The polo-like kinase PLK-1 is required for nuclear envelope breakdown and the completion of meiosis inCaenorhabditis elegans

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Abstract
Summary: The Polo‐like kinases are key regulatory molecules required during the cell cycle for the successful completion of mitosis. We have cloned a C. elegans homolog of the Drosophila melanogaster polo gene (designated plk‐1 for C. elegans polo‐like kinase‐1) and present the subcellular localization of the PLK‐1 protein during the meiotic and mitotic cell cycles in C. elegans oocytes and embryos, respectively. Disruption of PLK‐1 expression by RNA‐mediated interference (RNAi) disrupts normal oocyte and embryonic development. Inspection of oocytes revealed a defect in nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD) before ovulation. This defect in NEBD was also observed in oocytes that were depleted of the cyclin‐dependent kinase NCC‐1 (C. elegans homolog of Cdc2). The plk‐1 RNAi oocytes were fertilized; however the resulting embryos were unable to separate their meiotic chromosomes or form and extrude polar bodies. These defects led to embryonic arrest as single cells. genesis 26:26–41, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.