Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2194662 Mechanisms of Development 2011 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

Much of our understanding of the function and regulation of the Cdc14 family of dual-specificity phosphatases originates from studies in yeasts. In these unicellular organisms Cdc14 is an important regulator of M-phase events. In contrast, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog, cdc-14, is not necessary for mitosis, rather it is crucial for G1/S regulation to establish developmental cell-cycle quiescence. Despite the importance of integrating cdc-14 regulation with development, the mechanisms by which this coordination occurs are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that several processes conspire to focus the activity of cdc-14. First, the cdc-14 locus can produce at least six protein variants through alternative splicing. We find that a single form, CDC-14C, is the key variant acting during vulva development. Second, CDC-14C expression is limited to a subset of cells, including vulva precursors, through post-transcriptional regulation. Lastly, the CDC-14C subcellular location, and thus its potential interactions with other regulatory proteins, is regulated by nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. We find that the active export of CDC-14C from the nucleus during interphase is dependent on members of the Cyclin D and Crm1 families. We propose that these mechanisms collaborate to restrict the activity of cdc-14 as central components of an evolutionarily conserved regulatory network to coordinate cell-cycle progression with development.

► The Caenorhabditis elegans Cdc14 phosphatase homolog, cdc-14, regulates G1/S progression. ► CDC-14C is the primary alternative splice form controlling cell-cycle quiescence. ► Tissue-specific CDC-14C expression is directed by post-transcriptional regulation. ► CDC-14C subcellular location is regulated by nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. ► Nuclear export of CDC-14C depends on members of the Cyclin D and Crm1 families.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Cell Biology
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