Usp16 regulates kinetochore localization of Plk1 to promote proper chromosome alignment in mitosis.

During the G2 to M phase transition, a portion of mitotic regulator Plk1 localizes to the kinetochores and regulates the initiation of kinetochore-microtubule attachments for proper chromosome alignment. Once kinetochore-microtubule attachment is achieved, this portion of Plk1 is removed from the kinetochores as a result of ubiquitination. However, the crucial ...
molecular mechanism that promotes the localization and the maintenance of Plk1 on the kinetochores until metaphase is still unclear. We report that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 16 (Usp16) plays a key role during this process. Usp16 deubiquitinates Plk1, resulting in an enhanced interaction with kinetochore-localized proteins such as BubR1, and thereby retains Plk1 on the kinetochores to promote proper chromosome alignment in early mitosis. Down-regulation of Usp16 causes increased ubiquitination and decreased kinetochore localization of Plk1. Thus, our data unveil a unique mechanism by which Usp16 promotes the localization and maintenance of Plk1 on the kinetochores for proper chromosome alignment.
Mesh Terms:
Cell Cycle Proteins, Cell Line, Tumor, Chromosome Segregation, Chromosomes, HEK293 Cells, HeLa Cells, Humans, Kinetochores, Microtubules, Mitosis, Nocodazole, Phosphorylation, Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Pteridines, RNA Interference, RNA, Small Interfering, Ubiquitin Thiolesterase, Ubiquitination
J. Cell Biol.
Date: Aug. 31, 2015
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