Regulation of Greatwall kinase during Xenopus oocyte maturation

Mol Biol Cell. 2011 Jul 1;22(13):2157-64. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E11-01-0008. Epub 2011 May 5.

Abstract

Greatwall kinase has been identified as a key element in M phase initiation and maintenance in Drosophila, Xenopus oocytes/eggs, and mammalian cells. In M phase, Greatwall phosphorylates endosulfine and related proteins that bind to and inhibit protein phosphatase 2A/B55, the principal phosphatase for Cdk-phosphorylated substrates. We show that Greatwall binds active PP2A/B55 in G2 phase oocytes but dissociates from it when progesterone-treated oocytes reach M phase. This dissociation does not require Greatwall kinase activity or phosphorylation at T748 in the presumptive T loop of the kinase. A mutant K71M Greatwall, also known as Scant in Drosophila, induces M phase in the absence of progesterone when expressed in oocytes, despite its reduced stability and elevated degradation by the proteasome. M phase induction by Scant Greatwall requires protein synthesis but is not associated with altered binding or release of PP2A/B55 as compared to wild-type Greatwall. However, in vitro studies with Greatwall proteins purified from interphase cells indicate that Scant, but not wild-type Greatwall, has low but detectable activity against endosulfine. These results demonstrate progesterone-dependent regulation of the PP2A/B55-Greatwall interaction during oocyte maturation and suggest that the cognate Scant Greatwall mutation has sufficient constitutive kinase activity to promote M phase in Xenopus oocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / metabolism
  • Female
  • G2 Phase
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mutation
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Progesterone / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Xenopus / genetics
  • Xenopus / metabolism
  • Xenopus / physiology*
  • Xenopus Proteins / genetics
  • Xenopus Proteins / metabolism
  • Xenopus Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • endosulfine
  • Progesterone
  • MASTL protein, Xenopus
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Protein Phosphatase 2