The survivin-like C. elegans BIR-1 protein acts with the Aurora-like kinase AIR-2 to affect chromosomes and the spindle midzone

Mol Cell. 2000 Aug;6(2):211-23. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(00)00023-x.

Abstract

Baculoviral IAP repeat proteins (BIRPs) may affect cell death, cell division, and tumorigenesis. The C. elegans BIRP BIR-1 was localized to chromosomes and to the spindle midzone. Embryos and fertilized oocytes lacking BIR-1 had defects in chromosome behavior, spindle midzone formation, and cytokinesis. We observed indistinguishable defects in fertilized oocytes and embryos lacking the Aurora-like kinase AIR-2. AIR-2 was not present on chromosomes in the absence of BIR-1. Histone H3 phosphorylation and HCP-1 staining, which marks kinetochores, were reduced in the absence of either BIR-1 or AIR-2. We propose that BIR-1 localizes AIR-2 to chromosomes and perhaps to the spindle midzone, where AIR-2 phosphorylates proteins that affect chromosome behavior and spindle midzone organization. The human BIRP survivin, which is upregulated in tumors, could partially substitute for BIR-1 in C. elegans. Deregulation of bir-1 promotes changes in ploidy, suggesting that similar deregulation of mammalian BIRPs may contribute to tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aurora Kinase B
  • Aurora Kinases
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cell Division
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes / physiology*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
  • Female
  • Genes, Helminth
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Male
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Spindle Apparatus / physiology*
  • Survivin

Substances

  • BIRC5 protein, human
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Survivin
  • bir-1 protein, C elegans
  • Aurora Kinase B
  • Aurora Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • air-2 protein, C elegans

Associated data

  • GENBANK/U85911