The CDK-activating kinase (Cak1p) from budding yeast has an unusual ATP-binding pocket

CDK Regulation of Meiosis: Lessons from S. cerevisiae and S. pombe

Meiotic progression requires precise orchestration, such that one round of DNA replication is followed by two meiotic divisions. The order and timing of meiotic events is controlled through the modulation of the phosphorylation state of proteins. Key components of this phospho-regulatory system include cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) and its cyclin regulatory subunits. Over the past two decades, studies in budding and fission yeast have greatly informed our understanding of the role of CDK in meiotic regulation. In this review, we provide an overview of how CDK controls meiotic events in both budding and fission yeast. We discuss mechanisms of CDK regulation through post-translational modifications and changes in the levels of cyclins. Finally, we highlight the similarities and differences in CDK regulation between the two yeast species. Since CDK and many meiotic regulators are highly conserved, the findings in budding and fission yeasts have revealed conserved mechanisms of meiotic regulation among eukaryotes.

Fission yeast Cdk7 controls gene expression through both its CAK and C-terminal domain kinase activities

Cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) activation and RNA polymerase II transcription are linked by the Cdk7 kinase, which phosphorylates Cdks as a trimeric Cdk-activating kinase (CAK) complex, and serine 5 within the polymerase II (Pol II) C-terminal domain (CTD) as transcription factor TFIIH-bound CAK. However, the physiological importance of integrating these processes is not understood. Besides the Cdk7 ortholog Mcs6, fission yeast possesses a second CAK, Csk1. The two enzymes have been proposed to act redundantly to activate Cdc2. Using an improved analogue-sensitive Mcs6-as kinase, we show that Csk1 is not a relevant CAK for Cdc2. Further analyses revealed that Csk1 lacks a 20-amino-acid sequence required for its budding yeast counterpart, Cak1, to bind Cdc2. Transcriptome profiling of the Mcs6-as mutant in the presence or absence of the budding yeast Cak1 kinase, in order to uncouple the CTD kinase and CAK activities of Mcs6, revealed an unanticipated role of the CAK branch in the transcriptional control of the cluster of genes implicated in ribosome biogenesis and cell growth. The analysis of a Cdc2 CAK site mutant confirmed these data. Our data show that the Cdk7 kinase modulates transcription through its well-described RNA Pol II CTD kinase activity and also through the Cdc2-activating kinase activity.

Autophosphorylation is crucial for CDK-activating kinase (Ee;CDKF;1) activity and complex formation in leafy spurge

Ee;CDKF;1 protein is a leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) CDK-activating kinase that is involved in a phosphorylation cascade linked to early stages of cell cycle progression. Yeast two-hybrid screening performed using Ee;CDKF;1 as a bait indicated that one of the interacting proteins was Ee;CDKF;1. Protein-protein interaction of Ee;CDKF;1 was further confirmed by yeast two-hybrid interaction and in vitro pull-down assays. Gel exclusion chromatography and/or native PAGE showed that GST-CDKF;1, MBP-CDKF;1, GST-CDKF;1 devoid of GST, and endogenous Ee;CDKF;1 were capable of forming homo protein complexes which are in dimer, trimer, and/or higher molecular-mass complex in its native state. In addition, Ee;CDKF;1 complexes were autophosphorylated and able to phosphorylate CDK. Moreover, mutant forms of Ee;CDKF;1 (106G/A, 166K/A), which lost autophosphorylation capability completely, were unable to form homo protein complexes in their native state. The result thus demonstrated that autophosphorylation of Ee;CDKF;1 is crucial for both kinase activity and complex formation.

The importance of bottlenecks in protein networks: correlation with gene essentiality and expression dynamics

It has been a long-standing goal in systems biology to find relations between the topological properties and functional features of protein networks. However, most of the focus in network studies has been on highly connected proteins ("hubs"). As a complementary notion, it is possible to define bottlenecks as proteins with a high betweenness centrality (i.e., network nodes that have many "shortest paths" going through them, analogous to major bridges and tunnels on a highway map). Bottlenecks are, in fact, key connector proteins with surprising functional and dynamic properties. In particular, they are more likely to be essential proteins. In fact, in regulatory and other directed networks, betweenness (i.e., "bottleneck-ness") is a much more significant indicator of essentiality than degree (i.e., "hub-ness"). Furthermore, bottlenecks correspond to the dynamic components of the interaction network-they are significantly less well coexpressed with their neighbors than non-bottlenecks, implying that expression dynamics is wired into the network topology.

Potential roles for autophosphorylation, kinase activity, and abundance of a CDK-activating kinase (Ee;CDKF;1) during growth in leafy spurge

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) is a deep-rooted perennial weed that propagates both by seeds and underground adventitious buds located on the crown and roots. To enhance our understanding of growth and development during seed germination and vegetative propagation, a leafy spurge gene (Accession No. AF230740) encoding a CDK-activating kinase (Ee;CDKF;1) involved in cell-cycle progression was identified, and its function was confirmed based on its ability to rescue a yeast temperature-sensitive CAK mutant (GF2351) and through in vitro kinase assays. Site-directed mutagenesis of Ee;CDKF;1 indicated that two threonine residues (Thr291 and Thr296) were mutually responsible for intra-molecular autophosphorylation and for phosphorylating its substrate protein, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK). Polyclonal antibodies generated against the Ee;CDKF;1 protein or against a phosphorylated Ee;CDKF;1 peptide [NERYGSL(pT)SC] were used to examine abundance and phosphorylation of CDKF;1 during seed germination and bud growth. The levels of CDKF;1 were lower in dry or imbibed seeds than in germinating seeds or seedlings. Differences in CDKF;1 were also observed during adventitious bud development; small buds appeared to have greater levels of CDKF;1 than large buds. Similar patterns of CDKF;1 expression were detected with either the polyclonal antibody developed using the CDKF;1 protein or the phosphorylated peptide. These results indicated that Thr291 is constitutively phosphorylated in vivo and associated with Ee;CDKF;1 activity. Our results further suggest that a certain level of CDKF;1 activity is maintained in most tissues and may be an important phenomenon for enzymes that regulate early steps in cell-cycle signaling pathways.

The nucleotide-binding site of human sphingosine kinase 1

Sphingosine kinase catalyzes the formation of sphingosine 1-phosphate, a lipid second messenger that has been implicated in a number of agonist-driven cellular responses including mitogenesis, anti-apoptosis, and expression of inflammatory molecules. Despite the importance of sphingosine kinase, very little is known regarding its structure or mechanism of catalysis. Moreover, sphingosine kinase does not contain recognizable catalytic or substrate-binding sites, based on sequence motifs found in other kinases. Here we have elucidated the nucleotide-binding site of human sphingosine kinase 1 (hSK1) through a combination of site-directed mutagenesis and affinity labeling with the ATP analogue, FSBA. We have shown that Gly(82) of hSK1 is involved in ATP binding since mutation of this residue to alanine resulted in an enzyme with an approximately 45-fold higher K(m)((ATP)). We have also shown that Lys(103) is important in catalysis since an alanine substitution of this residue ablates catalytic activity. Furthermore, we have shown that this residue is covalently modified by FSBA. Our data, combined with amino acid sequence comparison, suggest a motif of SGDGX(17-21)K is involved in nucleotide binding in the sphingosine kinases. This motif differs in primary sequence from all previously identified nucleotide-binding sites. It does, however, share some sequence and likely structural similarity with the highly conserved glycine-rich loop, which is known to be involved in anchoring and positioning the nucleotide in the catalytic site of many protein kinases.

Comparison of Cak1p-like cyclin-dependent kinase-activating kinases

Cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) coordinate progression through the eukaryotic cell cycle and require phosphorylation by a cdk-activating kinase (CAK) for full activity. In most eukaryotes Cdk7 is the catalytic subunit of a heterotrimeric CAK (Cdk7-cyclin H-Mat1) that is also involved in transcription as part of the transcription factor IIH complex. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae CAK, Cak1p, is a monomeric protein kinase with an atypical sequence and unusual biochemical properties compared with trimeric CAKs and other protein kinases. We sought to determine whether these properties were shared by a small group of monomeric CAKs that can function in place of CAK1 in S. cerevisiae. We found that Schizosaccharomyces pombe Csk1, Candida albicans Cak1, and Arabidopsis thaliana Cak1At, like Cak1p, all displayed a preference for cyclin-free cdk substrates, were insensitive to the protein kinase inhibitor 5'-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (FSBA), and were insensitive to mutation of a highly conserved lysine residue found in the nucleotide binding pocket of all protein kinases. The S. pombe and C. albicans kinases also resembled Cak1p in their kinetics of nucleotide and protein substrate utilization. Conservation of these unusual properties in fungi and plants points to shared evolutionary requirements not met by Cdk7 and raises the possibility of developing antifungal agents targeting CAKs.

Adenosine monophosphoramidase activity of Hint and Hnt1 supports function of Kin28, Ccl1, and Tfb3

The histidine triad superfamily of nucleotide hydrolases and nucleotide transferases consists of a branch of proteins related to Hint and Aprataxin, a branch of Fhit-related hydrolases, and a branch of galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GalT)-related transferases. Although substrates of Fhit and GalT are known and consequences of mutations in Aprataxin, Fhit, and GalT are known, good substrates had not been reported for any member of the Hint branch, and mutational consequences were unknown for Hint orthologs, which are the most ancient and widespread proteins in the Hint branch and in the histidine triad superfamily. Here we show that rabbit and yeast Hint hydrolyze the natural product adenosine-5'-monophosphoramidate (AMPNH(2)) in an active-site-dependent manner at second order rates exceeding 1,000,000 m(-1) s(-1). Yeast strains constructed with specific loss of the Hnt1 active site fail to grow on galactose at elevated temperatures. Loss of Hnt1 enzyme activity also leads to hypersensitivity to mutations in Ccl1, Tfb3, and Kin28, which constitute the TFIIK kinase subcomplex of general transcription factor TFIIH and to mutations in Cak1, which phosphorylates Kin28. The target of Hnt1 regulation in this pathway was shown to be downstream of Cak1 and not to affect stability of Kin28 monomers. Functional complementation of all Hnt1 phenotypes was provided by rabbit Hint, which is only 22% identical to yeast Hnt1 but has very similar adenosine monophosphoramidase activity.

Characterization of the nucleotide-binding capacity and the ATPase activity of the PIP3-binding protein JFC1

In this work, we demonstrate that the phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate-binding protein JFC1 is an ATP-binding protein with magnesium-dependent ATPase activity. We show that JFC1 specifically binds to the ATP analog 8-azido-[alpha-(32)P]ATP. The affinity of JFC1 for [alpha-(32)P]ATP was 10x greater than its affinity for [alpha-(32)P]ADP; the protein did not appear to bind to [alpha-(32)P]GTP. JFC1 hydrolyzed [alpha-(32)P]ATP in a Mg(2+)-dependent manner. JFC1, which also hydrolyzed dATP, has a relatively high affinity for ATP, with a K(M) value of 58 microM, and a k(cat) value of 2.27 per min. The predicted amino acid sequence of JFC1 denotes a putative nucleotide-binding site similar to those in the GHKL ATPase/kinase superfamily. However, a truncation of JFC1 that contains boxes G2 and G3 but not boxes N and G1 of the Bergerat-binding site showed residual ATPase activity. Secondly, the antitumor ATP-mimetic agent geldanamycin, which inhibits the ATPase activity of Hsp-90, did not affect JFC1 ATPase. Therefore, the characteristics of the ATP-binding site of JFC1 are unique. Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, a high-affinity ligand of JFC1 did not affect its ATPase kinetics parameters, suggesting that the phosphoinositide have a different role in JFC1 function.

The role of Thr160 phosphorylation of Cdk2 in substrate recognition

Full activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) requires binding to a cyclin and phosphorylation on an activating site equivalent to Thr160 in Cdk2 by the Cdk-activating kinase. Much is known about the effects of cyclin binding, but the role of the activating phosphorylation is less well understood. We have characterized the effects of Thr160 phosphorylation of Cdk2 on its interactions with substrates, particularly with the P + 3 position. We find that an ionic interaction participates in the recognition of the P + 3 position of the substrate and confirms an observation from structural studies indicating that a key element of this recognition is an interaction between the lysine at the P + 3 position and the Thr160 phosphate of Cdk2. The major effect of disrupting the lysine-phosphate interaction was on kcat values rather than Km values, suggesting that the energy from this interaction is used to align the substrate for efficient catalysis. A lack of effect of Thr160 phosphorylation on the ATPase activity of Cdk2 supported this interpretation.

Kinetic analysis of the cyclin-dependent kinase-activating kinase (Cak1p) from budding yeast

Cak1p, the Cyclin-dependent kinase-activating kinase from budding yeast, is an unusual protein kinase that lacks many of the highly conserved motifs observed among members of the protein kinase superfamily. Cak1p phosphorylates and activates Cdc28p, the major cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) in yeast, and is thereby required for passage through the yeast cell cycle. In this paper, we explore the kinetics of CDK phosphorylation by Cak1p, and we examine the role of the catalytic step in the reaction mechanism. Cak1p proceeds by a sequential reaction mechanism, binding to both ATP and CDK2 with reasonable affinities, exhibiting K(d) values of 7.2 and 0.6 microm, respectively. Interestingly, these values are approximately the same as the K(M) values, indicating that the binding of substrates is fast with respect to catalysis and that the most likely reaction mechanism is rapid equilibrium random. Cak1p is a slow enzyme, with a catalytic rate of only 4.3 min(-)(1). The absence of a burst phase indicates that product release is not rate-limiting. This result, and a solvent isotope effect, suggests that a catalytic step is rate-limiting.

Unique structural and functional properties of the ATP-binding domain of atypical protein kinase C-iota

Atypical protein kinase C-iota (aPKCiota) plays an important role in mitogenic signaling, actin cytoskeleton organization, and cell survival. Apart from the differences in the regulatory domain, the catalytic domain of aPKCiota differs considerably from other known kinases, because it contains a modification within the glycine-rich loop motif (GXGXXG) that is found in the nucleotide-binding fold of virtually all nucleotide-binding proteins including PKCs, Ras, adenylate kinase, and the mitochondrial F1-ATPase. We have used site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic analysis to investigate whether these sequence differences affect the nucleotide binding properties and catalytic activity of aPKCiota. When lysine 274, a residue essential for ATP binding and activity conserved in most protein kinases, was replaced by arginine (K274R mutant), aPKCiota retained its normal kinase activity. This is in sharp contrast to results published for any other PKC or even distantly related kinases like phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma, where the same mutation completely abrogated the kinase activity. Furthermore, the sensitivity of aPKCiota for inhibition by GF109203X, a substance acting on the ATP-binding site, was not altered in the K274R mutant. In contrast, replacement of Lys-274 by tryptophan (K274W) completely abolished the kinase activity of PKCiota. In accordance with results obtained with other kinase-defective PKC mutants, in cultured cells aPKCiota-K274W acted in a dominant negative fashion on signal transduction pathways involving endogenous aPKCiota, whereas the effect of the catalytically active K274R mutant was identical to the wild type enzyme. In summary, aPKCiota differs from classical and novel PKCs also in the catalytic domain. This information could be of significant value for the development of specific inhibitors of aPKCiota as a key factor in central signaling pathways.

The effects of changing the site of activating phosphorylation in CDK2 from threonine to serine

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that control cell cycle progression are regulated in many ways, including activating phosphorylation of a conserved threonine residue. This essential phosphorylation is carried out by the CDK-activating kinase (CAK). Here we examine the effects of replacing this threonine residue in human CDK2 by serine. We found that cyclin A bound equally well to wild-type CDK2 (CDK2(Thr-160)) or to the mutant CDK2 (CDK2(Ser-160)). In the absence of activating phosphorylation, CDK2(Ser-160)-cyclin A complexes were more active than wild-type CDK2(Thr-160)-cyclin A complexes. In contrast, following activating phosphorylation, CDK2(Ser-160)-cyclin A complexes were less active than phosphorylated CDK2(Thr-160)-cyclin A complexes, reflecting a much smaller effect of activating phosphorylation on CDK2(Ser-160). The kinetic parameters for phosphorylating histone H1 were similar for mutant and wild-type CDK2, ruling out a general defect in catalytic activity. Interestingly, the CDK2(Ser-160) mutant was selectively defective in phosphorylating a peptide derived from the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II. CDK2(Ser-160) was efficiently phosphorylated by CAKs, both human p40(MO15)(CDK7)-cyclin H and budding yeast Cak1p. In fact, the k(cat) values for phosphorylation of CDK2(Ser-160) were significantly higher than for phosphorylation of CDK2(Thr-160), indicating that CDK2(Ser-160) is actually phosphorylated more efficiently than wild-type CDK2. In contrast, dephosphorylation proceeded more slowly with CDK2(Ser-160) than with wild-type CDK2, either in HeLa cell extract or by purified PP2Cbeta. Combined with the more efficient phosphorylation of CDK2(Ser-160) by CAK, we suggest that one reason for the conservation of threonine as the site of activating phosphorylation may be to favor unphosphorylated CDKs following the degradation of cyclins.

Analysis of CAK activities from human cells

The cdk-activating kinase (CAK) activates cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) that control cell-cycle progression by phosphorylating a threonine residue conserved in cdks. CAK from humans contains p40MO15 (cdk7), cyclin H and MAT1, which are also subunits of transcription factor IIH where they phosphorylate the C-terminal domain of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II. In contrast, budding yeast Cak1p is a monomeric enzyme without C-terminal domain kinase activity. Here, we analyze CAK activities in HeLa cells using cdk2-affinity chromatography. In addition to MO15, a second CAK activity was detected that runs on gel filtration at 30-40 kDa. This activity phosphorylated and activated cdk2 and cdk6. Furthermore, this 'small CAK' activity resembled Cak1p rather than MO15 in terms of substrate specificity, reactivity to antibodies against MO15 and Cak1p, and sensitivity to 5'-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine, an irreversible inhibitory ATP analog. Our findings suggest the presence of at least two different CAK activities in human cells.

Functional analysis of H-Ryk, an atypical member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family

H-Ryk is an atypical receptor tyrosine kinase which differs from other members of this family at a number of conserved residues in the activation and nucleotide binding domains. Using a chimeric receptor approach, we demonstrate that H-Ryk has impaired catalytic activity. Despite the receptor's inability to undergo autophosphorylation or phosphorylate substrates, we demonstrate that ligand stimulation of the chimeric receptor results in activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The ability to transduce signals is abolished by mutation of the invariant lysine (K334A) in subdomain II of H-Ryk. Further, by in vitro mutagenesis, we show that the amino acid substitutions in the activation domain of H-Ryk account for the loss of catalytic activity. In addition to the essential aspartate residue, either phenylalanine or glycine is required in the activation domain to maintain proper conformation of the catalytic domain and thus ensure receptor autophosphorylation. Homology modelling of the catalytic domain of H-Ryk provides a rationale for these findings. Thus, the signalling properties of H-Ryk are divergent from those of other classical receptor tyrosine kinases.