1
|
Anjur-Dietrich MI, Gomez Hererra V, Farhadifar R, Wu H, Merta H, Bahmanyar S, Shelley MJ, Needleman DJ. Mechanics of spindle orientation in human mitotic cells is determined by pulling forces on astral microtubules and clustering of cortical dynein. Dev Cell 2024; 59:2429-2442.e4. [PMID: 38866013 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The forces that orient the spindle in human cells remain poorly understood due to a lack of direct mechanical measurements in mammalian systems. We use magnetic tweezers to measure the force on human mitotic spindles. Combining the spindle's measured resistance to rotation, the speed at which it rotates after laser ablating astral microtubules, and estimates of the number of ablated microtubules reveals that each microtubule contacting the cell cortex is subject to ∼5 pN of pulling force, suggesting that each is pulled on by an individual dynein motor. We find that the concentration of dynein at the cell cortex and extent of dynein clustering are key determinants of the spindle's resistance to rotation, with little contribution from cytoplasmic viscosity, which we explain using a biophysically based mathematical model. This work reveals how pulling forces on astral microtubules determine the mechanics of spindle orientation and demonstrates the central role of cortical dynein clustering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya I Anjur-Dietrich
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Vicente Gomez Hererra
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
| | - Reza Farhadifar
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Haiyin Wu
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Holly Merta
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shirin Bahmanyar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Michael J Shelley
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA; Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Daniel J Needleman
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Carvalho C, Barbosa DJ, Celestino R, Zanin E, Xavier Carvalho A, Gassmann R. Dynein directs prophase centrosome migration to control the stem cell division axis in the developing Caenorhabditis elegans epidermis. Genetics 2024; 226:iyae005. [PMID: 38213110 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The microtubule motor dynein is critical for the assembly and positioning of mitotic spindles. In Caenorhabditis elegans, these dynein functions have been extensively studied in the early embryo but remain poorly explored in other developmental contexts. Here, we use a hypomorphic dynein mutant to investigate the motor's contribution to asymmetric stem cell-like divisions in the larval epidermis. Live imaging of seam cell divisions that precede formation of the seam syncytium shows that mutant cells properly assemble but frequently misorient their spindle. Misoriented divisions misplace daughter cells from the seam cell row, generate anucleate compartments due to aberrant cytokinesis, and disrupt asymmetric cell fate inheritance. Consequently, the seam becomes disorganized and populated with extra cells that have lost seam identity, leading to fatal epidermal rupture. We show that dynein orients the spindle through the cortical GOA-1Gα-LIN-5NuMA pathway by directing the migration of prophase centrosomes along the anterior-posterior axis. Spindle misorientation in the dynein mutant can be partially rescued by elongating cells, implying that dynein-dependent force generation and cell shape jointly promote correct asymmetric division of epithelial stem cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Carvalho
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
| | - Daniel J Barbosa
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- 1H-Toxrun-One Health Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, Gandra 4585-116, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Celestino
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Esther Zanin
- Department Biologie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Ana Xavier Carvalho
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| | - Reto Gassmann
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto 4200-135, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anjur-Dietrich MI, Hererra VG, Farhadifar R, Wu H, Merta H, Bahmanyar S, Shelley MJ, Needleman DJ. Clustering of cortical dynein regulates the mechanics of spindle orientation in human mitotic cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.11.557210. [PMID: 37745442 PMCID: PMC10515834 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.11.557210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The forces which orient the spindle in human cells remain poorly understood due to a lack of direct mechanical measurements in mammalian systems. We use magnetic tweezers to measure the force on human mitotic spindles. Combining the spindle's measured resistance to rotation, the speed it rotates after laser ablating astral microtubules, and estimates of the number of ablated microtubules reveals that each microtubule contacting the cell cortex is subject to ~1 pN of pulling force, suggesting that each is pulled on by an individual dynein motor. We find that the concentration of dynein at the cell cortex and extent of dynein clustering are key determinants of the spindle's resistance to rotation, with little contribution from cytoplasmic viscosity, which we explain using a biophysically based mathematical model. This work reveals how pulling forces on astral microtubules determine the mechanics of spindle orientation and demonstrates the central role of cortical dynein clustering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya I. Anjur-Dietrich
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Vicente Gomez Hererra
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
| | - Reza Farhadifar
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Haiyin Wu
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Holly Merta
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Shirin Bahmanyar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Michael J. Shelley
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Daniel J. Needleman
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Di Rocco M, Galosi S, Follo FC, Lanza E, Folli V, Martire A, Leuzzi V, Martinelli S. Phenotypic Assessment of Pathogenic Variants in GNAO1 and Response to Caffeine in C. elegans Models of the Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:319. [PMID: 36833246 PMCID: PMC9957173 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
De novo mutations affecting the G protein α o subunit (Gαo)-encoding gene (GNAO1) cause childhood-onset developmental delay, hyperkinetic movement disorders, and epilepsy. Recently, we established Caenorhabditis elegans as an informative experimental model for deciphering pathogenic mechanisms associated with GNAO1 defects and identifying new therapies. In this study, we generated two additional gene-edited strains that harbor pathogenic variants which affect residues Glu246 and Arg209-two mutational hotspots in Gαo. In line with previous findings, biallelic changes displayed a variable hypomorphic effect on Gαo-mediated signaling that led to the excessive release of neurotransmitters by different classes of neurons, which, in turn, caused hyperactive egg laying and locomotion. Of note, heterozygous variants showed a cell-specific dominant-negative behavior, which was strictly dependent on the affected residue. As with previously generated mutants (S47G and A221D), caffeine was effective in attenuating the hyperkinetic behavior of R209H and E246K animals, indicating that its efficacy is mutation-independent. Conversely, istradefylline, a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, was effective in R209H animals but not in E246K worms, suggesting that caffeine acts through both adenosine receptor-dependent and receptor-independent mechanisms. Overall, our findings provide new insights into disease mechanisms and further support the potential efficacy of caffeine in controlling dyskinesia associated with pathogenic GNAO1 mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Di Rocco
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Neuroscience, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Galosi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca C. Follo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Lanza
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Viola Folli
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00161 Rome, Italy
- D-tails s.r.l., 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Martire
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Leuzzi
- Department of Human Neuroscience, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Martinelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ignacio DP, Kravtsova N, Henry J, Palomares RH, Dawes AT. Dynein localization and pronuclear movement in the C. elegans zygote. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2022; 79:133-143. [PMID: 36214774 PMCID: PMC10092226 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Centrosomes serve as a site for microtubule nucleation and these microtubules will grow and interact with the motor protein dynein at the cortex. The position of the centrosomes determines where the mitotic spindle will develop across all cell types. Centrosome positioning is achieved through dynein and microtubule-mediated force generation. The mechanism and regulation of force generation during centrosome positioning are not fully understood. Centrosome and pronuclear movement in the first cell cycle of the Caenorhabditis elegans early embryo undergoes both centration and rotation prior to cell division. The proteins LET-99 and GPB-1 have been postulated to have a role in force generation associated with pronuclear centration and rotation dynamics. When the expression of these proteins is perturbed, pronuclear positioning exhibits a movement defect characterized by oscillatory ("wobble") behavior of the pronuclear complex (PNC). To determine if this movement defect is due to an effect on cortical dynein distribution, we utilize RNAi-mediated knockdown of LET-99 and GPB-1 to induce wobble and assay for any effects on GFP-tagged dynein localization in the early C. elegans embryo. To compare and quantify the movement defect produced by the knockdown of LET-99 and GPB-1, we devised a quantification method that measures the strength of wobble ("wobble metric") observed under these experimental conditions. Our quantification of pronuclear complex dynamics and dynein localization shows that loss of LET-99 and GPB-1 induces a similar movement defect which is independent of cortical dynein localization in the early C. elegans embryo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David P Ignacio
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Natalia Kravtsova
- Department of Mathematics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - John Henry
- Department of Mathematics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Adriana T Dawes
- Department of Mathematics, Department of Molecular Genetics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wright BA, Kvansakul M, Schierwater B, Humbert PO. Cell polarity signalling at the birth of multicellularity: What can we learn from the first animals. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1024489. [PMID: 36506100 PMCID: PMC9729800 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1024489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The innovation of multicellularity has driven the unparalleled evolution of animals (Metazoa). But how is a multicellular organism formed and how is its architecture maintained faithfully? The defining properties and rules required for the establishment of the architecture of multicellular organisms include the development of adhesive cell interactions, orientation of division axis, and the ability to reposition daughter cells over long distances. Central to all these properties is the ability to generate asymmetry (polarity), coordinated by a highly conserved set of proteins known as cell polarity regulators. The cell polarity complexes, Scribble, Par and Crumbs, are considered to be a metazoan innovation with apicobasal polarity and adherens junctions both believed to be present in all animals. A better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms regulating cell polarity and tissue architecture should provide key insights into the development and regeneration of all animals including humans. Here we review what is currently known about cell polarity and its control in the most basal metazoans, and how these first examples of multicellular life can inform us about the core mechanisms of tissue organisation and repair, and ultimately diseases of tissue organisation, such as cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bree A. Wright
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Research Centre for Molecular Cancer Prevention, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Bernd Schierwater
- Institute of Animal Ecology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg, Hannover, Germany
| | - Patrick O. Humbert
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Research Centre for Molecular Cancer Prevention, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Patrick O. Humbert,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sakai Y, Hanafusa H, Hisamoto N, Matsumoto K. Histidine dephosphorylation of the Gβ protein GPB-1 promotes axon regeneration in C. elegans. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e55076. [PMID: 36278516 PMCID: PMC9724660 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Histidine phosphorylation is an emerging noncanonical protein phosphorylation in animals, yet its physiological role remains largely unexplored. The protein histidine phosphatase (PHPT1) was recently identified for the first time in mammals. Here, we report that PHIP-1, an ortholog of PHPT1 in Caenorhabditis elegans, promotes axon regeneration by dephosphorylating GPB-1 Gβ at His-266 and inactivating GOA-1 Goα signaling, a negative regulator of axon regeneration. Overexpression of the histidine kinase NDK-1 also inhibits axon regeneration via GPB-1 His-266 phosphorylation. Thus, His-phosphorylation plays an antiregenerative role in C. elegans. Furthermore, we identify a conserved UNC-51/ULK kinase that functions in autophagy as a PHIP-1-binding protein. We demonstrate that UNC-51 phosphorylates PHIP-1 at Ser-112 and activates its catalytic activity and that this phosphorylation is required for PHIP-1-mediated axon regeneration. This study reveals a molecular link from ULK to protein histidine phosphatase, which facilitates axon regeneration by inhibiting trimeric G protein signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Sakai
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of ScienceNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Hanafusa
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of ScienceNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Naoki Hisamoto
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of ScienceNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| | - Kunihiro Matsumoto
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of ScienceNagoya UniversityNagoyaJapan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Villaseca S, Romero G, Ruiz MJ, Pérez C, Leal JI, Tovar LM, Torrejón M. Gαi protein subunit: A step toward understanding its non-canonical mechanisms. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:941870. [PMID: 36092739 PMCID: PMC9449497 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.941870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterotrimeric G protein family plays essential roles during a varied array of cellular events; thus, its deregulation can seriously alter signaling events and the overall state of the cell. Heterotrimeric G-proteins have three subunits (α, β, γ) and are subdivided into four families, Gαi, Gα12/13, Gαq, and Gαs. These proteins cycle between an inactive Gα-GDP state and active Gα-GTP state, triggered canonically by the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and by other accessory proteins receptors independent also known as AGS (Activators of G-protein Signaling). In this review, we summarize research data specific for the Gαi family. This family has the largest number of individual members, including Gαi1, Gαi2, Gαi3, Gαo, Gαt, Gαg, and Gαz, and constitutes the majority of G proteins α subunits expressed in a tissue or cell. Gαi was initially described by its inhibitory function on adenylyl cyclase activity, decreasing cAMP levels. Interestingly, today Gi family G-protein have been reported to be importantly involved in the immune system function. Here, we discuss the impact of Gαi on non-canonical effector proteins, such as c-Src, ERK1/2, phospholipase-C (PLC), and proteins from the Rho GTPase family members, all of them essential signaling pathways regulating a wide range of physiological processes.
Collapse
|
9
|
Longhini KM, Glotzer M. Aurora A and cortical flows promote polarization and cytokinesis by inducing asymmetric ECT-2 accumulation. eLife 2022; 11:83992. [PMID: 36533896 PMCID: PMC9799973 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the early Caenorhabditis elegans embryo, cell polarization and cytokinesis are interrelated yet distinct processes. Here, we sought to understand a poorly understood aspect of cleavage furrow positioning. Early C. elegans embryos deficient in the cytokinetic regulator centralspindlin form furrows, due to an inhibitory activity that depends on aster positioning relative to the polar cortices. Here, we show polar relaxation is associated with depletion of cortical ECT-2, a RhoGEF, specifically at the posterior cortex. Asymmetric ECT-2 accumulation requires intact centrosomes, Aurora A (AIR-1), and myosin-dependent cortical flows. Within a localization competent ECT-2 fragment, we identified three putative phospho-acceptor sites in the PH domain of ECT-2 that render ECT-2 responsive to inhibition by AIR-1. During both polarization and cytokinesis, our results suggest that centrosomal AIR-1 breaks symmetry via ECT-2 phosphorylation; this local inhibition of ECT-2 is amplified by myosin-driven flows that generate regional ECT-2 asymmetry. Together, these mechanisms cooperate to induce polarized assembly of cortical myosin, contributing to both embryo polarization and cytokinesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Longhini
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Michael Glotzer
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lim YW, Wen FL, Shankar P, Shibata T, Motegi F. A balance between antagonizing PAR proteins specifies the pattern of asymmetric and symmetric divisions in C. elegans embryogenesis. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109326. [PMID: 34233197 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coordination between cell differentiation and proliferation during development requires the balance between asymmetric and symmetric modes of cell division. However, the cellular intrinsic cue underlying the choice between these two division modes remains elusive. Here, we show evidence in Caenorhabditis elegans that the invariable lineage of the division modes is specified by the balance between antagonizing complexes of partitioning-defective (PAR) proteins. By uncoupling unequal inheritance of PAR proteins from that of fate determinants during cell division, we demonstrate that changes in the balance between PAR-2 and PAR-6 can be sufficient to re-program the division modes from symmetric to asymmetric and vice versa in two daughter cells. The division mode adopted occurs independently of asymmetry in cytoplasmic fate determinants, cell-size asymmetry, and cell-cycle asynchrony between sister cells. We propose that the balance between PAR proteins represents an intrinsic self-organizing cue for the specification of the two division modes during development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yen Wei Lim
- Temasek Life-sciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore
| | - Fu-Lai Wen
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Prabhat Shankar
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Shibata
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan.
| | - Fumio Motegi
- Temasek Life-sciences Laboratory, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore; Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore; Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0815, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Tennakoon M, Senarath K, Kankanamge D, Ratnayake K, Wijayaratna D, Olupothage K, Ubeysinghe S, Martins-Cannavino K, Hébert TE, Karunarathne A. Subtype-dependent regulation of Gβγ signalling. Cell Signal 2021; 82:109947. [PMID: 33582184 PMCID: PMC8026654 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.109947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transmit information to the cell interior by transducing external signals to heterotrimeric G protein subunits, Gα and Gβγ subunits, localized on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Though the initial focus was mainly on Gα-mediated events, Gβγ subunits were later identified as major contributors to GPCR-G protein signalling. A broad functional array of Gβγ signalling has recently been attributed to Gβ and Gγ subtype diversity, comprising 5 Gβ and 12 Gγ subtypes, respectively. In addition to displaying selectivity towards each other to form the Gβγ dimer, numerous studies have identified preferences of distinct Gβγ combinations for specific GPCRs, Gα subtypes and effector molecules. Importantly, Gβ and Gγ subtype-dependent regulation of downstream effectors, representing a diverse range of signalling pathways and physiological functions have been found. Here, we review the literature on the repercussions of Gβ and Gγ subtype diversity on direct and indirect regulation of GPCR/G protein signalling events and their physiological outcomes. Our discussion additionally provides perspective in understanding the intricacies underlying molecular regulation of subtype-specific roles of Gβγ signalling and associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mithila Tennakoon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Kanishka Senarath
- Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
| | - Dinesh Kankanamge
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Kasun Ratnayake
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dhanushan Wijayaratna
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Koshala Olupothage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | - Sithurandi Ubeysinghe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
| | | | - Terence E Hébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada.
| | - Ajith Karunarathne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kumar S, Olson AC, Koelle MR. The neural G protein Gαo tagged with GFP at an internal loop is functional in C. elegans. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6277897. [PMID: 34003969 PMCID: PMC8496287 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Gαo is the alpha subunit of the major heterotrimeric G protein in neurons and mediates signaling by every known neurotransmitter, yet the signaling mechanisms activated by Gαo remain to be fully elucidated. Genetic analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans has shown that Gαo signaling inhibits neuronal activity and neurotransmitter release, but studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects have been limited by lack of tools to complement genetic studies with other experimental approaches. Here, we demonstrate that inserting the green fluorescent protein (GFP) into an internal loop of the Gαo protein results in a tagged protein that is functional in vivo and that facilitates cell biological and biochemical studies of Gαo. Transgenic expression of Gαo-GFP rescues the defects caused by loss of endogenous Gαo in assays of egg laying and locomotion behaviors. Defects in body morphology caused by loss of Gαo are also rescued by Gαo-GFP. The Gαo-GFP protein is localized to the plasma membrane of neurons, mimicking localization of endogenous Gαo. Using GFP as an epitope tag, Gαo-GFP can be immunoprecipitated from C. elegans lysates to purify Gαo protein complexes. The Gαo-GFP transgene reported in this study enables studies involving in vivo localization and biochemical purification of Gαo to compliment the already well-developed genetic analysis of Gαo signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Andrew C Olson
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| | - Michael R Koelle
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bouvrais H, Chesneau L, Le Cunff Y, Fairbrass D, Soler N, Pastezeur S, Pécot T, Kervrann C, Pécréaux J. The coordination of spindle-positioning forces during the asymmetric division of the Caenorhabditis elegans zygote. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e50770. [PMID: 33900015 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202050770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In Caenorhabditis elegans zygote, astral microtubules generate forces essential to position the mitotic spindle, by pushing against and pulling from the cortex. Measuring microtubule dynamics there, we revealed the presence of two populations, corresponding to pulling and pushing events. It offers a unique opportunity to study, under physiological conditions, the variations of both spindle-positioning forces along space and time. We propose a threefold control of pulling force, by polarity, spindle position and mitotic progression. We showed that the sole anteroposterior asymmetry in dynein on-rate, encoding pulling force imbalance, is sufficient to cause posterior spindle displacement. The positional regulation, reflecting the number of microtubule contacts in the posterior-most region, reinforces this imbalance only in late anaphase. Furthermore, we exhibited the first direct proof that dynein processivity increases along mitosis. It reflects the temporal control of pulling forces, which strengthens at anaphase onset following mitotic progression and independently from chromatid separation. In contrast, the pushing force remains constant and symmetric and contributes to maintaining the spindle at the cell centre during metaphase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yann Le Cunff
- CNRS, IGDR - UMR 6290, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | | | - Nina Soler
- CNRS, IGDR - UMR 6290, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
| | | | - Thierry Pécot
- INRIA, Centre Rennes - Bretagne Atlantique, Rennes, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jankele R, Jelier R, Gönczy P. Physically asymmetric division of the C. elegans zygote ensures invariably successful embryogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:e61714. [PMID: 33620314 PMCID: PMC7972452 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymmetric divisions that yield daughter cells of different sizes are frequent during early embryogenesis, but the importance of such a physical difference for successful development remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated this question using the first division of Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, which yields a large AB cell and a small P1 cell. We equalized AB and P1 sizes using acute genetic inactivation or optogenetic manipulation of the spindle positioning protein LIN-5. We uncovered that only some embryos tolerated equalization, and that there was a size asymmetry threshold for viability. Cell lineage analysis of equalized embryos revealed an array of defects, including faster cell cycle progression in P1 descendants, as well as defects in cell positioning, division orientation, and cell fate. Moreover, equalized embryos were more susceptible to external compression. Overall, we conclude that unequal first cleavage is essential for invariably successful embryonic development of C. elegans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Radek Jankele
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Rob Jelier
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Pierre Gönczy
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dimitracopoulos A, Srivastava P, Chaigne A, Win Z, Shlomovitz R, Lancaster OM, Le Berre M, Piel M, Franze K, Salbreux G, Baum B. Mechanochemical Crosstalk Produces Cell-Intrinsic Patterning of the Cortex to Orient the Mitotic Spindle. Curr Biol 2020; 30:3687-3696.e4. [PMID: 32735816 PMCID: PMC7521479 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Proliferating animal cells are able to orient their mitotic spindles along their interphase cell axis, setting up the axis of cell division, despite rounding up as they enter mitosis. This has previously been attributed to molecular memory and, more specifically, to the maintenance of adhesions and retraction fibers in mitosis [1-6], which are thought to act as local cues that pattern cortical Gαi, LGN, and nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) [3, 7-18]. This cortical machinery then recruits and activates Dynein motors, which pull on astral microtubules to position the mitotic spindle. Here, we reveal a dynamic two-way crosstalk between the spindle and cortical motor complexes that depends on a Ran-guanosine triphosphate (GTP) signal [12], which is sufficient to drive continuous monopolar spindle motion independently of adhesive cues in flattened human cells in culture. Building on previous work [1, 12, 19-23], we implemented a physical model of the system that recapitulates the observed spindle-cortex interactions. Strikingly, when this model was used to study spindle dynamics in cells entering mitosis, the chromatin-based signal was found to preferentially clear force generators from the short cell axis, so that cortical motors pulling on astral microtubules align bipolar spindles with the interphase long cell axis, without requiring a fixed cue or a physical memory of interphase shape. Thus, our analysis shows that the ability of chromatin to pattern the cortex during the process of mitotic rounding is sufficient to translate interphase shape into a cortical pattern that can be read by the spindle, which then guides the axis of cell division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Dimitracopoulos
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK; MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | | | - Agathe Chaigne
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Zaw Win
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Roie Shlomovitz
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Department of Chemical Physics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Oscar M Lancaster
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Maël Le Berre
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, Paris 75005, France
| | - Matthieu Piel
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, Paris 75005, France
| | - Kristian Franze
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Guillaume Salbreux
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK; Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Buzz Baum
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Institute for the Physics of Living Systems, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wavreil FDM, Yajima M. Diversity of activator of G-protein signaling (AGS)-family proteins and their impact on asymmetric cell division across taxa. Dev Biol 2020; 465:89-99. [PMID: 32687894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Asymmetric cell division (ACD) is a cellular process that forms two different cell types through a cell division and is thus critical for the development of all multicellular organisms. Not all but many of the ACD processes are mediated by proper orientation of the mitotic spindle, which segregates the fate determinants asymmetrically into daughter cells. In many cell types, the evolutionarily conserved protein complex of Gαi/AGS-family protein/NuMA-like protein appears to play critical roles in orienting the spindle and/or generating the polarized cortical forces to regulate ACD. Studies in various organisms reveal that this conserved protein complex is slightly modified in each phylum or even within species. In particular, AGS-family proteins appear to be modified with a variable number of motifs in their functional domains across taxa. This apparently creates different molecular interactions and mechanisms of ACD in each developmental program, ultimately contributing to developmental diversity across species. In this review, we discuss how a conserved ACD machinery has been modified in each phylum over the course of evolution with a major focus on the molecular evolution of AGS-family proteins and its impact on ACD regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florence D M Wavreil
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02906, USA
| | - Mamiko Yajima
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02906, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Anastasiou O, Hadjisavva R, Skourides PA. Mitotic cell responses to substrate topological cues are independent of the molecular nature of adhesion. Sci Signal 2020; 13:13/620/eaax9940. [PMID: 32098802 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aax9940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Correct selection of the cell division axis is important for cell differentiation, tissue and organ morphogenesis, and homeostasis. Both integrins, which mediate interactions with extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as fibronectin, and cadherins, which mediate interactions between cells, are implicated in the determination of spindle orientation. We found that both cadherin- and integrin-based adhesion resulted in cell divisions parallel to the attachment plane and elicited identical spindle responses to spatial adhesive cues. This suggests that adhesion topology provides purely mechanical spatial cues that are independent of the molecular nature of the interaction or signaling from adhesion complexes. We also demonstrated that cortical integrin activation was indispensable for correct spindle orientation on both cadherin and fibronectin substrates. These data suggest that spindle orientation responses to adhesion topology are primarily a result of force anisotropy on the cell cortex and show that integrins play a central role in this process that is distinct from their role in cell-ECM interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ouranio Anastasiou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, University Avenue 1, New Campus, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus
| | - Rania Hadjisavva
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, University Avenue 1, New Campus, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus
| | - Paris A Skourides
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, University Avenue 1, New Campus, Nicosia 2109, Cyprus.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Meaders JL, Burgess DR. Microtubule-Based Mechanisms of Pronuclear Positioning. Cells 2020; 9:E505. [PMID: 32102180 PMCID: PMC7072840 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The zygote is defined as a diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes. Union of haploid male and female pronuclei in many animals occurs through rearrangements of the microtubule cytoskeleton into a radial array of microtubules known as the sperm aster. The sperm aster nucleates from paternally-derived centrioles attached to the male pronucleus after fertilization. Nematode, echinoderm, and amphibian eggs have proven as invaluable models to investigate the biophysical principles for how the sperm aster unites male and female pronuclei with precise spatial and temporal regulation. In this review, we compare these model organisms, discussing the dynamics of sperm aster formation and the different force generating mechanism for sperm aster and pronuclear migration. Finally, we provide new mechanistic insights for how sperm aster growth may influence sperm aster positioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - David R Burgess
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Kutnyánszky V, Hargitai B, Hotzi B, Kosztelnik M, Ortutay C, Kovács T, Győry E, Bördén K, Princz A, Tavernarakis N, Vellai T. Sex-specific regulation of neuronal functions in Caenorhabditis elegans: the sex-determining protein TRA-1 represses goa-1/Gα(i/o). Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 295:357-371. [DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01625-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AbstractFemales and males differ substantially in various neuronal functions in divergent, sexually dimorphic animal species, including humans. Despite its developmental, physiological and medical significance, understanding the molecular mechanisms by which sex-specific differences in the anatomy and operation of the nervous system are established remains a fundamental problem in biology. Here, we show that in Caenorhabditis elegans (nematodes), the global sex-determining factor TRA-1 regulates food leaving (mate searching), male mating and adaptation to odorants in a sex-specific manner by repressing the expression of goa-1 gene, which encodes the Gα(i/o) subunit of heterotrimeric G (guanine–nucleotide binding) proteins triggering physiological responses elicited by diverse neurotransmitters and sensory stimuli. Mutations in tra-1 and goa-1 decouple behavioural patterns from the number of X chromosomes. TRA-1 binds to a conserved binding site located in the goa-1 coding region, and downregulates goa-1 expression in hermaphrodites, particularly during embryogenesis when neuronal development largely occurs. These data suggest that the sex-determination machinery is an important modulator of heterotrimeric G protein-mediated signalling and thereby various neuronal functions in this organism and perhaps in other animal phyla.
Collapse
|
20
|
Bondaz A, Cirillo L, Meraldi P, Gotta M. Cell polarity-dependent centrosome separation in the C. elegans embryo. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:4112-4126. [PMID: 31645459 PMCID: PMC6891102 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201902109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bondaz et al. show that in C. elegans embryos, the microtubule depolymerase KLP-7/MCAK is required for efficient centrosome separation in the somatic AB cell, but not the germline P1 cell. This difference in spindle assembly depends on cell polarity via the mitotic kinase PLK1. In animal cells, faithful chromosome segregation depends on the assembly of a bipolar spindle driven by the timely separation of the two centrosomes. Here we took advantage of the highly stereotypical cell divisions in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos to identify new regulators of centrosome separation. We find that at the two-cell stage, the somatic AB cell initiates centrosome separation later than the germline P1 cell. This difference is strongly exacerbated by the depletion of the kinesin-13 KLP-7/MCAK, resulting in incomplete centrosome separation at NEBD in AB but not P1. Our genetic and cell biology data indicate that this phenotype depends on cell polarity via the enrichment in AB of the mitotic kinase PLK-1, which itself limits the cortical localization of the dynein-binding NuMA orthologue LIN-5. We postulate that the timely separation of centrosomes is regulated in a cell type–dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bondaz
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Translational Research Centre in Onco-hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luca Cirillo
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Translational Research Centre in Onco-hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Meraldi
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland .,Translational Research Centre in Onco-hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Monica Gotta
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland .,Translational Research Centre in Onco-hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre for Competence in Research in Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kondo T, Kimura A. Choice between 1- and 2-furrow cytokinesis in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos with tripolar spindles. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:2065-2075. [PMID: 30785847 PMCID: PMC6727771 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e19-01-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive centrosomes often lead to multipolar spindles, and thus probably to multipolar mitosis and aneuploidy. In Caenorhabditis elegans, ∼70% of the paternal emb-27APC6 mutant embryonic cells contained more than two centrosomes and formed multipolar spindles. However, only ~30% of the cells with tripolar spindles formed two cytokinetic furrows. The rest formed one furrow, similar to normal cells. To investigate the mechanism via which cells avoid forming two cytokinetic furrows even with a tripolar spindle, we conducted live-cell imaging in emb-27APC6 mutant cells. We observed that the chromatids were aligned on only two of the three sides of the tripolar spindle, and the angle of the tripolar spindle relative to the long axis of the cell correlated with the number of cytokinetic furrows. Our numerical modeling showed that the combination of cell shape, cortical pulling forces, and heterogeneity of centrosome size determines whether cells with a tripolar spindle form one or two cytokinetic furrows.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomo Kondo
- Cell Architecture Laboratory, Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Akatsuki Kimura
- Cell Architecture Laboratory, Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kotak S. Mechanisms of Spindle Positioning: Lessons from Worms and Mammalian Cells. Biomolecules 2019; 9:E80. [PMID: 30823600 PMCID: PMC6406873 DOI: 10.3390/biom9020080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper positioning of the mitotic spindle is fundamental for specifying the site for cleavage furrow, and thus regulates the appropriate sizes and accurate distribution of the cell fate determinants in the resulting daughter cells during development and in the stem cells. The past couple of years have witnessed tremendous work accomplished in the area of spindle positioning, and this has led to the emergence of a working model unravelling in-depth mechanistic insight of the underlying process orchestrating spindle positioning. It is evident now that the correct positioning of the mitotic spindle is not only guided by the chemical cues (protein⁻protein interactions) but also influenced by the physical nature of the cellular environment. In metazoans, the key players that regulate proper spindle positioning are the actin-rich cell cortex and associated proteins, the ternary complex (Gα/GPR-1/2/LIN-5 in Caenorhabditis elegans, Gαi/Pins/Mud in Drosophila and Gαi1-3/LGN/NuMA in humans), minus-end-directed motor protein dynein and the cortical machinery containing myosin. In this review, I will mainly discuss how the abovementioned components precisely and spatiotemporally regulate spindle positioning by sensing the physicochemical environment for execution of flawless mitosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Kotak
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore 560012, India.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Koelle MR. Neurotransmitter signaling through heterotrimeric G proteins: insights from studies in C. elegans. WORMBOOK : THE ONLINE REVIEW OF C. ELEGANS BIOLOGY 2018; 2018:1-52. [PMID: 26937633 PMCID: PMC5010795 DOI: 10.1895/wormbook.1.75.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurotransmitters signal via G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) to modulate activity of neurons and muscles. C. elegans has ∼150 G protein coupled neuropeptide receptor homologs and 28 additional GPCRs for small-molecule neurotransmitters. Genetic studies in C. elegans demonstrate that neurotransmitters diffuse far from their release sites to activate GPCRs on distant cells. Individual receptor types are expressed on limited numbers of cells and thus can provide very specific regulation of an individual neural circuit and behavior. G protein coupled neurotransmitter receptors signal principally via the three types of heterotrimeric G proteins defined by the G alpha subunits Gαo, Gαq, and Gαs. Each of these G alpha proteins is found in all neurons plus some muscles. Gαo and Gαq signaling inhibit and activate neurotransmitter release, respectively. Gαs signaling, like Gαq signaling, promotes neurotransmitter release. Many details of the signaling mechanisms downstream of Gαq and Gαs have been delineated and are consistent with those of their mammalian orthologs. The details of the signaling mechanism downstream of Gαo remain a mystery. Forward genetic screens in C. elegans have identified new molecular components of neural G protein signaling mechanisms, including Regulators of G protein Signaling (RGS proteins) that inhibit signaling, a new Gαq effector (the Trio RhoGEF domain), and the RIC-8 protein that is required for neuronal Gα signaling. A model is presented in which G proteins sum up the variety of neuromodulator signals that impinge on a neuron to calculate its appropriate output level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Koelle
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven CT 06520 USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
G Proteins and GPCRs in C. elegans Development: A Story of Mutual Infidelity. J Dev Biol 2018; 6:jdb6040028. [PMID: 30477278 PMCID: PMC6316442 DOI: 10.3390/jdb6040028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Many vital processes during C. elegans development, especially the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in embryogenesis, are controlled by complex signaling pathways. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the four Frizzled family Wnt receptors, are linchpins in regulating and orchestrating several of these mechanisms. However, despite being GPCRs, which usually couple to G proteins, these receptors do not seem to activate classical heterotrimeric G protein-mediated signaling cascades. The view on signaling during embryogenesis is further complicated by the fact that heterotrimeric G proteins do play essential roles in cell polarity during embryogenesis, but their activity is modulated in a predominantly GPCR-independent manner via G protein regulators such as GEFs GAPs and GDIs. Further, the triggered downstream effectors are not typical. Only very few GPCR-dependent and G protein-mediated signaling pathways have been unambiguously defined in this context. This unusual and highly intriguing concept of separating GPCR function and G-protein activity, which is not restricted to embryogenesis in C. elegans but can also be found in other organisms, allows for essential and multi-faceted ways of regulating cellular communication and response. Although its relevance cannot be debated, its impact is still poorly discussed, and C. elegans is an ideal model to understand the underlying principles.
Collapse
|
25
|
Toro-Tapia G, Villaseca S, Beyer A, Roycroft A, Marcellini S, Mayor R, Torrejón M. The Ric-8A/Gα13/FAK signalling cascade controls focal adhesion formation during neural crest cell migration in Xenopus. Development 2018; 145:dev.164269. [PMID: 30297374 DOI: 10.1242/dev.164269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ric-8A is a pleiotropic guanine nucleotide exchange factor involved in the activation of various heterotrimeric G-protein pathways during adulthood and early development. Here, we sought to determine the downstream effectors of Ric-8A during the migration of the vertebrate cranial neural crest (NC) cells. We show that the Gα13 knockdown phenocopies the Ric-8A morphant condition, causing actin cytoskeleton alteration, protrusion instability, and a strong reduction in the number and dynamics of focal adhesions. In addition, the overexpression of Gα13 is sufficient to rescue Ric-8A-depleted cells. Ric-8A and Gα13 physically interact and colocalize in protrusions of the cells leading edge. The focal adhesion kinase FAK colocalizes and interacts with the endogenous Gα13, and a constitutively active form of Src efficiently rescues the Gα13 morphant phenotype in NC cells. We propose that Ric-8A-mediated Gα13 signalling is required for proper cranial NC cell migration by regulating focal adhesion dynamics and protrusion formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Toro-Tapia
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Soraya Villaseca
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Andrea Beyer
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Alice Roycroft
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sylvain Marcellini
- Departamento de Biología Cellular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Marcela Torrejón
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fielmich LE, Schmidt R, Dickinson DJ, Goldstein B, Akhmanova A, van den Heuvel S. Optogenetic dissection of mitotic spindle positioning in vivo. eLife 2018; 7:38198. [PMID: 30109984 PMCID: PMC6214656 DOI: 10.7554/elife.38198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The position of the mitotic spindle determines the plane of cell cleavage, and thereby daughter cell location, size, and content. Spindle positioning is driven by dynein-mediated pulling forces exerted on astral microtubules, which requires an evolutionarily conserved complex of Gα∙GDP, GPR-1/2Pins/LGN, and LIN-5Mud/NuMA proteins. To examine individual functions of the complex components, we developed a genetic strategy for light-controlled localization of endogenous proteins in C. elegans embryos. By replacing Gα and GPR-1/2 with a light-inducible membrane anchor, we demonstrate that Gα∙GDP, Gα∙GTP, and GPR-1/2 are not required for pulling-force generation. In the absence of Gα and GPR-1/2, cortical recruitment of LIN-5, but not dynein itself, induced high pulling forces. The light-controlled localization of LIN-5 overruled normal cell-cycle and polarity regulation and provided experimental control over the spindle and cell-cleavage plane. Our results define Gα∙GDP–GPR-1/2Pins/LGN as a regulatable membrane anchor, and LIN-5Mud/NuMA as a potent activator of dynein-dependent spindle-positioning forces. A cell about to divide must decide where exactly to cut itself in two. Split right down the middle, and the two daughter cells will be identical; offset the cleavage plane to one side, and the resulting siblings will have different sizes, places and fates. In animals, the splitting of cells is dictated by the location of the spindle, a structure that forms when cable-like microtubules stretch from the cell membrane to attach to the chromosomes. At the membrane, a group of proteins tugs on the microtubules to bring the spindle into the correct position. One of these proteins, dynein, is a motor that uses microtubules as its track to pull the spindle into place. What the other parts of the complex do is still unclear, but a general assumption is that they may be serving as an anchor for dynein. To test this model, Fielmich, Schmidt et al. removed one or more proteins from the complex in the developing embryos of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. A light-activated system then linked the remaining proteins to the membrane by tying them to an artificial anchor. Two of the proteins in the complex could be replaced with the artificial anchor, but pulling forces were absent when dynein was artificially tied to the membrane. This indicates that the motor being anchored at the edge of the cell is not enough for it to pull on microtubules. Instead, the experiments showed that dynein needs to be activated by another component of the complex, a protein called LIN-5. This suggests that individual proteins in the complex have specialized roles that go beyond simply tethering dynein. In fact, steering where LIN-5 was attached on the membrane helped to control the location of the spindle, and therefore of the cleavage plane. As mammals have a protein similar to LIN-5, dissecting the roles of the components involved in positioning the spindle in C. elegans could help to understand normal and abnormal human development. In addition, these results demonstrate that creating artificial interactions between proteins using light is a powerful technique to study biological processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lars-Eric Fielmich
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ruben Schmidt
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Daniel J Dickinson
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.,Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Bob Goldstein
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.,Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Anna Akhmanova
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sander van den Heuvel
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Sierra-Fonseca JA, Bracamontes C, Saldecke J, Das S, Roychowdhury S. Activation of β- and α2-adrenergic receptors stimulate tubulin polymerization and promote the association of Gβγ with microtubules in cultured NIH3T3 cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:102-108. [PMID: 29852176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.05.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs) constitute a crucial part of the cytoskeleton and are essential for cell division and differentiation, cell motility, intracellular transport, and cell morphology. Precise regulation of MT assembly and dynamics is essential for the performance of these functions. Although much progress has been made in identifying and characterizing the cellular factors that regulate MT assembly and dynamics, signaling events in this process is not well understood. Gβγ, an important component of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway, has been shown to promote MT assembly in vitro and in cultured NIH3T3 and PC12 cells. Using the MT depolymerizing agent nocodazole, it has been demonstrated that the association of Gβγ with polymerized tubulin is critical for MT assembly. More recently, Gβγ has been shown to play a key role in NGF-induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells through its interaction with tubulin/MTs and modulation of MT assembly. Although NGF is known to exert its effect through tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA, the result suggests a possible involvement of GPCRs in this process. The present study was undertaken to determine whether agonist activation of GPCR utilizes Gβγ to promote MT assembly. We used isoproterenol and UK 14,304, agonists for two different GPCRs (β- and α2-adrenergic receptors, respectively) known to activate Gs and Gi respectively, with an opposing effect on production of cAMP. The results demonstrate that the agonist activation of β- and α2-adrenergic receptors promotes the association of Gβγ with MTs and stimulates MT assembly in NIH3T3 cells. Interestingly, the effects of these two agonists were more prominent when the cellular level of MT assembly was low (30% or less). In contrast to MT assembly, actin polymerization was not affected by isoproterenol or UK 14, 304 indicating that the effects of these agonists are limited to MTs. Thus, it appears that, upon cellular demand, GPCRs may utilize Gβγ to promote MT assembly. Stimulation of MT assembly appears to be a novel function of G protein-mediated signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina Bracamontes
- Department of Biological Sciences, 500 West University Avenue, 79968, El Paso, TX, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Jessica Saldecke
- Department of Biological Sciences, 500 West University Avenue, 79968, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Siddhartha Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, 500 West University Avenue, 79968, El Paso, TX, USA; Infectious Diseases/Immunology, TX, USA
| | - Sukla Roychowdhury
- Department of Biological Sciences, 500 West University Avenue, 79968, El Paso, TX, USA; Neuromodulation Disorders Clusters, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas, 79968, El Paso, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Dionisio-Vicuña MN, Gutiérrez-López TY, Adame-García SR, Vázquez-Prado J, Reyes-Cruz G. VPS28, an ESCRT-I protein, regulates mitotic spindle organization via Gβγ, EG5 and TPX2. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2018; 1865:1012-1022. [PMID: 29548937 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Misael Neri Dionisio-Vicuña
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav-IPN), Apartado postal 14-740, CDMX 07360, Mexico
| | - Tania Yareli Gutiérrez-López
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav-IPN), Apartado postal 14-740, CDMX 07360, Mexico
| | - Sendi Rafael Adame-García
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav-IPN), Apartado postal 14-740, CDMX 07360, Mexico
| | - José Vázquez-Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav-IPN), Apartado postal 14-740, CDMX 07360, Mexico
| | - Guadalupe Reyes-Cruz
- Department of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav-IPN), Apartado postal 14-740, CDMX 07360, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Heppert JK, Pani AM, Roberts AM, Dickinson DJ, Goldstein B. A CRISPR Tagging-Based Screen Reveals Localized Players in Wnt-Directed Asymmetric Cell Division. Genetics 2018; 208:1147-1164. [PMID: 29348144 PMCID: PMC5844328 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.300487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oriented cell divisions are critical to establish and maintain cell fates and tissue organization. Diverse extracellular and intracellular cues have been shown to provide spatial information for mitotic spindle positioning; however, the molecular mechanisms by which extracellular signals communicate with cells to direct mitotic spindle positioning are largely unknown. In animal cells, oriented cell divisions are often achieved by the localization of force-generating motor protein complexes to discrete cortical domains. Disrupting either these force-generating complexes or proteins that globally affect microtubule stability results in defects in mitotic positioning, irrespective of whether these proteins function as spatial cues for spindle orientation. This poses a challenge to traditional genetic dissection of this process. Therefore, as an alternative strategy to identify key proteins that act downstream of intercellular signaling, we screened the localization of many candidate proteins by inserting fluorescent tags directly into endogenous gene loci, without overexpressing the proteins. We tagged 23 candidate proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans and examined each protein's localization in a well-characterized, oriented cell division in the four-cell-stage embryo. We used cell manipulations and genetic experiments to determine which cells harbor key localized proteins and which signals direct these localizations in vivo We found that Dishevelled and adenomatous polyposis coli homologs are polarized during this oriented cell division in response to a Wnt signal, but two proteins typically associated with mitotic spindle positioning, homologs of NuMA and Dynein, were not detectably polarized. These results suggest an unexpected mechanism for mitotic spindle positioning in this system, they pinpoint key proteins of interest, and they highlight the utility of a screening approach based on analyzing the localization of endogenously tagged proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Heppert
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Ariel M Pani
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Allyson M Roberts
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Daniel J Dickinson
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Bob Goldstein
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Schmidt R, Fielmich LE, Grigoriev I, Katrukha EA, Akhmanova A, van den Heuvel S. Two populations of cytoplasmic dynein contribute to spindle positioning in C. elegans embryos. J Cell Biol 2017; 216:2777-2793. [PMID: 28739679 PMCID: PMC5584144 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201607038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The position of the mitotic spindle is tightly controlled in animal cells as it determines the plane and orientation of cell division. Contacts between cytoplasmic dynein and astral microtubules (MTs) at the cell cortex generate pulling forces that position the spindle. An evolutionarily conserved Gα-GPR-1/2Pins/LGN-LIN-5Mud/NuMA cortical complex interacts with dynein and is required for pulling force generation, but the dynamics of this process remain unclear. In this study, by fluorescently labeling endogenous proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, we show that dynein exists in two distinct cortical populations. One population directly depends on LIN-5, whereas the other is concentrated at MT plus ends and depends on end-binding (EB) proteins. Knockout mutants lacking all EBs are viable and fertile and display normal pulling forces and spindle positioning. However, EB protein-dependent dynein plus end tracking was found to contribute to force generation in embryos with a partially perturbed dynein function, indicating the existence of two mechanisms that together create a highly robust force-generating system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Schmidt
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Lars-Eric Fielmich
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ilya Grigoriev
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eugene A Katrukha
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anna Akhmanova
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sander van den Heuvel
- Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bergstralh DT, Dawney NS, St Johnston D. Spindle orientation: a question of complex positioning. Development 2017; 144:1137-1145. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.140764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The direction in which a cell divides is determined by the orientation of its mitotic spindle at metaphase. Spindle orientation is therefore important for a wide range of developmental processes, ranging from germline stem cell division to epithelial tissue homeostasis and regeneration. In multiple cell types in multiple animals, spindle orientation is controlled by a conserved biological machine that mediates a pulling force on astral microtubules. Restricting the localization of this machine to only specific regions of the cortex can thus determine how the mitotic spindle is oriented. As we review here, recent findings based on studies in tunicate, worm, fly and vertebrate cells have revealed that the mechanisms for mediating this restriction are surprisingly diverse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan T. Bergstralh
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Nicole S. Dawney
- Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA
| | - Daniel St Johnston
- The Gurdon Institute and the Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Pacquelet A. Asymmetric Cell Division in the One-Cell C. elegans Embryo: Multiple Steps to Generate Cell Size Asymmetry. Results Probl Cell Differ 2017; 61:115-140. [PMID: 28409302 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-53150-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The first division of the one-cell C. elegans embryo has been a fundamental model in deciphering the mechanisms underlying asymmetric cell division. Polarization of the one-cell zygote is induced by a signal from the sperm centrosome and results in the asymmetric distribution of PAR proteins. Multiple mechanisms then maintain PAR polarity until the end of the first division. Once asymmetrically localized, PAR proteins control several essential aspects of asymmetric division, including the position of the mitotic spindle along the polarity axis. Coordination of the spindle and cytokinetic furrow positions is the next essential step to ensure proper asymmetric division. In this chapter, I review the different mechanisms underlying these successive steps of asymmetric division. Work from the last 30 years has revealed the existence of multiple and redundant regulatory pathways which ensure division robustness. Besides the essential role of PAR proteins, this work also emphasizes the importance of both microtubules and actomyosin throughout the different steps of asymmetric division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Pacquelet
- CNRS, UMR6290, Rennes, France. .,Université de Rennes 1, Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Rennes, France. .,CNRS UMR6290-IGDR, 2 avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, 35043, Rennes Cedex, France.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Fuentealba J, Toro-Tapia G, Rodriguez M, Arriagada C, Maureira A, Beyer A, Villaseca S, Leal JI, Hinrichs MV, Olate J, Caprile T, Torrejón M. Expression profiles of the Gα subunits during Xenopus tropicalis embryonic development. Gene Expr Patterns 2016; 22:15-25. [PMID: 27613600 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Heterotrimeric G protein signaling plays major roles during different cellular events. However, there is a limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying G protein control during embryogenesis. G proteins are highly conserved and can be grouped into four subfamilies according to sequence homology and function. To further studies on G protein function during embryogenesis, the present analysis identified four Gα subunits representative of the different subfamilies and determined their spatiotemporal expression patterns during Xenopus tropicalis embryogenesis. Each of the Gα subunit transcripts was maternally and zygotically expressed, and, as development progressed, dynamic expression patterns were observed. In the early developmental stages, the Gα subunits were expressed in the animal hemisphere and dorsal marginal zone. While expression was observed at the somite boundaries, in vascular structures, in the eye, and in the otic vesicle during the later stages, expression was mainly found in neural tissues, such as the neural tube and, especially, in the cephalic vesicles, neural crest region, and neural crest-derived structures. Together, these results support the pleiotropism and complexity of G protein subfamily functions in different cellular events. The present study constitutes the most comprehensive description to date of the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Gα subunits during vertebrate development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime Fuentealba
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Gabriela Toro-Tapia
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Marion Rodriguez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Cecilia Arriagada
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Alejandro Maureira
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Andrea Beyer
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Soraya Villaseca
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Juan I Leal
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Maria V Hinrichs
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Juan Olate
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Teresa Caprile
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - Marcela Torrejón
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Syrovatkina V, Alegre KO, Dey R, Huang XY. Regulation, Signaling, and Physiological Functions of G-Proteins. J Mol Biol 2016; 428:3850-68. [PMID: 27515397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2016] [Revised: 07/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Heterotrimeric guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) mainly relay the information from G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) on the plasma membrane to the inside of cells to regulate various biochemical functions. Depending on the targeted cell types, tissues, and organs, these signals modulate diverse physiological functions. The basic schemes of heterotrimeric G-proteins have been outlined. In this review, we briefly summarize what is known about the regulation, signaling, and physiological functions of G-proteins. We then focus on a few less explored areas such as the regulation of G-proteins by non-GPCRs and the physiological functions of G-proteins that cannot be easily explained by the known G-protein signaling pathways. There are new signaling pathways and physiological functions for G-proteins to be discovered and further interrogated. With the advancements in structural and computational biological techniques, we are closer to having a better understanding of how G-proteins are regulated and of the specificity of G-protein interactions with their regulators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriya Syrovatkina
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kamela O Alegre
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Raja Dey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xin-Yun Huang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
di Pietro F, Echard A, Morin X. Regulation of mitotic spindle orientation: an integrated view. EMBO Rep 2016; 17:1106-30. [PMID: 27432284 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201642292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitotic spindle orientation is essential for cell fate decisions, epithelial maintenance, and tissue morphogenesis. In most animal cell types, the dynein motor complex is anchored at the cell cortex and exerts pulling forces on astral microtubules to position the spindle. Early studies identified the evolutionarily conserved Gαi/LGN/NuMA complex as a key regulator that polarizes cortical force generators. In recent years, a combination of genetics, biochemistry, modeling, and live imaging has contributed to decipher the mechanisms of spindle orientation. Here, we highlight the dynamic nature of the assembly of this complex and discuss the molecular regulation of its localization. Remarkably, a number of LGN-independent mechanisms were described recently, whereas NuMA remains central in most pathways involved in recruiting force generators at the cell cortex. We also describe the emerging role of the actin cortex in spindle orientation and discuss how dynamic astral microtubule formation is involved. We further give an overview on instructive external signals that control spindle orientation in tissues. Finally, we discuss the influence of cell geometry and mechanical forces on spindle orientation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florencia di Pietro
- Cell Division and Neurogenesis Laboratory, Ecole Normale Supérieure CNRS Inserm Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS) PSL Research University, Paris, France Institute of Doctoral Studies (IFD), Sorbonne Universités Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Université Paris 6, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Echard
- Membrane Traffic and Cell Division Laboratory, Cell Biology and Infection Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 3691, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Morin
- Cell Division and Neurogenesis Laboratory, Ecole Normale Supérieure CNRS Inserm Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS) PSL Research University, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Gβγ subunits-Different spaces, different faces. Pharmacol Res 2016; 111:434-441. [PMID: 27378564 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Gβγ subunits play key roles in modulation of canonical effectors in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent signalling at the cell surface. However, a number of recent studies of Gβγ function have revealed that they regulate a large number of molecules at distinct subcellular sites. These novel, non-canonical Gβγ roles have reshaped our understanding of how important Gβγ signalling is compared to our original notion of Gβγ subunits as simple negative regulators of Gα subunits. Gβγ dimers have now been identified as regulators of transcription, anterograde and retrograde trafficking and modulators of second messenger molecule generation in intracellular organelles. Here, we review some recent advances in our understanding of these novel non-canonical roles of Gβγ.
Collapse
|
37
|
Kotak S, Afshar K, Busso C, Gönczy P. Aurora A kinase regulates proper spindle positioning in C. elegans and in human cells. J Cell Sci 2016; 129:3015-25. [PMID: 27335426 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.184416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate spindle positioning is essential for error-free cell division. The one-cell Caenorhabditis elegans embryo has proven instrumental for dissecting mechanisms governing spindle positioning. Despite important progress, how the cortical forces that act on astral microtubules to properly position the spindle are modulated is incompletely understood. Here, we report that the PP6 phosphatase PPH-6 and its associated subunit SAPS-1, which positively regulate pulling forces acting on spindle poles, associate with the Aurora A kinase AIR-1 in C. elegans embryos. We show that acute inactivation of AIR-1 during mitosis results in excess pulling forces on astral microtubules. Furthermore, we uncover that AIR-1 acts downstream of PPH-6-SAPS-1 in modulating spindle positioning, and that PPH-6-SAPS-1 negatively regulates AIR-1 localization at the cell cortex. Moreover, we show that Aurora A and the PP6 phosphatase subunit PPP6C are also necessary for spindle positioning in human cells. There, Aurora A is needed for the cortical localization of NuMA and dynein during mitosis. Overall, our work demonstrates that Aurora A kinases and PP6 phosphatases have an ancient function in modulating spindle positioning, thus contributing to faithful cell division.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Kotak
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Katayon Afshar
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Coralie Busso
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Gönczy
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Ananthanarayanan V. Activation of the motor protein upon attachment: Anchors weigh in on cytoplasmic dynein regulation. Bioessays 2016; 38:514-25. [PMID: 27143631 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201600002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic dynein is the major minus-end-directed motor protein in eukaryotes, and has functions ranging from organelle and vesicle transport to spindle positioning and orientation. The mode of regulation of dynein in the cell remains elusive, but a tantalising possibility is that dynein is maintained in an inhibited, non-motile state until bound to cargo. In vivo, stable attachment of dynein to the cell membrane via anchor proteins enables dynein to produce force by pulling on microtubules and serves to organise the nuclear material. Anchor proteins of dynein assume diverse structures and functions and differ in their interaction with the membrane. In yeast, the anchor protein has come to the fore as one of the key mediators of dynein activity. In other systems, much is yet to be discovered about the anchors, but future work in this area will prove invaluable in understanding dynein regulation in the cell.
Collapse
|
39
|
Liu J, Ji X, Li Z, Yang X, Wang W, Zhang X. G protein γ subunit 7 induces autophagy and inhibits cell division. Oncotarget 2016; 7:24832-47. [PMID: 27056891 PMCID: PMC5029746 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
GNG7 (G protein γ subunit 7), a subunit of heterotrimeric G protein, is ubiquitously expressed in multiple tissues but is down-regulated in various cancers. Its expression could reduce tumor volume in mice but the mechanism was not clear. Here we show that GNG7 overexpression inhibits cell proliferation and increases cell death. GNG7 level is cell cycle-dependent and it regulates actin cytoskeleton and cell division. In addition, GNG7 is an autophagy inducer, which is the first reported Gγ protein involved in autophagy. GNG7 knockdown reduces Rapamycin and starvation-induced autophagy. Further analysis reveals that GNG7 inhibits MTOR in cells, a central regulator for autophagy and cell proliferation. In conclusion, GNG7 inhibits MTOR pathway to induce autophagy and cell death, inhibits cell division by regulating actin cytoskeleton. These combined effects lead to the antitumor capacity of GNG7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Liu
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, P. R. China
| | - Xinmiao Ji
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Li
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Xingxing Yang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Wenchao Wang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| | - Xin Zhang
- High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, 230031, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
De Simone A, Nédélec F, Gönczy P. Dynein Transmits Polarized Actomyosin Cortical Flows to Promote Centrosome Separation. Cell Rep 2016; 14:2250-2262. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.01.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
|
41
|
Yu TY, Shi DQ, Jia PF, Tang J, Li HJ, Liu J, Yang WC. The Arabidopsis Receptor Kinase ZAR1 Is Required for Zygote Asymmetric Division and Its Daughter Cell Fate. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005933. [PMID: 27014878 PMCID: PMC4807781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Asymmetric division of zygote is critical for pattern formation during early embryogenesis in plants and animals. It requires integration of the intrinsic and extrinsic cues prior to and/or after fertilization. How these cues are translated into developmental signals is poorly understood. Here through genetic screen for mutations affecting early embryogenesis, we identified an Arabidopsis mutant, zygotic arrest 1 (zar1), in which zygote asymmetric division and the cell fate of its daughter cells were impaired. ZAR1 encodes a member of the RLK/Pelle kinase family. We demonstrated that ZAR1 physically interacts with Calmodulin and the heterotrimeric G protein Gβ, and ZAR1 kinase is activated by their binding as well. ZAR1 is specifically expressed micropylarly in the embryo sac at eight-nucleate stage and then in central cell, egg cell and synergids in the mature embryo sac. After fertilization, ZAR1 is accumulated in zygote and endosperm. The disruption of ZAR1 and AGB1 results in short basal cell and an apical cell with basal cell fate. These data suggest that ZAR1 functions as a membrane integrator for extrinsic cues, Ca2+ signal and G protein signaling to regulate the division of zygote and the cell fate of its daughter cells in Arabidopsis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Ying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dong-Qiao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Peng-Fei Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Ju Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Cai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, National Center for Plant Gene Research (Beijing), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
According to the standard model of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, GPCRs are localized to the cell membrane where they respond to extracellular signals. Stimulation of GPCRs leads to the activation of heterotrimeric G proteins and their intracellular signaling pathways. However, this model fails to accommodate GPCRs, G proteins, and their downstream effectors that are found on the nuclear membrane or in the nucleus. Evidence from isolated nuclei indicates the presence of GPCRs on the nuclear membrane that can activate similar G protein-dependent signaling pathways in the nucleus as at the cell surface. These pathways also include activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, calcium and nitric oxide synthase signaling in cardiomyocytes. In addition, a number of distinct heterotrimeric and monomeric G proteins have been found in the nucleus of various cell types. This review will focus on understanding the function of nuclear G proteins with a focus on cardiac signaling where applicable.
Collapse
|
43
|
Leung A, Hua K, Ramachandran P, Hingwing K, Wu M, Koh PL, Hawkins N. C. elegans HAM-1 functions in the nucleus to regulate asymmetric neuroblast division. Dev Biol 2015; 410:56-69. [PMID: 26703426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
All 302 neurons in the C. elegans hermaphrodite arise through asymmetric division of neuroblasts. During embryogenesis, the C. elegans ham-1 gene is required for several asymmetric neuroblast divisions in lineages that generate both neural and apoptotic cells. By antibody staining, endogenous HAM-1 is found exclusively at the cell cortex in many cells during embryogenesis and is asymmetrically localized in dividing cells. Here we show that in transgenic embryos expressing a functional GFP::HAM-1 fusion protein, GFP expression is also detected in the nucleus, in addition to the cell cortex. Consistent with the nuclear localization is the presence of a putative DNA binding winged-helix domain within the N-terminus of HAM-1. Through a deletion analysis we determined that the C-terminus of the protein is required for nuclear localization and we identified two nuclear localization sequences (NLSs). A subcellular fractionation experiment from wild type embryos, followed by Western blotting, revealed that endogenous HAM-1 is primarily found in the nucleus. Our analysis also showed that the N-terminus is necessary for cortical localization. While ham-1 function is essential for asymmetric division in the lineage that generates the PLM mechanosensory neuron, we showed that cortical localization may not required. Thus, our results suggest that there is a nuclear function for HAM-1 in regulating asymmetric neuroblast division and that the requirement for cortical localization may be lineage dependent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Leung
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Khang Hua
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | | | - Kyla Hingwing
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Maria Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Pei Luan Koh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Nancy Hawkins
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Coleman BD, Marivin A, Parag-Sharma K, DiGiacomo V, Kim S, Pepper JS, Casler J, Nguyen LT, Koelle MR, Garcia-Marcos M. Evolutionary Conservation of a GPCR-Independent Mechanism of Trimeric G Protein Activation. Mol Biol Evol 2015; 33:820-37. [PMID: 26659249 PMCID: PMC4760084 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msv336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Trimeric G protein signaling is a fundamental mechanism of cellular communication in eukaryotes. The core of this mechanism consists of activation of G proteins by the guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity of G protein coupled receptors. However, the duration and amplitude of G protein-mediated signaling are controlled by a complex network of accessory proteins that appeared and diversified during evolution. Among them, nonreceptor proteins with GEF activity are the least characterized. We recently found that proteins of the ccdc88 family possess a Gα-binding and activating (GBA) motif that confers GEF activity and regulates mammalian cell behavior. A sequence similarity-based search revealed that ccdc88 genes are highly conserved across metazoa but the GBA motif is absent in most invertebrates. This prompted us to investigate whether the GBA motif is present in other nonreceptor proteins in invertebrates. An unbiased bioinformatics search in Caenorhabditis elegans identified GBAS-1 (GBA and SPK domain containing-1) as a GBA motif-containing protein with homologs only in closely related worm species. We demonstrate that GBAS-1 has GEF activity for the nematode G protein GOA-1 and that the two proteins are coexpressed in many cells of living worms. Furthermore, we show that GBAS-1 can activate mammalian Gα-subunits and provide structural insights into the evolutionarily conserved determinants of the GBA–G protein interface. These results demonstrate that the GBA motif is a functional GEF module conserved among highly divergent proteins across evolution, indicating that the GBA-Gα binding mode is strongly constrained under selective pressure to mediate receptor-independent G protein activation in metazoans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Arthur Marivin
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Seongseop Kim
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine
| | - Judy S Pepper
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine
| | - Jason Casler
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Lien T Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Michael R Koelle
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ajduk A, Zernicka-Goetz M. Polarity and cell division orientation in the cleavage embryo: from worm to human. Mol Hum Reprod 2015; 22:691-703. [PMID: 26660321 PMCID: PMC5062000 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gav068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cleavage is a period after fertilization, when a 1-cell embryo starts developing into a multicellular organism. Due to a series of mitotic divisions, the large volume of a fertilized egg is divided into numerous smaller, nucleated cells—blastomeres. Embryos of different phyla divide according to different patterns, but molecular mechanism of these early divisions remains surprisingly conserved. In the present paper, we describe how polarity cues, cytoskeleton and cell-to-cell communication interact with each other to regulate orientation of the early embryonic division planes in model animals such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and mouse. We focus particularly on the Par pathway and the actin-driven cytoplasmic flows that accompany it. We also describe a unique interplay between Par proteins and the Hippo pathway in cleavage mammalian embryos. Moreover, we discuss the potential meaning of polarity, cytoplasmic dynamics and cell-to-cell communication as quality biomarkers of human embryos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ajduk
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Müller A, Winkler J, Fiedler F, Sastradihardja T, Binder C, Schnabel R, Kungel J, Rothemund S, Hennig C, Schöneberg T, Prömel S. Oriented Cell Division in the C. elegans Embryo Is Coordinated by G-Protein Signaling Dependent on the Adhesion GPCR LAT-1. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005624. [PMID: 26505631 PMCID: PMC4624771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Orientation of spindles and cell division planes during development of many species ensures that correct cell-cell contacts are established, which is vital for proper tissue formation. This is a tightly regulated process involving a complex interplay of various signals. The molecular mechanisms underlying several of these pathways are still incompletely understood. Here, we identify the signaling cascade of the C. elegans latrophilin homolog LAT-1, an essential player in the coordination of anterior-posterior spindle orientation during the fourth round of embryonic cell division. We show that the receptor mediates a G protein-signaling pathway revealing that G-protein signaling in oriented cell division is not solely GPCR-independent. Genetic analyses showed that through the interaction with a Gs protein LAT-1 elevates intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in the C. elegans embryo. Stimulation of this G-protein cascade in lat-1 null mutant nematodes is sufficient to orient spindles and cell division planes in the embryo in the correct direction. Finally, we demonstrate that LAT-1 is activated by an intramolecular agonist to trigger this cascade. Our data support a model in which a novel, GPCR-dependent G protein-signaling cascade mediated by LAT-1 controls alignment of cell division planes in an anterior-posterior direction via a metabotropic Gs-protein/adenylyl cyclase pathway by regulating intracellular cAMP levels. During embryogenesis an entire organism develops from a single cell. This process is vital for the formation of life, thus cell division occurs with a very distinct orientation and pattern that is tightly controlled by several signaling pathways. The mechanisms underlying these pathways are complex and not yet fully understood. In the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, a common genetic model, the patterns and orientations in which cells divide in the embryo have been well characterized offering an ideal model to study the molecular mechanisms involved. Here, we show that the signal mediated by the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor LAT-1 is based on cAMP. This second messenger is essential for the orientation of distinct cell division planes in the early embryo. Studies based on a lat-1 knockout mutant reveal that LAT-1 signaling affects the levels of the second messenger cAMP in the cells via a specific G protein. Thereby the receptor is activated by an intrinsic sequence. This pathway is the first one clearly shown to involve a G protein-coupled receptor-dependent G-protein signal in orientation of embryonic cell division, offering a novel level of regulation of this process among other described pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antje Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Winkler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Fiedler
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Claudia Binder
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ralf Schnabel
- Institute of Genetics, TU Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jana Kungel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Rothemund
- Core Unit Peptide Technologies, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Torsten Schöneberg
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Prömel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Huang R, Zhao J, Ju L, Wen Y, Xu Q. The influence of GAP-43 on orientation of cell division through G proteins. Int J Dev Neurosci 2015; 47:333-9. [PMID: 26380950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2015.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that GAP-43 is highly expressed in horizontally dividing neural progenitor cells, and G protein complex are required for proper mitotic-spindle orientation of those progenitors in the mammalian developing cortex. In order to verify the hypothesis that GAP-43 may influence the orientation of cell division through interacting with G proteins during neurogenesis, the GAP-43 RNA from adult C57 mouse was cloned into the pEGFP-N1 vector, which was then transfected into Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells cultured in a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture system. The interaction of GAP-43 with Gαi was detected by co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), while cystogenesis of 3D morphogenesis of MDCK cells and expression of GAP-43 and Gαi were determined by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. The results showed are as follows: After being transfected by pEGFP-N1-GAP-43, GAP-43 was localized on the cell membrane and co-localized with Gαi, and this dramatically induced a defective cystogenesis in 3D morphogenesis of MDCK cells. The functional interaction between GAP-43 and Gαi proteins was proven by the co-IP assay. It can be considered from the results that the GAP-43 is involved in the orientation of cell division by interacting with Gαi and this should be an important mechanism for neurogenesis in the mammalian brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Huang
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Junpeng Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Ju
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yujun Wen
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qunyuan Xu
- Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing Center of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Matsuzaki F, Shitamukai A. Cell Division Modes and Cleavage Planes of Neural Progenitors during Mammalian Cortical Development. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2015; 7:a015719. [PMID: 26330517 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
During mammalian brain development, neural progenitor cells undergo symmetric proliferative divisions followed by asymmetric neurogenic divisions. The division mode of these self-renewing progenitors, together with the cell fate of their progeny, plays critical roles in determining the number of neurons and, ultimately, the size of the adult brain. In the past decade, remarkable progress has been made toward identifying various types of neuronal progenitors. Recent technological advances in live imaging and genetic manipulation have enabled us to link dynamic cell biological events to the molecular mechanisms that control the asymmetric divisions of self-renewing progenitors and have provided a fresh perspective on the modes of division of these progenitors. In addition, comparison of progenitor repertoires between species has provided insight into the expansion and the development of the complexity of the brain during mammalian evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fumio Matsuzaki
- Laboratory for Cell Asymmetry, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Atsunori Shitamukai
- Laboratory for Cell Asymmetry, RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
A fundamental question in developmental biology is how different cell lineages acquire different cell cycle durations. With its highly stereotypical asymmetric and asynchronous cell divisions, the early Caenorhabditis elegans embryo provides an ideal system to study lineage-specific cell cycle timing regulation during development, with high spatio-temporal resolution. The first embryonic division is asymmetric and generates two blastomeres of different sizes (AB>P1) and developmental potentials that divide asynchronously, with the anterior somatic blastomere AB dividing reproducibly two minutes before the posterior germline blastomere P1. The evolutionarily conserved PAR proteins (abnormal embryonic PARtitioning of cytoplasm) regulate all of the asymmetries in the early embryo including cell cycle asynchrony between AB and P1 blastomeres. Here we discuss our current understanding and open questions on the mechanism by which the PAR proteins regulate asynchronous cell divisions in the early C. elegans embryo.
Collapse
|
50
|
Sasaki K, Kakuwa T, Akimoto K, Koga H, Ohno S. Regulation of epithelial cell polarity by PAR-3 depends on Girdin transcription and Girdin-Gαi3 signaling. J Cell Sci 2015; 128:2244-58. [PMID: 25977476 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.160879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial apicobasal polarity has fundamental roles in epithelial physiology and morphogenesis. The PAR complex, comprising PAR-3, PAR-6 and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), is involved in determining cell polarity in various biological contexts, including in epithelial cells. However, it is not fully understood how the PAR complex induces apicobasal polarity. In this study, we found that PAR-3 regulates the protein expression of Girdin (also known as GIV or CCDC88A), a guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) for heterotrimeric Gαi subunits, at the transcriptional level by cooperating with the AP-2 transcription factor. In addition, we confirmed that PAR-3 physically interacts with Girdin, and show that Girdin, together with the Gαi3 (also known as GNAI3), controls tight junction formation, apical domain development and actin organization downstream of PAR-3. Taken together, our findings suggest that transcriptional upregulation of Girdin expression and Girdin-Gαi3 signaling play crucial roles in regulating epithelial apicobasal polarity through the PAR complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Sasaki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fuku-ura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Taku Kakuwa
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fuku-ura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kazunori Akimoto
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fuku-ura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan Department of Molecular Medical Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Hisashi Koga
- Department of Human Genome Research, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, 2-6-7 Kazusa-Kamatari, Kisarazu, Chiba 292-0818, Japan
| | - Shigeo Ohno
- Department of Molecular Biology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Science, 3-9 Fuku-ura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| |
Collapse
|