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04:36
Assay for Adhesion and Agar Invasion in S. cerevisiae
Published on: November 8, 2006
The DASH complex component Ask1 is a cell cycle-regulated Cdk substrate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
1Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Howard Hughes Medical lnstitute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|April 16, 2003
Summary
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate the cell cycle. This study shows CDK phosphorylation of the DASH complex component Askl is crucial for accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis in yeast.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cell cycle transitions, including mitosis, require precise regulation for organismal survival.
- Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are key regulators of eukaryotic cell cycle progression.
- The DASH complex in S. cerevisiae is vital for accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cell cycle regulation of the DASH complex.
- To determine the role of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) in regulating the activity of Askl, a component of the DASH complex.
- To elucidate the functional significance of Askl phosphorylation in chromosome segregation.
Main Methods:
- Cell cycle analysis in S. cerevisiae.
- In vivo and in vitro kinase assays using Cdc28 (a CDK).
- Identification of CDK phosphorylation sites on Askl.
- Assessment of Askl phosphorylation effects on its in vivo activity.
Main Results:
- Askl, a component of the DASH complex, undergoes cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation.
- This phosphorylation is dependent on CDKs in vivo, with Cdc28 shown to phosphorylate Askl in vitro.
- Two specific CDK phosphorylation sites on Askl were identified.
- Phosphorylation of Askl was found to be essential for its full biological activity.
Conclusions:
- The DASH complex is directly regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
- CDK-mediated phosphorylation of Askl is critical for its function in ensuring accurate chromosome segregation.
- This regulatory mechanism highlights the integration of cell cycle control with chromosome segregation machinery.
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