Yin H, Zheng L, Liu W, Zhang D, Li W, Yuan L

Centrosome cohesion, mostly regarded as a proteinaceous linker between parental centrioles, ensures the interphase centrosome(s) to function as a single microtubule-organizing center. Maintenance of centrosome cohesion counts on a number of centrosomal linker proteins because depletion of any of those leads to premature centrosome separation in interphase, termed centrosome splitting. ...

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However, the underlying mechanisms of the dependence are unknown. Here, we show that absence of Rootletin triggers the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor protein (VHL)-mediated proteasomal degradation of Cep68 and, in turn, results in centrosome splitting. The VHL E3 ligase complex ubiquitinates Cep68 in vitro and in vivo. Co-silencing of Rootletin and VHL reverts Cep68 loss and centrosome splitting. Expression of a stable mutant of Cep68, either diminishing its polyubiquitylation or eliminating binding to β-domain of VHL, also suppresses centrosome splitting provoked by Rootletin depletion. We propose that the archetypal linker protein Rootletin maintains centrosome cohesion in part through inhibition of VHL-mediated Cep68 degradation.

Date: Apr. 01, 2017

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199566