Plk1 regulates mitotic Aurora A function through βTrCP-dependent degradation of hBora

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) and Aurora A play key roles in centrosome maturation, spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation during cell division. Here we show that the functions of these kinases during early mitosis are coordinated through Bora, a partner of Aurora A first identified in Drosophila. Depletion of human Bora (hBora) results in spindle defects, accompanied by increased spindle recruitment of Aurora A and its partner TPX2. Conversely, hBora overexpression induces mislocalization of Aurora A and monopolar spindle formation, reminiscent of the phenotype seen in Plk1-depleted cells. Indeed, Plk1 regulates hBora. Following Cdk1-dependent recruitment, Plk1 triggers hBora destruction by phosphorylating a recognition site for \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\text{SCF}}^{{\text{ $ \beta $ - TrCP}}}$$\end{document}. Plk1 depletion or inhibition results in a massive accumulation of hBora, concomitant with displacement of Aurora A from spindle poles and impaired centrosome maturation, but remarkably, co-depletion of hBora partially restores Aurora A localization and bipolar spindle formation. This suggests that Plk1 controls Aurora A localization and function by regulating cellular levels of hBora

Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Gene Expression by Mycobacteria Involves the Assembly of a Unique Enhanceosome Dependent on the Coactivator Proteins CBP/p300

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays an important role in host containment of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, one of the leading causes of death by an infectious agent globally. Using the pathogenic M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv, we present evidence that upon stimulation of monocytic cells by M. tuberculosis a unique TNF-α enhanceosome is formed, and it is distinct from the TNF-α enhanceosome that forms in T cells stimulated by antigen engagement or virus infection. A distinct set of activators including ATF-2, c-jun, Ets, Sp1, Egr-1 and the coactivator proteins CBP/p300 are recruited to the TNF-α promoter after stimulation with M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, the formation of this enhanceosome is dependent on inducer-specific helical phasing relationships between transcription factor binding sites. We also show that the transcriptional activity of CBP/p300 is potentiated by mycobacterial stimulation of monocytes. The identification of TNF-α regulatory elements and coactivators involved in M. tuberculosis-stimulated gene expression thus provides potential selective molecular targets in the modulation of TNF-α gene expression in the setting of mycobacterial infection