Protein phosphatase 2A interacts with Verthandi/Rad21 to regulate mitosis and organ development in Drosophila

Rad21/Scc1 is a subunit of the cohesin complex implicated in gene regulation as well as sister chromatid cohesion. The level of Rad21/Scc1 must be controlled for proper mitosis and gene expression during development. Here, we identify the PP2A catalytic subunit encoded by microtubule star (mts) as a regulator of Drosophila Rad21/Verthandi (Vtd). Mutations in mts and vtd cause synergistic mitotic defects, including abnormal spindles and loss of nuclei during nuclear division in early embryo. Depletion of Mts and Vtd in developing wing synergistically reduces the Cut protein level, causing severe defects in wing growth. Mts and PP2A subunit Twins (Tws) interact with Vtd protein. Loss of Mts or Tws reduces Vtd protein level. Reduced proteasome function suppresses mitotic defects caused by mutations in mts and vtd. Taken together, this work provides evidence that PP2A is required for mitosis and wing growth by regulating the Vtd level through the proteasomal pathway.