Pooja Sharma, Robert Mahen, Maxim Rossmann, Jamie E. Stokes, Bryn Hardwick, David J. Huggins, Amy Emery, Dominique L. Kunciw, Marko Hyvönen, David R. Spring, Grahame J. McKenzie & Ashok R. Venkitaraman
Scientific Reports, 9:15930 (2019) 
DOI: s41598-019-50702-2
Pubmed: tbd
PDB coordinates: 5NMM (3D view), 5NEI (3D view)
Abstract
The human polo-like kinase PLK1 coordinates mitotic chromosome segregation by phosphorylating multiple chromatin- and kinetochore-binding proteins. How PLK1 activity is directed to specific substrates via phosphopeptide recognition by its carboxyl-terminal polo-box domain (PBD) is poorly understood. Here, we combine molecular, structural and chemical biology to identify a determinant for PLK1 substrate recognition that is essential for proper chromosome segregation. We show that mutations ablating an evolutionarily conserved, Tyr-lined pocket in human PLK1 PBD trigger cellular anomalies in mitotic progression and timing. Continue reading →