Cep78 is a new centriolar protein involved in Plk4-induced centriole overduplication

J Cell Sci. 2016 Jul 15;129(14):2713-8. doi: 10.1242/jcs.184093. Epub 2016 May 31.

Abstract

Centrioles are core components of centrosomes, the major microtubule-organizing centers of animal cells, and act as basal bodies for cilia formation. Control of centriole number is therefore crucial for genome stability and embryogenesis. Centriole duplication requires the serine/threonine protein kinase Plk4. Here, we identify Cep78 as a human centrosomal protein and a new interaction partner of Plk4. Cep78 is mainly a centriolar protein that localizes to the centriolar wall. Furthermore, we find that Plk4 binds to Cep78 through its N-terminal domain but that Cep78 is not an in vitro Plk4 substrate. Cep78 colocalizes with Plk4 at centrioles and is required for Plk4-induced centriole overduplication. Interestingly, upon depletion of Cep78, newly synthesized Plk4 is not localized to centrosomes. Our results suggest that the interaction between Cep78 and the N-terminal catalytic domain of Plk4 is a new and important element in the centrosome overduplication process.

Keywords: Centriole duplication; Centrosome; Cep78; Plk4.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Centrioles / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Interphase
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein Transport

Substances

  • CEP78 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • PLK4 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases