scholarly journals Mapping load-bearing in the mammalian spindle reveals local kinetochore-fiber anchorage that provides mechanical isolation and redundancy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Williard Elting ◽  
Manu Prakash ◽  
Dylan B. Udy ◽  
Sophie Dumont
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Fiber Length ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Mechanical Function ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Load Bearing ◽  
Mechanical Isolation ◽  
Spindle Body ◽  
Do So

SummaryActive forces generated at kinetochores move chromosomes, and the dynamic spindle must robustly anchor kinetochore-fibers (k-fibers) to bear this load. We know that the mammalian spindle body can bear the load of chromosome movement far from poles, but do not know where and how – physically and molecularly – this load is distributed across the spindle. In part, this is because perturbing and reading out spindle mechanics in live cells is difficult. Yet, answering this question is key to understanding how the spindle generates and responds to force, and performs its diverse mechanical functions. Here, we map load-bearing across the mammalian spindle in space-time, and dissect local anchorage mechanics and mechanism. To do so, we laser ablate single k-fibers at different spindle locations, and in different molecular backgrounds, and quantify at high time resolution the immediate relaxation of chromosomes, k-fibers, and microtubule speckles. We find that load redistribution is locally confined in all directions: along the first 3-4 μm from kinetochores, scaling with k-fiber length, and laterally within ~2 μm of k-fiber sides, without neighboring k-fibers sharing load. A phenomenological model constrains the mechanistic underpinnings of these data: it suggests that dense, transient crosslinks to the spindle along k-fibers bear the load of chromosome movement, but that these connections do not limit the timescale of spindle reorganization. The microtubule crosslinker NuMA is needed for the local load-bearing observed, while Eg5 and PRC1 are not, suggesting specialization in mechanical function and a novel function for NuMA throughout the spindle body. Together, the data and model suggest that widespread NuMA-mediated crosslinks locally bear load, providing mechanical isolation and redundancy while allowing spindle fluidity. These features are well-suited to support robust chromosome segregation.

Persisting demibivalents: a unique meiotic behaviour in Cuscuta babylonica Choisy

Genome ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batia Pazy ◽  
Uzi Plitmann
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Meiotic Behaviour ◽  
Chromosome Behaviour ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Pollen Mother Cells ◽  
Key Words Meiosis ◽  
Mother Cells ◽  
Telomeric Association

Idiosyncratic chromosome behaviour during meiosis was found in pollen mother cells of Cuscuta babylonica Choisy, a thread-like holoparasitic herb. Its main features are among the following: (i) telomeric association between homologues through most stages of the process, which leads to persisting chromatid bivalents (= "demibivalents"); (ii) uncommon chromosome segregation in first and second anaphase; and (iii) prolonged intensified heterochromatinization. Although "regular" in its own way, this process leads to the formation of unviable products. Its further investigation might contribute to our understanding of the role of the spindle and chromosome movement in the ordinary process of meiosis. Key words: meiosis (abnormal), persisting demibivalents, Cuscuta babylonica.

Morphology and behaviour of dinoflagellate chromosomes during the cell cycle and mitosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (7) ◽  
pp. 1231-1239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Bhaud ◽  
D. Guillebault ◽  
J. Lennon ◽  
H. Defacque ◽  
M.O. Soyer-Gobillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Chromosome Behaviour ◽  
Double Number ◽  
Do So

The morphology and behaviour of the chromosomes of dinoflagellates during the cell cycle appear to be unique among eukaryotes. We used synchronized and aphidicolin-blocked cultures of the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii to describe the successive morphological changes that chromosomes undergo during the cell cycle. The chromosomes in early G(1) phase appeared to be loosely condensed with numerous structures protruding toward the nucleoplasm. They condensed in late G(1), before unwinding in S phase. The chromosomes in cells in G(2) phase were tightly condensed and had a double number of arches, as visualised by electron microscopy. During prophase, chromosomes elongated and split longitudinally, into characteristic V or Y shapes. We also used confocal microscopy to show a metaphase-like alignment of the chromosomes, which has never been described in dinoflagellates. The metaphase-like nucleus appeared flattened and enlarged, and continued to do so into anaphase. Chromosome segregation occurred via binding to the nuclear envelope surrounding the cytoplasmic channels and microtubule bundles. Our findings are summarized in a model of chromosome behaviour during the cell cycle.

scholarly journals Overexpressed Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene Causes Aneuploidy in Live Human Cells

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (11) ◽  
pp. 4991-4998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Run Yu ◽  
Wenge Lu ◽  
Jiandong Chen ◽  
Chris J. McCabe ◽  
Shlomo Melmed
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Pituitary Tumor ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene ◽  
Transforming Gene

Abstract The mammalian securin, pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG), is overexpressed in several tumors and transforms cells in vitro and in vivo. To test the hypothesis that PTTG overexpression causes aneuploidy, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged PTTG (PTTG-EGFP) was expressed in human H1299 cancer cells (with undetectable endogenous PTTG expression) and mitosis of individual live cells observed. Untransfected cells and cells expressing EGFP alone exhibited appropriate mitosis. PTTG-EGFP markedly prolonged prophase and metaphase, indicating that PTTG blocks progression of mitosis to anaphase. In cells that underwent apparently normal mitosis (35 of 65 cells), PTTG-EGFP was degraded about 1 min before anaphase onset. Cells that failed to degrade PTTG-EGFP exhibited asymmetrical cytokinesis without chromosome segregation (18 of 65 cells) or chromosome decondensation without cytokinesis (9 of 65 cells), resulting in appearance of a macronucleus. Fifty-one of 55 cells expressing a nondegradable mutant PTTG exhibited asymmetrical cytokinesis without chromosome segregation, and some (4 of 55) decondensed chromosomes, both resulting in macronuclear formation. During this abnormal cytokinesis, all chromosomes and spindles and both centrosomes moved to one daughter cell, suggesting potential chaos in the subsequent mitosis. In conclusion, failure of PTTG degradation or enhanced PTTG accumulation, as a consequence of overexpression, inhibits mitosis progression and chromosome segregation but does not directly affect cytokinesis, resulting in aneuploidy. These results demonstrate that PTTG induces aneuploidy in single, live, human cancer cells.

scholarly journals The kinetoplastid kinetochore protein KKT4 is an unconventional microtubule tip–coupling protein

2018 ◽  
Vol 217 (11) ◽  
pp. 3886-3900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida Llauró ◽  
Hanako Hayashi ◽  
Megan E. Bailey ◽  
Alex Wilson ◽  
Patryk Ludzia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Significant Similarity ◽  
Load Bearing ◽  
Kinetochore Protein ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Microtubule Binding Domain ◽  
Coupling Protein

Kinetochores are multiprotein machines that drive chromosome segregation by maintaining persistent, load-bearing linkages between chromosomes and dynamic microtubule tips. Kinetochores in commonly studied eukaryotes bind microtubules through widely conserved components like the Ndc80 complex. However, in evolutionarily divergent kinetoplastid species such as Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness, the kinetochores assemble from a unique set of proteins lacking homology to any known microtubule-binding domains. Here, we show that the T. brucei kinetochore protein KKT4 binds directly to microtubules and maintains load-bearing attachments to both growing and shortening microtubule tips. The protein localizes both to kinetochores and to spindle microtubules in vivo, and its depletion causes defects in chromosome segregation. We define a microtubule-binding domain within KKT4 and identify several charged residues important for its microtubule-binding activity. Thus, despite its lack of significant similarity to other known microtubule-binding proteins, KKT4 has key functions required for driving chromosome segregation. We propose that it represents a primary element of the kinetochore–microtubule interface in kinetoplastids.

Regulation of Microtubule Assembly: The View From The End

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 80-81
Author(s):  
L. Cassimeris ◽  
C. Spittle ◽  
M. Kratzer
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Intrinsic Property ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Associated Proteins

The mitotic spindle is responsible for chromosome movement during mitosis. It is composed of a dynamic array of microtubules and associated proteins whose assembly and constant turnover are required for both spindle formation and chromosome movement. Because microtubule assembly and turnover are necessary for chromosome segregation, we are studying how cells regulate microtubule dynamics. Microtubules are polarized polymers composed of tubulin subunits; they assemble by a process of dynamic instability where individual microtubules exist in persistent phases of elongation or rapid shortening with abrupt transitions between these two states. The switch from elongation to shortening is termed catastrophe, and the switch from shortening to elongation, rescue. Although dynamic instability is an intrinsic property of the tubulin subunits, cells use associated proteins to both speed elongation (∼ 10 fold) and regulate transitions.The only protein isolated to date capable of promoting fast polymerization consistent with rates in vivo is XMAP215, a 215 kD protein from Xenopus eggs.

scholarly journals Microtubule dynamics and chromosome motion visualized in living anaphase cells.

1988 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 1185-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
G J Gorbsky ◽  
P J Sammak ◽  
G G Borisy
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Digital Imaging ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Digital Imaging Microscopy ◽  
Opposite Pole ◽  
Anaphase B ◽  
Chromosome Motion

Chromosome segregation in most animal cells is brought about through two events: the movement of the chromosomes to the poles (anaphase A) and the movement of the poles away from each other (anaphase B). Essential to an understanding of the mechanism of mitosis is information on the relative movements of components of the spindle and identification of sites of subunit loss from shortening microtubules. Through use of tubulin derivatized with X-rhodamine, photobleaching, and digital imaging microscopy of living cells, we directly determined the relative movements of poles, chromosomes, and a marked domain on kinetochore fibers during anaphase. During chromosome movement and pole-pole separation, the marked domain did not move significantly with respect to the near pole. Therefore, the kinetochore microtubules were shortened by the loss of subunits at the kinetochore, although a small amount of subunit loss elsewhere was not excluded. In anaphase A, chromosomes moved on kinetochore microtubules that remained stationary with respect to the near pole. In anaphase B, the kinetochore fiber microtubules accompanied the near pole in its movement away from the opposite pole. These results eliminate models of anaphase in which microtubules are thought to be traction elements that are drawn to and depolymerized at the pole. Our results are compatible with models of anaphase in which the kinetochore fiber microtubules remain anchored at the pole and in which microtubule dynamics are centered at the kinetochore.

scholarly journals Local Load-Bearing by Kinetochore-Fibers in the Mammalian Spindle Provides Mechanical Isolation and Redundancy

2017 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 432a
Author(s):  
Mary Williard Elting ◽  
Dylan B. Udy ◽  
Manu Prakash ◽  
Sophie Dumont
Keyword(s):  
Local Load ◽  
Load Bearing ◽  
Mechanical Isolation

scholarly journals Xkid Is Degraded in a D-Box, KEN-Box, and A-Box-Independent Pathway

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 4126-4138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Castro ◽  
Suzanne Vigneron ◽  
Cyril Bernis ◽  
Jean-Claude Labbé ◽  
Thierry Lorca
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Degradation Pathway ◽  
Cyclin B ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Regulatory Factor ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Chromosome Congression

ABSTRACT During mitosis, the Xenopus chromokinesin Kid (Xkid) provides the polar ejection forces needed at metaphase for chromosome congression, and its degradation is required at anaphase to induce chromosome segregation. Despite the fact that the degradation of Xkid at anaphase seems to be a key regulatory factor to induce chromosome movement to the poles, little is known about the mechanisms controlling this proteolysis. We investigated here the degradation pathway of Xkid. We demonstrate that Xkid is degraded both in vitro and in vivo by APC/Cdc20 and APC/Cdh1. We show that, despite the presence of five putative D-box motifs in its sequence, Xkid is proteolyzed in a D-box-independent manner. We identify a domain within the C terminus of this chromokinesin, with sequence GxEN, whose mutation completely stabilizes this protein by both APC/Cdc20 and APC/Cdh1. Moreover, we show that this degradation sequence acts as a transposable motif and induces the proteolysis of a GST-GXEN fusion protein. Finally, we demonstrate that both a D-box and a GXEN-containing peptides completely block APC-dependent degradation of cyclin B and Xkid, indicating that the GXEN domain might mediate the recognition and association of Xkid with the APC.

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