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The Ded1 DEAD box helicase interacts with Chk1 and Cdc2
Hsing-Yin Liu1, Bradley S Nefsky, Nancy C Walworth
1Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
Abstract:
Ded1 is a fission yeast DEAD box protein involved in translation. We isolated Ded1 in a screen for multi-copy suppressors of a cold-sensitive, loss-of-function mutant of the cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc2. The checkpoint protein kinase Chk1, required for cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage, was also isolated in this screen. Ded1 interacts with Chk1 in a two-hybrid screen, and this physical interaction can be recapitulated in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The Ded1 polypeptide is modified in response to heat shock and depletion of carbon source. These two stressors appear to cause different modifications. Thus, the Ded1 protein appears to respond to particular types of cellular stress and may influence the activity of Cdc2 as a result.
Insights
Ded1, a fission yeast DEAD box protein, responds to cellular stress. It interacts with Chk1 and may influence Cdc2 activity, suggesting a role in stress response pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ded1 is a DEAD box protein in fission yeast involved in translation.
- Cyclin-dependent kinase Cdc2 is crucial for cell cycle progression.
- Chk1 is a checkpoint protein kinase regulating cell cycle arrest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Ded1 in cellular stress responses.
- To identify proteins interacting with Ded1.
- To understand Ded1's potential influence on Cdc2 activity.
Main Methods:
- Screening for multi-copy suppressors of a cold-sensitive cdc2 mutant.
- Yeast two-hybrid screening to identify protein interactions.
- Analysis of Ded1 polypeptide modification under stress conditions.
Main Results:
- Ded1 was identified as a multi-copy suppressor of a cdc2 mutant.
- Ded1 physically interacts with the checkpoint kinase Chk1.
- Ded1 undergoes distinct modifications in response to heat shock and carbon source depletion.
Conclusions:
- Ded1 plays a role in cellular stress response pathways in fission yeast.
- The interaction between Ded1 and Chk1 suggests a functional link between translation and cell cycle control.
- Differential modification of Ded1 under stress indicates a regulatory mechanism impacting its function.