scholarly journals A stochastic model of kinetochore–microtubule attachment accurately describes fission yeast chromosome segregation

2012 ◽  
Vol 196 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Gay ◽  
Thibault Courtheoux ◽  
Céline Reyes ◽  
Sylvie Tournier ◽  
Yannick Gachet

In fission yeast, erroneous attachments of spindle microtubules to kinetochores are frequent in early mitosis. Most are corrected before anaphase onset by a mechanism involving the protein kinase Aurora B, which destabilizes kinetochore microtubules (ktMTs) in the absence of tension between sister chromatids. In this paper, we describe a minimal mathematical model of fission yeast chromosome segregation based on the stochastic attachment and detachment of ktMTs. The model accurately reproduces the timing of correct chromosome biorientation and segregation seen in fission yeast. Prevention of attachment defects requires both appropriate kinetochore orientation and an Aurora B–like activity. The model also reproduces abnormal chromosome segregation behavior (caused by, for example, inhibition of Aurora B). It predicts that, in metaphase, merotelic attachment is prevented by a kinetochore orientation effect and corrected by an Aurora B–like activity, whereas in anaphase, it is corrected through unbalanced forces applied to the kinetochore. These unbalanced forces are sufficient to prevent aneuploidy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 219 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Cairo ◽  
Anne M. MacKenzie ◽  
Soni Lacefield

Accurate chromosome segregation depends on the proper attachment of kinetochores to spindle microtubules before anaphase onset. The Ipl1/Aurora B kinase corrects improper attachments by phosphorylating kinetochore components and so releasing aberrant kinetochore–microtubule interactions. The localization of Ipl1 to kinetochores in budding yeast depends upon multiple pathways, including the Bub1–Bub3 pathway. We show here that in meiosis, Bub3 is crucial for correction of attachment errors. Depletion of Bub3 results in reduced levels of kinetochore-localized Ipl1 and concomitant massive chromosome missegregation caused by incorrect chromosome–spindle attachments. Depletion of Bub3 also results in shorter metaphase I and metaphase II due to premature localization of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) to kinetochores, which antagonizes Ipl1-mediated phosphorylation. We propose a new role for the Bub1–Bub3 pathway in maintaining the balance between kinetochore localization of Ipl1 and PP1, a balance that is essential for accurate meiotic chromosome segregation and timely anaphase onset.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Berthezene ◽  
Céline Reyes ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
Stéphane Coulon ◽  
Pascal Bernard ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn mitosis, while the importance of kinetochore-microtubule attachment has been known for many years, increasing evidence suggests that telomere dysfunctions also perturb chromosome segregation by contributing to the formation of chromatin bridges at anaphase. Recent evidence suggests that Aurora B ensures proper chromosome segregation during mitosis not only by controlling kinetochore-microtubule attachment but also by regulating telomere and chromosome arm separation. However, whether and how Aurora-B governs telomere separation during meiosis has remained unknown. Here, we show that fission yeast Aurora B localizes at telomeres during meiosis I and promotes telomere separation independently of the meiotic cohesin Rec8. In meiosis II, Aurora-B controls kinetochore-microtubule attachment but appears dispensable for telomere and chromosome arm separation. Likewise, condensin activity is nonessential in meiosis II for telomere and chromosome arm separation. Thus, in meiosis, the requirements for Aurora-B are distinct at centromeres and telomeres, illustrating the critical differences in the control of chromosome segregation between mitosis and meiosis II.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 462-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruoying Yu ◽  
Huihui Wu ◽  
Hazrat Ismail ◽  
Shihao Du ◽  
Jun Cao ◽  
...  

Abstract Faithful segregation of mitotic chromosomes requires bi-orientation of sister chromatids, which relies on the sensing of correct attachments between spindle microtubules and kinetochores. Although the mechanisms underlying PLK1 activation have been extensively studied, the regulatory mechanisms that couple PLK1 activity to accurate chromosome segregation are not well understood. In particular, PLK1 is implicated in stabilizing kinetochore–microtubule attachments, but how kinetochore PLK1 activity is regulated to avoid hyperstabilized kinetochore–microtubules in mitosis remains elusive. Here, we show that kinetochore PLK1 kinase activity is modulated by SET7/9 via lysine methylation during early mitosis. The SET7/9-elicited dimethylation occurs at the Lys191 of PLK1, which tunes down its activity by limiting ATP utilization. Overexpression of the non-methylatable PLK1 mutant or chemical inhibition of SET7/9 methyltransferase activity resulted in mitotic arrest due to destabilized kinetochore–microtubule attachments. These data suggest that kinetochore PLK1 is essential for stable kinetochore–microtubule attachments and methylation by SET7/9 promotes dynamic kinetochore–microtubule attachments for accurate error correction. Our findings define a novel homeostatic regulation at the kinetochore that integrates protein phosphorylation and methylation with accurate chromosome segregation for maintenance of genomic stability.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Cairo ◽  
Anne M. MacKenzie ◽  
Soni Lacefield

AbstractAccurate chromosome segregation depends on proper attachment of kinetochores to spindle microtubules prior to anaphase onset. The Ipl1/Aurora B kinase corrects improper attachments by phosphorylating kinetochore components and so releasing aberrant kinetochore-microtubule interactions. The localization of Ipl1 to kinetochores in budding yeast depends upon multiple pathways, including the Bub1/Bub3 pathway. We show here that in meiosis, Bub3 is crucial for correction of attachment errors. Depletion of Bub3 results in reduced levels of kinetochore-localized Ipl1, and concomitant massive chromosome mis-segregation caused by incorrect chromosome-spindle attachments. Depletion of Bub3 also results in shorter metaphase I and metaphase II due to premature localization of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) to kinetochores, which antagonizes Ipl1-mediated phosphorylation. We propose a new role for the Bub1-Bub3 pathway in maintaining the balance between kinetochore-localization of Ipl1 and PP1, a balance that is essential for accurate meiotic chromosome segregation and timely anaphase onset.SummaryCairo et al show that in S. cerevisiae meiosis, spindle checkpoint proteins Bub1 and Bub3 have an essential role in preventing chromosome mis-segregation and setting the normal duration of anaphase I and anaphase II onset by regulating the kinetochore-localization of Ipl1 and PP1.


2005 ◽  
Vol 360 (1455) ◽  
pp. 553-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.D Salmon ◽  
D Cimini ◽  
L.A Cameron ◽  
J.G DeLuca

Merotelic kinetochore attachment is a major source of aneuploidy in mammalian tissue cells in culture. Mammalian kinetochores typically have binding sites for about 20–25 kinetochore microtubules. In prometaphase, kinetochores become merotelic if they attach to microtubules from opposite poles rather than to just one pole as normally occurs. Merotelic attachments support chromosome bi-orientation and alignment near the metaphase plate and they are not detected by the mitotic spindle checkpoint. At anaphase onset, sister chromatids separate, but a chromatid with a merotelic kinetochore may not be segregated correctly, and may lag near the spindle equator because of pulling forces toward opposite poles, or move in the direction of the wrong pole. Correction mechanisms are important for preventing segregation errors. There are probably more than 100 times as many PtK1 tissue cells with merotelic kinetochores in early mitosis, and about 16 times as many entering anaphase as the 1% of cells with lagging chromosomes seen in late anaphase. The role of spindle mechanics and potential functions of the Ndc80/Nuf2 protein complex at the kinetochore/microtubule interface is discussed for two correction mechanisms: one that functions before anaphase to reduce the number of kinetochore microtubules to the wrong pole, and one that functions after anaphase onset to move merotelic kinetochores based on the ratio of kinetochore microtubules to the correct versus incorrect pole.


2019 ◽  
Vol 218 (10) ◽  
pp. 3223-3236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuichiro Asai ◽  
Koh Fukuchi ◽  
Yuji Tanno ◽  
Saki Koitabashi-Kiyozuka ◽  
Tatsuyuki Kiyozuka ◽  
...  

The accurate regulation of phosphorylation at the kinetochore is essential for establishing chromosome bi-orientation. Phosphorylation of kinetochore proteins by the Aurora B kinase destabilizes improper kinetochore–microtubule attachments, whereas the phosphatase PP2A has a counteracting role. Imbalanced phosphoregulation leads to error-prone chromosome segregation and aneuploidy, a hallmark of cancer cells. However, little is known about the molecular events that control the balance of phosphorylation at the kinetochore. Here, we show that localization of SET/TAF1, an oncogene product, to centromeres maintains Aurora B kinase activity by inhibiting PP2A, thereby correcting erroneous kinetochore–microtubule attachment. SET localizes at the inner centromere by interacting directly with shugoshin 2, with SET levels declining at increased distances between kinetochore pairs, leading to establishment of chromosome bi-orientation. Moreover, SET overexpression induces chromosomal instability by disrupting kinetochore–microtubule attachment. Thus, our findings reveal the novel role of SET in fine-tuning the phosphorylation level at the kinetochore by balancing the activities of Aurora B and PP2A.


2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 702-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenzhu Li ◽  
Xiangwei He

Abstract Canonical meiosis is characterized by two sequential rounds of nuclear divisions following one round of DNA replication—reductional segregation of homologous chromosomes during the first division and equational segregation of sister chromatids during the second division. Meiosis in an inverted order of two nuclear divisions—inverted meiosis has been observed in several species with holocentromeres as an adaptive strategy to overcome the obstacle in executing a canonical meiosis due to the holocentric chromosome structure. Recent findings of co-existence of inverted and canonical meiosis in two monocentric organisms, human and fission yeast, suggested that inverted meiosis could be common and also lead to the puzzle regarding the mechanistic feasibility for executing two meiosis programs simultaneously. Here, we discuss apparent conflicts for concurrent canonical meiosis and inverted meiosis. Furthermore, we attempt to provide a working model that may be compatible for both forms of meiosis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1473-1485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzana Storchová ◽  
Justin S. Becker ◽  
Nicolas Talarek ◽  
Sandra Kögelsberger ◽  
David Pellman

The conserved mitotic kinase Bub1 performs multiple functions that are only partially characterized. Besides its role in the spindle assembly checkpoint and chromosome alignment, Bub1 is crucial for the kinetochore recruitment of multiple proteins, among them Sgo1. Both Bub1 and Sgo1 are dispensable for growth of haploid and diploid budding yeast, but they become essential in cells with higher ploidy. We find that overexpression of SGO1 partially corrects the chromosome segregation defect of bub1Δ haploid cells and restores viability to bub1Δ tetraploid cells. Using an unbiased high-copy suppressor screen, we identified two members of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), BIR1 (survivin) and SLI15 (INCENP, inner centromere protein), as suppressors of the growth defect of both bub1Δ and sgo1Δ tetraploids, suggesting that these mutants die due to defects in chromosome biorientation. Overexpression of BIR1 or SLI15 also complements the benomyl sensitivity of haploid bub1Δ and sgo1Δ cells. Mutants lacking SGO1 fail to biorient sister chromatids attached to the same spindle pole (syntelic attachment) after nocodazole treatment. Moreover, the sgo1Δ cells accumulate syntelic attachments in unperturbed mitoses, a defect that is partially corrected by BIR1 or SLI15 overexpression. We show that in budding yeast neither Bub1 nor Sgo1 is required for CPC localization or affects Aurora B activity. Instead we identify Sgo1 as a possible partner of Mps1, a mitotic kinase suggested to have an Aurora B–independent function in establishment of biorientation. We found that Sgo1 overexpression rescues defects caused by metaphase inactivation of Mps1 and that Mps1 is required for Sgo1 localization to the kinetochore. We propose that Bub1, Sgo1, and Mps1 facilitate chromosome biorientation independently of the Aurora B–mediated pathway at the budding yeast kinetochore and that both pathways are required for the efficient turnover of syntelic attachments.


2008 ◽  
Vol 182 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayumu Yamamoto ◽  
Kenji Kitamura ◽  
Daisuke Hihara ◽  
Yukinobu Hirose ◽  
Satoshi Katsuyama ◽  
...  

During mitosis, the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) inhibits the Cdc20-activated anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/CCdc20), which promotes protein degradation, and delays anaphase onset to ensure accurate chromosome segregation. However, the SAC function in meiotic anaphase regulation is poorly understood. Here, we examined the SAC function in fission yeast meiosis. As in mitosis, a SAC factor, Mad2, delayed anaphase onset via Slp1 (fission yeast Cdc20) when chromosomes attach to the spindle improperly. However, when the SAC delayed anaphase I, the interval between meiosis I and II shortened. Furthermore, anaphase onset was advanced and the SAC effect was reduced at meiosis II. The advancement of anaphase onset depended on a meiosis-specific, Cdc20-related factor, Fzr1/Mfr1, which contributed to anaphase cyclin decline and anaphase onset and was inefficiently inhibited by the SAC. Our findings show that impacts of SAC activation are not confined to a single division at meiosis due to meiosis-specific APC/C regulation, which has probably been evolved for execution of two meiotic divisions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 217 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith F. DeLuca ◽  
Amanda Meppelink ◽  
Amanda J. Broad ◽  
Jeanne E. Mick ◽  
Olve B. Peersen ◽  
...  

Precise regulation of kinetochore–microtubule attachments is essential for successful chromosome segregation. Central to this regulation is Aurora B kinase, which phosphorylates kinetochore substrates to promote microtubule turnover. A critical target of Aurora B is the N-terminal “tail” domain of Hec1, which is a component of the NDC80 complex, a force-transducing link between kinetochores and microtubules. Although Aurora B is regarded as the “master regulator” of kinetochore–microtubule attachment, other mitotic kinases likely contribute to Hec1 phosphorylation. In this study, we demonstrate that Aurora A kinase regulates kinetochore–microtubule dynamics of metaphase chromosomes, and we identify Hec1 S69, a previously uncharacterized phosphorylation target site in the Hec1 tail, as a critical Aurora A substrate for this regulation. Additionally, we demonstrate that Aurora A kinase associates with inner centromere protein (INCENP) during mitosis and that INCENP is competent to drive accumulation of the kinase to the centromere region of mitotic chromosomes. These findings reveal that both Aurora A and B contribute to kinetochore–microtubule attachment dynamics, and they uncover an unexpected role for Aurora A in late mitosis.


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