scholarly journals Self-assembly of the RZZ complex into filaments drives kinetochore expansion in the absence of microtubule attachment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia Pereira ◽  
Rita M. Reis ◽  
José B. Gama ◽  
Dhanya K. Cheerambathur ◽  
Ana X. Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Protein Assembly ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Microtubule Attachment

SUMMARYThe kinetochore is a dynamic multi-protein assembly that forms on each sister chromatid and interacts with microtubules of the mitotic spindle to drive chromosome segregation. In animals, kinetochores without attached microtubules expand their outermost layer into crescent and ring shapes to promote microtubule capture and spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) signalling. Kinetochore expansion is an example of protein co-polymerization, but the mechanism is not understood. Here, we present evidence that kinetochore expansion is driven by oligomerization of the Rod-Zw10-Zwilch (RZZ) complex, an outer kinetochore component that recruits the motor dynein and the SAC proteins Mad1-Mad2. Depletion of ROD in human cells suppresses kinetochore expansion, as does depletion of Spindly, the adaptor that connects RZZ to dynein, while dynein itself is dispensable. Expansion is also suppressed by mutating ZWILCH residues implicated in Spindly binding. Conversely, supplying cells with excess ROD facilitates kinetochore expansion under otherwise prohibitive conditions. Using the C. elegans early embryo, we demonstrate that ROD-1 has a concentration-dependent propensity for oligomerizing into µm-scale filaments, and we identify the ROD-1 β-propeller as a key regulator of self-assembly. Finally, we show that a minimal ROD-1-Zw10 complex efficiently oligomerizes into filaments in vitro. Our results suggest that RZZ’s capacity for oligomerization is harnessed by kinetochores to assemble the expanded outermost domain, in which RZZ filaments serve as recruitment platforms for SAC components and microtubule-binding proteins. Thus, we propose that RZZ self-assembly into filaments underlies the adaptive change in kinetochore size that contributes to chromosome segregation fidelity.

scholarly journals Interactions between N-Terminal Modules in MPS1 Enable Spindle Checkpoint Silencing

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyridon T. Pachis ◽  
Yoshitaka Hiruma ◽  
Anastassis Perrakis ◽  
Geert J.P.L. Kops
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Intramolecular Interactions ◽  
Mitotic Progression ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
Regulatory Input ◽  
Tpr Domain

ABSTRACTFaithful chromosome segregation relies on the ability of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) to delay anaphase onset until all chromosomes are attached to the mitotic spindle via their kinetochores. MPS1 kinase is recruited to unattached kinetochores to initiate SAC signaling, and is removed from kinetochores once stable microtubule attachments have been formed to allow normal mitotic progression. Here we show that a helical fragment within the kinetochore-targeting NTE module of MPS1 is required for interactions with kinetochores, and also forms intramolecular interactions with its adjacent TPR domain. Bypassing this NTE-TPR interaction results in high MPS1 levels at kinetochores due to loss of regulatory input into MPS1 localization, ineffecient MPS1 delocalization from kinetochores upon microtubule attachment, and SAC silencing defects. These results show that SAC responsiveness to attachments relies on regulated intramolecular interactions in MPS1 and highlight the sensitivity of mitosis to perturbations in the dynamics of the MSP1-NDC80-C interactions.

Driving chromosome segregation: lessons from the human and Drosophila centromere–kinetochore machinery

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1667-1675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo Orr ◽  
Olga Afonso ◽  
Tália Feijão ◽  
Claudio E. Sunkel
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Genomic Stability ◽  
Mitotic Progression ◽  
Chromosomal Locus ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
And Function ◽  
Drosophila Cells

The kinetochore is a complex molecular machine that serves as the interface between sister chromatids and the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore assembles at a particular chromosomal locus, the centromere, which is essential to maintain genomic stability during cell division. The kinetochore is a macromolecular puzzle of subcomplexes assembled in a hierarchical manner and fulfils three main functions: microtubule attachment, chromosome and sister chromatid movement, and regulation of mitotic progression though the spindle assembly checkpoint. In the present paper we compare recent results on the assembly, organization and function of the kinetochore in human and Drosophila cells and conclude that, although essential functions are highly conserved, there are important differences that might help define what is a minimal chromosome segregation machinery.

scholarly journals Dynein-dynactin segregate meiotic chromosomes in C. elegans spermatocytes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Barbosa ◽  
Vanessa Teixeira ◽  
Joana Duro ◽  
Ana X. Carvalho ◽  
Reto Gassmann
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Protein Misfolding ◽  
Meiotic Chromosome ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Spindle Elongation

ABSTRACTThe dynactin complex is an essential co-factor of the microtubule-based motor dynein. Dynein-dynactin have well-documented roles in spindle assembly and positioning during C. elegans female meiosis and embryonic mitosis, while dynein-dynactin’s contribution to male meiosis has not been investigated. Here, we characterize the G33S mutation in DNC-1’s N-terminal microtubule binding domain, which corresponds to G59S in the human dynactin subunit p150/Glued that causes motor neuron disease. In spermatocytes, dnc-1(G33S) delays spindle assembly and penetrantly inhibits anaphase spindle elongation in meiosis I, which prevents homologous chromosome segregation and generates aneuploid sperm with an extra centrosome. Consequently, embryos produced by dnc-1(G33S) hermaphrodites exhibit a high incidence of tetrapolar mitotic spindles, yet dnc-1(G33S) embryos with bipolar spindles proceed through early mitotic divisions without errors in chromosome segregation. Deletion of the DNC-1 N-terminus shows that defective meiosis in dnc-1(G33S) spermatocytes is not due to DNC-1’s inability to interact with microtubules. Rather, our results suggest that the DNC-1(G33S) protein, which is aggregation-prone in vitro, is less stable in spermatocytes than the early embryo, resulting in different phenotypic severity in the two dividing tissues. Thus, the unusual hypomorphic nature of the dnc-1(G33S) mutant reveals that dynein-dynactin drive meiotic chromosome segregation in spermatocytes and illustrates that the extent to which protein misfolding leads to loss of function can vary significantly between cell types.

scholarly journals Mitotic chromosome condensation requires phosphorylation of the centromeric protein KNL-2 in C. elegans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna M. Wenda ◽  
Reinier F. Prosée ◽  
Caroline Gabus ◽  
Florian A. Steiner
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Condensation ◽  
Phosphorylation Sites ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Centromeric Protein ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome Condensation

Centromeres are chromosomal regions that serve as sites for kinetochore formation and microtubule attachment, processes that are essential for chromosome segregation during mitosis. Centromeres are almost universally defined by the histone variant CENP-A. In the holocentric nematode C. elegans, CENP-A deposition depends on the loading factor KNL-2. Depletion of either CENP-A or KNL-2 results in defects in centromere maintenance, chromosome condensation and kinetochore formation, leading to chromosome segregation failure. Here, we show that KNL-2 is phosphorylated by CDK-1 in vitro, and that mutation of three C-terminal phosphorylation sites causes chromosome segregation defects and an increase in embryonic lethality. In strains expressing phosphodeficient KNL-2, CENP-A and kinetochore proteins are properly localised, indicating that the role of KNL-2 in centromere maintenance is not affected. Instead, the mutant embryos exhibit reduced mitotic levels of condensin II on chromosomes and significant chromosome condensation impairment. Our findings separate the functions of KNL-2 in CENP-A loading and chromosome condensation and demonstrate that KNL-2 phosphorylation regulates the cooperation between centromeric regions and the condensation machinery in C. elegans.

scholarly journals Aneuploid abortion correlates positively with MAD1 overexpression and miR-125b down-regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Zhao ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Guangxin Chen ◽  
Lijun Du ◽  
Peiyan Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Embryo Abortion ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint Complex

Abstract Background Aneuploidy is the most frequent cause of early-embryo abortion. Any defect in chromosome segregation would fail to satisfy the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) during mitosis, halting metaphase and causing aneuploidy. The mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC), comprising MAD1, MAD2, Cdc20, BUBR1 and BUB3, plays a vital role in SAC activation. Studies have confirmed that overexpression of MAD2 and BUBR1 can facilitate correct chromosome segregation and embryo stability. Research also proves that miR-125b negatively regulates MAD1 expression by binding to its 3′UTR. However, miR-125b, Mad1 and Bub3 gene expression in aneuploid embryos of spontaneous abortion has not been reported to date. Methods In this study, embryonic villi from miscarried pregnancies were collected and divided into two groups (aneuploidy and euploidy) based on High-throughput ligation-dependent probe amplification (HLPA) and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses. RNA levels of miR-125b, MAD1 and BUB3 were detected by Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); protein levels of MAD1 and BUB3 were analysed by Western blotting. Results statistical analysis (p < 0.05) showed that miR-125b and BUB3 were significantly down-regulated in the aneuploidy group compared to the control group and that MAD1 was significantly up-regulated. Additionally, the MAD1 protein level was significantly higher in aneuploidy abortion villus, but BUB3 protein was only mildly increased. Correlation analysis revealed that expression of MAD1 correlated negatively with miR-125b. Conclusion These results suggest that aneuploid abortion correlates positively with MAD1 overexpression, which might be caused by insufficient levels of miR-125b. Taken together, our findings first confirmed the negative regulatory mode between MAD1 and miR-125b, providing a basis for further mechanism researches in aneuploid abortion.

scholarly journals Disruption of Centrosome Structure, Chromosome Segregation, and Cytokinesis by Misexpression of Human Cdc14A Phosphatase

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2289-2300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett K. Kaiser ◽  
Zachary A. Zimmerman ◽  
Harry Charbonneau ◽  
Peter K. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Phosphatase Activity ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Genomic Stability ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Protein Abundance ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase ◽  
Chromosome Partitioning

In budding yeast, the Cdc14p phosphatase activates mitotic exit by dephosphorylation of specific cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) substrates and seems to be regulated by sequestration in the nucleolus until its release in mitosis. Herein, we have analyzed the two human homologs of Cdc14p, hCdc14A and hCdc14B. We demonstrate that the human Cdc14A phosphatase is selective for Cdk substrates in vitro and that although the protein abundance and intrinsic phosphatase activity of hCdc14A and B vary modestly during the cell cycle, their localization is cell cycle regulated. hCdc14A dynamically localizes to interphase but not mitotic centrosomes, and hCdc14B localizes to the interphase nucleolus. These distinct patterns of localization suggest that each isoform of human Cdc14 likely regulates separate cell cycle events. In addition, hCdc14A overexpression induces the loss of the pericentriolar markers pericentrin and γ-tubulin from centrosomes. Overproduction of hCdc14A also causes mitotic spindle and chromosome segregation defects, defective karyokinesis, and a failure to complete cytokinesis. Thus, the hCdc14A phosphatase appears to play a role in the regulation of the centrosome cycle, mitosis, and cytokinesis, thereby influencing chromosome partitioning and genomic stability in human cells.

A sperm-supplied factor required for embryogenesis in C. elegans

Development ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 391-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Browning ◽  
S. Strome
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Lethal Gene ◽  
Cloning And Sequencing ◽  
Paternal Effect ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Essential Function ◽  
The Many ◽  
Embryonic Viability ◽  
Novel Protein

The paternal-effect embryonic-lethal gene, spe-11, is required for normal development of early C. elegans embryos. Spe-11 embryos fail to complete meiosis, form a weak eggshell, fail to orient properly the first mitotic spindle, and fail to undergo cytokinesis. Here we report cloning and sequencing of the spe-11 gene, which encodes a novel protein. As predicted by the paternal-effect mutant phenotype, the gene is expressed during spermatogenesis but is not detectable in females undergoing oogenesis, and the protein is present in mature sperm. To investigate whether SPE-11's essential function is during spermatogenesis or whether sperm-delivered SPE-11 functions in the newly fertilized embryo, we engineered animals to supply SPE-11 to the embryo through the oocyte rather than through the sperm. We found that maternal expression is sufficient for embryonic viability. This result demonstrates that SPE-11 is not required during spermatogenesis, and suggests that SPE-11 is a sperm-supplied factor that participates directly in development of the early embryo. In contrast to the many known maternal factors required for embryogenesis, SPE-11 is the first paternally contributed factor to be genetically identified and molecularly characterized.

scholarly journals Identification of overlapping DNA-binding and centromere-targeting domains in the human kinetochore protein CENP-C.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 3576-3586 ◽  
Author(s):  
C H Yang ◽  
J Tomkiel ◽  
H Saitoh ◽  
D H Johnson ◽  
W C Earnshaw
Keyword(s):  
Dna Binding ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Centromeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
Chromosomal Site

The kinetochore in eukaryotes serves as the chromosomal site of attachment for microtubules of the mitotic spindle and directs the movements necessary for proper chromosome segregation. In mammalian cells, the kinetochore is a highly differentiated trilaminar structure situated at the surface of the centromeric heterochromatin. CENP-C is a basic, DNA-binding protein that localizes to the inner kinetochore plate, the region that abuts the heterochromatin. Microinjection experiments using antibodies specific for CENP-C have demonstrated that this protein is required for the assembly and/or stability of the kinetochore as well as for a timely transition through mitosis. From these observations, it has been suggested that CENP-C is a structural protein that is involved in the organization or the kinetochore. In this report, we wished to identify and map the functional domains of CENP-C. Analysis of CENP-C truncation mutants expressed in vivo demonstrated that CENP-C possesses an autonomous centromere-targeting domain situated at the central region of the CENP-C polypeptide. Similarly, in vitro assays revealed that a region of CENP-C with the ability to bind DNA is also located at the center of the CENP-C molecule, where it overlaps the centromere-targeting domain.

scholarly journals PP2A-B56 opposes Mps1 phosphorylation of Knl1 and thereby promotes spindle assembly checkpoint silencing

2014 ◽  
Vol 206 (7) ◽  
pp. 833-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Espert ◽  
Pelin Uluocak ◽  
Ricardo Nunes Bastos ◽  
Davinderpreet Mangat ◽  
Philipp Graab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Safeguard Mechanism

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) monitors correct attachment of chromosomes to microtubules, an important safeguard mechanism ensuring faithful chromosome segregation in eukaryotic cells. How the SAC signal is turned off once all the chromosomes have successfully attached to the spindle remains an unresolved question. Mps1 phosphorylation of Knl1 results in recruitment of the SAC proteins Bub1, Bub3, and BubR1 to the kinetochore and production of the wait-anaphase signal. SAC silencing is therefore expected to involve a phosphatase opposing Mps1. Here we demonstrate in vivo and in vitro that BubR1-associated PP2A-B56 is a key phosphatase for the removal of the Mps1-mediated Knl1 phosphorylations necessary for Bub1/BubR1 recruitment in mammalian cells. SAC silencing is thus promoted by a negative feedback loop involving the Mps1-dependent recruitment of a phosphatase opposing Mps1. Our findings extend the previously reported role for BubR1-associated PP2A-B56 in opposing Aurora B and suggest that BubR1-bound PP2A-B56 integrates kinetochore surveillance and silencing of the SAC.

scholarly journals Intermediates in the assembly of mitotic checkpoint complexes and their role in the regulation of the anaphase-promoting complex

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 966-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Kaisari ◽  
Danielle Sitry-Shevah ◽  
Shirly Miniowitz-Shemtov ◽  
Avram Hershko
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint ◽  
Anaphase Promoting Complex ◽  
Checkpoint Proteins ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Unknown Species ◽  
Mitotic Checkpoint Complex

The mitotic (or spindle assembly) checkpoint system prevents premature separation of sister chromatids in mitosis and thus ensures the fidelity of chromosome segregation. Kinetochores that are not attached properly to the mitotic spindle produce an inhibitory signal that prevents progression into anaphase. The checkpoint system acts on the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) ubiquitin ligase, which targets for degradation inhibitors of anaphase initiation. APC/C is inhibited by the Mitotic Checkpoint Complex (MCC), which assembles when the checkpoint is activated. MCC is composed of the checkpoint proteins BubR1, Bub3, and Mad2, associated with the APC/C coactivator Cdc20. The intermediary processes in the assembly of MCC are not sufficiently understood. It is also not clear whether or not some subcomplexes of MCC inhibit the APC/C and whether Mad2 is required only for MCC assembly and not for its action on the APC/C. We used purified subcomplexes of mitotic checkpoint proteins to examine these problems. Our results do not support a model in which Mad2 catalytically generates a Mad2-free APC/C inhibitor. We also found that the release of Mad2 from MCC caused a marked (although not complete) decrease in inhibitory action, suggesting a role of Mad2 in MCC for APC/C inhibition. A previously unknown species of MCC, which consists of Mad2, BubR1, and two molecules of Cdc20, contributes to the inhibition of APC/C by the mitotic checkpoint system.

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