Recruitment of Thr 319-phosphorylated Ndd1p to the FHA domain of Fkh2p requires Clb kinase activity: a mechanism for CLB cluster gene activation

Genes Dev. 2003 Jul 15;17(14):1789-802. doi: 10.1101/gad.1074103.

Abstract

Activation of the CLB gene cluster through the assembly of Mcm1p-Fkh2p complexes at target promoters is essential for mitotic entry and transition through M phase. We show that the activation of this mitotic transcriptional program is dependent on the recruitment of Ndd1p, a coactivator that performs its essential function by acting through Fkh2p. Although an essential gene, NDD1 is dispensable in cells expressing a truncated form of Fkh2p lacking its C terminus. When phosphorylated on T319, Ndd1p is recruited to CLB cluster promoters by association with the forkhead-associated (FHA) domain of Fkh2p. Substitution of T319 for alanine significantly reduces recruitment of Ndd1p, resulting in loss of normal transcriptional regulation, severe impairment of cell growth, and a budding defect reminiscent of cells with a Cdk-Clb kinase deficiency. Finally, we show that phosphorylation of T319 and recruitment of Ndd1p to CLB2 and SWI5 promoters is dependent on Cdc28-Clb kinase activity. These data provide a model describing the activation of G2/M transcription through the phosphorylation of Ndd1p by Cdc28-Clb kinase activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Multigene Family
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Fkh2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • NDD1 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Protein Kinases