14-3-3zeta cooperates with phosphorylated Plk1 and is required for correct cytokinesis

Proteins of the 14-3-3 family are functionally conserved in eukaryotic kingdom which participates in diversified and critical cellular processes. However, the exact roles of these proteins in mitotic regulation has remained elusive. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays multiple critical functions such as centrosome maturation, mitotic chromosome segregation, cytokinesis, and the DNA damage response. Here we show that 14-3-3zeta interacts and cooperates with Plk1 in mitotic progress. 14-3-3zeta is associated with the spindle at metaphase and concentrated in the midbody during cytokinesis. Using yeast two hybrid assay, we found a functional connection between 14-3-3zeta and Plk1. We demonstrate that phosphorylation of Plk1 at S330 and S597 promotes its interaction with 14-3-3zeta. Importantly, 14-3-3zeta cooperates with Plk1 in ensuring successful cytokinesis. We conclude that mitotic phosphorylation of Plk1 promotes interaction with 14-3-3zeta and this interaction is required for faithful cytokinesis. Taken together with the results of previous studies, our results suggest 14-3-3 family emerges as a novel player in mitotic regulation: cooperation with Plk1 to ensure a faithful cytokinesis.