PLK1 phosphorylation of ZW10 guides accurate chromosome segregation in mitosis

Abstract

Abstract Stable transmission of genetic information during cell division requires faithful chromosome segregation. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) dynamics at kinetochores control correct kinetochore–microtubule attachments and subsequent silencing of the spindle assembly checkpoint. However, the mechanisms underlying PLK1-mediated silencing of the spindle checkpoint remain elusive. Here, we identified a regulatory mechanism by which PLK1-elicited zeste white 10 (ZW10) phosphorylation regulates spindle checkpoint silencing in mitosis. ZW10 is a cognate substrate of PLK1, and the phosphorylation of ZW10 at Ser12 enables dynamic ZW10–Zwint1 interactions. Inhibition of ZW10 phosphorylation resulted in misaligned chromosomes, while persistent expression of phospho-mimicking ZW10 mutant caused premature anaphase, in which sister chromatids entangled as cells entered anaphase. These findings reveal the previously uncharacterized PLK1–ZW10 interaction through which dynamic phosphorylation of ZW10 fine-tunes accurate chromosome segregation in mitosis.