Polo kinase and cytokinesis initiation in mammalian cells: harnessing the awesome power of chemical genetics.
The last decade has brought rapid advances in our knowledge of the human genome, as well as increasingly sophisticated methods to analyze how each of approximately 30,000 genes within it contribute to cellular, tissue, and organismal function. Here, we review this technological revolution in the context of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), which has emerged as a central regulator of multiple processes fundamental to cell division. In particular, we highlight similarities and differences when Plk1 function is probed through various methods, including novel chemical inhibitors, and how our understanding of Plk1's role in mitosis and cell division has been enhanced as a consequence.
Randall
Catherine L
CL
Molecular Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Burkard
Mark E
ME
Jallepalli
Prasad V
PV
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034622:RNA Interference; D000097869:Polo-Like Kinase 1
D000906:Antibodies; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D000097869:Polo-Like Kinase 1