Yeast polo-like kinases: functionally conserved multitask mitotic regulators.
The polo-like kinases (Plks) are a conserved subfamily of Ser/Thr protein kinases that play pivotal roles in regulating various cellular and biochemical events at multiple stages of M phase. Genetic and biochemical data revealed that both the budding yeast and the fission yeast polo kinase homologs (Cdc5 and Plo1, respectively) bear remarkable functional similarities with those in metazoan organisms, suggesting that the role of Plks is largely conserved throughout evolution. Thus, studies on Plks in genetically amenable lower eucaryotic organisms may yield valuable insights into the function of Plks in higher eucaryotic organisms. In this review, common properties and distinct functions of Cdc5 and Plo1 will be discussed and compared to properties and functions of Plks in higher eucaryotic organisms.
Lee
Kyung S
KS
Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg 37, Rm 3118, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. kyunglee@mail.nih.gov
Park
Jung-Eun
JE
Asano
Satoshi
S
Park
Chong J
CJ
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000502:physiology; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology*; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D015003:Yeasts / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000097869:Polo-Like Kinase 1
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D000097869:Polo-Like Kinase 1