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Ducat D, Kawaguchi SI, Liu H, Yates JR, Zheng Y. Regulation of microtubule assembly and organization in mitosis by the AAA+ ATPase Pontin. Mol Biol Cell 2008; 19:3097-110. [PMID: 18463163 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e07-11-1202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify novel proteins important for microtubule assembly in mitosis, we have used a centrosome-based complementation assay to enrich for proteins with mitotic functions. An RNA interference (RNAi)-based screen of these proteins allowed us to uncover 13 novel mitotic regulators. We carried out in-depth analyses of one of these proteins, Pontin, which is known to have several functions in interphase, including chromatin remodeling, DNA repair, and transcription. We show that reduction of Pontin by RNAi resulted in defects in spindle assembly in Drosophila S2 cells and in several mammalian tissue culture cell lines. Further characterization of Pontin in Xenopus egg extracts demonstrates that Pontin interacts with the gamma tubulin ring complex (gamma-TuRC). Because depletion of Pontin leads to defects in the assembly and organization of microtubule arrays in egg extracts, our studies suggest that Pontin has a mitosis-specific function in regulating microtubule assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ducat
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD 21210, USA
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52
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Abstract
Primarily known for its role as major microtubule organizing center, the centrosome is increasingly being recognized for its functional significance in key cell cycle regulating events. We are now at the beginning of understanding the centrosome’s functional complexities and its major impact on directing complex interactions and signal transduction cascades important for cell cycle regulation. The centrosome orchestrates entry into mitosis, anaphase onset, cytokinesis, G1/S transition, and monitors DNA damage. Recently, the centrosome has also been recognized as major docking station where regulatory complexes accumulate including kinases and phosphatases as well as numerous other cell cycle regulators that utilize the centrosome as platform to coordinate multiple cell cycle-specific functions. Vesicles that are translocated along microtubules to and away from centrosomes may also carry enzymes or substrates that use centrosomes as main docking station. The centrosome’s role in various diseases has been recognized and a wealth of data has been accumulated linking dysfunctional centrosomes to cancer, Alstrom syndrome, various neurological disorders, and others. Centrosome abnormalities and dysfunctions have been associated with several types of infertility. The present review highlights the centrosome’s significant roles in cell cycle events in somatic and reproductive cells and discusses centrosome abnormalities and implications in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heide Schatten
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, 1600 E Rollins Street, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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53
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Ujfaludi Z, Boros IM, Bálint E. Different sets of genes are activated by p53 upon UV or ionizing radiation in Drosophila melanogaster. ACTA BIOLOGICA HUNGARICA 2008; 58 Suppl:65-79. [PMID: 18297795 DOI: 10.1556/abiol.58.2007.suppl.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The p53 tumour suppressor plays central role in the maintenance of genome integrity. P53 deficient fruit flies are highly sensitive to ionizing radiation (IR) and show genome instability suggesting that the Drosophila melanogaster p53 (Dmp53) is necessary for the proper damage response upon IR. We found that Dmp53 null fruit flies are highly sensitive to ultraviolet radiation (UV) as well. We analyzed the expression levels of apoptotic genes in wild type and Dmp53 null mutant animals after UV or IR using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Ark (Apaf-1 related killer) was induced in a Dmp53-dependent way upon UV treatment but not by IR, hid (head involution defective/wrinkled) was induced upon both types of DNA damage, while reaper was induced only upon IR but not UV treatment. Using microarray analysis we identified several further genes that are activated upon UV irradiation in the presence of wild type Dmp53 only. Some but not all of these genes show Dmp53-dependent activation upon IR treatment as well. These results suggest that Dmp53 activates distinct cellular pathways through regulation of different target genes after different types of DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsuzsanna Ujfaludi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
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54
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Mencarelli C, Lupetti P, Dallai R. New insights into the cell biology of insect axonemes. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 268:95-145. [PMID: 18703405 DOI: 10.1016/s1937-6448(08)00804-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Insects do not possess ciliated epithelia, and cilia/flagella are present in the sperm tail and--as modified cilia--in mechano- and chemosensory neurons. The core cytoskeletal component of these organelles, the axoneme, is a microtubule-based structure that has been conserved throughout evolution. However, in insects the sperm axoneme exhibits distinctive structural features; moreover, several insect groups are characterized by an unusual sperm axoneme variability. Besides the abundance of morphological data on insect sperm flagella, most of the available molecular information on the insect axoneme comes from genetic studies on Drosophila spermatogenesis, and only recently other insect species have been proposed as useful models. Here, we review the current knowledge on the cell biology of insect axoneme, including contributions from both Drosophila and other model insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mencarelli
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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55
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Wiese C. Distinct Dgrip84 isoforms correlate with distinct gamma-tubulins in Drosophila. Mol Biol Cell 2007; 19:368-77. [PMID: 18003974 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e07-08-0801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma-tubulin is an indispensable component of the animal centrosome and is required for proper microtubule organization. Within the cell, gamma-tubulin exists in a multiprotein complex containing between two (some yeasts) and six or more (metazoa) additional highly conserved proteins named gamma ring proteins (Grips) or gamma complex proteins (GCPs). gamma-Tubulin containing complexes isolated from Xenopus eggs or Drosophila embryos appear ring-shaped and have therefore been named the gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC). Curiously, many organisms (including humans) have two distinct gamma-tubulin genes. In Drosophila, where the two gamma-tubulin isotypes have been studied most extensively, the gamma-tubulin genes are developmentally regulated: the "maternal" gamma-tubulin isotype (named gammaTub37CD according to its location on the genetic map) is expressed in the ovary and is deposited in the egg, where it is thought to orchestrate the meiotic and early embryonic cleavages. The second gamma-tubulin isotype (gammaTub23C) is ubiquitously expressed and persists in most of the cells of the adult fly. In those rare cases where both gamma-tubulins coexist in the same cell, they show distinct subcellular distributions and cell-cycle-dependent changes: gammaTub37CD mainly localizes to the centrosome, where its levels vary only slightly with the cell cycle. In contrast, the level of gammaTub23C at the centrosome increases at the beginning of mitosis, and gammaTub23C also associates with spindle pole microtubules. Here, we show that gammaTub23C forms discrete complexes that closely resemble the complexes formed by gammaTub37CD. Surprisingly, however, gammaTub23C associates with a distinct, longer splice variant of Dgrip84. This may reflect a role for Dgrip84 in regulating the activity and/or the location of the gamma-tubulin complexes formed with gammaTub37CD and gammaTub23C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Wiese
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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56
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Kollman JM, Zelter A, Muller EGD, Fox B, Rice LM, Davis TN, Agard DA. The structure of the gamma-tubulin small complex: implications of its architecture and flexibility for microtubule nucleation. Mol Biol Cell 2007; 19:207-15. [PMID: 17978090 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e07-09-0879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin small complex (gamma-TuSC) is an evolutionarily conserved heterotetramer essential for microtubule nucleation. We have determined the structure of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gamma-TuSC at 25-A resolution by electron microscopy. gamma-TuSC is Y-shaped, with an elongated body connected to two arms. Gold labeling showed that the two gamma-tubulins are located in lobes at the ends of the arms, and the relative orientations of the other gamma-TuSC components were determined by in vivo FRET. The structures of different subpopulations of gamma-TuSC indicate flexibility in the connection between a mobile arm and the rest of the complex, resulting in variation of the relative positions and orientations of the gamma-tubulins. In all of the structures, the gamma-tubulins are distinctly separated, a configuration incompatible with the microtubule lattice. The separation of the gamma-tubulins in isolated gamma-TuSC likely plays a role in suppressing its intrinsic microtubule-nucleating activity, which is relatively weak until the gamma-TuSC is incorporated into higher order complexes or localized to microtubule-organizing centers. We propose that further movement of the mobile arm is required to bring the gamma-tubulins together in microtubule-like interactions, and provide a template for microtubule growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Kollman
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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57
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Varmark H, Llamazares S, Rebollo E, Lange B, Reina J, Schwarz H, Gonzalez C. Asterless is a centriolar protein required for centrosome function and embryo development in Drosophila. Curr Biol 2007; 17:1735-45. [PMID: 17935995 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2007] [Revised: 08/31/2007] [Accepted: 09/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centrosomes, the major organizers of the microtubule network in most animal cells, are composed of centrioles embedded in a web of pericentriolar material (PCM). Recruitment and stabilization of PCM on the centrosome is a centriole-dependent function. Compared to the considerable number of PCM proteins known, the molecular characterization of centrioles is still very limited. Only a few centriolar proteins have been identified so far in Drosophila, most related to centriole duplication. RESULTS We have cloned asterless (asl) and found that it encodes a 120 kD highly coiled-coil protein that is a constitutive pancentriolar and basal body component. Loss of asl function impedes the stabilization/maintenance of PCM at the centrosome. In embryos deficient for Asl, development is arrested right after fertilization. Asl shares significant homology with Cep 152, a protein described as a component of the human centrosome for which no functional data is yet available. CONCLUSIONS The cloning of asl offers new insight into the molecular composition of Drosophila centrioles and a possible model for the role of its human homolog. In addition, the phenotype of asl-deficient flies reveals that a functional centrosome is required for Drosophila embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Varmark
- Cell Biology and Biophysics Programme, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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58
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Toya M, Sato M, Haselmann U, Asakawa K, Brunner D, Antony C, Toda T. Gamma-tubulin complex-mediated anchoring of spindle microtubules to spindle-pole bodies requires Msd1 in fission yeast. Nat Cell Biol 2007; 9:646-53. [PMID: 17486116 DOI: 10.1038/ncb1593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2007] [Accepted: 04/13/2007] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The anchoring of microtubules to subcellular structures is critical for cell polarity and motility. Although the process of anchoring cytoplasmic microtubules to the centrosome has been studied in some detail, it is not known how spindle microtubules are anchored to the mitotic centrosome and, particularly, whether anchoring and nucleation of mitotic spindles are functionally separate. Here, we show that a fission yeast coiled-coil protein, Msd1, is required for anchoring the minus end of spindle microtubules to the centrosome equivalent, the spindle-pole body (SPB). msd1 deletion causes spindle microtubules to abnormally extend beyond SPBs, which results in chromosome missegregation. Importantly, this protruding spindle is phenocopied by the amino-terminal deletion mutant of Alp4, a component of the gamma-tubulin complex (gamma-TuC), which lacks the potential Msd1-interacting domain. We propose that Msd1 interacts with gamma-TuC, thereby specifically anchoring the minus end of microtubules to SPBs without affecting microtubule nucleation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Toya
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PX, UK
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59
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Abstract
During the cell cycle of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, striking changes in the organization of the cytoplasmic microtubule cytoskeleton take place. These may serve as a model for understanding the different modes of microtubule organization that are often characteristic of differentiated higher eukaryotic cells. In the last few years, considerable progress has been made in our understanding of the organization and behaviour of fission yeast cytoplasmic microtubules, not only in the identification of the genes and proteins involved but also in the physiological analysis of function using fluorescently-tagged proteins in vivo. In this review we discuss the state of our knowledge in three areas: microtubule nucleation, regulation of microtubule dynamics and the organization and polarity of microtubule bundles. Advances in these areas provide a solid framework for a more detailed understanding of cytoplasmic microtubule organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth E Sawin
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Swann Building, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK.
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60
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Abstract
Centrosomes and their fungal equivalents, spindle pole bodies (SPBs), are the main microtubule (MT)-organizing centers in eukaryotic cells. Several proteins have been implicated in microtubule formation by centrosomes and SPBs, including microtubule-minus-end-binding proteins and proteins that bind along the length or stabilize the plus ends of microtubules. Recent work has improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of MT formation. In particular, it has shown that gamma-tubulin and its associated proteins play key roles in microtubule nucleation and spindle assembly in evolutionarily distant species ranging from fungi to mammals. Other work indicates that gamma-tubulin-mediated microtubule nucleation, although necessary, is not sufficient for mitotic spindle assembly but requires additional proteins that regulate microtubule nucleation independently of centrosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Wiese
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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61
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Vogt N, Koch I, Schwarz H, Schnorrer F, Nüsslein-Volhard C. The gammaTuRC components Grip75 and Grip128 have an essential microtubule-anchoring function in the Drosophila germline. Development 2006; 133:3963-72. [PMID: 16971473 DOI: 10.1242/dev.02570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC) forms an essential template for microtubule nucleation in animal cells. The molecular composition of the gammaTuRC has been described; however, the functions of the subunits proposed to form the cap structure remain to be characterized in vivo. In Drosophila, the core components of the gammaTuRC are essential for mitosis, whereas the cap component Grip75 is not required for viability but functions in bicoid RNA localization during oogenesis. The other cap components have not been analyzed in vivo. We report the functional characterization of the cap components Grip128 and Grip75. Animals with mutations in Dgrip128 or Dgrip75 are viable, but both males and females are sterile. Both proteins are required for the formation of distinct sets of microtubules, which facilitate bicoid RNA localization during oogenesis, the formation of the central microtubule aster connecting the meiosis II spindles in oocytes and cytokinesis in male meiosis. Grip75 and Grip128 anchor the axoneme at the nucleus during sperm elongation. We propose that Grip75 and Grip128 are required to tether microtubules at specific microtubule-organizing centers, instead of being required for general microtubule nucleation. The gammaTuRC cap structure may be essential only for non-centrosome-based microtubule functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Vogt
- Max-Planck-Institute for Developmental Biology, Department of Genetics, Spemannstr. 35, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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62
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Masuda H, Toda T, Miyamoto R, Haraguchi T, Hiraoka Y. Modulation of Alp4 function in Schizosaccharomyces pombe induces novel phenotypes that imply distinct functions for nuclear and cytoplasmic gamma-tubulin complexes. Genes Cells 2006; 11:319-36. [PMID: 16611237 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2443.2006.00946.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin complex acts as a nucleation unit for microtubule assembly. It remains unknown, however, how spatial and temporal regulation of the complex activity affects microtubule-mediated cellular processes. Alp4 is one of the essential components of the S. pombe gamma-tubulin complex. We show here that overproduction of a carboxy-terminal form of Alp4 (Alp4C) and its derivatives tagged to a nuclear localization signal or to a nuclear export signal affect localization of gamma-tubulin complexes and induces novel phenotypes that reflect distinct functions of nuclear and cytoplasmic gamma-tubulin complexes. Nuclear Alp4C induces a Wee1-dependent G2 delay, reduces the levels of the gamma-tubulin complex at the spindle pole body, and results in defects in mitotic progression including spindle assembly, cytoplasmic microtubule disassembly, and chromosome segregation. In contrast, cytoplasmic Alp4C induces oscillatory nuclear movement and affects levels of cell polarity markers, Bud6 and Tip1, at the cell ends. These results demonstrate that regulation of nuclear gamma-tubulin complex activity is essential for cell cycle progression through the G2/M boundary and M phase, whereas regulation of cytoplasmic gamma-tubulin complex activity is important for nuclear positioning and cell polarity control during interphase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohisa Masuda
- Cell Biology Group and CREST/JST, Kansai Advanced Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, 651-2492, Japan.
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63
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Vérollet C, Colombié N, Daubon T, Bourbon HM, Wright M, Raynaud-Messina B. Drosophila melanogaster gamma-TuRC is dispensable for targeting gamma-tubulin to the centrosome and microtubule nucleation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 172:517-28. [PMID: 16476773 PMCID: PMC2063672 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200511071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In metazoans, γ-tubulin acts within two main complexes, γ-tubulin small complexes (γ-TuSCs) and γ-tubulin ring complexes (γ-TuRCs). In higher eukaryotes, it is assumed that microtubule nucleation at the centrosome depends on γ-TuRCs, but the role of γ-TuRC components remains undefined. For the first time, we analyzed the function of all four γ-TuRC–specific subunits in Drosophila melanogaster: Dgrip75, Dgrip128, Dgrip163, and Dgp71WD. Grip-motif proteins, but not Dgp71WD, appear to be required for γ-TuRC assembly. Individual depletion of γ-TuRC components, in cultured cells and in vivo, induces mitotic delay and abnormal spindles. Surprisingly, γ-TuSCs are recruited to the centrosomes. These defects are less severe than those resulting from the inhibition of γ-TuSC components and do not appear critical for viability. Simultaneous cosilencing of all γ-TuRC proteins leads to stronger phenotypes and partial recruitment of γ-TuSC. In conclusion, γ-TuRCs are required for assembly of fully functional spindles, but we suggest that γ-TuSC could be targeted to the centrosomes, which is where basic microtubule assembly activities are maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christel Vérollet
- Centre de Recherche en Pharmacologie, Santé, UMR 2587, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Pierre Fabre, Institut de Sciences et Technologies du Médicament de Toulouse, 31432 Toulouse, Cedex 4, France
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64
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Wang Q, Du X, Meinkoth J, Hirohashi Y, Zhang H, Liu Q, Richter M, Greene MI. Characterization of Su48, a centrosome protein essential for cell division. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:6512-7. [PMID: 16617106 PMCID: PMC1458915 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0601682103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The centrosome functions as the major microtubule-organizing center and plays a vital role in guiding chromosome segregation during mitosis. Centrosome abnormalities are frequently seen in a variety of cancers, suggesting that dysfunction of this organelle may contribute to malignant transformation. In our efforts to identify the protein components of the centrosome and to understand the structure features involved in the assembly and functions of this organelle, we cloned and characterized a centrosome-associated protein called Su48. We found that a coiled coil-containing subdomain of Su48 was both sufficient and required for its centrosome localization. In addition, this structure also modulates Su48 dimerization. Moreover, ectopic expression of Su48 causes abnormal mitosis, and a mutant form of Su48 disrupts the localization of gamma-tubulin to the centrosome. Finally, by microinjection of an anti-Su48 antibody, we found that disruption of normal Su48 functions leads to mitotic failure, possibly due to centrosome defects or incomplete cytokinesis. Thus, Su48 represents a previously unrecognized centrosome protein that is essential for cell division. We speculate that Su48 abnormalities may cause aberrant chromosome segregation and may contribute to aneuploidy and malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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65
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Stumpff J, Kellogg DR, Krohne KA, Su TT. Drosophila Wee1 interacts with members of the gammaTURC and is required for proper mitotic-spindle morphogenesis and positioning. Curr Biol 2006; 15:1525-34. [PMID: 16139207 PMCID: PMC3242738 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2005] [Revised: 06/20/2005] [Accepted: 07/11/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wee1 kinases delay entry into mitosis by phosphorylating and inactivating cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1). Loss of this activity in many systems, including Drosophila, leads to premature mitotic entry. RESULTS We report here that Drosophila Wee1 (dwee1) mutant embryos show mitotic-spindle defects that include ectopic foci of microtubule organization, formation of multipolar spindles from adjacent centrosome pairs, and promiscuous interactions between neighboring spindles. Furthermore, centrosomes are displaced from the embryo cortex in dwee1 mutants. These defects are not observed to the same extent in embryos in which nuclei also enter mitosis prematurely as a result of a lack of checkpoint control or in embryos with elevated Cdk1 activity. dWee1 physically interacts with members of the gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC), and gamma-tubulin is phosphorylated in a dwee1-dependent manner in embryo extracts. CONCLUSIONS Some of the abnormalities in dwee1 mutant embryos cannot be explained by premature entry into mitosis or bulk elevation of Cdk1 activity. Instead, dWee1 is also required for phosphorylation of gamma-tubulin, centrosome positioning, and mitotic-spindle integrity. We propose a model to account for these requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Stumpff
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, 347 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309
| | - Douglas R. Kellogg
- Department of Biology, Sinsheimer Laboratories, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Kathleen A. Krohne
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, 347 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309
| | - Tin Tin Su
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, 347 UCB, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309
- Correspondence:
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66
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Haren L, Remy MH, Bazin I, Callebaut I, Wright M, Merdes A. NEDD1-dependent recruitment of the gamma-tubulin ring complex to the centrosome is necessary for centriole duplication and spindle assembly. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 172:505-15. [PMID: 16461362 PMCID: PMC2063671 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200510028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Haren
- Institut de Sciences et Technologies du Médicament de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Pierre Fabre, 31400 Toulouse, France
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67
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Lüders J, Patel UK, Stearns T. GCP-WD is a gamma-tubulin targeting factor required for centrosomal and chromatin-mediated microtubule nucleation. Nat Cell Biol 2005; 8:137-47. [PMID: 16378099 DOI: 10.1038/ncb1349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2005] [Accepted: 11/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC) is a large multi-protein complex that is required for microtubule nucleation from the centrosome. Here, we show that the GCP-WD protein (originally named NEDD1) is the orthologue of the Drosophila Dgrip71WD protein, and is a subunit of the human gammaTuRC. GCP-WD has the properties of an attachment factor for the gammaTuRC: depletion or inhibition of GCP-WD results in loss of the gammaTuRC from the centrosome, abolishing centrosomal microtubule nucleation, although the gammaTuRC is intact and able to bind to microtubules. GCP-WD depletion also blocks mitotic chromatin-mediated microtubule nucleation, resulting in failure of spindle assembly. Mitotic phosphorylation of GCP-WD is required for association of gamma-tubulin with the spindle, separately from association with the centrosome. Our results indicate that GCP-WD broadly mediates targeting of the gammaTuRC to sites of microtubule nucleation and to the mitotic spindle, which is essential for spindle formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Lüders
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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68
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Colombié N, Vérollet C, Sampaio P, Moisand A, Sunkel C, Bourbon HM, Wright M, Raynaud-Messina B. The Drosophila gamma-tubulin small complex subunit Dgrip84 is required for structural and functional integrity of the spindle apparatus. Mol Biol Cell 2005; 17:272-82. [PMID: 16236791 PMCID: PMC1345665 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e05-08-0722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gamma-tubulin, a protein critical for microtubule assembly, functions within multiprotein complexes. However, little is known about the respective role of gamma-tubulin partners in metazoans. For the first time in a multicellular organism, we have investigated the function of Dgrip84, the Drosophila orthologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gamma-tubulin-associated protein Spc97p. Mutant analysis shows that Dgrip84 is essential for viability. Its depletion promotes a moderate increase in the mitotic index, correlated with the appearance of monopolar or unpolarized spindles, impairment of centrosome maturation, and increase of polyploid nuclei. This in vivo study is strengthened by an RNA interference approach in cultured S2 cells. Electron microscopy analysis suggests that monopolar spindles might result from a failure of centrosome separation and an unusual microtubule assembly pathway via centriolar triplets. Moreover, we point to an involvement of Dgrip84 in the spindle checkpoint regulation and in the maintenance of interphase microtubule dynamics. Dgrip84 also seems essential for male meiosis, ensuring spindle bipolarity and correct completion of cytokinesis. These data sustain that Dgrip84 is required in some aspects of microtubule dynamics and organization both in interphase and mitosis. The nature of a minimal gamma-tubulin complex necessary for proper microtubule organization in the metazoans is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Colombié
- Centre de Recherche en Pharmacologie-Santé, Unité Mixte de Recherche 2587, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Pierre Fabre, Institut de Sciences et Technologies du Médicament de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France
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69
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Yuba-Kubo A, Kubo A, Hata M, Tsukita S. Gene knockout analysis of two gamma-tubulin isoforms in mice. Dev Biol 2005; 282:361-73. [PMID: 15893303 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2004] [Revised: 03/14/2005] [Accepted: 03/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-tubulin regulates the nucleation of microtubules, but knowledge of its functions in vivo is still fragmentary. Here, we report the identification of two closely related gamma-tubulin isoforms, TUBG1 and TUBG2, in mice, and the generation of TUBG1- and TUBG2-deficient mice. TUBG1 was expressed ubiquitously, whereas TUBG2 was primarily detected in the brain. The development of TUBG1-deficient (Tubg1-/-) embryos stopped at the morula/blastocyst stages due to a characteristic mitotic arrest: the mitotic spindle was highly disorganized, and disorganized spindles showed one or two pole-like foci of bundled MTs that were surrounded by condensed chromosomes. TUBG2 was expressed in blastocysts, but could not rescue the TUBG1 deficiency. By contrast, TUBG2-deficient (Tubg2-/-) mice were born, grew, and intercrossed normally. In the brain of wild-type mice, TUBG2 was expressed in approximately the same amount as TUBG1, but no histological abnormalities were found in the Tubg2-/- brain. These findings indicated that TUBG1 and TUBG2 are not functionally equivalent in vivo, that TUBG1 corresponds to conventional gamma-tubulin, and that TUBG2 may have some unidentified function in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Yuba-Kubo
- Solution Oriented Research for Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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70
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Tange Y, Fujita A, Toda T, Niwa O. Functional dissection of the gamma-tubulin complex by suppressor analysis of gtb1 and alp4 mutations in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Genetics 2005; 167:1095-107. [PMID: 15280226 PMCID: PMC1470944 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.104.027946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In fission yeast, gamma-tubulin (encoded by the gtb1+ gene), Alp4 (Spc97/GCP2), and Alp6 (Spc98/GCP3) are essential components of the gamma-tubulin complex. We isolated gtb1 mutants as allele-specific suppressors of temperature-sensitive alp4 mutations. Mutation sites in gtb1 mutants and in several alp4 alleles were determined. The majority of substituted amino acids were mapped to a small area on the predicted surface of the gamma-tubulin molecule that might directly interact with the Alp4 protein. The cold sensitivity of gamma-tubulin mutants was almost completely suppressed by an alpha-tubulin mutation and partially suppressed by a low concentration of thiabendazole, a microtubule assembly inhibitor. Other gtb1 mutants had increased resistance to this drug. Gel-filtration and immunoprecipitation analyses suggested that the mutant gamma-tubulin formed an altered gamma-tubulin complex with increased stability compared to wild-type gamma-tubulin. In most gtb1 mutants, sexual development was impaired, and aberrant asci that contained an irregular spore shape and number were produced. In contrast, spore formation was not appreciably damaged in some alp4 and alp6 mutants, even at temperatures where vegetative proliferation was substantially defective. These results suggested that the function of the gamma-tubulin complex or the requirement of each component of the complex is differentially regulated between the vegetative and sexual phases of the life cycle in fission yeast. In addition, genetic data indicated intimate functional connections of gamma-tubulin with several kinesin-like proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshie Tange
- Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Kisarazu, Chiba 292-0818, Japan
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71
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Raynaud-Messina B, Mazzolini L, Moisand A, Cirinesi AM, Wright M. Elongation of centriolar microtubule triplets contributes to the formation of the mitotic spindle in gamma-tubulin-depleted cells. J Cell Sci 2004; 117:5497-507. [PMID: 15479719 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.01401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The assembly of the mitotic spindle after depletion of the major gamma-tubulin isotype by RNA-mediated interference was assessed in the Drosophila S2 cell line. Depletion of gamma-tubulin had no significant effect on the cytoskeletal microtubules during interphase. However, it promoted an increase in the mitotic index, resulting mainly in monopolar and, to a lesser extent, asymmetrical bipolar prometaphases lacking astral microtubules. This mitotic accumulation coincided with the activation of the mitotic checkpoint. Immunostaining with an anti-Asp antibody revealed that the spindle poles, which were always devoid of gamma-tubulin, were unfocused and organized into sub-spindles. Despite the marked depletion of gamma-tubulin, the pericentriolar proteins CP190 and centrosomin were recruited to the spindle pole(s), where they formed three or four dots, suggesting the presence of several centrioles. Electron microscopic reconstructions demonstrated that most of the monopolar spindles exhibited three or four centrioles, indicating centriole duplication with a failure in the separation process. Most of the centrioles were shortened, suggesting a role for gamma-tubulin in centriole morphogenesis. Moreover, in contrast to metaphases observed in control cells, in which the spindle microtubules radiated from the pericentriolar material, in gamma-tubulin-depleted cells, microtubule assembly still occurred at the poles but involved the elongation of centriolar microtubule triplets. Our results demonstrate that, after depletion of gamma-tubulin, the pericentriolar material is unable to promote efficient microtubule nucleation. They point to an alternative mechanism of centrosomal microtubule assembly that contributes to the formation of abnormal, albeit partially functional, mitotic spindles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Raynaud-Messina
- ISTMT, Centre de Recherche en Pharmacologie-Santé, UMR 2587 CNRS-P. Fabre, 3 rue des Satellites, 31 400 Toulouse, France.
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72
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Wang Q, Hirohashi Y, Furuuchi K, Zhao H, Liu Q, Zhang H, Murali R, Berezov A, Du X, Li B, Greene MI. The Centrosome in Normal and Transformed Cells. DNA Cell Biol 2004; 23:475-89. [PMID: 15307950 DOI: 10.1089/1044549041562276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The centrosome is a unique organelle that functions as the microtubule organizing center in most animal cells. During cell division, the centrosomes form the poles of the bipolar mitotic spindle. In addition, the centrosomes are also needed for cytokinesis. Each mammalian somatic cell typically contains one centrosome, which is duplicated in coordination with DNA replication. Just like the chromosomes, the centrosome is precisely reproduced once and only once during each cell cycle. However, it remains a mystery how this protein-based structure undergoes accurate duplication in a semiconservative manner. Intriguingly, amplification of the centrosome has been found in numerous forms of cancers. Cells with multiple centrosomes tend to form multipolar spindles, which result in abnormal chromosome segregation during mitosis. It has therefore been postulated that centrosome aberration may compromise the fidelity of cell division and cause chromosome instability. Here we review the current understanding of how the centrosome is assembled and duplicated. We also discuss the possible mechanisms by which centrosome abnormality contributes to the development of malignant phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
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73
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Saibo NJM, Van Der Straeten D, Rodrigues-Pousada C. Lupinus albus gamma-tubulin: mRNA and protein accumulation during development and in response to darkness. PLANTA 2004; 219:201-211. [PMID: 14986143 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-004-1218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2003] [Accepted: 12/27/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We have isolated a genomic DNA fragment encoding a gamma-tubulin in white lupin ( Lupinus albus L.). The predicted polypeptide encoded by the La-TubG1 gene possesses between 91 and 95% identity with other higher-plant gamma-tubulins. The mRNA and protein level of lupin gamma-tubulin is highly correlated with beta-tubulin as well as with the growth rate of the tissue. Both La-TubG1 transcript and gamma-tubulin protein expression levels are down-regulated in the embryonic axis of dry seeds as compared with the embryonic axis of germinated seeds. In 7-day-old seedlings, the La-TubG1 gene is ubiquitously expressed, with the highest level found in immature leaves. In contrast, La-TubG1 gene expression is down-regulated in mature leaves. The gamma-tubulin protein level follows a similar age-dependent accumulation, decreasing during leaf development. The expression of the gamma-tubulin gene in the hypocotyl is down-regulated by light. Nevertheless, the protein levels were not significantly altered by light, suggesting that gamma-tubulin accumulation might be controlled at both transcriptional and protein levels. Immunocytochemistry studies showed that lupin gamma-tubulin displays the localization observed in most plant microtubule arrays, corroborating a functional conservation in different species.
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74
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Venkatram S, Tasto JJ, Feoktistova A, Jennings JL, Link AJ, Gould KL. Identification and characterization of two novel proteins affecting fission yeast gamma-tubulin complex function. Mol Biol Cell 2004; 15:2287-301. [PMID: 15004232 PMCID: PMC404023 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e03-10-0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin complex, via its ability to organize microtubules, is critical for accurate chromosome segregation and cytokinesis in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. To better understand its roles, we have purified the S. pombe gamma-tubulin complex. Mass spectrometric analyses of the purified complex revealed known components and identified two novel proteins (i.e., Mbo1p and Gfh1p) with homology to gamma-tubulin-associated proteins from other organisms. We show that both Mbo1p and Gfh1p localize to microtubule organizing centers. Although cells deleted for either mbo1(+) or gfh1(+) are viable, they exhibit a number of defects associated with altered microtubule function such as defects in cell polarity, nuclear positioning, spindle orientation, and cleavage site specification. In addition, mbo1Delta and gfh1Delta cells exhibit defects in astral microtubule formation and anchoring, suggesting that these proteins have specific roles in astral microtubule function. This study expands the known roles of gamma-tubulin complex components in organizing different types of microtubule structures in S. pombe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Venkatram
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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75
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Kawaguchi SI, Zheng Y. Characterization of a Drosophila centrosome protein CP309 that shares homology with Kendrin and CG-NAP. Mol Biol Cell 2004; 15:37-45. [PMID: 14565985 PMCID: PMC307525 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e03-03-0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2003] [Revised: 08/27/2003] [Accepted: 08/28/2003] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
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 gamma-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 gamma-tubulin small complex. These findings suggest that the microtubule-nucleating activity of the centrosome requires the function of CP309.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-ichi Kawaguchi
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution of Washington and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21210, USA
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76
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Ou Y, Rattner JB. The Centrosome in Higher Organisms: Structure, Composition, and Duplication. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2004; 238:119-82. [PMID: 15364198 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(04)38003-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The centrosome found in higher organisms is an organelle with a complex and dynamic architecture and composition. This organelle not only functions as a microtubule-organizing center, but also is integrated with or impacts a number of cellular processes. Defects associated with this organelle have been linked to a variety of human diseases including several forms of cancer. Here we review the emerging picture of how the structure, composition, duplication, and function of the centrosome found in higher organisms are interrelated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ou
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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77
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Abstract
Higher plants have developed a unique pathway to control their cytoskeleton assembly and dynamics. In most other eukaryotes, microtubules are nucleated in vivo at the nucleation and organizing centers and are involved in the establishment of polarity. Although the major cytoskeletal components are common to plant and animal cells, which suggests conserved regulation mechanisms, plants do not possess centrosome-like organelles. Nevertheless, they are able to build spindles and have developed their own specific cytoskeletal arrays: the cortical arrays, the preprophase band, and the phragmoplast, which all participate in basic developmental processes, as shown by defective mutants. New approaches provide essential clues to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of microtubule nucleation. Gamma-tubulin, which is considered to be the universal nucleator, is the essential component of microtubule-nucleating complexes identified as gamma-tubulin ring complexes (gamma-TuRC) in centriolar cells. A gamma-tubulin small complex (gamma-TuSC) forms a minimal nucleating unit recruited at specific sites of activity. These components--gamma-tubulin, Spc98p, and Spc97p--are present in higher plants. They play a crucial role in microtubule nucleation at the nuclear surface, which is known as the main functional plant microtubule-organizing center, and also probably at the cell cortex and at the phragmoplast, where secondary nucleation sites may exist. Surprisingly, plant gamma-tubulin is distributed along the microtubule length. As it is not associated with Spc98p, it may not be involved in microtubule nucleation, but may preferably control microtubule dynamics. Understanding the mechanisms of microtubule nucleation is the major challenge of the current research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Catherine Schmit
- Plant Molecular Biology Institute, National Center of Scientific Research, UPR 2357, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France
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78
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Gunawardane RN, Martin OC, Zheng Y. Characterization of a new gammaTuRC subunit with WD repeats. Mol Biol Cell 2003; 14:1017-26. [PMID: 12631720 PMCID: PMC151576 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e02-01-0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC), consisting of multiple protein subunits, can nucleate microtubule assembly. Although many subunits of the gammaTuRC have been identified, a complete set remains to be defined in any organism. In addition, how the subunits interact with each other to assemble into gammaTuRC remains largely unknown. Here, we report the characterization of a novel gammaTuRC subunit, Drosophila gamma ring protein with WD repeats (Dgp71WD). With the exception of gamma-tubulin, Dgp71WD is the only gammaTuRC component identified to date that does not contain the grip motifs, which are signature sequences conserved in gammaTuRC components. By performing immunoprecipitations after pair-wise coexpression in Sf9 cells, we show that Dgp71WD directly interacts with the grip motif-containing gammaTuRC subunits, Dgrips84, 91, 128, and 163, suggesting that Dgp71WD may play a scaffolding role in gammaTuRC organization. We also show that Dgrips128 and 163, like Dgrips84 and 91, can interact directly with gamma-tubulin. Coexpression of any of these grip motif-containing proteins with gamma-tubulin promotes gamma-tubulin binding to guanine nucleotide. In contrast, in the same assay Dgp71WD interacts with gamma-tubulin but does not facilitate nucleotide binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruwanthi N Gunawardane
- Carnegie Institution of Washington/Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21210, USA
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79
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Abstract
The plant microtubule cytoskeleton forms unique arrays during cell division and morphogenesis. Recent studies have addressed the biogenesis, turnover, spatio-temporal organisation and cellular function of microtubules. The results suggest that both conserved eukaryotic mechanisms and plant-specific modifications determine microtubule dynamics and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Mayer
- ZMBP, Entwicklungsgenetik, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 3, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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80
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Schnorrer F, Luschnig S, Koch I, Nüsslein-Volhard C. Gamma-tubulin37C and gamma-tubulin ring complex protein 75 are essential for bicoid RNA localization during drosophila oogenesis. Dev Cell 2002; 3:685-96. [PMID: 12431375 DOI: 10.1016/s1534-5807(02)00301-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
bicoid (bcd) RNA localization requires the activity of exuperantia and swallow at sequential steps of oogenesis and is microtubule dependent. In a genetic screen, we identified two novel genes essential for bcd RNA localization. They encode maternal gamma-Tubulin37C (gammaTub37C) and gamma-tubulin ring complex protein 75 (Dgrip75), both of which are gamma-tubulin ring complex components. Mutations in these genes specifically affect bcd RNA localization, whereas other microtubule-dependent processes during oogenesis are not impaired. This provides direct evidence that a subset of microtubules organized by the gamma-tubulin ring complex is essential for localization of bcd RNA. At stage 10b, we find gammaTub37C and Dgrip75 anteriorly concentrated and propose the formation of a microtubule-organizing center at the anterior pole of the oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Schnorrer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie, Abteilung Genetik, Spemannstr. 35, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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81
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Cha BJ, Serbus LR, Koppetsch BS, Theurkauf WE. Kinesin I-dependent cortical exclusion restricts pole plasm to the oocyte posterior. Nat Cell Biol 2002; 4:592-8. [PMID: 12134163 DOI: 10.1038/ncb832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules and the plus-end-directed microtubule motor Kinesin I are required for the selective accumulation of oskar mRNA at the posterior cortex of the Drosophila melanogaster oocyte, which is essential to posterior patterning and pole plasm assembly. We present evidence that microtubule minus ends associate with the entire cortex, and that Kinesin and microtubules are not required for oskar mRNA association with the posterior pole, but prevent ectopic localization of this transcript and the pole plasm proteins Oskar and Vasa to other cortical regions. Cortical binding of oskar mRNA seems to be dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. We conclude that most of the actin-rich oocyte cortex can support pole plasm assembly, and propose that Kinesin restricts pole plasm formation to the posterior by moving oskar mRNA away from microtubule-rich lateral and anterior cortical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeong-Jik Cha
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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82
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Fujita A, Vardy L, Garcia MA, Toda T. A fourth component of the fission yeast gamma-tubulin complex, Alp16, is required for cytoplasmic microtubule integrity and becomes indispensable when gamma-tubulin function is compromised. Mol Biol Cell 2002; 13:2360-73. [PMID: 12134075 PMCID: PMC117319 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.02-01-0603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
gamma-Tubulin functions as a multiprotein complex, called the gamma-tubulin complex (gamma-TuC), and composes the microtubule organizing center (MTOC). Fission yeast Alp4 and Alp6 are homologues of two conserved gamma-TuC proteins, hGCP2 and hGCP3, respectively. We isolated a novel gene, alp16(+), as a multicopy suppressor of temperature-sensitive alp6-719 mutants. alp16(+) encodes a 759-amino-acid protein with two conserved regions found in all other members of gamma-TuC components. In addition, Alp16 contains an additional motif, which shows homology to hGCP6/Xgrip210. Gene disruption shows that alp16(+) is not essential for cell viability. However, alp16 deletion displays abnormally long cytoplasmic microtubules, which curve around the cell tip. Furthermore, alp16-deleted mutants are hypersensitive to microtubule-depolymerizing drugs and synthetically lethal with either temperature-sensitive alp4-225, alp4-1891, or alp6-719 mutants. Overproduction of Alp16 is lethal, with defective phenotypes very similar to loss of Alp4 or Alp6. Alp16 localizes to the spindle pole body throughout the cell cycle and to the equatorial MTOC at postanaphase. Alp16 coimmunoprecipitates with gamma-tubulin and cosediments with the gamma-TuC in a large complex (>20 S). Alp16 is, however, not required for the formation of this large complex. We discuss evolutional conservation and divergence of structure and function of the gamma-TuC between yeast and higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Fujita
- Laboratory of Cell Regulation, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London WC2A 3PX, United Kingdom
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83
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Erhardt M, Stoppin-Mellet V, Campagne S, Canaday J, Mutterer J, Fabian T, Sauter M, Muller T, Peter C, Lambert AM, Schmit AC. The plant Spc98p homologue colocalizes with gamma-tubulin at microtubule nucleation sites and is required for microtubule nucleation. J Cell Sci 2002; 115:2423-31. [PMID: 12006626 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.115.11.2423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of microtubule nucleation is still not known in higher plant cells. This process is better understood in yeast and animals cells. In the yeast spindle pole body and the centrosome in animal cells, gamma-tubulin small complexes and gamma-tubulin ring complexes, respectively, nucleate all microtubules. In addition to gamma-tubulin, Spc98p or its homologues plays an essential role. We report here the characterization of rice and Arabidopsis homologues of SPC98. Spc98p colocalizes with gamma-tubulin at the nuclear surface where microtubules are nucleated on isolated tobacco nuclei and in living cells. AtSpc98p-GFP also localizes at the cell cortex. Spc98p is not associated with gamma-tubulin along microtubules. These data suggest that multiple microtubule-nucleating sites are active in plant cells. Microtubule nucleation involving Spc98p-containing gamma-tubulin complexes could then be conserved among all eukaryotes, despite differences in structure and spatial distribution of microtubule organizing centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Erhardt
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UPR 2357, Université Louis Pasteur, 12 rue du Général Zimmer F-67084, Strasbourg Cedex, France
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84
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Hannak E, Oegema K, Kirkham M, Gönczy P, Habermann B, Hyman AA. The kinetically dominant assembly pathway for centrosomal asters in Caenorhabditis elegans is gamma-tubulin dependent. J Cell Biol 2002; 157:591-602. [PMID: 12011109 PMCID: PMC2173857 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200202047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
gamma-Tubulin-containing complexes are thought to nucleate and anchor centrosomal microtubules (MTs). Surprisingly, a recent study (Strome, S., J. Powers, M. Dunn, K. Reese, C.J. Malone, J. White, G. Seydoux, and W. Saxton. Mol. Biol. Cell. 12:1751-1764) showed that centrosomal asters form in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos depleted of gamma-tubulin by RNA-mediated interference (RNAi). Here, we investigate the nucleation and organization of centrosomal MT asters in C. elegans embryos severely compromised for gamma-tubulin function. We characterize embryos depleted of approximately 98% centrosomal gamma-tubulin by RNAi, embryos expressing a mutant form of gamma-tubulin, and embryos depleted of a gamma-tubulin-associated protein, CeGrip-1. In all cases, centrosomal asters fail to form during interphase but assemble as embryos enter mitosis. The formation of these mitotic asters does not require ZYG-9, a centrosomal MT-associated protein, or cytoplasmic dynein, a minus end-directed motor that contributes to self-organization of mitotic asters in other organisms. By kinetically monitoring MT regrowth from cold-treated mitotic centrosomes in vivo, we show that centrosomal nucleating activity is severely compromised by gamma-tubulin depletion. Thus, although unknown mechanisms can support partial assembly of mitotic centrosomal asters, gamma-tubulin is the kinetically dominant centrosomal MT nucleator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Hannak
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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85
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Vinh DBN, Kern JW, Hancock WO, Howard J, Davis TN. Reconstitution and characterization of budding yeast gamma-tubulin complex. Mol Biol Cell 2002; 13:1144-57. [PMID: 11950928 PMCID: PMC102258 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.02-01-0607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleation of microtubules is central to assembly of the mitotic spindle, which is required for each cell division. gamma-Tubulin is a universal component essential for microtubule nucleation from centrosomes. To elucidate the mechanism of microtubule nucleation in budding yeast we reconstituted and characterized the yeast gamma-tubulin complex (Tub4p complex) produced in insect cells. The recombinant complex has the same sedimentation coefficient (11.6 S) as the native complex in yeast cell extracts and contains one molecule of Spc97p, one molecule of Spc98p, and two molecules of Tub4p. The reconstituted Tub4p complex binds preformed microtubules and has a low nucleating activity, allowing us to begin a detailed analysis of conditions that enhance this nucleating activity. We tested whether binding of the recombinant Tub4p complex to the spindle pole body docking protein Spc110p affects its nucleating activity. The solubility of recombinant Spc110p in insect cells is improved by coexpression with yeast calmodulin (Cmd1p). The Spc110p/Cmd1p complex has a small sedimentation coefficient (4.2 S) and a large Stokes radius (14.3 nm), indicative of an elongated structure. The Tub4p complex binds Spc110p/Cmd1p via Spc98p and the K(d) for binding is 150 nM. The low nucleation activity of the Tub4p complex is not enhanced when it is bound to Spc110p/Cmd1p, suggesting that it requires additional components or modifications to achieve robust activity. Finally, we report the identification of a large 22 S Tub4p complex in yeast extract that contains multimers of Spc97p similar to gamma-tubulin ring complexes found in higher eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dani B N Vinh
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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86
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Daunderer C, Gräf RO. Molecular analysis of the cytosolic Dictyostelium gamma-tubulin complex. Eur J Cell Biol 2002; 81:175-84. [PMID: 12018385 DOI: 10.1078/0171-9335-00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
gamma-Tubulin plays an essential role in microtubule nucleation and organization and occurs, besides its centrosomal localization, in the cytosol, where it forms soluble complexes with other proteins. We investigated the size and composition of gamma-tubulin complexes in Dictyostelium, using a mutant cell line in which the endogenous copy of the gamma-tubulin gene had been replaced by a tagged version. Dictyostelium gamma-tubulin complexes were generally much smaller than the large gamma-tubulin ring complexes found in higher organisms. The stability of the small Dictyostelium gamma-tubulin complexes depended strongly on the purification conditions, with a striking stabilization of the complexes under high salt conditions. Furthermore, we cloned the Dictyostelium homolog of Spc97 and an almost complete sequence of the Dictyostelium homolog of Spc98, which are both components of gamma-tubulin complexes in other organisms. Both proteins localize to the centrosome in Dictyostelium throughout the cell cycle and are also present in a cytosolic pool. We could show that the prevailing small complex present in Dictyostelium consists of DdSpc98 and gamma-tubulin, whereas DdSpc97 does not associate. Dictyostelium is thus the first organism investigated so far where the three proteins do not interact stably in the cytosol.
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87
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Gunawardane RN, Zheng Y, Oegema K, Wiese C. Purification and reconstitution of Drosophila gamma-tubulin complexes. Methods Cell Biol 2002; 67:1-25. [PMID: 11550462 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-679x(01)67002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R N Gunawardane
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Baltimore, Maryland 21210, USA
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88
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Lange BMH. Integration of the centrosome in cell cycle control, stress response and signal transduction pathways. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2002; 14:35-43. [PMID: 11792542 DOI: 10.1016/s0955-0674(01)00291-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The identification of cell cycle control and signal transduction components on the centrosome has fostered the idea that the centrosome is more than a microtubule-organizing center. Indeed, recent molecular evidence suggests that the centrosome plays an active role not only in the regulation of microtubule nucleation activity, but also in the coordination of centrosome duplication with cell cycle progression, in stress response and in cell cycle checkpoint control. To achieve these roles, it interacts with a multitude of signal transduction molecules. The specificity of the interactions is mediated through anchoring proteins that bring centrosomal components and regulatory proteins into close proximity. The molecular composition and organization of the centrosome thus reflects its multiple functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodo M H Lange
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Cell Biology and Biophysics Programme, Meyerhofstrasse 1, D-69117, Heidelberg, Germany.
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89
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Murphy SM, Preble AM, Patel UK, O'Connell KL, Dias DP, Moritz M, Agard D, Stults JT, Stearns T. GCP5 and GCP6: two new members of the human gamma-tubulin complex. Mol Biol Cell 2001; 12:3340-52. [PMID: 11694571 PMCID: PMC60259 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.12.11.3340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin complex is a large multiprotein complex that is required for microtubule nucleation at the centrosome. Here we report the purification and characterization of the human gamma-tubulin complex and the identification of its subunits. The human gamma-tubulin complex is a ring of ~25 nm, has a subunit structure similar to that reported for gamma-tubulin complexes from other species, and is able to nucleate microtubule polymerization in vitro. Mass spectrometry analysis of the human gamma-tubulin complex components confirmed the presence of four previously identified components (gamma-tubulin and gamma-tubulin complex proteins [GCPs] 2, 3, and 4) and led to the identification of two new components, GCP5 and GCP6. Sequence analysis revealed that the GCPs share five regions of sequence similarity and define a novel protein superfamily that is conserved in metazoans. GCP5 and GCP6, like other components of the gamma-tubulin complex, localize to the centrosome and associate with microtubules, suggesting that the entire gamma-tubulin complex takes part in both of these interactions. Stoichiometry experiments revealed that there is a single copy of GCP5 and multiple copies of gamma-tubulin, GCP2, GCP3, and GCP4 within the gamma-tubulin complex. Thus, the gamma-tubulin complex is conserved in structure and function, suggesting that the mechanism of microtubule nucleation is conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5020, USA
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90
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Vogel J, Drapkin B, Oomen J, Beach D, Bloom K, Snyder M. Phosphorylation of gamma-tubulin regulates microtubule organization in budding yeast. Dev Cell 2001; 1:621-31. [PMID: 11709183 DOI: 10.1016/s1534-5807(01)00073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
gamma-Tubulin is essential for microtubule nucleation in yeast and other organisms; whether this protein is regulated in vivo has not been explored. We show that the budding yeast gamma-tubulin (Tub4p) is phosphorylated in vivo. Hyperphosphorylated Tub4p isoforms are restricted to G1. A conserved tyrosine near the carboxy terminus (Tyr445) is required for phosphorylation in vivo. A point mutation, Tyr445 to Asp, causes cells to arrest prior to anaphase. The frequency of new microtubules appearing in the SPB region and the number of microtubules are increased in tub4-Y445D cells, suggesting this mutation promotes microtubule assembly. These data suggest that modification of gamma-tubulin is important for controlling microtubule number, thereby influencing microtubule organization and function during the yeast cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vogel
- Department of Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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91
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Raynaud-Messina B, Debec A, Tollon Y, Garès M, Wright M. Differential properties of the two Drosophila gamma-tubulin isotypes. Eur J Cell Biol 2001; 80:643-9. [PMID: 11713868 DOI: 10.1078/0171-9335-00195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional significance of distinct gamma-tubulins in several unrelated eukaryotes remains an enigma due to the difficulties to investigate this question experimentally. Using specific nucleotidic and immunological probes, we have demonstrated that the two divergent Drosophila gamma-tubulins, gamma-tub23C and gamma-tub37CD, are expressed in cultured cells. Gamma-tub37CD is constantly detected at the centrosome and absent in the mitotic spindle, while gamma-tub23C is extensively recruited to the centrosome during mitosis and relocalizes in the mitotic spindle. The two gamma-tubulins exhibit distinct biochemical properties. Gamma-tub23C is present in the soluble gamma-tubulin small complexes (10S) and gamma-tubulin big complexes (35S) and is loosely associated to the cytoskeleton. In contrast, gamma-tub37CD is undetectable in the soluble fraction and exhibits a tight binding to the centrosome. Syncytial embryos also contain the two gamma-tubulin isotypes, which are differentially recruited at the centrosome. Gamma-tub23C is present in the 10S soluble complexes only, while y-tub37CD is contained in the two soluble complexes and is recruited at the centrosome where it exhibits an heterogeneous binding. These results demonstrated an heterogeneity of the two Drosophila gamma-tubulin isotypes both in the cytoskeletal and the soluble fractions. They suggest the direct implication of the 35S complex in the centrosomal recruitment of gamma-tubulin and a conditional functional redundancy between the two gamma-tubulins.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Raynaud-Messina
- Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse/France
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92
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Zhang L, Keating TJ, Wilde A, Borisy GG, Zheng Y. The role of Xgrip210 in gamma-tubulin ring complex assembly and centrosome recruitment. J Cell Biol 2000; 151:1525-36. [PMID: 11134080 PMCID: PMC2150686 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.151.7.1525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC), purified from the cytoplasm of vertebrate and invertebrate cells, is a microtubule nucleator in vitro. Structural studies have shown that gammaTuRC is a structure shaped like a lock-washer and topped with a cap. Microtubules are thought to nucleate from the uncapped side of the gammaTuRC. Consequently, the cap structure of the gammaTuRC is distal to the base of the microtubules, giving the end of the microtubule the shape of a pointed cap. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a new subunit of Xenopus gammaTuRC, Xgrip210. We show that Xgrip210 is a conserved centrosomal protein that is essential for the formation of gammaTuRC. Using immunogold labeling, we found that Xgrip210 is localized to the ends of microtubules nucleated by the gammaTuRC and that its localization is more distal, toward the tip of the gammaTuRC-cap structure, than that of gamma-tubulin. Immunodepletion of Xgrip210 blocks not only the assembly of the gammaTuRC, but also the recruitment of gamma-tubulin and its interacting protein, Xgrip109, to the centrosome. These results suggest that Xgrip210 is a component of the gammaTuRC cap structure that is required for the assembly of the gammaTuRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Baltimore, Maryland 21210, USA.
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