Cyclic activation of histone H1 kinase during sea urchin egg mitotic divisions

Fertilized sea urchin eggs undergo a series of rapid and synchronized mitotic divisions. Extracts were made at various times throughout the first three mitotic divisions and assayed for phosphorylating activity toward histone H1. Histone H1 kinase (HH1K) undergoes a transient activation (8- to 10-fold increase) 20 min before each cleavage. The amplitude of the HH1K peak strongly depends on the synchrony of the egg population. Concomitant cytological observations show that the time-course of HH1K correlates with the time-course of nuclear envelope breakdown and of metaphase. This correlation is observed at each cell division cycle. HH1K from each of the three first mitoses show identical time- and concentration-dependence curves as well as identical dose-inhibition curves with 6-dimethylaminopurine and quercetin, suggesting that the same (group of) kinase(s) is (are) activated before each cleavage. Ionophore A23187 does not trigger, but inhibits, HH1K activation; however, partial activation of the eggs with ammonia at pH 9.0 (but not at pH 8.0) triggers the transient HH1K activation. Appearance of the HH1K cycle requires protein synthesis since it is completely abolished in emetine-treated eggs. Although cytochalasin B blocks egg cleavage, it does not inhibit HH1K activation nor nuclear divisions. A prolonged HH1K activation cycle is observed in eggs arrested in metaphase with colchicine or nocodazole. Despite the existence of a cycle in cAMP concentration during mitosis, forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, does not modify the time-course of HH1K activation and of cell division. The cycling HH1K is independent of calcium-calmodulin, calcium-phospholipids, or cyclic AMP. It clearly resembles the mammalian "growth-associated histone kinase." The relationship between the transient activation of HH1K and the intracellular mitotic factors driving the cell cycle is discussed.