Functional Interaction between BubR1 and Securin in an Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome(Cdc20)-Independent Manner

Abstract

Activation of the mitotic checkpoint requires the precise timing and spatial organization of mitotic regulatory events, and ensures accurate chromosome segregation. Mitotic checkpoint proteins such its BubR1 and Mad2 bind to Cdc20, and inhibit anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome(Cdc20)-mediated securin degradation and the onset of anaphase. BubR1 mediates the proper attachment of micro-tubules to kinetochores, and links the regulation of chromosome-spindle attachment to mitotic checkpoint signaling. Therefore, disruption of BubR1 activity results in a loss of the checkpoint control, chromosome instability, and/or early onset of malignancy. In this study, we show that BubR1 directly interacts with securin in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the BubR1 interaction contributes to the stability of securin, and there is a significant positive correlation between BubR1 and securin expressions in human cancer. Importantly, BubR1 competes with Cdc20 for binding to securin, and thereby the interaction between BubR1 and securin is greatly increased by the depletion of Cdc20. Our findings may identify a novel regulation of BubR1 that can generate an additional anaphase-inhibitory signal through the Cdc20-independent interaction of BubR1 with securin. [Cancer Res 2009;69(1):27-36]