Repression of origin assembly in metaphase depends on inhibition of RLF-B/Cdt1 by geminin

Nat Cell Biol. 2001 Feb;3(2):107-13. doi: 10.1038/35055000.

Abstract

Eukaryotic replication origins are 'licensed' for replication early in the cell cycle by loading Mcm(2-7) proteins. As chromatin replicates, Mcm(2-7) are removed, thus preventing the origin from firing again. Here we report the purification of the RLF-B component of the licensing system and show that it corresponds to Cdt1. RLF-B/Cdt1 was inhibited by geminin, a protein that is degraded during late mitosis. Immunodepletion of geminin from metaphase extracts allowed them to assemble licensed replication origins. Inhibition of CDKs in metaphase stimulated origin assembly only after the depletion of geminin. These experiments suggest that geminin-mediated inhibition of RLF-B/Cdt1 is essential for repressing origin assembly late in the cell cycle of higher eukaryotes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / chemistry
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Chromatin / chemistry
  • Chromatin / isolation & purification
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • DNA Replication / genetics
  • DNA Replication / physiology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Geminin
  • Immunoblotting
  • Metaphase / genetics
  • Metaphase / physiology*
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7
  • Models, Biological
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Oocytes / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Replication Origin / physiology*
  • Xenopus Proteins*
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • Cdt1 protein, Xenopus
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Chromatin
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GMNN protein, Xenopus
  • Geminin
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • Mcm7 protein, Xenopus
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 7