Multisite phosphorylation determines the formation of Ska-Ndc80 macro-complexes that are essential for chromosome segregation during mitosis

Mol Biol Cell. 2020 Aug 1;31(17):1892-1903. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E19-10-0569. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Abstract

The human Ska complex (Ska) localizing to both spindle microtubules and kinetochores is essential for proper chromosome segregation during mitosis. Although several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how Ska is recruited to kinetochores, it is still not fully understood. By analyzing Ska3 phosphorylation, we identified six critical Cdk1 sites, including the previously identified Thr358 and Thr360. Mutations of these sites to phospho-deficient alanine (6A) in cells completely abolished Ska3 localization to kinetochores and Ska functions in chromosome segregation. In vitro, Cdk1 phosphorylation on Ska enhanced WT, not phospho-deficient 6A, binding to Ndc80C. Strikingly, the phosphomimetic Ska 6D complex formed a stable macro-complex with Ndc80C, but Ska WT failed to do so. These results suggest that multisite Cdk1 phosphorylation-enabled Ska-Ndc80 binding is decisive for Ska localization to kinetochores and its functions. Moreover, we found that Ska decrease at kinetochores triggered by the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole is independent of Aurora B but can be overridden by Ska3 overexpression, suggestive of a role of spindle microtubules in promoting Ska kinetochore recruitment. Thus, based on the current and previous results, we propose that multisite Cdk1 phosphorylation is critical for the formation of Ska-Ndc80 macro-complexes that are essential for chromosome segregation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CDC2 Protein Kinase / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism
  • Chromosome Segregation / genetics*
  • Chromosome Segregation / physiology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Kinetochores / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Mitosis / genetics
  • Mitosis / physiology
  • Nocodazole / pharmacology
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • NDC80 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Ska3 protein, human
  • CDC2 Protein Kinase
  • CDK1 protein, human
  • Nocodazole