Plk1-dependent phosphorylation of FoxM1 regulates a transcriptional programme required for mitotic progression

Nat Cell Biol. 2008 Sep;10(9):1076-82. doi: 10.1038/ncb1767.

Abstract

Proper control of entry into and progression through mitosis is essential for normal cell proliferation and the maintenance of genome stability. The mammalian mitotic kinase Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is involved in multiple stages of mitosis5. Here we report that Forkhead Box M1 (FoxM1), a substrate of Plk1, controls a transcriptional programme that mediates Plk1-dependent regulation of cell-cycle progression. The carboxy-terminal domain of FoxM1 binds Plk1, and phosphorylation of two key residues in this domain by Cdk1 is essential for Plk1-FoxM1 interaction. Formation of the Plk1-FoxM1 complex allows for direct phosphorylation of FoxM1 by Plk1 at G2/M and the subsequent activation of FoxM1 activity, which is required for expression of key mitotic regulators, including Plk1 itself. Thus, Plk1-dependent regulation of FoxM1 activity provides a positive-feedback loop ensuring tight regulation of transcriptional networks essential for orderly mitotic progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Forkhead Box Protein M1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • G2 Phase
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mitosis*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phosphorylation
  • Polo-Like Kinase 1
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • FOXM1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Box Protein M1
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases