PICH impacts the spindle assembly checkpoint via its DNA translocase and SUMO-interaction activities

Either inhibiting or stabilizing SUMOylation in mitosis causes defects in chromosome segregation, suggesting that dynamic mitotic SUMOylation of proteins is critical to maintain integrity of the genome. Polo-like kinase 1–interacting checkpoint helicase (PICH), a mitotic chromatin remodeling enzyme, interacts with SUMOylated chromosomal proteins via three SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs) to control their association with chromosomes. Using cell lines with conditional PICH depletion/PICH replacement, we revealed mitotic defects associated with compromised PICH functions toward SUMOylated chromosomal proteins. Defects in either remodeling activity or SIMs of PICH delayed mitotic progression caused by activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) indicated by extended duration of Mad1 foci at centromeres. Proteomics analysis of chromosomal SUMOylated proteins whose abundance is controlled by PICH activity identified candidate proteins to explain the SAC activation phenotype. Among the identified candidates, Bub1 kinetochore abundance is increased upon loss of PICH. Our results demonstrated a novel relationship between PICH and the SAC, where PICH directly or indirectly affects Bub1 association at the kinetochore and impacts SAC activity to control mitosis.