Two functionally distinct kinetochore pools of BubR1 ensure accurate chromosome segregation

TY - JOUR

T1 - Two functionally distinct kinetochore pools of BubR1 ensure accurate chromosome segregation

AU - Zhang, Gang

AU - Mendez, Blanca Lopez

AU - Sedgwick, Garry G

AU - Nilsson, Jakob

PY - 2016/7/26

Y1 - 2016/7/26

N2 - The BubR1/Bub3 complex is an important regulator of chromosome segregation as it facilitates proper kinetochore-microtubule interactions and is also an essential component of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Whether BubR1/Bub3 localization to kinetochores in human cells stimulates SAC signalling or only contributes to kinetochore-microtubule interactions is debated. Here we show that two distinct pools of BubR1/Bub3 exist at kinetochores and we uncouple these with defined BubR1/Bub3 mutants to address their function. The major kinetochore pool of BubR1/Bub3 is dependent on direct Bub1/Bub3 binding and is required for chromosome alignment but not for the SAC. A distinct pool of BubR1/Bub3 localizes by directly binding to phosphorylated MELT repeats on the outer kinetochore protein KNL1. When we prevent the direct binding of BubR1/Bub3 to KNL1 the checkpoint is weakened because BubR1/Bub3 is not incorporated into checkpoint complexes efficiently. In conclusion, kinetochore localization supports both known functions of BubR1/Bub3.

AB - The BubR1/Bub3 complex is an important regulator of chromosome segregation as it facilitates proper kinetochore-microtubule interactions and is also an essential component of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Whether BubR1/Bub3 localization to kinetochores in human cells stimulates SAC signalling or only contributes to kinetochore-microtubule interactions is debated. Here we show that two distinct pools of BubR1/Bub3 exist at kinetochores and we uncouple these with defined BubR1/Bub3 mutants to address their function. The major kinetochore pool of BubR1/Bub3 is dependent on direct Bub1/Bub3 binding and is required for chromosome alignment but not for the SAC. A distinct pool of BubR1/Bub3 localizes by directly binding to phosphorylated MELT repeats on the outer kinetochore protein KNL1. When we prevent the direct binding of BubR1/Bub3 to KNL1 the checkpoint is weakened because BubR1/Bub3 is not incorporated into checkpoint complexes efficiently. In conclusion, kinetochore localization supports both known functions of BubR1/Bub3.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1038/ncomms12256

DO - 10.1038/ncomms12256

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27457023

SN - 2041-1723

VL - 7

SP - 1

EP - 12

JO - Nature Communications

JF - Nature Communications

M1 - 12256

ER -