High impact information on Plk1

• These findings identify a Plk1-dependent signalling mechanism potentially linking Golgi structure and cell cycle control, but suggest that this may not be a cell cycle checkpoint in the classical sense [1].
• Polo-like kinase is required for the fragmentation of pericentriolar Golgi stacks during mitosis [2].
• These findings suggest that phosphorylation of GRASP65 by Plk may be a critical event in the reorganization of the Golgi structure during mitosis [2].
• Here, we provide evidence that Plk is involved in the mitosis-specific fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus [2].
• In this study, Plk1 expression, subcellular localization, and possible functions during rat oocyte meiotic maturation, fertilization, and embryonic cleavages were studied by using RT-PCR, Western blot, confocal microscopy, drug-treatments, and antibody microinjection [3].

Biological context of Plk1

• In conclusion, Plk1 may be a multifunctional kinase that plays pivotal regulatory roles in microtubule assembly during rat oocyte meiotic maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic mitosis [3].
• The specific subcellular distribution of Plk1 was distorted after disrupting the M-phase spindle, while additional aggregation dots could be induced in the cytoplasm by taxol, suggesting its intimate association with active microtubule assembly [3].
• Throughout cytokinesis, Plk1 was localized to the division plane, both during oocyte meiosis and embryonic mitosis [3].

Anatomical context of Plk1

• In fertilized eggs, Plk1 was strongly stained in the cytoplasm between the apposing male and female pronuclei, from where microtubules radiated [3].

Associations of Plk1 with chemical compounds

• Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a family of serine/threonine protein kinases that play important regulatory roles during mitotic cell cycle progression [3].

Analytical, diagnostic and therapeutic context of Plk1

• Plk1 antibody microinjection delayed the meiotic resumption and blocked the emission of polar bodies [3].
• Confocal microscopy revealed that Plk1 distributed abundantly in the nucleus at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, was associated with spindle poles during the formation of M-phase spindle, and was translocated to the spindle mid-zone at anaphase [3].

References