells and their inhibition partially restores proliferation of TRAMP-C2 cells in the presence of genistein.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Resveratrol-induced G2 arrest through the inhibition of CDK7 and p34CDC2 kinases in colon carcinoma HT29 cells.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a phytoalexin found in grapes and other food products, has been shown to have cancer chemopreventive activity. However, the mechanism of the anti-carcinogenic activity is not well understood. Here, we offer a possible explanation of its anti-tumor effect. Based on flow cytometric analysis, resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of HT29 colon cancer cells and resulted in their accumulation in the G(2) phase of the cell cycle. Western blot analysis and kinase assays demonstrated that the perturbation of G(2) phase progression by resveratrol was accompanied by the inactivation of p34(CDC2) protein kinase, and an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylated (inactive) form of p34(CDC2). Kinase assays revealed that the reduction of p34(CDC2) activity by resveratrol was mediated through the inhibition of CDK7 kinase activity, while CDC25A phosphatase activity was not affected. In addition, resveratrol-treated cells were shown to have a low level of CDK7 kinase-Thr(161)-phosphorylated p34(CDC2). These results demonstrated that resveratrol induced cell cycle arrest at the G(2) phase through the inhibition of CDK7 kinase activity, suggesting that its anti-tumor activity might occur through the disruption of cell division at the G(2)/M phase.

Antineoplastic Agents↗