The SETDB1-PC4-UPF1 post-transcriptional machinery controls periodic degradation of CENPF mRNA and maintains mitotic progression

Numerous genes exhibit periodic oscillations in mRNA expression, essential for orderly cell division. Mitosis-related mRNAs fluctuate cyclically from the G2 to M phase, primarily regulated by transcription factors. However, the role of post-transcriptional regulation in this process remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated a decrease in mRNA levels of centromere protein F (CENPF) from the early to late G2 phase. SETDB1-PC4-UPF1 serves as a crucial post-transcriptional machinery, orchestrating the periodic degradation of CENPF mRNA, ensuring balanced CENP expression, proper spindle assembly, and successful mitosis. In early G2, newly synthesized CENPF mRNAs accumulate and bind to PC4, leading to SETDB1-mediated PC4 dimethylation at K35. In late G2, dimethylated PC4 interacts with UPF1 to promote deadenylation-dependent degradation of CENPF mRNAs, forming a regulatory loop for CENP homeostasis. Elevated PC4 dimethylation in hepatocellular carcinoma, coupled with increased sensitivity to taxanes upon its inhibition, suggests promising therapeutic avenues. These findings suggest a post-transcriptional quality control mechanism regulating cyclic mitotic mRNA fluctuations, providing comprehensive insights into cell cycle gene regulation dynamics.