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Phosphorylation of NDRG1 is temporally and spatially controlled during the cell cycle

Catherine McCaig1, Louisa Potter, Olga Abramczyk

  • 1Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, CCRCB Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|June 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene (NDRG) 1 protein

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The tumor metastasis suppressor NDRG1 (N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene 1) is phosphorylated by SGK1 and GSK3β.
  • The functional significance of NDRG1 phosphorylation in cellular processes remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulation and cell cycle-specific localization of NDRG1 phosphorylation.
  • To explore the role of p53 status in modulating NDRG1 phosphorylation by SGK1.

Main Methods:

  • Western blotting to detect NDRG1 and its phosphorylation.
  • Analysis of HCT116 cells with varying p53 proficiency.
  • Treatment with cell cycle inhibitors (aphidicolin, nocodazole).
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy to determine subcellular localization.

Main Results:

  • NDRG1 protein expression and SGK1-mediated phosphorylation were elevated in p53-deficient cells.
  • Cell cycle inhibition further increased NDRG1 phosphorylation in p53-deficient cells.
  • Phosphorylated NDRG1 localized to centromeres and the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis.

Conclusions:

  • SGK1-mediated NDRG1 phosphorylation is regulated by p53 status and cell cycle progression.
  • Phosphorylated NDRG1 exhibits specific temporal and spatial localization during mitosis.
  • These findings suggest a role for NDRG1 phosphorylation in ensuring successful cell division and mitosis.

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