Erratum: Dynamic SUMO modification regulates mitotic chromosome assembly and cell cycle progression in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO), initially characterized as a suppressor of a mutation in the gene encoding the centromeric protein MIF2, is involved in many aspects of cell cycle regulation. The dynamics of conjugation and deconjugation and the role of SUMO during the cell cycle remain unexplored. Here we used Caenorhabditis elegans to establish the contribution of SUMO to a timely and accurate cell division. Chromatin-associated SUMO conjugates increase during metaphase but decrease rapidly during anaphase. Accumulation of SUMO conjugates on the metaphase plate and proper chromosome alignment depend on the SUMO E2 conjugating enzyme UBC-9 and SUMO E3 ligase PIASGEI-17. Deconjugation is achieved by the SUMO protease ULP-4 and is crucial for correct progression through the cell cycle. Moreover, ULP-4 is necessary for Aurora BAIR-2 extraction from chromatin and relocation to the spindle mid-zone. Our results show that dynamic SUMO conjugation plays a role in cell cycle progression.

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Three genes of the MAP kinase cascade, mek-2, mpk-1/sur-1 and let-60 ras, are required for meiotic cell cycle progression in Caenorhabditis elegans

Development ◽

10.1242/dev.121.8.2525 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 121 (8) ◽

pp. 2525-2535 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

D.L. Church ◽

K.L. Guan ◽

E.J. Lambie

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Map Kinase ◽

Germ Cells ◽

Cell Cycle Progression ◽

Extended Period ◽

Meiotic Cell ◽

Cycle Progression ◽

C Elegans ◽

Genetic Mosaic

In the germline of Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites, meiotic cell cycle progression occurs in spatially restricted regions. Immediately after leaving the distal mitotic region, germ cells enter meiosis and thereafter remain in the pachytene stage of first meiotic prophase for an extended period. At the dorsoventral gonadal flexure, germ cells exit pachytene and subsequently become arrested in diakinesis. We have found that exit from pachytene is dependent on the function of three members of the MAP kinase signaling cascade. One of these genes, mek-2, is a newly identified C. elegans MEK (MAP kinase kinase). The other two genes, mpk-1/sur-1 (MAP kinase) and let-60 ras, were previously identified based on their roles in vulval induction and are shown here to act in combination with mek-2 to permit exit from pachytene. Through genetic mosaic analysis, we demonstrate that the expression of mpk-1/sur-1 is required within the germline to permit exit from pachytene.

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Essential Roles for Caenorhabditis elegans Lamin Gene in Nuclear Organization, Cell Cycle Progression, and Spatial Organization of Nuclear Pore Complexes

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.11.11.3937 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 3937-3947 ◽

Cited By ~ 262

Author(s):

Jun Liu ◽

Tom Rolef Ben-Shahar ◽

Dieter Riemer ◽

Millet Treinin ◽

Perah Spann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽

Cell Cycle Progression ◽

Spatial Organization ◽

Nuclear Periphery ◽

Nuclear Pore ◽

Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽

Cycle Progression ◽

Nuclear Lamins ◽

Pore Complexes

Caenorhabditis elegans has a single lamin gene, designated lmn-1 (previously termed CeLam-1). Antibodies raised against the lmn-1 product (Ce-lamin) detected a 64-kDa nuclear envelope protein. Ce-lamin was detected in the nuclear periphery of all cells except sperm and was found in the nuclear interior in embryonic cells and in a fraction of adult cells. Reductions in the amount of Ce-lamin protein produce embryonic lethality. Although the majority of affected embryos survive to produce several hundred nuclei, defects can be detected as early as the first nuclear divisions. Abnormalities include rapid changes in nuclear morphology during interphase, loss of chromosomes, unequal separation of chromosomes into daughter nuclei, abnormal condensation of chromatin, an increase in DNA content, and abnormal distribution of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). Under conditions of incomplete RNA interference, a fraction of embryos escaped embryonic arrest and continue to develop through larval life. These animals exhibit additional phenotypes including sterility and defective segregation of chromosomes in germ cells. Our observations show thatlmn-1 is an essential gene in C. elegans, and that the nuclear lamins are involved in chromatin organization, cell cycle progression, chromosome segregation, and correct spacing of NPCs.

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