Two Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinesin-related gene products required for mitotic spindle assembly

A microtubule polymerase cooperates with the kinesin-6 motor and a microtubule cross-linker to promote bipolar spindle assembly in the absence of kinesin-5 and kinesin-14 in fission yeast

Kinesin-5 is required for bipolar spindle assembly; yet in the absence of kinesins-5 and -14, cells can form spindles. In fission yeast, three distinct pathways compensate for their loss. Microtubule polymerase, kinesin-6, and microtubule cross-linker execute individual roles in concert at different mitotic stages in place of the two kinesins.

Accurate chromosome segregation relies on the bipolar mitotic spindle. In many eukaryotes, spindle formation is driven by the plus-end–directed motor kinesin-5 that generates outward force to establish spindle bipolarity. Its inhibition leads to the emergence of monopolar spindles with mitotic arrest. Intriguingly, simultaneous inactivation of the minus-end–directed motor kinesin-14 restores spindle bipolarity in many systems. Here we show that in fission yeast, three independent pathways contribute to spindle bipolarity in the absence of kinesin-5/Cut7 and kinesin-14/Pkl1. One is kinesin-6/Klp9 that engages with spindle elongation once short bipolar spindles assemble. Klp9 also ensures the medial positioning of anaphase spindles to prevent unequal chromosome segregation. Another is the Alp7/TACC-Alp14/TOG microtubule polymerase complex. Temperature-sensitive alp7cut7pkl1 mutants are arrested with either monopolar or very short spindles. Forced targeting of Alp14 to the spindle pole body is sufficient to render alp7cut7pkl1 triply deleted cells viable and promote spindle assembly, indicating that Alp14-mediated microtubule polymerization from the nuclear face of the spindle pole body could generate outward force in place of Cut7 during early mitosis. The third pathway involves the Ase1/PRC1 microtubule cross-linker that stabilizes antiparallel microtubules. Our study, therefore, unveils multifaceted interplay among kinesin-dependent and -independent pathways leading to mitotic bipolar spindle assembly.

Collective Force Regulation in Anti-parallel Microtubule Gliding by Dimeric Kif15 Kinesin Motors

During cell division, the mitotic kinesin-5 Eg5 generates most of the force required to separate centrosomes during spindle assembly. However, Kif15, another mitotic kinesin, can replace Eg5 function, permitting mammalian cells to acquire resistance to Eg5 poisons. Unlike Eg5, the mechanism by which Kif15 generates centrosome separation forces is unknown. Here we investigated the mechanical properties and force generation capacity of Kif15 at the single-molecule level using optical tweezers. We found that the non-motor microtubule-binding tail domain interacts with the microtubule's E-hook tail with a rupture force higher than the stall force of the motor. This allows Kif15 dimers to productively and efficiently generate forces that could potentially slide microtubules apart. Using an in vitro optical trapping and fluorescence assay, we found that Kif15 slides anti-parallel microtubules apart with gradual force buildup while parallel microtubule bundles remain stationary with a small amount of antagonizing force generated. A stochastic simulation shows the essential role of Kif15's tail domain for load storage within the Kif15-microtubule system. These results suggest a mechanism for how Kif15 rescues bipolar spindle assembly.

A Functional Link Between Bir1 and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ctf19 Kinetochore Complex Revealed Through Quantitative Fitness Analysis

The chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) is a key regulator of eukaryotic cell division, consisting of the protein kinase Aurora B/Ipl1 in association with its activator (INCENP/Sli15) and two additional proteins (Survivin/Bir1 and Borealin/Nbl1). Here, we report a genome-wide genetic interaction screen in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the bir1-17 mutant, identifying through quantitative fitness analysis deletion mutations that act as enhancers and suppressors. Gene knockouts affecting the Ctf19 kinetochore complex were identified as the strongest enhancers of bir1-17, while mutations affecting the large ribosomal subunit or the mRNA nonsense-mediated decay pathway caused strong phenotypic suppression. Thus, cells lacking a functional Ctf19 complex become highly dependent on Bir1 function and vice versa. The negative genetic interaction profiles of bir1-17 and the cohesin mutant mcd1-1 showed considerable overlap, underlining the strong functional connection between sister chromatid cohesion and chromosome biorientation. Loss of some Ctf19 components, such as Iml3 or Chl4, impacted differentially on bir1-17 compared with mutations affecting other CPC components: despite the synthetic lethality shown by either iml3∆ or chl4∆ in combination with bir1-17, neither gene knockout showed any genetic interaction with either ipl1-321 or sli15-3 Our data therefore imply a specific functional connection between the Ctf19 complex and Bir1 that is not shared with Ipl1.

Three Cdk1 sites in the kinesin-5 Cin8 catalytic domain coordinate motor localization and activity during anaphase

The bipolar kinesin-5 motors perform essential functions in mitotic spindle dynamics. We previously demonstrated that phosphorylation of at least one of the Cdk1 sites in the catalytic domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinesin-5 Cin8 (S277, T285, S493) regulates its localization to the anaphase spindle. The contribution of these three sites to phospho-regulation of Cin8, as well as the timing of such contributions, remains unknown. Here, we examined the function and spindle localization of phospho-deficient (serine/threonine to alanine) and phospho-mimic (serine/threonine to aspartic acid) Cin8 mutants. In vitro, the three Cdk1 sites undergo phosphorylation by Clb2-Cdk1. In cells, phosphorylation of Cin8 affects two aspects of its localization to the anaphase spindle, translocation from the spindle-pole bodies (SPBs) region to spindle microtubules (MTs) and the midzone, and detachment from the mitotic spindle. We found that phosphorylation of S277 is essential for the translocation of Cin8 from SPBs to spindle MTs and the subsequent detachment from the spindle. Phosphorylation of T285 mainly affects the detachment of Cin8 from spindle MTs during anaphase, while phosphorylation at S493 affects both the translocation of Cin8 from SPBs to the spindle and detachment from the spindle. Only S493 phosphorylation affected the anaphase spindle elongation rate. We conclude that each phosphorylation site plays a unique role in regulating Cin8 functions and postulate a model in which the timing and extent of phosphorylation of the three sites orchestrates the anaphase function of Cin8.

Src family kinase phosphorylation of the motor domain of the human kinesin-5, Eg5

Spindle formation in mammalian cells requires precise spatial and temporal regulation of the kinesin-5, Eg5, which generates outward force to establish spindle bipolarity. Our results demonstrate that Eg5 is phosphorylated in cultured cells by Src family kinases (SFKs) at three sites in the motor head: Y125, Y211, and Y231. Mutation of these sites diminishes motor activity in vitro, and replacement of endogenous Eg5 with phosphomimetic Y211 in LLC-Pk1 cells results in monopolar spindles, consistent with loss of Eg5 activity. Cells treated with SFK inhibitors show defects in spindle formation, similar to those in cells expressing the nonphosphorylatable Y211 mutant, and distinct from inhibition of other mitotic kinases. We propose that this phosphoregulatory mechanism tunes Eg5 enzymatic activity for optimal spindle morphology.

The yeast kinesin-5 Cin8 interacts with the microtubule in a noncanonical manner

Kinesin motors play central roles in establishing and maintaining the mitotic spindle during cell division. Unlike most other kinesins, Cin8, a kinesin-5 motor in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, can move bidirectionally along microtubules, switching directionality according to biochemical conditions, a behavior that remains largely unexplained. To this end, we used biochemical rate and equilibrium constant measurements as well as cryo-electron microscopy methodologies to investigate the microtubule interactions of the Cin8 motor domain. These experiments unexpectedly revealed that, whereas Cin8 ATPase kinetics fell within measured ranges for kinesins (especially kinesin-5 proteins), approximately four motors can bind each αβ-tubulin dimer within the microtubule lattice. This result contrasted with those observations on other known kinesins, which can bind only a single "canonical" site per tubulin dimer. Competition assays with human kinesin-5 (Eg5) only partially abrogated this behavior, indicating that Cin8 binds microtubules not only at the canonical site, but also one or more separate ("noncanonical") sites. Moreover, we found that deleting the large, class-specific insert in the microtubule-binding loop 8 reverts Cin8 to one motor per αβ-tubulin in the microtubule. The novel microtubule-binding mode of Cin8 identified here provides a potential explanation for Cin8 clustering along microtubules and potentially may contribute to the mechanism for direction reversal.

A potential physiological role for bi-directional motility and motor clustering of mitotic kinesin-5 Cin8 in yeast mitosis

The bipolar kinesin-5 Cin8 switches from minus- to plus-end-directed motility under various conditions in vitro The mechanism and physiological significance of this switch remain unknown. Here, we show that under high ionic strength conditions, Cin8 moves towards and concentrates in clusters at the minus ends of stable and dynamic microtubules. Clustering of Cin8 induces a switch from fast minus- to slow plus-end-directed motility and forms sites that capture antiparallel microtubules (MTs) and induces their sliding apart through plus-end-directed motility. In early mitotic cells with monopolar spindles, Cin8 localizes near the spindle poles at microtubule minus ends. This localization is dependent on the minus-end-directed motility of Cin8. In cells with assembled bipolar spindles, Cin8 is distributed along the spindle microtubules. We propose that minus-end-directed motility is required for Cin8 clustering near the spindle poles before spindle assembly. Cin8 clusters promote the capture of microtubules emanating from the neighboring spindle poles and mediate their antiparallel sliding. This activity is essential to maximize microtubule crosslinking before bipolar spindle assembly and to induce the initial separation of the spindle poles.

Physical determinants of bipolar mitotic spindle assembly and stability in fission yeast

Mitotic spindles use an elegant bipolar architecture to segregate duplicated chromosomes with high fidelity. Bipolar spindles form from a monopolar initial condition; this is the most fundamental construction problem that the spindle must solve. Microtubules, motors, and cross-linkers are important for bipolarity, but the mechanisms necessary and sufficient for spindle assembly remain unknown. We describe a physical model that exhibits de novo bipolar spindle formation. We began with physical properties of fission-yeast spindle pole body size and microtubule number, kinesin-5 motors, kinesin-14 motors, and passive cross-linkers. Our model results agree quantitatively with our experiments in fission yeast, thereby establishing a minimal system with which to interrogate collective self-assembly. By varying the features of our model, we identify a set of functions essential for the generation and stability of spindle bipolarity. When kinesin-5 motors are present, their bidirectionality is essential, but spindles can form in the presence of passive cross-linkers alone. We also identify characteristic failed states of spindle assembly-the persistent monopole, X spindle, separated asters, and short spindle, which are avoided by the creation and maintenance of antiparallel microtubule overlaps. Our model can guide the identification of new, multifaceted strategies to induce mitotic catastrophes; these would constitute novel strategies for cancer chemotherapy.

A Brief History of Research on Mitotic Mechanisms

This chapter describes in summary form some of the most important research on chromosome segregation, from the discovery and naming of mitosis in the nineteenth century until around 1990. It gives both historical and scientific background for the nine chapters that follow, each of which provides an up-to-date review of a specific aspect of mitotic mechanism. Here, we trace the fruits of each new technology that allowed a deeper understanding of mitosis and its underlying mechanisms. We describe how light microscopy, including phase, polarization, and fluorescence optics, provided descriptive information about mitotic events and also enabled important experimentation on mitotic functions, such as the dynamics of spindle fibers and the forces generated for chromosome movement. We describe studies by electron microscopy, including quantitative work with serial section reconstructions. We review early results from spindle biochemistry and genetics, coupled to molecular biology, as these methods allowed scholars to identify key molecular components of mitotic mechanisms. We also review hypotheses about mitotic mechanisms whose testing led to a deeper understanding of this fundamental biological event. Our goal is to provide modern scientists with an appreciation of the work that has laid the foundations for their current work and interests.

PTEN regulates EG5 to control spindle architecture and chromosome congression during mitosis

Architectural integrity of the mitotic spindle is required for efficient chromosome congression and accurate chromosome segregation to ensure mitotic fidelity. Tumour suppressor PTEN has multiple functions in maintaining genome stability. Here we report an essential role of PTEN in mitosis through regulation of the mitotic kinesin motor EG5 for proper spindle architecture and chromosome congression. PTEN depletion results in chromosome misalignment in metaphase, often leading to catastrophic mitotic failure. In addition, metaphase cells lacking PTEN exhibit defects of spindle geometry, manifested prominently by shorter spindles. PTEN is associated and co-localized with EG5 during mitosis. PTEN deficiency induces aberrant EG5 phosphorylation and abrogates EG5 recruitment to the mitotic spindle apparatus, leading to spindle disorganization. These data demonstrate the functional interplay between PTEN and EG5 in controlling mitotic spindle structure and chromosome behaviour during mitosis. We propose that PTEN functions to equilibrate mitotic phosphorylation for proper spindle formation and faithful genomic transmission.

One of the cellular functions of the tumour suppressor PTEN is to maintain genome stability. Here, the authors show that PTEN depletion leads to mitotic spindle shortening and chromosome misalignment due to aberrant EG5 activation.

Motile properties of the bi-directional kinesin-5 Cin8 are affected by phosphorylation in its motor domain

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinesin-5 Cin8 performs essential mitotic functions in spindle assembly and anaphase B spindle elongation. Recent work has shown that Cin8 is a bi-directional motor which moves towards the minus-end of microtubules (MTs) under high ionic strength (IS) conditions and changes directionality in low IS conditions and when bound between anti-parallel microtubules. Previous work from our laboratory has also indicated that Cin8 is differentially phosphorylated during late anaphase at cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1)-specific sites located in its motor domain. In vivo, such phosphorylation causes Cin8 detachment from spindles and reduces the spindle elongation rate, while maintaining proper spindle morphology. To study the effect of phosphorylation on Cin8 motor function, we examined in vitro motile properties of wild type Cin8, as well as its phosphorylation using phospho-deficient and phospho-mimic variants, in a single molecule fluorescence motility assay. Analysis was performed on whole cell extracts and on purified Cin8 samples. We found that addition of negative charges in the phospho-mimic mutant weakened the MT-motor interaction, increased motor velocity and promoted minus-end-directed motility. These results indicate that phosphorylation in the catalytic domain of Cin8 regulates its motor function.

Physical limits on kinesin-5-mediated chromosome congression in the smallest mitotic spindles

A characteristic feature of mitotic spindles is the congression of chromosomes near the spindle equator, a process mediated by dynamic kinetochore microtubules. A major challenge is to understand how precise, submicrometer-scale control of kinetochore micro-tubule dynamics is achieved in the smallest mitotic spindles, where the noisiness of microtubule assembly/disassembly will potentially act to overwhelm the spatial information that controls microtubule plus end-tip positioning to mediate congression. To better understand this fundamental limit, we conducted an integrated live fluorescence, electron microscopy, and modeling analysis of the polymorphic fungal pathogen Candida albicans, which contains one of the smallest known mitotic spindles (<1 μm). Previously, ScCin8p (kinesin-5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was shown to mediate chromosome congression by promoting catastrophe of long kinetochore microtubules (kMTs). Using C. albicans yeast and hyphal kinesin-5 (Kip1p) heterozygotes (KIP1/kip1∆), we found that mutant spindles have longer kMTs than wild-type spindles, consistent with a less-organized spindle. By contrast, kinesin-8 heterozygous mutant (KIP3/kip3∆) spindles exhibited the same spindle organization as wild type. Of interest, spindle organization in the yeast and hyphal states was indistinguishable, even though yeast and hyphal cell lengths differ by two- to fivefold, demonstrating that spindle length regulation and chromosome congression are intrinsic to the spindle and largely independent of cell size. Together these results are consistent with a kinesin-5-mediated, length-dependent depolymerase activity that organizes chromosomes at the spindle equator in C. albicans to overcome fundamental noisiness in microtubule self-assembly. More generally, we define a dimensionless number that sets a fundamental physical limit for maintaining congression in small spindles in the face of assembly noise and find that C. albicans operates very close to this limit, which may explain why it has the smallest known mitotic spindle that still manifests the classic congression architecture.

The Aspergillus nidulans bimC4 mutation provides an excellent tool for identification of kinesin-14 inhibitors

Centrosome amplification is a hallmark of many types of cancer cells, and clustering of multiple centrosomes is critical for cancer cell survival and proliferation. Human kinesin-14 HSET/KFIC1 is essential for centrosome clustering, and its inhibition leads to the specific killing of cancer cells with extra centrosomes. Since kinesin-14 motor domains are conserved evolutionarily, we conceived a strategy of obtaining kinesin-14 inhibitors using Aspergillus nidulans, based on the previous result that loss of the kinesin-14 KlpA rescues the non-viability of the bimC4 kinesin-5 mutant at 42 °C. However, it was unclear whether alteration of BimC or any other non-KlpA protein would be a major factor reversing the lethality of the bimC4 mutant. Here we performed a genome-wide screen for bimC4 suppressors and obtained fifteen suppressor strains. None of the suppressor mutations maps to bimC. The vast majority of them contain mutations in the klpA gene, most of which are missense mutations affecting the C-terminal motor domain. Our study confirms that the bimC4 mutant is suitable for a cell-based screen for chemical inhibitors of kinesin-14. Since the selection is based on enhanced growth rather than diminished growth, cytotoxic compounds can be excluded.

Mitotic slippage and expression of survivin are linked to differential sensitivity of human cancer cell-lines to the Kinesin-5 inhibitor monastrol

The mitotic Kinesin-5 motor proteins crosslink and slide apart antiparallel spindle microtubules, thus performing essential functions in mitotic spindle dynamics. Specific inhibition of their function by monastrol-like small molecules has been examined in clinical trials as anticancer treatment, with only partial success. Thus, strategies that improve the efficiency of monastrol-like anticancer drugs are required. In the current study, we examined the link between sensitivity to monastrol and occurrence of mitotic slippage in several human cell-lines. We found that the rank of sensitivity to monastrol, from most sensitive to least sensitive, is: AGS > HepG2 > Lovo > Du145 ≥ HT29. We show correlation between the sensitivity of a particular cell-line to monastrol and the tendency of the same cell-line to undergo mitotic slippage. We also found that in the monastrol resistant HT29 cells, prolonged monastrol treatments increase mRNA and protein levels of the chromosomal passenger protein survivin. In contrast, survivin levels are not increased by this treatment in the monastrol-sensitive AGS cells. We further show that over-expression of survivin in the monastrol-sensitive AGS cells reduces mitotic slippage and increases resistance to monastrol. Finally, we show that during short exposure to monastrol, Si RNA silencing of survivin expression reduces cell viability in both AGS and HT29 cells. Our data suggest that the efficiency of anti-cancer treatment with specific kinesin-5 inhibitors may be improved by modulation of expression levels of survivin.

The Msd1-Wdr8-Pkl1 complex anchors microtubule minus ends to fission yeast spindle pole bodies

Msd1–Wdr8 are delivered by Pkl1 to mitotic spindle pole bodies, where the Msd1–Wdr8–Pkl1 complex anchors the minus ends of spindle microtubules and antagonizes the outward-pushing forces generated by Cut7/kinesin-5 in fission yeast.

The minus ends of spindle microtubules are anchored to a microtubule-organizing center. The conserved Msd1/SSX2IP proteins are localized to the spindle pole body (SPB) and the centrosome in fission yeast and humans, respectively, and play a critical role in microtubule anchoring. In this paper, we show that fission yeast Msd1 forms a ternary complex with another conserved protein, Wdr8, and the minus end–directed Pkl1/kinesin-14. Individual deletion mutants displayed the identical spindle-protrusion phenotypes. Msd1 and Wdr8 were delivered by Pkl1 to mitotic SPBs, where Pkl1 was tethered through Msd1–Wdr8. The spindle-anchoring defect imposed by msd1/wdr8/pkl1 deletions was suppressed by a mutation of the plus end–directed Cut7/kinesin-5, which was shown to be mutual. Intriguingly, Pkl1 motor activity was not required for its anchoring role once targeted to the SPB. Therefore, spindle anchoring through Msd1–Wdr8–Pkl1 is crucial for balancing the Cut7/kinesin-5–mediated outward force at the SPB. Our analysis provides mechanistic insight into the spatiotemporal regulation of two opposing kinesins to ensure mitotic spindle bipolarity.

The novel kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor SB-743921 exhibits marked activity in in vivo and in vitro models of aggressive large B-cell lymphoma

The kinesin spindle protein (KSP) is a mitotic protein essential for cell cycle control and motility. SB-743921 (hereafter SB-921) is an inhibitor that selectively targets the ATP-binding domain of the KSP. The preclinical activity of SB-921 was evaluated in models of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The cytotoxicity of SB-921 was evaluated in a series of germinal center (GC-DLBCL) and post-germinal center (ABC-DLBCL) DLBCL cell lines and a murine lymphoma xenograft model. GC-DLBCL lines generally demonstrated greater sensitivity to SB-921. IC50 values ranged between 1 nM and 900 nM for GC-DLBCL compared to 1 nM to 10 μM for ABC lines. SB-921 demonstrated marked activity in a xenograft model of Ly-1 (GC-DLBCL). While SB-921 was relatively more active in GC derived cell lines, ABC-derived lines still underwent apoptosis at higher concentrations. These results demonstrate that SB-921 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in both GC-DLBCL and ABC-DLBCL.

FEAR-mediated activation of Cdc14 is the limiting step for spindle elongation and anaphase progression

Cleavage of cohesins and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibition are thought to be sufficient for triggering chromosome segregation. Here we identify an essential requirement for anaphase chromosome movement. We show that, at anaphase onset, the phosphatase Cdc14 and the polo-like kinase Cdc5 are redundantly required to drive spindle elongation. This role of Cdc14 is mediated by the FEAR network, a group of proteins that activates Cdc14 at anaphase onset, and we suggest that Cdc5 facilitates both Cdc14 activation and CDK inhibition. We further identify the kinesin-5 motor protein Cin8 as a key target of Cdc14. Indeed, Cin8 mutants lacking critical CDK phosphorylation sites suppress the requirement for Cdc14 and Cdc5 in anaphase spindle elongation. Our results indicate that cohesin dissolution and CDK inhibition per se are not sufficient to drive sister chromatid segregation but that the motor protein Cin8 must be activated to elongate the spindle.

Chromosomal attachments set length and microtubule number in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitotic spindle

Altering the number of kinetochores revealed that chromosomal attachments set the length of the metaphase spindle and the number of microtubules within it. Reducing the number of kinetochores increases length, whereas adding extra kinetochores shortens it, suggesting that kinetochore-generated inward forces help set spindle length in budding yeast.

The length of the mitotic spindle varies among different cell types. A simple model for spindle length regulation requires balancing two forces: pulling, due to micro­tubules that attach to the chromosomes at their kinetochores, and pushing, due to interactions between microtubules that emanate from opposite spindle poles. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we show that spindle length scales with kinetochore number, increasing when kinetochores are inactivated and shortening on addition of synthetic or natural kinetochores, showing that kinetochore–microtubule interactions generate an inward force to balance forces that elongate the spindle. Electron microscopy shows that manipulating kinetochore number alters the number of spindle microtubules: adding extra kinetochores increases the number of spindle microtubules, suggesting kinetochore-based regulation of microtubule number.

KIF14 binds tightly to microtubules and adopts a rigor-like conformation

The mitotic kinesin motor protein KIF14 is essential for cytokinesis during cell division and has been implicated in cerebral development and a variety of human cancers. Here we show that the mouse KIF14 motor domain binds tightly to microtubules and does not display typical nucleotide-dependent changes in this affinity. It also has robust ATPase activity but very slow motility. A crystal structure of the ADP-bound form of the KIF14 motor domain reveals a dramatically opened ATP-binding pocket, as if ready to exchange its bound ADP for Mg·ATP. In this state, the central β-sheet is twisted ~10° beyond the maximal amount observed in other kinesins. This configuration has only been seen in the nucleotide-free states of myosins-known as the "rigor-like" state. Fitting of this atomic model to electron density maps from cryo-electron microscopy indicates a distinct binding configuration of the motor domain to microtubules. We postulate that these properties of KIF14 are well suited for stabilizing midbody microtubules during cytokinesis.

S. cerevisiae chromosomes biorient via gradual resolution of syntely between S phase and anaphase

Following DNA replication, eukaryotic cells must biorient all sister chromatids prior to cohesion cleavage at anaphase. In animal cells, sister chromatids gradually biorient during prometaphase, but current models of mitosis in S. cerevisiae assume that biorientation is established shortly after S phase. This assumption is based on the observation of a bilobed distribution of yeast kinetochores early in mitosis and suggests fundamental differences between yeast mitosis and mitosis in animal cells. By applying super-resolution imaging methods, we show that yeast and animal cells share the key property of gradual and stochastic chromosome biorientation. The characteristic bilobed distribution of yeast kinetochores, hitherto considered synonymous for biorientation, arises from kinetochores in mixed attachment states to microtubules, the length of which discriminates bioriented from syntelic attachments. Our results offer a revised view of mitotic progression in S. cerevisiae that augments the relevance of mechanistic information obtained in this powerful genetic system for mammalian mitosis.

Distinct roles for antiparallel microtubule pairing and overlap during early spindle assembly

During spindle assembly, microtubules may attach to kinetochores or pair to form antiparallel pairs or interpolar microtubules, which span the two spindle poles and contribute to mitotic pole separation and chromosome segregation. Events in the specification of the interpolar microtubules are poorly understood. Using three-dimensional electron tomography and analysis of spindle dynamical behavior in living cells, we investigated the process of spindle assembly. Unexpectedly, we found that the phosphorylation state of an evolutionarily conserved Cdk1 site (S360) in γ-tubulin is correlated with the number and organization of interpolar microtubules. Mimicking S360 phosphorylation (S360D) results in bipolar spindles with a normal number of microtubules but lacking interpolar microtubules. Inhibiting S360 phosphorylation (S360A) results in spindles with interpolar microtubules and high-angle, antiparallel microtubule pairs. The latter are also detected in wild-type spindles <1 μm in length, suggesting that high-angle microtubule pairing represents an intermediate step in interpolar microtubule formation. Correlation of spindle architecture with dynamical behavior suggests that microtubule pairing is sufficient to separate the spindle poles, whereas interpolar microtubules maintain the velocity of pole displacement during early spindle assembly. Our findings suggest that the number of interpolar microtubules formed during spindle assembly is controlled in part through activities at the spindle poles.

Kinesin-5: cross-bridging mechanism to targeted clinical therapy

Kinesin motor proteins comprise an ATPase superfamily that works hand in hand with microtubules in every eukaryote. The mitotic kinesins, by virtue of their potential therapeutic role in cancerous cells, have been a major focus of research for the past 28 years since the discovery of the canonical Kinesin-1 heavy chain. Perhaps the simplest player in mitotic spindle assembly, Kinesin-5 (also known as Kif11, Eg5, or kinesin spindle protein, KSP) is a plus-end-directed motor localized to interpolar spindle microtubules and to the spindle poles. Comprised of a homotetramer complex, its function primarily is to slide anti-parallel microtubules apart from one another. Based on multi-faceted analyses of this motor from numerous laboratories over the years, we have learned a great deal about the function of this motor at the atomic level for catalysis and as an integrated element of the cytoskeleton. These data have, in turn, informed the function of motile kinesins on the whole, as well as spearheaded integrative models of the mitotic apparatus in particular and regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton in general. We review what is known about how this nanomotor works, its place inside the cytoskeleton of cells, and its small-molecule inhibitors that provide a toolbox for understanding motor function and for anticancer treatment in the clinic.

Kinesin-5 Kip1 is a bi-directional motor that stabilizes microtubules and tracks their plus-ends in vivo

In this study, we examined the anaphase functions of the S. cerevisiae kinesin-5 homolog Kip1. We show that Kip1 is attached to the mitotic spindle midzone during late anaphase. This attachment is essential to stabilize interpolar microtubule (iMTs) plus-ends. By detailed examination of iMT dynamics we show that at the end of anaphase, iMTs depolymerize in two stages: during the first stage, one pair of anti-parallel iMTs depolymerizes at a velocity of 7.7 µm/minute; during the second stage, ∼90 seconds later, the remaining pair of iMTs depolymerizes at a slower velocity of 5.4 µm/minute. We show that upon the second depolymerization stage, which coincides with spindle breakdown, Kip1 follows the plus-ends of depolymerizing iMTs and translocates toward the spindle poles. This movement is independent of mitotic microtubule motor proteins or the major plus-end binding or tracking proteins. In addition, we show that Kip1 processively tracks the plus-ends of growing and shrinking MTs, both inside and outside the nucleus. The plus-end tracking activity of Kip1 requires its catalytic motor function, because a rigor mutant of Kip1 does not exhibit this activity. Finally, we show that Kip1 is a bi-directional motor: in vitro, at high ionic strength conditions, single Kip1 molecules move processively in the minus-end direction of the MTs, whereas in a multi-motor gliding assay, Kip1 is plus-end directed. The bi-directionality and plus-end tracking activity of Kip1, properties revealed here for the first time, allow Kip1 to perform its multiple functions in mitotic spindle dynamics and to partition the 2-micron plasmid.

Microtubule-sliding activity of a kinesin-8 promotes spindle assembly and spindle-length control

Molecular motors play critical roles in the formation of mitotic spindles, either through controlling the stability of individual microtubules, or by cross-linking and sliding microtubule arrays. Kinesin-8 motors are best known for their regulatory roles in controlling microtubule dynamics. They contain microtubule-destabilizing activities, and restrict spindle length in a wide variety of cell types and organisms. Here, we report for the first time on an anti-parallel microtubule-sliding activity of the budding yeast kinesin-8, Kip3. The in vivo importance of this sliding activity was established through the identification of complementary Kip3 mutants that separate the sliding activity and microtubule destabilizing activity. In conjunction with kinesin-5/Cin8, the sliding activity of Kip3 promotes bipolar spindle assembly and the maintenance of genome stability. We propose a “slide-disassemble” model where Kip3’s sliding and destabilizing activity balance during pre-anaphase. This facilitates normal spindle assembly. However, Kip3’s destabilizing activity dominates in late anaphase, inhibiting spindle elongation and ultimately promoting spindle disassembly.

New insights into the mechanism of force generation by kinesin-5 molecular motors

Kinesin-5 motors are members of a superfamily of microtubule-dependent ATPases and are widely conserved among eukaryotes. Kinesin-5s typically form homotetramers with pairs of motor domains located at either end of a dumbbell-shaped molecule. This quaternary structure enables cross-linking and ATP-driven sliding of pairs of microtubules, although the exact molecular mechanism of this activity is still unclear. Kinesin-5 function has been characterized in greatest detail in cell division, although a number of interphase roles have also been defined. The kinesin-5 ATPase is tuned for slow microtubule sliding rather than cellular transport and-in vertebrates-can be inhibited specifically by allosteric small molecules currently in cancer clinical trials. The biophysical and structural basis of kinesin-5 mechanochemistry is being elucidated and has provided further insight into kinesin-5 activities. However, it is likely that the precise mechanism of these important motors has evolved according to functional context and regulation in individual organisms.

G(1)/S and G(2)/M cyclin-dependent kinase activities commit cells to death in the absence of the S-phase checkpoint

The Mec1 and Rad53 protein kinases are essential for budding yeast cell viability and are also required to activate the S-phase checkpoint, which supports DNA replication under stress conditions. Whether these two functions are related to each other remains to be determined, and the nature of the replication stress-dependent lethality of mec1 and rad53 mutants is still unclear. We show here that a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) activity alleviates the lethal effects of mec1 and rad53 mutations both in the absence and in the presence of replication stress, indicating that the execution of a certain Cdk1-mediated event(s) is detrimental in the absence of Mec1 and Rad53. This lethality involves Cdk1 functions in both G(1) and mitosis. In fact, delaying either the G(1)/S transition or spindle elongation in mec1 and rad53 mutants allows their survival both after exposure to hydroxyurea and under unperturbed conditions. Altogether, our studies indicate that inappropriate entry into S phase and segregation of incompletely replicated chromosomes contribute to cell death when the S-phase checkpoint is not functional. Moreover, these findings suggest that the essential function of Mec1 and Rad53 is not necessarily separated from the function of these kinases in supporting DNA synthesis under stress conditions.

Nuclear envelope morphology constrains diffusion and promotes asymmetric protein segregation in closed mitosis

During vegetative growth, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells divide asymmetrically: the mother cell buds to produce a smaller daughter cell. This daughter asymmetrically inherits the transcription factor Ace2, which activates daughter-specific transcriptional programs. In this paper, we investigate when and how this asymmetry is established and maintained. We show that Ace2 asymmetry is initiated in the elongated, but undivided, anaphase nucleus. At this stage, the nucleoplasm was highly compartmentalized; little exchange was observed for nucleoplasmic proteins between mother and bud. Using photobleaching and in silico modeling, we show that diffusion barriers compartmentalize the nuclear membranes. In contrast, the behavior of proteins in the nucleoplasm is well explained by the dumbbell shape of the anaphase nucleus. This compartmentalization of the nucleoplasm promoted Ace2 asymmetry in anaphase nuclei. Thus, our data indicate that yeast cells use the process of closed mitosis and the morphological constraints associated with it to asymmetrically segregate nucleoplasmic components.

The beneficial effects of antifreeze proteins in the vitrification of immature mouse oocytes

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are a class of polypeptides that permit organismal survival in sub-freezing environments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of AFP supplementation on immature mouse oocyte vitrification. Germinal vesicle-stage oocytes were vitrified using a two-step exposure to equilibrium and vitrification solution in the presence or absence of 500 ng/mL of AFP III. After warming, oocyte survival, in vitro maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development up to the blastocyst stage were assessed. Spindle and chromosome morphology, membrane integrity, and the expression levels of several genes were assessed in in vitro matured oocytes. The rate of blastocyst formation was significantly higher and the number of caspase-positive blastomeres was significantly lower in the AFP-treated group compared with the untreated group. The proportion of oocytes with intact spindles/chromosomes and stable membranes was also significantly higher in the AFP group. The AFP group showed increased Mad2, Hook-1, Zar1, Zp1, and Bcl2 expression and lower Eg5, Zp2, Caspase6, and Rbm3 expression compared with the untreated group. Supplementation of the vitrification medium with AFP has a protective effect on immature mouse oocytes, promoting their resistance to chilling injury. AFPs may preserve spindle forming ability and membrane integrity at GV stage. The fertilization and subsequent developmental competence of oocytes may be associated with the modulation of Zar1, Zp1/Zp2, Bcl2, Caspase6, and Rbm3.

Dynamic reorganization of Eg5 in the mammalian spindle throughout mitosis requires dynein and TPX2

Kinesin-5 is an essential mitotic motor. However, how its spatial-temporal distribution is regulated in mitosis remains poorly understood. We expressed localization and affinity purification-tagged Eg5 from a mouse bacterial artificial chromosome (this construct was called mEg5) and found its distribution to be tightly regulated throughout mitosis. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis showed rapid Eg5 turnover throughout mitosis, which cannot be accounted for by microtubule turnover. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and high-resolution, single-particle tracking revealed that mEg5 punctae on both astral and midzone microtubules rapidly bind and unbind. mEg5 punctae on midzone microtubules moved transiently both toward and away from spindle poles. In contrast, mEg5 punctae on astral microtubules moved transiently toward microtubule minus ends during early mitosis but switched to plus end-directed motion during anaphase. These observations explain the poleward accumulation of Eg5 in early mitosis and its redistribution in anaphase. Inhibition of dynein blocked mEg5 movement on astral microtubules, whereas depletion of the Eg5-binding protein TPX2 resulted in plus end-directed mEg5 movement. However, motion of Eg5 on midzone microtubules was not altered. Our results reveal differential and precise spatial and temporal regulation of Eg5 in the spindle mediated by dynein and TPX2.

Mitotic motors and chromosome segregation: the mechanism of anaphase B

Anaphase B spindle elongation plays an important role in chromosome segregation. In the present paper, we discuss our model for anaphase B in Drosophila syncytial embryos, in which spindle elongation depends on an ip (interpolar) MT (microtubule) sliding filament mechanism generated by homotetrameric kinesin-5 motors acting in concert with poleward ipMT flux, which acts as an 'on/off' switch. Specifically, the pre-anaphase B spindle is maintained at a steady-state length by the balance between ipMT sliding and ipMT depolymerization at spindle poles, producing poleward flux. Cyclin B degradation at anaphase B onset triggers: (i) an MT catastrophe gradient causing ipMT plus ends to invade the overlap zone where ipMT sliding forces are generated; and (ii) the inhibition of ipMT minus-end depolymerization so flux is turned 'off', tipping the balance of forces to allow outward ipMT sliding to push apart the spindle poles. We briefly comment on the relationship of this model to anaphase B in other systems.

Directionality of individual kinesin-5 Cin8 motors is modulated by loop 8, ionic strength and microtubule geometry

Kinesin-5 motors fulfil essential roles in mitotic spindle morphogenesis and dynamics as slow, processive microtubule (MT) plus-end directed motors. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinesin-5 Cin8 was found, surprisingly, to switch directionality. Here, we have examined directionality using single-molecule fluorescence motility assays and live-cell microscopy. On spindles, Cin8 motors mostly moved slowly (∼25 nm/s) towards the midzone, but occasionally also faster (∼55 nm/s) towards the spindle poles. In vitro, individual Cin8 motors could be switched by ionic conditions from rapid (380 nm/s) and processive minus-end to slow plus-end motion on single MTs. At high ionic strength, Cin8 motors rapidly alternated directionalities between antiparallel MTs, while driving steady plus-end relative sliding. Between parallel MTs, plus-end motion was only occasionally observed. Deletion of the uniquely large insert in loop 8 of Cin8 induced bias towards minus-end motility and affected the ionic strength-dependent directional switching of Cin8 in vitro. The deletion mutant cells exhibited reduced midzone-directed motility and efficiency to support spindle elongation, indicating the importance of directionality control for the anaphase function of Cin8.

Spindle assembly requires complete disassembly of spindle remnants from the previous cell cycle

Incomplete spindle disassembly causes lethality in budding yeast. We propose that spindle disassembly is required to reinitiate the spindle cycle during the subsequent mitosis by regenerating the nuclear pool of assembly-competent tubulin.

Incomplete mitotic spindle disassembly causes lethality in budding yeast. To determine why spindle disassembly is required for cell viability, we used live-cell microscopy to analyze a double mutant strain containing a conditional mutant and a deletion mutant compromised for the kinesin-8 and anaphase-promoting complex-driven spindle-disassembly pathways (td-kip3 and doc1Δ, respectively). Under nonpermissive conditions, spindles in td-kip3 doc1Δ cells could break apart but could not disassemble completely. These cells could exit mitosis and undergo cell division. However, the daughter cells could not assemble functional, bipolar spindles in the ensuing mitosis. During the formation of these dysfunctional spindles, centrosome duplication and separation, as well as recruitment of key midzone-stabilizing proteins all appeared normal, but microtubule polymerization was nevertheless impaired and these spindles often collapsed. Introduction of free tubulin through episomal expression of α- and β-tubulin or introduction of a brief pulse of the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole allowed spindle assembly in these td-kip3 doc1Δ mutants. Therefore we propose that spindle disassembly is essential for regeneration of the intracellular pool of assembly-competent tubulin required for efficient spindle assembly during subsequent mitoses of daughter cells.

Cell cycle regulators interact with pathways that modulate microtubule stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The integrity of mitosis is dependent upon strict regulation of microtubule stability and dynamics. Although much information has been accumulated on regulators of the microtubule cytoskeleton, our knowledge of the specific pathways involved is still limited. Here we designed genetic screens to identify regulators of microtubule stability that are dispensable in the wild type yet become essential under microtubule-disrupting conditions. We found that the transcriptional cofactor Swi6p and activator Swi4p, as well as the G(2)/M-specific cyclin Clb2p, are required in a microtubule-destabilizing environment. Swi6p and Swi4p can combine as a transcriptional complex, called the SBF complex (SBF for Swi4/6 cell cycle box [SCB]-binding factor) that is functionally homologous to the metazoan DP1/2-E2F complex and that controls the G(1)/S transition through the genes it regulates. We show that Swi6p's contribution to microtubule stability can be either dependent or independent of the SBF complex. The SBF-dependent pathway requires downregulation of SBF complex levels and may thereby reroute the transcriptional program in favor of greater microtubule stability. This pathway can be triggered by overexpression of Fcp1p, a phosphatase in the general transcription machinery, or by expression of an allele of SWI6 that is associated with reduced transcription from SBF-controlled promoters. The SBF-independent pathway is activated by a constitutively nuclear allele of Swi6p. Our results introduce novel roles in microtubule stability for genes whose participation in the process may be masked under normal conditions yet nonetheless acquire a dominant role when microtubule stability is compromised.

Effect of antifreeze protein supplementation in vitrification medium on mouse oocyte developmental competence

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of antifreeze protein (AFP) supplementation during mouse oocyte vitrification on the survival, fertilization and embryonic development.

DESIGN

Animal study.

SETTING

University laboratory.

ANIMAL(S)

BDF-1 mice.

INTERVENTION(S)

In vivo-matured metaphase II oocytes were vitrified with the use of CryoTop by two-step exposure to equilibrium and vitrification solution supplemented or not with 500 ng/mL AFP III.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Postwarming survival, fertilization, embryonic development up to blastocyst in vitro, morphology of spindle and chromosome, membrane integrity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents, and several gene expressions.

RESULT(S)

In the AFP-treated group, blastocyst formation rate was significantly higher and blastomere count with positive caspase was significantly lower compared with the nontreated group. Rate of intact spindle/chromosome, stable membrane, and ATP contents were significantly higher in AFP group. AFP group showed higher Mad2 and lower Eg5 gene expression. Both vitrification groups showed increased Hsf1, Zar1, and Zp1/Zp2 expression and decreased Hook1 and Zp3 expression compared with fresh control samples.

CONCLUSION(S)

Supplementation of AFP in vitrification medium has a protective effect on mouse oocytes for chilling injury; it can preserve spindle/membrane integrity and intracellular ATP contents. More stable spindle integrity in the AFP group may be associated with higher Mad2 and lower Eg5 gene expression.

Ipl1/Aurora-dependent phosphorylation of Sli15/INCENP regulates CPC-spindle interaction to ensure proper microtubule dynamics

Dynamic microtubules facilitate chromosome arrangement before anaphase, whereas during anaphase microtubule stability assists chromosome separation. Changes in microtubule dynamics at the metaphase-anaphase transition are regulated by Cdk1. Cdk1-mediated phosphorylation of Sli15/INCENP promotes preanaphase microtubule dynamics by preventing chromosomal passenger complex (CPC; Sli15/INCENP, Bir1/Survivin, Nbl1/Borealin, Ipl1/Aurora) association with spindles. However, whether Cdk1 has sole control over microtubule dynamics, and how CPC-microtubule association influences microtubule behavior, are unclear. Here, we show that Ipl1/Aurora-dependent phosphorylation of Sli15/INCENP modulates microtubule dynamics by preventing CPC binding to the preanaphase spindle and to the central spindle until late anaphase, facilitating spatiotemporal control of microtubule dynamics required for proper metaphase centromere positioning and anaphase spindle elongation. Decreased Ipl1-dependent Sli15 phosphorylation drives direct CPC binding to microtubules, revealing how the CPC influences microtubule dynamics. We propose that Cdk1 and Ipl1/Aurora cooperatively modulate microtubule dynamics and that Ipl1/Aurora-dependent phosphorylation of Sli15 controls spindle function by excluding the CPC from spindle regions engaged in microtubule polymerization.

Phospho-regulation of kinesin-5 during anaphase spindle elongation

The kinesin-5 Saccharomyces cerevisiae homologue Cin8 is shown here to be differentially phosphorylated during late anaphase at Cdk1-specific sites located in its motor domain. Wild-type Cin8 binds to the early-anaphase spindles and detaches from the spindles at late anaphase, whereas the phosphorylation-deficient Cin8-3A mutant protein remains attached to a larger region of the spindle and spindle poles for prolonged periods. This localization of Cin8-3A causes faster spindle elongation and longer anaphase spindles, which have aberrant morphology. By contrast, the phospho-mimic Cin8-3D mutant exhibits reduced binding to the spindles. In the absence of the kinesin-5 homologue Kip1, cells expressing Cin8-3D exhibit spindle assembly defects and are not viable at 37°C as a result of spindle collapse. We propose that dephosphorylation of Cin8 promotes its binding to the spindle microtubules before the onset of anaphase. In mid to late anaphase, phosphorylation of Cin8 causes its detachment from the spindles, which reduces the spindle elongation rate and aids in maintaining spindle morphology.

Differential control of Eg5-dependent centrosome separation by Plk1 and Cdk1

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) is thought to trigger centrosome separation in late G2 phase by phosphorylating the motor protein Eg5 at Thr927. However, the precise control mechanism of centrosome separation remains to be understood. Here, we report that in G2 phase polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) can trigger centrosome separation independently of Cdk1. We find that Plk1 is required for both C-Nap1 displacement and for Eg5 localization on the centrosome. Moreover, Cdk2 compensates for Cdk1, and phosphorylates Eg5 at Thr927. Nevertheless, Plk1-driven centrosome separation is slow and staggering, while Cdk1 triggers fast movement of the centrosomes. We find that actin-dependent Eg5-opposing forces slow down separation in G2 phase. Strikingly, actin depolymerization, as well as destabilization of interphase microtubules (MTs), is sufficient to remove this obstruction and to speed up Plk1-dependent separation. Conversely, MT stabilization in mitosis slows down Cdk1-dependent centrosome movement. Our findings implicate the modulation of MT stability in G2 and M phase as a regulatory element in the control of centrosome separation.

Directional switching of the kinesin Cin8 through motor coupling

Kinesin motor proteins are thought to move exclusively in either one or the other direction along microtubules. Proteins of the kinesin-5 family are tetrameric microtubule cross-linking motors important for cell division and differentiation in various organisms. Kinesin-5 motors are considered to be plus-end-directed. However, here we found that purified kinesin-5 Cin8 from budding yeast could behave as a bidirectional kinesin. On individual microtubules, single Cin8 motors were minus-end-directed motors, whereas they switched to plus-end-directed motility when working in a team of motors sliding antiparallel microtubules apart. This kinesin can thus change directionality of movement depending on whether it acts alone or in an ensemble.

Uncovering chromatin's contribution to the mitotic spindle: Applications of computational and polymer models

The mitotic spindle is a structure that forms during mitosis to help ensure that each daughter cell receives a full complement of genetic material. In metaphase, the spindle contains microtubules that nucleate inward from two opposing poles. Chromosomes are attached to plus-ends of these microtubules via protein structures called kinetochores. The centromere is the specific region of kinetochore attachment on the chromosome. Chromatin surrounding the centromere (pericentric chromatin) is subject to microtubule-based forces and is commonly modeled as a linear spring, where the force that it exerts is proportional to the distance that it is stretched. We have incorporated physically based models of chromatin to create more accurate and predictive models of the spindle. In addition, using fluorescence microscopy and motion analysis of fluorescently labeled chromatin spots we discovered that pericentric chromatin is restrained relative to free diffusive motion. The characterization of chromatin is crucial to understand mitotic spindle stability and to understand the cell cycle checkpoint regulating anaphase onset.

The RSC chromatin-remodeling complex influences mitotic exit and adaptation to the spindle assembly checkpoint by controlling the Cdc14 phosphatase

Upon prolonged activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint, cells escape from mitosis through a mechanism called adaptation or mitotic slippage, which is thought to underlie the resistance of cancer cells to antimitotic drugs. We show that, in budding yeast, this mechanism depends on known essential and nonessential regulators of mitotic exit, such as the Cdc14 early anaphase release (FEAR) pathway for the release of the Cdc14 phosphatase from the nucleolus in early anaphase. Moreover, the RSC (remodel the structure of chromatin) chromatin-remodeling complex bound to its accessory subunit Rsc2 is involved in this process as a novel component of the FEAR pathway. We show that Rsc2 interacts physically with the polo kinase Cdc5 and is required for timely phosphorylation of the Cdc14 inhibitor Net1, which is important to free Cdc14 in the active form. Our data suggest that fine-tuning regulators of mitotic exit have important functions during mitotic progression in cells treated with microtubule poisons and might be promising targets for cancer treatment.

Kip3, the yeast kinesin-8, is required for clustering of kinetochores at metaphase

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, chromosome congression clusters kinetochores on either side of the spindle equator at metaphase. Many organisms require one or more kinesin-8 molecular motors to achieve chromosome alignment. The yeast kinesin-8, Kip3, has been well studied in vitro but a role in chromosome congression has not been reported. We investigated Kip3's role in this process using semi-automated, quantitative fluorescence microscopy and time-lapse imaging and found that Kip3 is required for congression. Deletion of KIP3 increases inter-kinetochore distances and increases the variability in the position of sister kinetochores along the spindle axis during metaphase. Kip3 does not regulate spindle length and is not required for kinetochore-microtubule attachment. Instead, Kip3 clusters kinetochores on the metaphase spindle by tightly regulating kinetochore microtubule lengths.

B-cyclin/CDKs regulate mitotic spindle assembly by phosphorylating kinesins-5 in budding yeast

Although it has been known for many years that B-cyclin/CDK complexes regulate the assembly of the mitotic spindle and entry into mitosis, the full complement of relevant CDK targets has not been identified. It has previously been shown in a variety of model systems that B-type cyclin/CDK complexes, kinesin-5 motors, and the SCF^Cdc4 ubiquitin ligase are required for the separation of spindle poles and assembly of a bipolar spindle. It has been suggested that, in budding yeast, B-type cyclin/CDK (Clb/Cdc28) complexes promote spindle pole separation by inhibiting the degradation of the kinesins-5 Kip1 and Cin8 by the anaphase-promoting complex (APC^Cdh1). We have determined, however, that the Kip1 and Cin8 proteins are present at wild-type levels in the absence of Clb/Cdc28 kinase activity. Here, we show that Kip1 and Cin8 are in vitro targets of Clb2/Cdc28 and that the mutation of conserved CDK phosphorylation sites on Kip1 inhibits spindle pole separation without affecting the protein's in vivo localization or abundance. Mass spectrometry analysis confirms that two CDK sites in the tail domain of Kip1 are phosphorylated in vivo. In addition, we have determined that Sic1, a Clb/Cdc28-specific inhibitor, is the SCF^Cdc4 target that inhibits spindle pole separation in cells lacking functional Cdc4. Based on these findings, we propose that Clb/Cdc28 drives spindle pole separation by direct phosphorylation of kinesin-5 motors.

The assembly of a bipolar mitotic spindle is essential for the accurate segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis and, hence, for successful cell division. Spindle assembly depends on the successful duplication of the spindle poles, followed by their separation to opposing ends of the cell. Although it has been known for many years that B-cyclin/CDK complexes regulate the assembly of the mitotic spindle, the relevant CDK targets have not been identified. Motor proteins of the kinesin-5 family generate movement on the microtubules that make up the spindle and are believed to power spindle pole separation. By employing the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, we have found evidence that cyclin/CDKs control spindle assembly by phosphorylating the kinesins-5 Kip1 and Cin8. When phosphorylation at a conserved CDK site in the motor domain of Kip1 is blocked, spindle pole separation is greatly diminished but neither protein abundance nor localization is affected. We have also obtained direct evidence by mass spectrometry that Kip1 and Cin8 are phosphorylated in vivo at consensus CDK sites in their tail domains. Our findings suggest that B-cyclin/CDKs regulate spindle assembly by regulating kinesin-5 motor activity.

Prometaphase spindle maintenance by an antagonistic motor-dependent force balance made robust by a disassembling lamin-B envelope

We tested the classical hypothesis that astral, prometaphase bipolar mitotic spindles are maintained by balanced outward and inward forces exerted on spindle poles by kinesin-5 and -14 using modeling of in vitro and in vivo data from Drosophila melanogaster embryos. Throughout prometaphase, puncta of both motors aligned on interpolar microtubules (MTs [ipMTs]), and motor perturbation changed spindle length, as predicted. Competitive motility of purified kinesin-5 and -14 was well described by a stochastic, opposing power stroke model incorporating motor kinetics and load-dependent detachment. Motor parameters from this model were applied to a new stochastic force-balance model for prometaphase spindles, providing a good fit to data from embryos. Maintenance of virtual spindles required dynamic ipMTs and a narrow range of kinesin-5 to kinesin-14 ratios matching that found in embryos. Functional perturbation and modeling suggest that this range can be extended significantly by a disassembling lamin-B envelope that surrounds the prometaphase spindle and augments the finely tuned, antagonistic kinesin force balance to maintain robust prometaphase spindles as MTs assemble and chromosomes are pushed to the equator.

Mitotic functions of kinesin-5

In all eukaryotic cells, molecular motor proteins play essential roles in spindle assembly and function. The homotetrameric kinesin-5 motors in particular generate outward forces that establish and maintain spindle bipolarity and contribute to microtubule flux. Cell-cycle dependent phosphorylation of kinesin-5 motors regulates their localization to the mitotic spindle. Analysis of live cells further shows that kinesin-5 motors are highly dynamic in the spindle. Understanding the interactions of kinesin-5 motors with microtubules and other spindle proteins is likely to broaden the documented roles of kinesin-5 motors during cell division.

Purification and assay of mitotic motors

To understand how mitotic kinesins contribute to the assembly and function of the mitotic spindle, we need to purify these motors and analyze their biochemical and ultrastructural properties. Here we briefly review our use of microtubule (MT) affinity and biochemical fractionation to obtain information about the oligomeric state of native mitotic kinesin holoenzymes from eggs and early embryos. We then detail the methods we use to purify full length recombinant Drosophila embryo mitotic kinesins, using the baculovirus expression system, in sufficient yields for detailed in vitro assays. These two approaches provide complementary biochemical information on the basic properties of these key mitotic proteins, and permit assays of critical motor activities, such as MT-MT crosslinking and sliding, that are not revealed by assaying motor domain subfragments.

Requirements and reasons for effective inhibition of the anaphase promoting complex activator CDH1

Inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdh1 by CDK and Polo kinase has been proposed to inactivate APC-Cdh1. Through an exact gene replacement approach, we find CDK, but not Polo, phosphorylation of Cdh1 to be a critical regulatory mechanism. APC-Cdh1 inhibits multiple aspects of spindle morphogenesis, and its activity is modulated by endogenous ACM1.

Anaphase promoting complex (APC)-Cdh1 targets multiple mitotic proteins for degradation upon exit from mitosis into G1; inhibitory phosphorylation of Cdh1 by cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) and Polo kinase has been proposed to prevent the premature degradation of substrates in the ensuing cell cycle. Here, we demonstrate essentiality of CDK phosphorylation of Cdh1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by exact endogenous gene replacement of CDH1 with CDK-unphosphorylatable CDH1-m11; in contrast, neither Cdh1 polo kinase sites nor polo interaction motifs are required. CDH1-m11 cells arrest in the first cycle with replicated DNA and sustained polarized growth; most cells have monopolar spindles. Blocking proteolysis of the Cin8 kinesin in CDH1-m11 cells does not promote spindle pole body (SPB) separation. In contrast, expression of undegradable mitotic cyclin results in both SPB separation and the restoration of isotropic growth. A minority of CDH1-m11 cells arrest with short bipolar spindles that fail to progress to anaphase; this can be accounted for by a failure to accumulate Cdc20 and consequent failure to cleave cohesin. Bipolar spindle assembly in CDH1-m11 cells is strikingly sensitive to gene dosage of the stoichiometric Cdh1 inhibitor ACM1. Thus, different spindle-regulatory pathways have distinct sensitivities to Cdh1, and ACM1 may buffer essential CDK phosphorylation of Cdh1.

Noncoding RNAs: persistent viral agents as modular tools for cellular needs

It appears that all the detailed steps of evolution stored in DNA that are read, transcribed, and translated in every developmental and growth process of each individual cell depend on RNA-mediated processes, in most cases interconnected with other RNAs and their associated protein complexes and functions in a strict hierarchy of temporal and spatial steps. Life could not function without the key agents of DNA replication, namely mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA. Not only rRNA, but also tRNA and the processing of the primary transcript into the pre-mRNA and the mature mRNA are clearly descended from retro-"elements" with obvious retroviral ancestry. They seem to be remnants of viral infection events that did not kill their host but transferred phenotypic competences to their host and changed both the genetic identity of the host organism and the identity of the former infectious viral swarms. In this respect, noncoding RNAs may represent a great variety of modular tools for cellular needs that are derived from persistent nonlytic viral settlers.

Walking, hopping, diffusing and braking modes of kinesin-5

It is clear that the main cellular mission of the molecular motor kinesin-5 (known as Eg5 in vertebrates) is to cross-link antiparallel microtubules and to slide them apart, thus playing a critical role during bipolar spindle formation. Nonetheless, important questions about the cell biological and biophysical mechanisms of Eg5 remain unanswered. With the 20th 'birthday' of Eg5 approaching, we discuss recent insights into the in vitro and in vivo functions of Eg5, in the context of our own recent work.