Dynamic phosphorylation of CENP-A at Ser68 orchestrates its cell-cycle-dependent deposition at centromeres

Zhouliang Yu, Xiang Zhou, Wenjing Wang, Wenqiang Deng, Junnan Fang, Hao Hu, Zichen Wang, Shangze Li, Lei Cui, Jing Shen, Linhui Zhai, Shengyi Peng, Jiemin Wong, Shuo Dong, Zengqiang Yuan, Guangshuo Ou, Xiaodong Zhang, Ping Xu, Jizhong Lou, Na YangPing Chen, Rui Ming Xu, Guohong Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

The H3 histone variant CENP-A is an epigenetic marker critical for the centromere identity and function. However, the precise regulation of the spatiotemporal deposition and propagation of CENP-A at centromeres during the cell cycle is still poorly understood. Here, we show that CENP-A is phosphorylated at Ser68 during early mitosis by Cdk1. Our results demonstrate that phosphorylation of Ser68 eliminates the binding of CENP-A to the assembly factor HJURP, thus preventing the premature loading of CENP-A to the centromere prior to mitotic exit. Because Cdk1 activity is at its minimum at the mitotic exit, the ratio of Cdk1/PP1α activity changes in favor of Ser68 dephosphorylation, thus making CENP-A available for centromeric deposition by HJURP. Thus, we reveal that dynamic phosphorylation of CENP-A Ser68 orchestrates the spatiotemporal assembly of newly synthesized CENP-A at active centromeres during the cell cycle.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-81
Number of pages14
JournalDevelopmental Cell
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

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