Premature Sister Chromatid Separation Research Articles

Mitotic centromeric targeting of HP1 and its binding to Sgo1 are dispensable for sister-chromatid cohesion in human cells

Human Shugoshin 1 (Sgo1) protects centromeric sister-chromatid cohesion during prophase and prevents premature sister-chromatid separation. Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) has been proposed to protect centromeric sister-chromatid cohesion by directly targeting Sgo1 to centromeres in mitosis. Here we show that HP1α is targeted to mitotic centromeres by INCENP, a subunit of the chromosome passenger complex (CPC). Biochemical and structural studies show that both HP1-INCENP and HP1-Sgo1 interactions require the binding of the HP1 chromo shadow domain to PXVXL/I motifs in INCENP or Sgo1, suggesting that the INCENP-bound, centromeric HP1α is incapable of recruiting Sgo1. Consistently, a Sgo1 mutant deficient in HP1 binding is functional in centromeric cohesion protection and localizes normally to centromeres in mitosis. By contrast, INCENP or Sgo1 mutants deficient in HP1 binding fail to localize to centromeres in interphase. Therefore, our results suggest that HP1 binding by INCENP or Sgo1 is dispensable for centromeric cohesion protection during mitosis of human cells, but might regulate yet uncharacterized interphase functions of CPC or Sgo1 at the centromeres.

Analysis of Mitosis In Acute Myeloid Leukemia Using Live-Cell Imaging.

AbstractAbstract 3363Proper mitotic control is a prerequisite to guarantee the equal distribution of the genetic material onto the two developing daughter cells. A mitotic key regulator is cyclin B. High levels of cyclin B facilitate entry into mitosis whereas its controlled degradation coordinates chromosome separation and cytokinesis. The latter events are coordinated by the anaphase- promoting complex / cyclosome (APC/C), a ubiquitin ligase that couples ubiquitin chains to cyclin B, mediating its proteasomal degradation. The regulation of the APC/C-activity by complex protein networks, such as the spindle assembly checkpoint, therefore presents the basis for an accurate mitosis.Mitotic errors give rise to daughter cells with an aberrant set of chromosomes and contribute to genetic instability. Genetic instability is a hallmark of cancer cells and plays an important role in the onset and progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In rare cases, de novo AMLs present with multiple cytogenetic aberrations (complex karyotype). However, a larger number of patients develop karyotype deviations in the course of the disease, sometimes even under therapy, which comes along with an adverse prognosis. Understanding the biology that drives the gain and loss of genetic material therefore bears the potential of identifying new therapeutic targets.We compared a number of lymphoblastic and myeloid cell lines and found AML cell lines to be deficient in arresting at metaphase in the presence of the microtubule-disrupting agent nocodazole. Cyclin B was expressed at much lower levels in the AML cell line Kasumi-1 and did not accumulate following spindle disruption as observed in the lymphoblastic cell line DG-75. We could show that Kasumi-1 cells, when challenged with nocodazole, were not capable of properly maintaining chromatid-cohesion and underwent premature sister chromatid separation. These findings suggest that mitotic control mechanisms do not work tightly enough in AML cells to prevent chromosome separation in the presence of spindle disruption. We applied live-cell imaging to exactly characterize mitotic timing in Kasumi-1 cells at a single cell level. The expression of a GFP-tagged derivative of histone H2 served to visualize the nuclear envelope breakdown and anaphase onset. Detection of the latter events allowed the faithful measurement of mitotic timing. We could find a significant shortening of mitosis in Kasumi-1 cells as compared to the lymphoblastic cell line DG-75. In both AML cell lines and primary AML blasts we identified the spindle assembly checkpoint components BubR1 and Bub1 to be downregulated. Interestingly, re-expression of BubR1 in Kasumi-1 cells led to a significant stabilization of cyclin B on western blots. To address the question whether an increased expression of cyclin B leads to a more pronounced mitotic delay in the presence of spindle-disruption in AML cells is subject of current experiments. It was reported that different cell types can escape from a mitotic block as a consequence of cyclin B degradation. In the literature, this phenomenon was referred to as mitotic slippage and is known to drive genetic instability. To monitor cyclin B turnover and localization at a single cell level, we generated a chimeric cyclin B-molecule, SNAP-cyclin B, which can couple to a suitable fluorochrome in a self-labeling reaction after addition to the growth medium. In this system, the fluorescence intensity reflects the amount of chimeric cyclin B and allows the monitoring of APC/C-dependent proteolysis. In our current approaches we aim at studying cyclin B-turnover at a single cell level in AML cell lines as well as primary leukemia cells by using live-cell imaging before and after BubR1- and Bub1-rescue.An aberrant cell cycle control is found in most human malignancies and might be an important driving force in leukemogenesis. We hypothesize that BubR1, in concert with different other regulators, might lead to inaccuracies in mitotic control. This hypothesis is underlined by the shortened time to anaphase in Kasumi-1 cells and a decreased expression of cyclin B, both of which are characteristics of BubR1-depletion. Mitotic regulators are already targets in AML therapy and a deeper understanding of mitotic processes in AML might lead to improved approaches. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC) associated chromosome recombination rates are not significantly different from normally segregated chromosomes

OBJECTIVE: Embryonic trisomy is commonly attributed to non-disjunction during meiosis I, often following failed or altered crossing over. Strong data now demonstrate that PSSC accounts for ∼90% of meiotic I errors in human oocytes. Differences in recombination in meiosis I have not been evaluated in embryos which manifest PSSC. This study investigated whether recombination rates and positions are altered in chromosomes impacted by PSSC.

Pharicin A, a novel natural ent-kaurene diterpenoid, induces mitotic arrest and mitotic catastrophe of cancer cells by interfering with BubR1 function

In this study, we report the functional characterization of a new ent-kaurene diterpenoid termed pharicin A, which was originally isolated from Isodon xerophilus, a perennial shrub frequently used in Chinese folk medicine for tumor treatment. Pharicin A induces mitotic arrest in leukemia and solid tumor-derived cells identified by their morphology, DNA content, and mitotic marker analyses. Pharicin A-induced mitotic arrest is associated with unaligned chromosomes, aberrant BubR1 localization, and deregulated spindle checkpoint activation. Pharicin A directly binds to BubR1 in vitro, which is correlated with premature sister chromatid separation in vivo. Pharicin A also induces mitotic arrest in paclitaxel-resistant Jurkat and U2OS cells. Combined, our study strongly suggests that pharicin A represents a novel class of small molecule compounds capable of perturbing mitotic progression and initiating mitotic catastrophe, which merits further preclinical and clinical investigations for cancer drug development.

Protein phosphatase 2A contributes to separase regulation and the co-ordination of anaphase

This study explores the role of the phosphatase Pp2A in regulation of anaphase onset in human cells. During the mitotic cell cycle, cells replicate their DNA in S-phase giving sister chromatids. These chromatids remain tethered together by the cohesin ring until anaphase. The onset of anaphase is triggered by the activation of separase, a protease which cleaves the cohesin ring structure, thereby allowing the sister chromatids to be pulled to opposite ends of the spindle. Prior to anaphase, separase is held in check by one of two inhibitors, namely securin or cyclin B1. Recently, it has been shown that securin-bound separase also binds the protein phosphatase, Pp2A. Importantly, the binding of Pp2A is regulated by separase autocleavage; upon activation, separase autocleaves and releases Pp2A. Strikingly, expression of a non-cleavable separase induces premature sister chromatid separation. Here, we show that the ability of non-cleavable separase to prematurely induce chromatid disjunction requires its catalytic activity. These data lend weight to a handover model whereby separase is initially inhibited by securin; then as securin is degraded, separase autocleaves, Pp2A is released thereby allowing cyclin B1 binding; this in turn maintains separase inhibition until cyclin B1 is degraded. One exciting extension of this model is that the release of Pp2A provides a burst of phosphatase activity just prior to chromatid separation, perhaps to ‘forewarn’ the cell that anaphase onset is imminent. For example, Pp2A activation may ensure that kinetochore–microtubule interactions are stabilized to ensure that all the chromatids are locked onto their K-fibres at the point when sister chromatid cohesion is lost. This study has important implications in understanding how defects in separase regulation can lead to aneuploidy and diseases such as cancer.

Calpain 2 is required for sister chromatid cohesion

Calpains form a family of Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine proteases involved in diverse cellular processes. However, the specific functions of each calpain isoform remain unknown. Recent reports have shown that calpain 2 (Capn2) is essential for cell viability. We have recently shown that Capn2 is a nuclear protease associated with chromosomes during mitosis in mammalian embryonic cells. We now report that Capn2 depletion impairs mitosis and induces apoptosis in murine cells. Low Capn2 levels induce chromosome alignment defects, the loss of histone H3 threonine 3 phosphorylation at centromeres, and premature sister chromatid separation. Thus, Capn2 may play a role in fundamental mitotic functions, such as the maintenance of sister chromatid cohesion.

Germinal Cell Aplasia in Kif18a Mutant Male Mice Due to Impaired Chromosome Congression and Dysregulated BubR1 and CENP-E

Chromosomal instability during cell division frequently causes cell death or malignant transformation. Orderly chromosome congression at the metaphase plate, a paramount process to vertebrate mitosis and meiosis, is controlled by a number of molecular regulators, including kinesins. Kinesin-8 (Kif18A) functions to control mitotic chromosome alignment at the mid-zone by negative regulation of kinetochore oscillation. Here the authors report that disrupting Kif18a function results in complete sterility in male but not in female mice. Histological examination reveals that Kif18a(-/-) testes exhibit severe developmental impairment of seminiferous tubules. Testis atrophy in Kif18a(-/-) mice is caused by perturbation of microtubule dynamics and spindle pole integrity, leading to chromosome congression defects during mitosis and meiosis. Depletion of KIF18A via RNAi causes mitotic arrest accompanied by unaligned chromosomes and increased microtubule nucleating centers in both GC-1 and HeLa cells. Prolonged depletion of KIF18A causes apoptosis due to perturbed microtubule dynamics. Further studies reveal that KIF18A silencing results in degradation of CENP-E and BubR1, which is accompanied by premature sister chromatid separation. KIF18A physically interacts with BubR1 and CENP-E, and this interaction is modulated during mitosis. Combined, the studies indicate that KIF18A is essential for normal chromosome congression during cell division and that the absence of KIF18A function causes severe defects in microtubule dynamics, spindle integrity, and checkpoint activation, leading to germinal cell aplasia in mice.

Frequency of aneuploidy in in vitro–matured MII oocytes and corresponding first polar bodies in two dairy cattle ( Bos taurus) breeds as determined by dual-color fluorescent in situ hybridization

The current study was undertaken to investigate the aneuploidy rates in in vitro–matured meiosis II (MII) oocytes and corresponding first polar bodies in two dairy cattle ( Bos taurus) breeds by using dual-color fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). A total of 159 and 144 in vitro–matured MII oocytes of the Italian Friesian and Italian Brown breeds, respectively, were obtained according to the standard methods and analyzed by FISH using “Xcen” and “5” chromosome-specific painting probes, produced by chromosome microdissection and Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primer- Polymerase Chain Reaction (DOP-PCR). Oocytes with unreduced chromosome number were 10.1% and 16.7% in the two breeds, respectively. To avoid bias due to possible artifacts, the aneuploidy rates were determined by analyzing only oocytes with the corresponding polar bodies. In the Italian Friesian, 100 of 143 (69.9%) secondary MII oocytes showed clear MII plates with corresponding first polar bodies and were scored for aneuploidy detection; one oocyte was “nullisomic” for chromosome X (1.0%) and one “disomic” for chromosome 5 (1.0%). In the Italian Brown, 100 of 120 (83.3%) MII oocytes with corresponding first polar bodies were analyzed; one oocyte was nullisomic (1.0%) and one was disomic (1.0%), both for chromosome 5. Totally, 303 oocytes were analyzed, 40 of which showed an unreduced chromosome complement (13.2%); of 200 MII oocytes with the corresponding first polar bodies, the aneuploidy rate (nullisomy + disomy) for the two chromosomes scored was 2%. Assuming that each chromosome is equally involved in aneuploidy, it results that in cattle oocytes matured in vitro, at least 30% of the oocytes (1 × 30 haploid chromosomes) should be aneuploid. Premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC) was also observed in 2% of the oocytes in the Italian Friesian breed involving chromosome 5 and in 1% of the Italian Brown breed involving the X chromosome. Estimation of the “baseline” level of aneuploidy in the in vitro–matured oocytes of the various domestic animal species and breeds is, to our opinion, a useful reference for improving the in vitro production of embryos as well as for monitoring future trends of the reproductive health of the species/breeds engaged in zootechnical productions, especially in relation to management errors and environmental hazards.

The Role of Securin in Tumorigenesis and Metastasis.

Abstract Genomic instability is a hallmark of human cancers. Spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a critical cellular mechanism that prevents chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy by blocking premature separation of sister chromatids. The process of sister-chromatid separation occurs when separase cleaves Scc1 of the cohesin complex holding sister-chromatids together. The cell prevents this event from taking place untimely by establishing regulatory mechanisms on separase. Thus, the SAC, much like the DNA damage checkpoint, is essential for genome stability.Although a large body of evidence supports an intimate relationship between defects in the DNA damage checkpoint and tumorigenesis, such evidence is lacking for the spindle assembly checkpoint. Attempts to disable SAC by inactivating individual component, such as Mad2, or BubR1, yielded only unviable mice.Securin was the first identified inhibitor of separase in budding yeast as PDS1 (1, 2). Deletion of PDS1 caused genome instability and lethality when treated with nocodazole (2). Based on these results, it was hypothesized that deletion of the securin gene would accelerate tumorigenesis in mammals through inducing aneuploidy.However, when securin was knocked out in mice, the mutant mice were essentially normal and the cells derived from these mice show an intact SAC (3, 4). Although, securin null cells are compromised in their ability to grow in the presence of sub-lethal doses of nocodazole (4), indicating that securin does contribute to the proper functioning of the checkpoint. The over-expression of securin has been associated with metastasis in human breast cancer and therefore my securin knockout mice have not developed tumors.Apparently securin gain-of-function or loss-of-function does not have strong enough oncogenic activity to initiate tumor development, but perhaps in combination with a stronger oncogene tumors will develop faster and more aggressively. To test this, I am combining securin knockout with MMTV-ErbB2 transgenic mice, which develop adenocarcinomas in the mammary tissue by approximately 6 months old (5).Given the association of securin expression with metastasis, it is possible that securin may have a role in tumor cell metastasis. To test that possibility, I am taking advantage of the MMTV-ErbB2 mice again as these mice show lung metastasis by approximately 8 months old (5). Therefore, my hypothesis is that loss of securin facilitates tumor formation by destabilizing the genome as a result of mitotic errors, but may hinder metastasis because of its cell cycle unrelated functions.

The importance of chromosome studies in Roberts syndrome/SC phocomelia and other cohesinopathies

Roberts syndrome/SC phocomelia is a rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterised by pre- and postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, craniofacial anomalies, mental retardation, and tetraphocomelia in varying degrees of severity. The clinical diagnosis can be challenging in phenotypically mild cases. In the extremely mild case presented here, specific mitotic abnormalities were detected and proved to be very helpful, since Roberts syndrome/SC phocomelia could be diagnosed after finding premature centromere separation and somatic aneuploidy at routine karyotyping. We discuss these and other mitotic cytogenetic abnormalities that can be of significant diagnostic importance, but which will be missed if only array studies are performed. We also discuss the difference between premature centromere separation and premature (sister) chromatid separation.

Cytogenetic analyses of human oocytes provide new data on non-disjunction mechanisms and the origin of trisomy 16

Nowadays, oocyte donation is an extended practise in IVF programmes. However, to date, little information on aneuploidy frequency in oocytes from donors is available. Aneuploidy is one of the major causes of embryo and fetal wastage as well as of congenital mental and developmental disabilities. It is known that most aneuploidies are due to non-disjunction events occurring in the maternal germ line. Linkage studies have associated abnormal patterns of meiotic recombination to the origin of the non-disjunction event in many aneuploid conditions. In the present study, we analyse the frequency of chromosome imbalances in a series of metaphase I (MI; n = 44) and metaphase II (MII; n = 103) oocytes from 140 young donors (aged from 18 to 35 years, mean age 26.6) after hormone-induced superovulation. The aneuploidy frequency found in MII oocytes was 12.6%, and both whole-chromosome non-disjunction (1.94%) and premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC) (12.6%) have been found. The chromosomes involved have been identified by multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Achiasmate chromosomes have been identified in MI oocytes (9.1%), with most of them corresponding to chromosome 16 (6.8%). For this reason, the meiotic recombination pattern of chromosome 16 has been analysed in prophase I oocytes (n = 81) by immunofluorescence staining against MLH1 protein and subsequent FISH with specific probes. Our results show a percentage of oocytes with non-crossover bivalent 16 (2.5%) and a high percentage of bivalents 16 with a single exchange (19.8%). In the present study, we report the finding of a considerable frequency of aneuploidy in oocytes from young donors, with the frequency of PSSC being higher than the frequency of whole-chromosome non-disjunction. In addition, we report vulnerable patterns of meiotic recombination in chromosome 16 that may be at risk of leading to a non-disjunction event. This gives new data on the susceptibility of the control population to conceive a trisomic 16 embryo.

Characterizing the nature of meiotic errors: PSSC is the principal meiotic error in human oocytes and may correct during the 2nd meiotic division and result in the birth of a healthy infant

OBJECTIVE: Meiosis (M) I errors occur via 2 common mechanisms: non-disjunction (ND) or premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC). In the latter, it is possible for the imbalance to correct during the 2nd meiotic division. This study seeks to determine the prevalence and correction of PSSC during meiosis in human oocytes, and whether corrected embryos are capable of implanting and developing normally.

Heterozygosity for a Bub1 mutation causes female-specific germ cell aneuploidy in mice

Aneuploidy, the most common chromosomal abnormality at birth and the main ascertained cause of pregnancy loss in humans, originates primarily from chromosome segregation errors during oogenesis. Here, we report that heterozygosity for a mutation in the mitotic checkpoint kinase gene, Bub1, induces aneuploidy in female germ cells of mice and that the effect increases with advancing maternal age. Analysis of Bub1 heterozygous oocytes showed that aneuploidy occurred primarily during the first meiotic division and involved premature sister chromatid separation. Furthermore, aneuploidy was inherited in zygotes and resulted in the loss of embryos after implantation. The incidence of aneuploidy in zygotes was sufficient to explain the reduced litter size in matings with Bub1 heterozygous females. No effects were seen in germ cells from heterozygous males. These findings show that Bub1 dysfunction is linked to inherited aneuploidy in female germ cells and may contribute to the maternal age-related increase in aneuploidy and pregnancy loss.

Cohesin regulatesVSGmonoallelic expression in trypanosomes

Antigenic variation allows Trypanosoma brucei to evade the host immune response by switching the expression of 1 out of ∼15 telomeric variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) expression sites (ESs). VSG ES transcription is mediated by RNA polymerase I in a discrete nuclear site named the ES body (ESB). However, nothing is known about how the monoallelic VSG ES transcriptional state is maintained over generations. In this study, we show that during S and G2 phases and early mitosis, the active VSG ES locus remains associated with the single ESB and exhibits a delay in the separation of sister chromatids relative to control loci. This delay is dependent on the cohesin complex, as partial knockdown of cohesin subunits resulted in premature separation of sister chromatids of the active VSG ES. Cohesin depletion also prompted transcriptional switching from the active to previously inactive VSG ESs. Thus, in addition to maintaining sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis, the cohesin complex plays an essential role in the correct epigenetic inheritance of the active transcriptional VSG ES state.

SMC5 and MMS21 are required for chromosome cohesion and mitotic progression

Members of the structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) protein family have essential functions during mitosis, ensuring chromosome condensation (SMC2/4) and cohesion (SMC1/3). The SMC5/6 complex has been implicated in a variety of DNA maintenance processes but unlike the other SMC proteins, SMC5/6 have not been attributed any role in mitosis. Here, we find that ablation of either SMC5 or the SUMO-ligase MMS21 leads to premature sister chromatid separation prior to anaphase. The failure of normal chromosome alignment activates the spindle assembly checkpoint and blocks mitotic progression. Interestingly, there is no similar mitotic response to ablation of SMC6. Further, we show that mitotic SMC5 co-elutes from column fractions that contain MMS21 but lack SMC6. Our results thus establish that SMC5 is crucial for mitotic progression and maintenance of sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis, and that this role of SMC5 seems to be independent of the SMC5/6 complex.

Loss of spindle assembly checkpoint–mediated inhibition of Cdc20 promotes tumorigenesis in mice

Genomic instability is a hallmark of human cancers. Spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a critical cellular mechanism that prevents chromosome missegregation and therefore aneuploidy by blocking premature separation of sister chromatids. Thus, SAC, much like the DNA damage checkpoint, is essential for genome stability. In this study, we report the generation and analysis of mice carrying a Cdc20 allele in which three residues critical for the interaction with Mad2 were mutated to alanine. The mutant Cdc20 protein (AAA-Cdc20) is no longer inhibited by Mad2 in response to SAC activation, leading to the dysfunction of SAC and aneuploidy. The dysfunction could not be rescued by the additional expression of another Cdc20 inhibitor, BubR1. Furthermore, we found that Cdc20AAA/AAA mice died at late gestation, but Cdc20+/AAA mice were viable. Importantly, Cdc20+/AAA mice developed spontaneous tumors at highly accelerated rates, indicating that the SAC-mediated inhibition of Cdc20 is an important tumor-suppressing mechanism.

A nucleolar protein RRS1 contributes to chromosome congression

We report here the functional analysis of human Regulator of Ribosome Synthesis 1 (RRS1) protein during mitosis. We demonstrate that RRS1 localizes in the nucleolus during interphase and is distributed at the chromosome periphery during mitosis. RNA interference experiments revealed that RRS1-depleted cells show abnormalities in chromosome alignment and spindle organization, which result in mitotic delay. RRS1 knockdown also perturbs the centromeric localization of Shugoshin 1 and results in premature separation of sister chromatids. Our results suggest that a nucleolar protein RRS1 contributes to chromosome congression.

Pharmacologic Abrogation of the Mitotic Spindle Checkpoint by an Indolocarbazole Discovered by Cellular Screening Efficiently Kills Cancer Cells

The mitotic spindle checkpoint represents a signal transduction pathway that prevents the onset of anaphase until all chromosomes are properly aligned on a metaphase plate. Partial inactivation of this checkpoint allows premature separation of sister chromatids and results in aneuploidy, which might contribute to tumorigenesis. Unlike other cell cycle checkpoints, the spindle checkpoint is essential for cell viability, giving rise to the idea that the spindle checkpoint itself might represent a valuable target for anticancer therapy. We used a cell-based screen and identified the indolocarbazole compound Gö6976 as a pharmacologic inhibitor of the spindle checkpoint. Gö6976 potently overrides a spindle checkpoint-mediated mitotic arrest by abrogating the phosphorylation and kinetochore localization of several spindle checkpoint proteins. We identified the Aurora-A and Aurora-B kinases, which have been previously implicated in proper mitotic progression and spindle checkpoint function, as targets for Gö6976. Accordingly, Gö6976 treatment causes severe mitotic abnormalities and chromosome alignment defects, which are not properly detected by the drug-inactivated spindle checkpoint. This results in an aberrant progression of mitosis, leading to apoptosis in various human cancer cell lines, including spindle checkpoint-compromised cancer cells. Thus, our work describes a novel and promising strategy for anticancer treatment that targets the mitotic spindle checkpoint.

Overexpression of UbcH10 alternates the cell cycle profile and accelerate the tumor proliferation in colon cancer

BackgroundUbcH10 participates in proper metaphase to anaphase transition, and abrogation of UbcH10 results in the premature separation of sister chromatids. To assess the potential role of UbcH10 in colon cancer progression, we analyzed the clinicopathological relevance of UbcH10 in colon cancer.MethodsWe firstly screened the expression profile of UbcH10 in various types of cancer tissues as well as cell lines. Thereafter, using the colon cancer cells line, we manipulated the expression of UbcH10 and evaluated the cell cycle profile and cellular proliferations. Furthermore, the clinicopathological significance of UbcH10 was immunohistologically evaluated in patients with colon cancer. Statistical analysis was performed using the student's t-test and Chi-square test.ResultsUsing the colon cancer cells, depletion of UbcH10 resulted in suppression of cellular growth whereas overexpression of UbcH10 promoted the cellular growth and oncogenic cellular growth. Mitotic population was markedly alternated by the manipulation of UbcH10 expression. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that UbcH10 was significantly higher in colon cancer tissue compared with normal colon epithelia. Furthermore, the clinicopathological evaluation revealed that UbcH10 was associated with high-grade histological tumors.ConclusionThe results show the clinicopathological significance of UbcH10 in the progression of colon cancer. Thus UbcH10 may act as a novel biomarker in patients with colon cancer.

Shugoshin prevents cohesin cleavage by PP2ACdc55-dependent inhibition of separase

Chromosome segregation is triggered by separase, an enzyme that cleaves cohesin, the protein complex that holds sister chromatids together. Separase activation requires the destruction of its inhibitor, securin, which occurs only upon the correct attachment of chromosomes to the spindle. However, other mechanisms restrict separase activity to the appropriate window in the cell cycle because cohesin is cleaved in a timely manner in securin-deficient cells. We investigated the mechanism by which the protector protein Shugoshin counteracts cohesin cleavage in budding yeast. We show that Shugoshin can prevent separase activation independently of securin. Instead, PP2A(Cdc55) is essential for Shugoshin-mediated inhibition of separase. Loss of both securin and Cdc55 leads to premature sister chromatid separation, resulting in aneuploidy. We propose that Cdc55 is a separase inhibitor that acts downstream from Shugoshin under conditions where sister chromatids are not under tension.