BUB

The BUB family contributes two large checkpoint kinases with partly overlapping duties. BUB1 is recruited to unattached kinetochores through BUB3 and phosphorylates histone H2A at Thr120, creating a platform for shugoshin and the chromosome passenger complex, while its C-terminal region aids mitotic checkpoint complex assembly. BUBR1 (BUB1B) also binds BUB3 and Cdc20; although its intrinsic kinase activity is weak, it is essential for checkpoint-mediated inhibition of the APC/C. Reduced BUBR1 causes mosaic variegated aneuploidy syndrome and premature-aging phenotypes in mice, and loss of BUB1 function drives chromosome instability in tumors. Both proteins are attractive but technically difficult therapeutic targets.