Cell cycle phase transitions are tightly orchestrated to ensure efficient cell cycle progression and genome stability. Interrogating these transitions is important for understanding both normal and pathological cell proliferation. By quantifying the dynamics of the popular FUCCI reporters relative to the transitions into and out of S phase, we found that their dynamics are substantially and variably offset from true S phase boundaries. To enhance detection of phase transitions, we generated a new reporter whose oscillations are directly coupled to DNA replication and combined it with the FUCCI APC/C reporter to create "PIP-FUCCI". The PIP degron fusion protein precisely marks the G1/S and S/G2 transitions; shows a rapid decrease in signal in response to large doses of DNA damage only during G1; and distinguishes cell type-specific and DNA damage source-dependent arrest phenotypes. We provide guidance to investigators in selecting appropriate fluorescent cell cycle reporters and new analysis strategies for delineating cell cycle transitions. ARTICLE HISTORY

The cell cycle is canonically described as a series of four consecutive phases: G1, S, G2, and M. In single cells, the duration of each phase varies, but the quantitative laws that govern phase durations are not well understood. Using time‐lapse microscopy, we found that each phase duration follows an Erlang distribution and is statistically independent from other phases. We challenged this observation by perturbing phase durations through oncogene activation, inhibition of DNA synthesis, reduced temperature, and DNA damage. Despite large changes in durations in cell populations, phase durations remained uncoupled in individual cells. These results suggested that the independence of phase durations may arise from a large number of molecular factors that each exerts a minor influence on the rate of cell cycle progression. We tested this model by experimentally forcing phase coupling through inhibition of cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 ( CDK 2) or overexpression of cyclin D. Our work provides an explanation for the historical observation that phase durations are both inherited and independent and suggests how cell cycle progression may be altered in disease states.

Protrusion of lamellipodia and ruffles requires polymerization of branched actin filaments by Arp2/3 complex. Although regulation of Arp2/3-complex activity has been extensively investigated, the mechanism of initiation of lamellipodia and ruffles remains poorly understood. Here we show that mDia1 acts in concert with the Arp2/3 complex to promote initiation of lamellipodia and ruffles. We find that mDia1 is an EGF-regulated actin nucleator involved in membrane ruffling using a combination of knockdown and rescue experiments. At the molecular level, mDia1 polymerizes linear actin filaments activating the Arp2/3 complex and localizes within nascent and mature membrane ruffles. We employ functional complementation experiments and optogenetics to show that mDia1 cooperates with the Arp2/3 complex in initiating ruffles. Finally, we show that genetic and pharmacological interference with this cooperation hampers ruffling and cell migration. Thus, we propose that the lamellipodium/ruffle-initiating machinery consists of two actin nucleators that act sequentially to regulate membrane protrusion and cell migration.

Neuroblastoma is a pediatric embryonal malignancy characterized by impaired neuronal differentiation. A better understanding of neuroblastoma differentiation is essential for developing new therapeutic approaches. GDE2 (encoded by GDPD5) is a six-transmembrane-domain glycerophosphodiesterase that promotes embryonic neurogenesis. We find that high GDPD5 expression is strongly associated with favorable outcome in neuroblastoma. GDE2 induces differentiation of neuroblastoma cells, suppresses cell motility, and opposes RhoA-driven neurite retraction. GDE2 alters the Rac-RhoA activity balance and the expression of multiple differentiation-associated genes. Mechanistically, GDE2 acts by cleaving (in cis) and releasing glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glypican-6, a putative co-receptor. A single point mutation in the ectodomain abolishes GDE2 function. Our results reveal GDE2 as a cell-autonomous inducer of neuroblastoma differentiation with prognostic significance and potential therapeutic value.

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