The MAST kinase KIN-4 carries out mitotic entry functions of Greatwall in C. elegans

ABSTRACT: MAST-like, or Greatwall (Gwl), an atypical protein kinase related to the evolutionarily conserved MAST kinase family, is crucial for cell cycle control during mitotic entry. Mechanistically, Greatwall is activated by Cyclin B-Cdk1 phosphorylation of a 550 amino acids-long insertion in its atypical activation segment. Subsequently, Gwl phosphorylates Endosulfine and Arpp19 to convert them into inhibitors of PP2A-B55 phosphatase, thereby preventing early dephosphorylation of M-phase targets of Cy-clin B-Cdk1. Here, searching for an elusive Gwl-like activity in C. elegans, we show that the single worm MAST kinase, KIN-4, fulfills this function in worms and can func-tionally replace Greatwall in the heterologous Xenopus system. Compared to Great-wall, the short activation segment of KIN-4 lack

SUBMITTER: Ludivine Roumbo 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44318-025-00364-W | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other