Two functionally distinct kinetochore pools of BubR1 ensure accurate chromosome segregation.

The BubR1/Bub3 complex is an important regulator of chromosome segregation as it facilitates proper kinetochore-microtubule interactions and is also an essential component of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Whether BubR1/Bub3 localization to kinetochores in human cells stimulates SAC signalling or only contributes to kinetochore-microtubule interactions is debated. Here we show that two distinct pools of BubR1/Bub3 exist at kinetochores and we uncouple these with defined BubR1/Bub3 mutants to address their function.

Conformation-specific anti-Mad2 monoclonal antibodies for the dissection of checkpoint signaling.

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) ensures accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis by delaying the activation of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) in response to unattached kinetochores. The Mad2 protein is essential for a functional checkpoint because it binds directly to Cdc20, the mitotic co-activator of the APC/C, thereby inhibiting progression into anaphase. Mad2 exists in at least 2 different conformations, open-Mad2 (O-Mad2) and closed-Mad2 (C-Mad2), with the latter representing the active form that is able to bind Cdc20.

The internal Cdc20 binding site in BubR1 facilitates both spindle assembly checkpoint signalling and silencing.

Improperly attached kinetochores activate the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and by an unknown mechanism catalyse the binding of two checkpoint proteins, Mad2 and BubR1, to Cdc20 forming the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC). Here, to address the functional role of Cdc20 kinetochore localization in the SAC, we delineate the molecular details of its interaction with kinetochores. We find that BubR1 recruits the bulk of Cdc20 to kinetochores through its internal Cdc20 binding domain (IC20BD).

A direct role of Mad1 in the spindle assembly checkpoint beyond Mad2 kinetochore recruitment.

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) ensures accurate chromosome segregation by delaying entry into anaphase until all sister chromatids have become bi-oriented. A key component of the SAC is the Mad2 protein, which can adopt either an inactive open (O-Mad2) or active closed (C-Mad2) conformation. The conversion of O-Mad2 into C-Mad2 at unattached kinetochores is thought to be a key step in activating the SAC.

Mechanisms controlling the temporal degradation of Nek2A and Kif18A by the APC/C-Cdc20 complex.

The Anaphase Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) in complex with its co-activator Cdc20 is responsible for targeting proteins for ubiquitin-mediated degradation during mitosis. The activity of APC/C-Cdc20 is inhibited during prometaphase by the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC) yet certain substrates escape this inhibition. Nek2A degradation during prometaphase depends on direct binding of Nek2A to the APC/C via a C-terminal MR dipeptide but whether this motif alone is sufficient is not clear.

Adenovirus E4orf3 targets transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ for proteasome-dependent degradation during infection.

The ability of adenovirus early region proteins, E1B-55K and E4orf6, to usurp control of cellular ubiquitin ligases and target proteins for proteasome-dependent degradation during infection is well established. Here we show that the E4 gene product, E4orf3 can, independently of E1B-55K and E4orf6, target the transcriptional corepressor transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) for proteasome-mediated degradation during infection. Initial mass spectrometric studies identified TIF1 family members-TIF1α, TIF1β, and TIF1γ-as E1B-55K-binding proteins in both transformed and infected cells, but analyses revealed that, akin to TIF1α, TIF1γ is reorganized in an E4orf3-dependent manner to promyelocytic leukemia protein-containing nuclear tracks during infection.

Serotype-specific inactivation of the cellular DNA damage response during adenovirus infection.

Adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) inactivates the host cell DNA damage response by facilitating the degradation of Mre11, DNA ligase IV, and p53. In the case of p53, this is achieved through polyubiquitylation by Ad5E1B55K and Ad5E4orf6, which recruit a Cul5-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. Recent evidence indicates that this paradigm does not apply to other adenovirus serotypes, since Ad12, but not Ad5, causes the degradation of TOPBP1 through the action of E4orf6 alone and a Cul2-based E3 ubiquitin ligase.

Mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (MDC1) regulates mitotic progression.

Human mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (hMDC1) is an essential component of the cellular response to DNA double strand breaks. Recently, hMDC1 has been shown to associate with a subunit of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) (Coster, G., Hayouka, Z.