A high-sensitivity phospho-switch triggered by Cdk1 governs chromosome morphogenesis during cell division.

ABSTRACT: The initiation of chromosome morphogenesis marks the beginning of mitosis in all eukaryotic cells. Although many effectors of chromatin compaction have been reported, the nature and design of the essential trigger for global chromosome assembly remain unknown. Here we reveal the identity of the core mechanism responsible for chromosome morphogenesis in early mitosis. We show that the unique sensitivity of the chromosome condensation machinery for the kinase activity of Cdk1 acts as a major driving force for the compaction of chromatin at mitotic entry. This sensitivity is imparted by multisite phosphorylation of a conserved chromatin-binding sensor, the Smc4 protein. The multisite phosphorylation of this sensor integrates the activation state of Cdk1 with the dynamic binding of the condens

SUBMITTER: Robellet X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4335297 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature