CKAP2 phosphorylation by CDK1/cyclinB1 is crucial for maintaining centrosome integrity

Previously, we have reported that CKAP2 is involved in the maintenance of centrosome integrity, thus allowing for proper mitosis in primary hepatocytes. To understand this biological process, we identified the mitosis-specific phosphorylation sites in mouse CKAP2 and investigated CKAP’s possible role in cell cycle progression. Because we observed mouse CKAP2 depletion in amplified centrosomes and aberrant chromosomal segregation, which was rescued by ectopic expression of wild-type CKAP2, we focused on the centrosome duplication process among the various aspects of the cell cycle. Among the identified phosphorylation sites, T603 and possibly S608 were phosphorylated by CDK1–cyclin B1 during mitosis, and the ectopic expression of both T603A and S608A mutants was unable to restore the centrosomal abnormalities in CKAP2-depleted cells. These results indicated that the phosphorylation status of CKAP2 during mitosis is critical for controlling both centrosome biogenesis and bipolar spindle formation.