Bora Bridges Aurora A Activation and Substrate Recognition of PLK1

ABSTRACT: The activation of PLK1 is a decisive step for mitotic entry, requiring phosphorylation of its activation loop by Aurora-A, facilitated by the intrinsically disordered protein Bora. Here, we present models of the Aurora-A/Bora complex and the ternary Aurora-A/Bora/PLK1 complex, validated with site-specific mutagenesis, biochemical assays and NMR spectroscopy. Bora wraps around the N-lobe of Aurora-A, occupying the pockets used by its other activators. A CDK1 phosphorylation site on Bora (Ser112) mimics the structural role of Aurora-A activation loop phosphorylation within a TPX2-like binding motif. In the ternary complex, Bora bridges the two kinases, orienting the activation loop of PLK1 towards the active site of Aurora-A. Bora residues 56-66 form a critical interface with a conserved pocket on the PLK1 C-helix that is analogous to the TPX2-binding Y-pocket of Aurora-A. Aurora-A phosphorylation of Bora Ser59 creates an additional interaction that increases the efficiency of PLK1 phosphorylation. These findings deepen our understanding of how Aurora-A activity is fine-tuned by its disordered binding partners and establish a mechanistic framework for Bora-dependent activation of PLK1

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens (human)

SUBMITTER: Martin Walko 

PROVIDER: S-BSST2315 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other