The cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating Bora

Abstract Timely entry into mitosis requires activation of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) by Aurora kinase A (Aurora A), but the upstream signaling trigger remains unclear. Here, we show that cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling serves as a critical initiator of mitosis in mammalian cells. Specifically, the cAMP-d...

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Main Authors: Min Zhu, Shinan Zhou, Yingqi Zhang, Qinfu Chen, Xueying Yuan, Long Zhang, Haiyan Yan, Fangwei Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63352-y
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author Min Zhu
Shinan Zhou
Yingqi Zhang
Qinfu Chen
Xueying Yuan
Long Zhang
Haiyan Yan
Fangwei Wang
author_facet Min Zhu
Shinan Zhou
Yingqi Zhang
Qinfu Chen
Xueying Yuan
Long Zhang
Haiyan Yan
Fangwei Wang
author_sort Min Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Timely entry into mitosis requires activation of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) by Aurora kinase A (Aurora A), but the upstream signaling trigger remains unclear. Here, we show that cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling serves as a critical initiator of mitosis in mammalian cells. Specifically, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylates Bora, enabling it to bind Aurora A and recruit it to the Bora-Plk1 complex during G2 phase, thereby facilitating Aurora A-dependent activation of Plk1. Disruption of PKA-mediated Bora phosphorylation or the Bora-Aurora A interaction impairs Plk1 activation and delays the G2-to-mitosis (G2/M) transition. Conversely, a phospho-mimetic Bora mutant bypasses the requirement for PKA in promoting Bora-Aurora A interaction, Plk1 activation, and mitotic entry. Furthermore, PKA-mediated Bora phosphorylation and the resulting Bora-Aurora A interaction are essential for mitotic entry during DNA damage checkpoint recovery. Together, these findings identify the cAMP-PKA-Bora-Aurora A-Plk1 signaling cascade as a previously unrecognized and critical trigger for mitotic commitment.
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spelling doaj-art-b42f3ca26a2041df830246d5735e36ba2025-08-24T11:37:15ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111810.1038/s41467-025-63352-yThe cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating BoraMin Zhu0Shinan Zhou1Yingqi Zhang2Qinfu Chen3Xueying Yuan4Long Zhang5Haiyan Yan6Fangwei Wang7Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine and MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine and MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine and MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine and MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine and MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang UniversityDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine and MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang UniversitySchool of Medicine, Hangzhou City UniversityDepartment of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine and MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang UniversityAbstract Timely entry into mitosis requires activation of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) by Aurora kinase A (Aurora A), but the upstream signaling trigger remains unclear. Here, we show that cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling serves as a critical initiator of mitosis in mammalian cells. Specifically, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) phosphorylates Bora, enabling it to bind Aurora A and recruit it to the Bora-Plk1 complex during G2 phase, thereby facilitating Aurora A-dependent activation of Plk1. Disruption of PKA-mediated Bora phosphorylation or the Bora-Aurora A interaction impairs Plk1 activation and delays the G2-to-mitosis (G2/M) transition. Conversely, a phospho-mimetic Bora mutant bypasses the requirement for PKA in promoting Bora-Aurora A interaction, Plk1 activation, and mitotic entry. Furthermore, PKA-mediated Bora phosphorylation and the resulting Bora-Aurora A interaction are essential for mitotic entry during DNA damage checkpoint recovery. Together, these findings identify the cAMP-PKA-Bora-Aurora A-Plk1 signaling cascade as a previously unrecognized and critical trigger for mitotic commitment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63352-y
spellingShingle Min Zhu
Shinan Zhou
Yingqi Zhang
Qinfu Chen
Xueying Yuan
Long Zhang
Haiyan Yan
Fangwei Wang
The cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating Bora
Nature Communications
title The cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating Bora
title_full The cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating Bora
title_fullStr The cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating Bora
title_full_unstemmed The cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating Bora
title_short The cAMP-PKA signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating Bora
title_sort camp pka signaling initiates mitosis by phosphorylating bora
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63352-y
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