Proper partitioning of the contents of a cell between two daughters requires integration of spatial and temporal cues. The anaphase array of microtubules that self-organize at the spindle midzone contributes to positioning the cell division plane midway between the segregating chromosomes 1 . How this signaling occurs over micron length-scales, from the midzone to the cell cortex, is not known. Here we examine the anaphase dynamics of protein phosphorylation by Aurora B kinase, a key mitotic regulator, using FRET-based sensors in living cells and immunofluorescence of native Aurora B substrates. Quantitative analysis of phosphorylation dynamics, using chromosome and centromere targeted sensors, reveals that changes are due primarily to position along the division axis rather than time. These dynamics result in the formation of a spatial phosphorylation gradient early in anaphase that is centered at the spindle midzone. This gradient depends on Aurora B targeting to a subpopulation of microtubules that activate it. Aurora kinase activity organizes the targeted microtubules to generate a structure based feedback loop. We propose that feedback between Aurora B kinase activation and midzone microtubules generates a gradient of posttranslational marks that provides spatial information for events in anaphase and cytokinesis. Keywordsanaphase; gradient; FRET; Aurora B; INCENP; histone H3; serine 10; mitotic spindle; Hesperadin; monopolar It is believed that self-organizing systems position the cleavage furrow, since experimental displacement of the anaphase spindle results in repositioning of the cleavage furrow within minutes 2 . While mitotic chromosomes are thought to generate gradients of Ran GTP that selforganize the prometaphase spindle 3 , this cannot be the only self-organizing signal in anaphase because cytokinesis can occur in the absence of chromatin 4,5 . Instead, the location of the cleavage furrow is coupled to the position of the spindle midzone where the Chromosome *Correspondence to: PTS (e-mail pts7h@virginia.edu) or MAL (e-mail lampson@sas.upenn.edu). $ Both authors contributed equally to this work Author Information: Development of the Aurora B and Plk phosphorylation sensors and FRET imaging and analysis were done in the Kapoor lab by MA Lampson, together with EA Foley. BG Fuller performed immunofluorescence experiments. SR Nitcher and P Tobelman performed the kinase assays and P-Lisa experiments, respectively. KV Le performed live imaging of Aurora B-GFP. BG Fuller and MA Lampson wrote the paper. To examine spatial patterns of Aurora B signaling during anaphase, we developed a strategy using FRET-based sensors that report quantitative changes in substrate phosphorylation in living cells. We adapted a sensor design 6 in which changes in intramolecular CFP-YFP FRET depend on changes in phosphorylation of an Aurora B substrate peptide, which is conserved among members of the kinesin-13 family 7 (Fig. 1a). To mimic localizations of endogenous Aurora B substrates 8 , sensors were targeted to ce...

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Gradients are used in a number of biological systems to transmit spatial information over a range of distances. The best studied are morphogen gradients where information is transmitted over many cell lengths. Smaller mitotic gradients reflect the need to organize several distinct events along the length of the mitotic spindle. The intracellular gradients that characterize mitosis are emerging as important regulatory paradigms. Intracellular gradients utilize intrinsic auto-regulatory feedback loops and diffusion to establish stable regions of activity within the mitotic cytosol. We review three recently described intracellular mitotic gradients. The Ran GTP gradient with its elaborate cascade of nuclear transport receptors and cargoes is the best characterized, yet the dynamics underlying the robust gradient of Ran-GTP have received little attention. Gradients of phosphorylation have been observed on Aurora B kinase substrates both before and after anaphase onset. In both instances the phosphorylation gradient appears to result from a soluble gradient of Aurora B kinase activity. Regulatory properties that support gradient formation are highlighted. Intracellular activity gradients that regulate localized mitotic events bare several hallmarks of self-organizing biologic systems that designate spatial information during pattern formation. Intracellular pattern formation represents a new paradigm in mitotic regulation.