beta-Catenin is a Nek2 substrate involved in centrosome separation

Genes Dev. 2008 Jan 1;22(1):91-105. doi: 10.1101/gad.1596308. Epub 2007 Dec 17.

Abstract

beta-Catenin plays important roles in cell adhesion and gene transcription, and has been shown recently to be essential for the establishment of a bipolar mitotic spindle. Here we show that beta-catenin is a component of interphase centrosomes and that stabilization of beta-catenin, mimicking mutations found in cancers, induces centrosome splitting. Centrosomes are held together by a dynamic linker regulated by Nek2 kinase and its substrates C-Nap1 (centrosomal Nek2-associated protein 1) and Rootletin. We show that beta-catenin binds to and is phosphorylated by Nek2, and is in a complex with Rootletin. In interphase, beta-catenin colocalizes with Rootletin between C-Nap1 puncta at the proximal end of centrioles, and this localization is dependent on C-Nap1 and Rootletin. In mitosis, when Nek2 activity increases, beta-catenin localizes to centrosomes at spindle poles independent of Rootletin. Increased Nek2 activity disrupts the interaction of Rootletin with centrosomes and results in binding of beta-catenin to Rootletin-independent sites on centrosomes, an event that is required for centrosome separation. These results identify beta-catenin as a component of the intercentrosomal linker and define a new function for beta-catenin as a key regulator of mitotic centrosome separation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Armadillo Domain Proteins / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Centrosome / enzymology
  • Centrosome / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / analysis
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Interphase
  • NIMA-Related Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • beta Catenin / analysis
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*
  • tRNA Methyltransferases

Substances

  • Armadillo Domain Proteins
  • CROCC protein, human
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • TRMO protein, human
  • tRNA Methyltransferases
  • NEK2 protein, human
  • NIMA-Related Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases