Transcription-independent function of Polycomb group protein PSC in cell cycle control

Science. 2012 May 11;336(6082):744-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1215927. Epub 2012 Apr 5.

Abstract

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins control development and cell proliferation through chromatin-mediated transcriptional repression. We describe a transcription-independent function for PcG protein Posterior sex combs (PSC) in regulating the destruction of cyclin B (CYC-B). A substantial portion of PSC was found outside canonical PcG complexes, instead associated with CYC-B and the anaphase-promoting complex (APC). Cell-based experiments and reconstituted reactions established that PSC and Lemming (LMG, also called APC11) associate and ubiquitylate CYC-B cooperatively, marking it for proteosomal degradation. Thus, PSC appears to mediate both developmental gene silencing and posttranslational control of mitosis. Direct regulation of cell cycle progression might be a crucial part of the PcG system's function in development and cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome
  • Animals
  • Apc11 Subunit, Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints*
  • Cell Line
  • Compound Eye, Arthropod / growth & development
  • Compound Eye, Arthropod / metabolism
  • Cyclin B / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints
  • Gene Silencing
  • Imaginal Discs / metabolism
  • Mitosis*
  • Phenotype
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
  • RNA Interference
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes / metabolism
  • Ubiquitination
  • Wings, Animal / growth & development

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • CycB protein, Drosophila
  • Cyclin B
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Pc protein, Drosophila
  • Psc protein, Drosophila
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes
  • Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome
  • Apc11 Subunit, Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • lmgA protein, Drosophila
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex