USP13 controls the stability of Aurora B impacting progression through the cell cycle

Oncogene. 2020 Sep;39(37):6009-6023. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-01396-8. Epub 2020 Aug 8.

Abstract

Aurora B kinase plays essential roles in mitosis. Its protein levels increase before the onset of mitosis and sharply decrease during mitosis exit. The latter decrease is due to a balance between the actions of the E3 ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (activated by the Cdh1 adapter), and the deubiquitinating enzyme USP35. Aurora B also executes important functions in interphase. Abnormal modulation of Aurora B in interphase leads to cell cycle defects often linked to aberrant chromosomal condensation and segregation. Very little is however known about how Aurora B levels are regulated in interphase. Here we found that USP13-associates with and stabilizes Aurora B in cells, especially before their entry into mitosis. In order for USP13 to exert its stabilizing effect on Aurora B, their association is promoted by the Aurora B-mediated phosphorylation of USP13 at Serine 114. We also present evidence that USP13 instigates Aurora B deubiquitination and/or protect it from degradation in a non-catalytic manner. In addition, we report that genetic or chemical modulation of the cellular levels/activity of USP13 affects unperturbed cell-cycle progression. Overall our study unveils the molecular and cellular connections of the USP13-Aurora B axis, which potentially participates in the rewiring of the cell cycle happening in cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aurora Kinase B / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Progression
  • Endopeptidases / genetics*
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Enzyme Stability
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases

Substances

  • Serine
  • AURKB protein, human
  • Aurora Kinase B
  • Endopeptidases
  • USP13 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases