Protein function and interaction

CEP55 protein performs an important function in cytokinesis. It is located in the centrosome during the interphase (Fabbro et al, 2005 PubMed: 16198290), dissociates from the centrosome in the M phase, and condenses to the midbody during cytokinesis (Martinez-Garay et al, 2006 PubMed: 16406728; Zhao et al, 2006 PubMed: 16790497). Co- immunoprecipitation and directed yeast two-hybrid experiments identify the association between CEP55 and ESCRT-I complex subunit TSG101 and ALIX (Programmed cell death 6-interacting protein) (Morita et al., 2007 PubMed: 17853893). Cep55/Alix/ESCRT-III interactions are required for formation of morphologically normal midbodies (Carlton et al., 2008 PubMed: 18641129). The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 regulates the final stages of cytokinesis by binding to Cep55. This interaction induces Polo-like kinase 1-mediated phosphorylation of Cep55, which is critical for the function of Cep55 during cytokinesis (van der Horst & Khanna, 2009 PubMed: 19638580).