CDC25B Phosphorylated by pEg3 Localizes to the Centrosome and the Spindle Poles at Mitosis

Abstract

The phosphatase CDC25B is one of the key regulators that control entry into mitosis throughthe dephosphorylation and subsequent activation of the cyclin-dependent kinases. Here westudy the phosphorylation of CDC25B at mitosis by the kinase pEg3, a member of theKIN1/PAR-1/MARK family. Using mass spectrometry analysis we demonstrate thatCDC25B is phosphorylated in vitro by pEg3 on serine 169, a residue that lies within the Bdomain. Moreover, using phosphoepitope-specific antibodies we show that serine 169 isphosphorylated in vivo, that this phosphorylated form of CDC25B accumulates duringmitosis, and is localized to the centrosomes. This labelling is abrogated when pEg3expression is repressed by RNA interference. Taken together, these results support a model inwhich pEg3 contributes to the control of progression through mitosis by phosphorylation ofthe CDC25 phosphatases.