The kinetics of the B cyclin p56cdc13 and the phosphatase p80cdc25 during the cell cycle of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Abstract

The levels of the B cyclin p56cdc13 and the phosphatase p80cdc25 have been followed in selection-synchronised cultures of Schizosaccharomyces pombe wild-type and wee1 mutant cells. p56cdc13 has also been followed in induction-synchronised cells of the mutant cdc2-33. The main conclusions are: (1) cdc13 levels in wild-type cells start to rise from base line at about mid-G2, reach a peak before mitosis and then fall slowly through G1. Cells exit mitosis with appreciable levels of cdc13. (2) cdc13 levels in wee1 cells fall to zero in interphase. They also start to rise at the beginning of G2, which may be related to the absence of a mitotic size control. (3) cdc25 starts to rise later and reaches a peak after mitosis. This is not what would be expected from a simple mitotic inducer and suggests that cdc25 has an important function at the end of mitosis. (4) An upper (heavier) band of cdc25 peaks at the same time as the main band but rises and falls more rapidly. If this is a hyperphosphorylated form, its timing shows that it is most unlikely to function in the ways shown for such a form in eggs and mammalian cells. (5) Experiments with the mutant cdc10-129 and with hydroxyurea show that the initial signal to begin synthesis of cdc13 originates at Start. (6) In induction synchrony, where G2 spans across cell division, there is evidence that some events in one cycle cannot start in the previous one. (7) Revised timings are given for the times of mitosis in these cultures.