The Polo-like kinase PLKA in Aspergillus nidulans is not essential but plays important roles during vegetative growth and development.

ABSTRACT: The Polo-like kinases (Plks) are conserved, multifunctional cell cycle regulators that are induced in many forms of cancer and play additional roles in metazoan development. We previously identified plkA in Aspergillus nidulans, the only Plk investigated in filamentous fungi to date, and partially characterized its function through overexpression. Here, we report the plkA null phenotype. Surprisingly, plkA was not essential, unlike Plks in other organisms that contain a single homologue. A subset of cells lacking PLKA contained defects in spindle formation and chromosome organization, supporting some conservation in cell cycle function. However, septa were present, suggesting that PLKA, unlike other Plks, is not a central regulator of septation. Colonies lacking PLKA were compact with mult

SUBMITTER: Mogilevsky K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3272891 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature