Dbf4-Dependent Kinase (DDK)-Mediated Proteolysis of CENP-A Prevents Mislocalization of CENP-A in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Restricting the localization of the centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A to centromeres is essential to prevent chromosomal instability (CIN). Mislocalization of overexpressed CENP-A contributes to CIN in yeast, fly, and human cells. CENP-A is overexpressed in many cancers. Therefore, defining mechanisms that prevent CENP-A mislocalization will help us understand how CENP-A overexpression contributes to CIN in cancer. A genome-wide screen to characterize essential genes required for growth when CENP-A is overexpressed identified the replication initiation Dbf4-Dependent Kinase (DDK) complex. We show that DDK regulates ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Cse4 and prevents mislocalization of Cse4 independently of its role in DNA replication.