scholarly journals Biochemical reconstitution of branching microtubule nucleation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymundo Alfaro-Aco ◽  
Akanksha Thawani ◽  
Sabine Petry
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Nucleation Site ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Gamma Tubulin

AbstractMicrotubules are nucleated from specific locations at precise times in the cell cycle. However, the factors that constitute these microtubule nucleation pathways still need to be identified along with their mode of action. Here, using purified Xenopus laevis proteins we biochemically reconstitute branching microtubule nucleation, a nucleation pathway where microtubules originate from pre-existing microtubules, which is essential for spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. We found that besides the microtubule nucleator gamma-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), the two branching effectors augmin and TPX2 are required to efficiently nucleate branched microtubules. Specifically, TPX2 generates regularly-spaced patches that recruit augmin and γ-TuRC to microtubules, which then nucleate new microtubules at preferred branching angles of less than 90 degrees. Our work demonstrates how γ-TuRC is brought to its nucleation site for branching microtubule nucleation. It provides a blueprint for other microtubule nucleation pathways and for generating a particular microtubule architecture by regulating microtubule nucleation.

scholarly journals Biochemical reconstitution of branching microtubule nucleation

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymundo Alfaro-Aco ◽  
Akanksha Thawani ◽  
Sabine Petry
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Gamma Tubulin

Microtubules are nucleated from specific locations at precise times in the cell cycle. However, the factors that constitute these microtubule nucleation pathways and their mode of action still need to be identified. Using purified Xenopus laevis proteins we biochemically reconstitute branching microtubule nucleation, which is critical for chromosome segregation. We found that besides the microtubule nucleator gamma-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), the branching effectors augmin and TPX2 are required to efficiently nucleate microtubules from pre-existing microtubules. TPX2 has the unexpected capacity to directly recruit γ-TuRC as well as augmin, which in turn targets more γ-TuRC along the microtubule lattice. TPX2 and augmin enable γ-TuRC-dependent microtubule nucleation at preferred branching angles of less than 90 degrees from regularly-spaced patches along microtubules. This work provides a blueprint for other microtubule nucleation pathways and helps explain how microtubules are generated in the spindle.

Centrosome-microtubule nucleation

1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Pereira ◽  
E. Schiebel
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Nucleation Site ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Gamma Tubulin ◽  
Cycle Dependent ◽  
Xenopus Egg Extracts

In many cell types the formation of microtubules from tubulin subunits is initiated at defined nucleation sites at the centrosome. These sites contain the conserved gamma-tubulin which is in association with additional not very will characterised proteins, identified as components of a gamma-tubulin ring complex from Xenopus egg extracts or from suppressor screens in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this review we discuss two recently proposed models of how the gamma-tubulin complex assists in the assembly of tubulin to form microtubules. These models propose different roles for gamma-tubulin and the other proteins in the complex in tubulin assembly. While the structure and composition of a microtubule nucleation site is becoming clearer, it is still unknown how the cell-cycle dependent regulation of microtubule nucleation sites is achieved and whether they disassemble after microtubule formation in order to allow microtubule fluxes towards the centrosome which have been observed in mitotic cells.

Identification of an Spc110p-related protein in vertebrates

1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (20) ◽  
pp. 2533-2545 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Tassin ◽  
C. Celati ◽  
M. Paintrand ◽  
M. Bornens
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Spindle Pole Body ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Partial Purification ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Pole Body ◽  
Egg Extract ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Gamma Tubulin

Although varying in size and complexity, centrosomes have conserved functions throughout the evolutionary range of eukaryotes, and thus may display conserved components. In this work, we took advantage of the recent advances in the isolation of the budding yeast spindle pole body, the development of specific immunological probes and the molecular characterisation of genes involved in spindle pole body duplication or assembly. Screening a monoclonal antibody library against Saccharomyces cerevisiae spindle pole body components, we found that two monoclonal antibodies, directed against two different parts of the yeast Spc110p, decorate the centrosome from mammalian cells in an asymmetrical manner. Western blot experiments identified a 100 kDa protein specifically enriched in centrosome preparations from human cells. This protein is phosphorylated during mitosis and is tightly associated with the centrosome: only denaturing conditions such as 8 M urea were able to solubilise it. Purified immunoglobulins directed against Spc110p inhibit microtubule nucleation on isolated human centrosomes, using brain phosphocellulose-tubulin or Xenopus egg extract tubulin. This result suggested that the centrosomal 100 kDa protein could be involved in a microtubule nucleation complex. To test this hypothesis, we turned to Xenopus species, in which mAb anti-Spc110p decorated centrosomes from somatic cells and identified a 116 kDa protein in egg extract. We performed a partial purification of the gamma-tubulin-ring complex from egg extract. Sucrose gradient sedimentation, immunoprecipitation and native gels demonstrated that the Xenopus 116 kDa protein and gamma-tubulin were found in the same complex. Altogether, these results suggest the existence of an yeast Spc110-related protein in vertebrate centrosomes which is involved in microtubule nucleation.

scholarly journals NEDD1-dependent recruitment of the γ-tubulin ring complex to the centrosome is necessary for centriole duplication and spindle assembly

2006 ◽  
Vol 172 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Haren ◽  
Marie-Hélène Remy ◽  
Ingrid Bazin ◽  
Isabelle Callebaut ◽  
Michel Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Centrosomal Protein ◽  
Centriole Duplication ◽  
Large Complex ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Carboxy Terminal

The centrosome is the major microtubule organizing structure in somatic cells. Centrosomal microtubule nucleation depends on the protein γ-tubulin. In mammals, γ-tubulin associates with additional proteins into a large complex, the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC). We characterize NEDD1, a centrosomal protein that associates with γTuRCs. We show that the majority of γTuRCs assemble even after NEDD1 depletion but require NEDD1 for centrosomal targeting. In contrast, NEDD1 can target to the centrosome in the absence of γ-tubulin. NEDD1-depleted cells show defects in centrosomal microtubule nucleation and form aberrant mitotic spindles with poorly separated poles. Similar spindle defects are obtained by overexpression of a fusion protein of GFP tagged to the carboxy-terminal half of NEDD1, which mediates binding to γTuRCs. Further, we show that depletion of NEDD1 inhibits centriole duplication, as does depletion of γ-tubulin. Our data suggest that centriole duplication requires NEDD1-dependent recruitment of γ-tubulin to the centrosome.

scholarly journals Nek5 promotes centrosome integrity in interphase and loss of centrosome cohesion in mitosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 209 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanna L. Prosser ◽  
Navdeep K. Sahota ◽  
Laurence Pelletier ◽  
Ciaran G. Morrison ◽  
Andrew M. Fry
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Primary Cilia ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Mitotic Entry ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Centrosome Separation

Nek5 is a poorly characterized member of the NIMA-related kinase family, other members of which play roles in cell cycle progression and primary cilia function. Here, we show that Nek5, similar to Nek2, localizes to the proximal ends of centrioles. Depletion of Nek5 or overexpression of kinase-inactive Nek5 caused unscheduled separation of centrosomes in interphase, a phenotype also observed upon overexpression of active Nek2. However, separated centrosomes that resulted from Nek5 depletion remained relatively close together, exhibited excess recruitment of the centrosome linker protein rootletin, and had reduced levels of Nek2. In addition, Nek5 depletion led to loss of PCM components, including γ-tubulin, pericentrin, and Cdk5Rap2, with centrosomes exhibiting reduced microtubule nucleation. Upon mitotic entry, Nek5-depleted cells inappropriately retained centrosome linker components and exhibited delayed centrosome separation and defective chromosome segregation. Hence, Nek5 is required for the loss of centrosome linker proteins and enhanced microtubule nucleation that lead to timely centrosome separation and bipolar spindle formation in mitosis.

scholarly journals Characterization of a Drosophila Centrosome Protein CP309 That Shares Homology with Kendrin and CG-NAP

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin-ichi Kawaguchi ◽  
Yixian Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Small Complex ◽  
Biochemical Studies ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Centrosome Protein

The centrosome in animal cells provides a major microtubule-nucleating site that regulates the microtubule cytoskeleton temporally and spatially throughout the cell cycle. We report the identification in Drosophila melanogaster of a large coiled-coil centrosome protein that can bind to calmodulin. Biochemical studies reveal that this novel Drosophila centrosome protein, centrosome protein of 309 kDa (CP309), cofractionates with the γ-tubulin ring complex and the centrosome-complementing activity. We show that CP309 is required for microtubule nucleation mediated by centrosomes and that it interacts with the γ-tubulin small complex. These findings suggest that the microtubule-nucleating activity of the centrosome requires the function of CP309.

scholarly journals NME7 is a functional component of the γ-tubulin ring complex

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 2017-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Liu ◽  
Yuk-Kwan Choi ◽  
Robert Z. Qi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Microtubule Organization ◽  
Functional Component ◽  
Ring Complex

As the primary microtubule nucleator in animal cells, the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) plays a crucial role in microtubule organization, but little is known about how the activity of the γTuRC is regulated. Recently, isolated γTuRC was found to contain NME7, a poorly characterized member of the NME family. Here we report that NME7 is a γTuRC component that regulates the microtubule-nucleating activity of the γTuRC. NME7 contains two putative kinase domains, A and B, and shows autophosphorylating activity. Whereas domain A is involved in the autophosphorylation, domain B is inactive. NME7 interacts with the γTuRC through both A and B domains, with Arg-322 in domain B being crucial to the binding. In association with the γTuRC, NME7 localizes to centrosomes throughout the cell cycle and to mitotic spindles during mitosis. Suppression of NME7 expression does not affect γTuRC assembly or localization to centrosomes, but it does impair centrosome-based microtubule nucleation. Of importance, wild-type NME7 promotes γTuRC-dependent nucleation of microtubules, but kinase-deficient NME7 does so only poorly. These results suggest that NME7 functions in the γTuRC in a kinase-dependent manner to facilitate microtubule nucleation.

The role of the augmin complex in establishing microtubule arrays

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 3035-3041
Author(s):  
Juan Tian ◽  
Zhaosheng Kong
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Microtubule Polymerization ◽  
Specific Composition ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
Microtubule Growth

Abstract Microtubule-dependent microtubule nucleation occurs on the lateral surface of pre-existing microtubules and provides a highly efficient means of amplifying their populations and reorganizing their architectures. The γ‑tubulin ring complex serves as the template to initiate nascent microtubule polymerization. Augmin, a hetero-octameric protein complex, acts as a recruiting factor to target the γ‑tubulin ring complex to pre-existing microtubules and trigger new microtubule growth. Although microtubule-dependent microtubule nucleation has been extensively studied in both animal and plant cells, it remains unclear how the augmin complex assembles in plant cells, especially in cell-cycle-specific and cell-type-specific manners, and how its spatial structure orchestrates the nucleation geometry. In this review, we summarize the advances in knowledge of augmin-dependent microtubule nucleation and the regulation of its geometry, and highlight recent findings and emerging questions concerning the role of the augmin complex in establishing microtubule arrays and the cell-cycle-specific composition of augmin in plant cells.

scholarly journals Sgol2 provides a regulatory platform that coordinates essential cell cycle processes during meiosis I in oocytes

eLife ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Rattani ◽  
Magda Wolna ◽  
Mickael Ploquin ◽  
Wolfgang Helmhart ◽  
Seamus Morrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Kinase Activity ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Fiber Formation ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Multiple Interactions ◽  
Meiosis I

Accurate chromosome segregation depends on coordination between cohesion resolution and kinetochore-microtubule interactions (K-fibers), a process regulated by the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). How these diverse processes are coordinated remains unclear. We show that in mammalian oocytes Shugoshin-like protein 2 (Sgol2) in addition to protecting cohesin, plays an important role in turning off the SAC, in promoting the congression and bi-orientation of bivalents on meiosis I spindles, in facilitating formation of K-fibers and in limiting bivalent stretching. Sgol2’s ability to protect cohesin depends on its interaction with PP2A, as is its ability to silence the SAC, with the latter being mediated by direct binding to Mad2. In contrast, its effect on bivalent stretching and K-fiber formation is independent of PP2A and mediated by recruitment of MCAK and inhibition of Aurora C kinase activity respectively. By virtue of its multiple interactions, Sgol2 links many of the processes essential for faithful chromosome segregation.

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