SUMOylated NKAP is essential for chromosome alignment by anchoring CENP-E to kinetochores

Nat Commun. 2016 Oct 3:7:12969. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12969.

Abstract

Chromosome alignment is required for accurate chromosome segregation. Chromosome misalignment can result in genomic instability and tumorigenesis. Here, we show that NF-κB activating protein (NKAP) is critical for chromosome alignment through anchoring CENP-E to kinetochores. NKAP knockdown causes chromosome misalignment and prometaphase arrest in human cells. NKAP dynamically localizes to kinetochores, and is required for CENP-E kinetochore localization. NKAP is SUMOylated predominantly in mitosis and the SUMOylation is needed for NKAP to bind CENP-E. A SUMOylation-deficient mutant of NKAP cannot support the localization of CENP-E on kinetochores or proper chromosome alignment. Moreover, Bub3 recruits NKAP to stabilize the binding of CENP-E to BubR1 at kinetochores. Importantly, loss of NKAP expression causes aneuploidy in cultured cells, and is observed in human soft tissue sarcomas. These findings indicate that NKAP is a novel and key regulator of mitosis, and its dysregulation might contribute to tumorigenesis by causing chromosomal instability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aneuploidy
  • Carcinogenesis
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Chromosomes / chemistry
  • Chromosomes / ultrastructure*
  • Co-Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Kinetochores / chemistry*
  • Mitosis
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Sarcoma / metabolism
  • Sumoylation*

Substances

  • BUB3 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Co-Repressor Proteins
  • NKAP protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Poly-ADP-Ribose Binding Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • centromere protein E
  • BUB1 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases