CUL-2 is required for the G1-to-S-phase transition and mitotic chromosome condensation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Nat Cell Biol. 1999 Dec;1(8):486-92. doi: 10.1038/70272.

Abstract

The human cullin protein CUL-2 functions in a ubiquitin-ligase complex with the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor protein. Here we show that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, cul-2 is expressed in proliferating cells and is required at two distinct points in the cell cycle, the G1-to-S-phase transition and mitosis. cul-2 mutant germ cells undergo a G1-phase arrest that correlates with accumulation of CKI-1, a member of the CIP/KIP family of cyclin-dependent-kinase inhibitors. In cul-2 mutant embryos, mitotic chromosomes are unable to condense, leading to unequal DNA segregation, chromosome bridging and the formation of multiple nuclei.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / embryology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / chemistry
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Chromosomes / chemistry
  • Chromosomes / genetics
  • Chromosomes / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cullin Proteins*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • G1 Phase*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Germ Cells / cytology
  • Germ Cells / metabolism
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Mitosis*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nondisjunction, Genetic
  • Phenotype
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • S Phase*

Substances

  • CUL2 protein, human
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cullin 1
  • Cullin Proteins
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • cki-1 protein, C elegans
  • cki-2 protein, C elegans

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF179358
  • GENBANK/AF179359