Control of WHITE COLLAR localization by phosphorylation is a critical step in the circadian negative feedback process

Joonseok Cha, Shwu Shin Chang, Guocun Huang, Ping Cheng, Yi Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reversible protein phosphorylation has critical functions in the eukaryotic circadian negative feedback loops. In Neurospora, the FREQUENCY protein closes the circadian negative feedback loop by promoting the phosphorylation of its transcription activator, the WHITE COLLAR complex (WCC) and consequently inhibiting WCC activity. Here we show that protein phosphatase 4 is a novel component of the Neurospora clock by regulating both processes of the circadian negative feedback loop. The disruption of pp4 results in short period rhythms with low amplitude. In addition to its role in regulating FRQ phosphorylation and stability, PP4 also dephosphorylates and activates WCC. In contrast to PP2A, another phosphatase that activates WCC, PP4 has a major function in promoting nuclear entry of WCC. PKA, a WC kinase, inhibits WC nuclear localization. Furthermore, the FRQ-dependent WC phosphorylation promotes WCC cytosolic localization. Together, these results revealed WCC nucleocytoplasmic shuttling as an important step in the circadian negative feedback process and delineated the FRQ-dependent WCC inhibition as a two-step process: the inhibition of WCC DNA-binding activity followed by sequestration of WCC into the cytoplasm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3246-3255
Number of pages10
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume27
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 17 2008

Keywords

  • Circadian clock
  • Frequency
  • Neurospora
  • Protein phosphatase
  • WHITE COLLAR

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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