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Torvi JR, Wong J, Serwas D, Moayed A, Drubin DG, Barnes G. Reconstitution of kinetochore motility and microtubule dynamics reveals a role for a kinesin-8 in establishing end-on attachments. eLife 2022; 11:e78450. [PMID: 35791811 PMCID: PMC9259035 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
During mitosis, individual microtubules make attachments to chromosomes via a specialized protein complex called the kinetochore to faithfully segregate the chromosomes to daughter cells. Translocation of kinetochores on the lateral surface of the microtubule has been proposed to contribute to high fidelity chromosome capture and alignment at the mitotic midzone, but has been difficult to observe in vivo because of spatial and temporal constraints. To overcome these barriers, we used total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy to track the interactions between microtubules, kinetochore proteins, and other microtubule-associated proteins in lysates from metaphase-arrested Saccharomyces cerevisiae. TIRF microscopy and cryo-correlative light microscopy and electron tomography indicated that we successfully reconstituted interactions between intact kinetochores and microtubules. These kinetochores translocate on the lateral microtubule surface toward the microtubule plus end and transition to end-on attachment, whereupon microtubule depolymerization commences. The directional kinetochore movement is dependent on the highly processive kinesin-8, Kip3. We propose that Kip3 facilitates stable kinetochore attachment to microtubule plus ends through its abilities to move the kinetochore laterally on the surface of the microtubule and to regulate microtubule plus end dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Torvi
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Jonathan Wong
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Daniel Serwas
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Amir Moayed
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - David G Drubin
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Georjana Barnes
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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2
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Ti SC. Reconstituting Microtubules: A Decades-Long Effort From Building Block Identification to the Generation of Recombinant α/β-Tubulin. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:861648. [PMID: 35573669 PMCID: PMC9096264 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.861648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are cytoskeletal filaments underlying the morphology and functions of all eukaryotic cells. In higher eukaryotes, the basic building blocks of these non-covalent polymers, ɑ- and β-tubulins, are encoded by expanded tubulin family genes (i.e., isotypes) at distinct loci in the genome. While ɑ/β-tubulin heterodimers have been isolated and examined for more than 50 years, how tubulin isotypes contribute to the microtubule organization and functions that support diverse cellular architectures remains a fundamental question. To address this knowledge gap, in vitro reconstitution of microtubules with purified ɑ/β-tubulin proteins has been employed for biochemical and biophysical characterization. These in vitro assays have provided mechanistic insights into the regulation of microtubule dynamics, stability, and interactions with other associated proteins. Here we survey the evolving strategies of generating purified ɑ/β-tubulin heterodimers and highlight the advances in tubulin protein biochemistry that shed light on the roles of tubulin isotypes in determining microtubule structures and properties.
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3
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Thomas A, Gallaud E, Pascal A, Serre L, Arnal I, Richard-Parpaillon L, Savoian MS, Giet R. Peripheral astral microtubules ensure asymmetric furrow positioning in neural stem cells. Cell Rep 2021; 37:109895. [PMID: 34706235 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblast division is characterized by asymmetric positioning of the cleavage furrow, resulting in a large difference in size between the future daughter cells. In animal cells, furrow placement and assembly are governed by centralspindlin that accumulates at the equatorial cell cortex of the future cleavage site and at the spindle midzone. In neuroblasts, these two centralspindlin populations are spatially and temporally separated. A leading pool is located at the basal cleavage site and a second pool accumulates at the midzone before traveling to the cleavage site. The cortical centralspindlin population requires peripheral astral microtubules and the chromosome passenger complex for efficient recruitment. Loss of this pool does not prevent cytokinesis but enhances centralspindlin signaling at the midzone, leading to equatorial furrow repositioning and decreased size asymmetry. These data show that basal furrow positioning in neuroblasts results from a competition between different centralspindlin pools in which the cortical pool is dominant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Thomas
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR17 6290, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Emmanuel Gallaud
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR17 6290, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Aude Pascal
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR17 6290, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Laurence Serre
- Inserm U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Arnal
- Inserm U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Laurent Richard-Parpaillon
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR17 6290, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Matthew Scott Savoian
- School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, 4410 Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Régis Giet
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes) - UMR17 6290, 35000 Rennes, France.
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4
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Ciorîță A, Bugiel M, Sudhakar S, Schäffer E, Jannasch A. Single depolymerizing and transport kinesins stabilize microtubule ends. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2021; 78:177-184. [PMID: 34310069 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules are highly dynamic cellular filaments and an accurate control of their length is important for many intracellular processes like cell division. Among other factors, microtubule length is actively modulated by motors from the kinesin superfamily. For example, yeast kinesin-8, Kip3, motors depolymerize microtubules by a cooperative, force- and length-dependent mechanism. However, whether single motors can also depolymerize microtubules is unclear. Here, we measured how single kinesin motors influenced the stability of microtubules in an in vitro assay. Using label-free interference reflection microscopy, we determined the spontaneous microtubule depolymerization rate of stabilized microtubules in the presence of kinesins. Surprisingly, we found that both single Kip3 and nondepolymerizing kinesin-1 transport motors, used as a control, stabilized microtubules further. For Kip3, this behavior is contrary to the collective force-dependent depolymerization activity of multiple motors. Because of the control measurement, the finding may hint at a more general stabilization mechanism. The complex, concentration-dependent interaction with microtubule ends provides new insights into the molecular mechanism of kinesin-8 and its regulatory function of microtubule length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ciorîță
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, Integrated Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Michael Bugiel
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Swathi Sudhakar
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,MRC London Institute of Medical Science, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Erik Schäffer
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anita Jannasch
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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5
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Marquis C, Fonseca CL, Queen KA, Wood L, Vandal SE, Malaby HLH, Clayton JE, Stumpff J. Chromosomally unstable tumor cells specifically require KIF18A for proliferation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1213. [PMID: 33619254 PMCID: PMC7900194 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21447-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a hallmark of tumor cells caused by changes in the dynamics and control of microtubules that compromise the mitotic spindle. Thus, CIN cells may respond differently than diploid cells to treatments that target mitotic spindle regulation. Here, we test this idea by inhibiting a subset of kinesin motor proteins involved in mitotic spindle control. KIF18A is required for proliferation of CIN cells derived from triple negative breast cancer or colorectal cancer tumors but is not required in near-diploid cells. Following KIF18A inhibition, CIN tumor cells exhibit mitotic delays, multipolar spindles, and increased cell death. Sensitivity to KIF18A knockdown is strongly correlated with centrosome fragmentation, which requires dynamic microtubules but does not depend on bipolar spindle formation or mitotic arrest. Our results indicate the altered spindle microtubule dynamics characteristic of CIN tumor cells can be exploited to reduce the proliferative capacity of CIN cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Marquis
- grid.59062.380000 0004 1936 7689Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT USA
| | - Cindy L. Fonseca
- grid.59062.380000 0004 1936 7689Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT USA
| | - Katelyn A. Queen
- grid.59062.380000 0004 1936 7689Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT USA
| | - Lisa Wood
- grid.59062.380000 0004 1936 7689Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT USA
| | - Sarah E. Vandal
- grid.59062.380000 0004 1936 7689Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT USA
| | - Heidi L. H. Malaby
- grid.59062.380000 0004 1936 7689Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT USA
| | - Joseph E. Clayton
- grid.288134.40000 0004 0569 7230BioTek Instruments Inc, Winooski, VT USA
| | - Jason Stumpff
- grid.59062.380000 0004 1936 7689Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT USA
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6
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Whole-genome doubling confers unique genetic vulnerabilities on tumour cells. Nature 2021; 590:492-497. [PMID: 33505027 PMCID: PMC7889737 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-03133-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Whole genome doubling (WGD) occurs early in tumorigenesis and generates genetically unstable tetraploid cells that fuel tumor development1,2. Cells that undergo WGD (WGD+) must adapt to accommodate their abnormal tetraploid state; however, the nature of these adaptations, and whether they confer vulnerabilities that can subsequently be exploited therapeutically, is unclear. Using sequencing data from ~10,000 primary human cancer samples and essentiality data from ~600 cancer cell lines, we show that WGD gives rise to common genetic traits that are accompanied by unique vulnerabilities. We reveal that WGD+ cells are more dependent on spindle assembly checkpoint signaling, DNA replication factors, and proteasome function than WGD– cells. We also identify KIF18A, which encodes for a mitotic kinesin, as being specifically required for the viability of WGD+ cells. While loss of KIF18A is largely dispensable for accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis in WGD– cells, its loss induces dramatic mitotic errors in WGD+ cells, ultimately impairing cell viability. Collectively, our results reveal new strategies to specifically target WGD+ cancer cells while sparing the normal, non-transformed WGD– cells that comprise human tissue.
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7
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Lin Y, Wei YL, She ZY. Kinesin-8 motors: regulation of microtubule dynamics and chromosome movements. Chromosoma 2020; 129:99-110. [PMID: 32417983 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-020-00736-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Microtubules are essential for intracellular transport, cell motility, spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation during cell division. Microtubule dynamics regulate the proper spindle organization and thus contribute to chromosome congression and segregation. Accumulating studies suggest that kinesin-8 motors are emerging regulators of microtubule dynamics and organizations. In this review, we provide an overview of the studies focused on kinesin-8 motors in cell division. We discuss the structures and molecular kinetics of kinesin-8 motors. We highlight the essential roles and mechanisms of kinesin-8 in the regulation of microtubule dynamics and spindle organization. We also shed light on the functions of kinesin-8 motors in chromosome movement and the spindle assembly checkpoint during the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lin
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Ya-Lan Wei
- Fujian Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fuzhou, 350011, Fujian, China.,Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Zhen-Yu She
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China. .,Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
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8
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Bioenergetics of the Dictyostelium Kinesin-8 Motor Isoform. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040563. [PMID: 32272590 PMCID: PMC7226124 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional organization of microtubules in eukaryotic cells requires a combination of their inherent dynamic properties, interactions with motor machineries, and interactions with accessory proteins to affect growth, shrinkage, stability, and architecture. In most organisms, the Kinesin-8 family of motors play an integral role in these organizations, well known for their mitotic activities in microtubule (MT) length control and kinetochore interactions. In Dictyostelium discoideum, the function of Kinesin-8 remains elusive. We present here some biochemical properties and localization data that indicate that this motor (DdKif10) shares some motility properties with other Kinesin-8s but also illustrates differences in microtubule localization and depolymerase action that highlight functional diversity.
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9
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Leong SY, Edzuka T, Goshima G, Yamada M. Kinesin-13 and Kinesin-8 Function during Cell Growth and Division in the Moss Physcomitrella patens. THE PLANT CELL 2020; 32:683-702. [PMID: 31919299 PMCID: PMC7054034 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.19.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Kinesin-13 and Kinesin-8 are well-known microtubule (MT) depolymerases that regulate MT length and chromosome movement in animal mitosis. While much is unknown about plant Kinesin-8, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice (Oryza sativa) Kinesin-13 have been shown to depolymerize MTs in vitro. However, the mitotic function of both kinesins has yet to be determined in plants. Here, we generated complete null mutants of Kinesin-13 and Kinesin-8 in moss (Physcomitrella patens). Both kinesins were found to be nonessential for viability, but the Kinesin-13 knockout (KO) line had increased mitotic duration and reduced spindle length, whereas the Kinesin-8 KO line did not display obvious mitotic defects. Surprisingly, spindle MT poleward flux, which is mediated by Kinesin-13 in animals, was retained in the absence of Kinesin-13. MT depolymerase activity was not detectable for either kinesin in vitro, while MT catastrophe-inducing activity (Kinesin-13) or MT gliding activity (Kinesin-8) was observed. Interestingly, both KO lines showed waviness in their protonema filaments, which correlated with positional instability of the MT foci in their tip cells. Taken together, the results suggest that plant Kinesin-13 and Kinesin-8 have diverged in both mitotic function and molecular activity, acquiring roles in regulating MT foci positioning for directed tip growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yao Leong
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Tomoya Edzuka
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Gohta Goshima
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
| | - Moé Yamada
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
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10
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Depoix D, Marques SR, Ferguson DJP, Chaouch S, Duguet T, Sinden RE, Grellier P, Kohl L. Vital role for
Plasmodium berghei
Kinesin8B in axoneme assembly during male gamete formation and mosquito transmission. Cell Microbiol 2019; 22:e13121. [DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Depoix
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | | | - David JP Ferguson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Science University of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Soraya Chaouch
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | - Thomas Duguet
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
- Institute of Parasitology, Macdonald Campus McGill University 21, 111 Lakeshore road Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue QC Canada
| | - Robert E Sinden
- Department of Life Sciences Imperial College of London London UK
| | - Philippe Grellier
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
| | - Linda Kohl
- Unité Molécules de Communication et Adaptation des Microorganismes (MCAM), UMR 7245 CNRS Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle Paris Cedex 05 France
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11
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Pinder C, Matsuo Y, Maurer SP, Toda T. Kinesin-8 and Dis1/TOG collaborate to limit spindle elongation from prophase to anaphase A for proper chromosome segregation in fission yeast. J Cell Sci 2019; 132:jcs232306. [PMID: 31427431 PMCID: PMC6765184 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.232306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fidelity chromosome segregation relies on proper microtubule regulation. Kinesin-8 has been shown to destabilise microtubules to reduce metaphase spindle length and chromosome movements in multiple species. XMAP215/chTOG polymerases catalyse microtubule growth for spindle assembly, elongation and kinetochore-microtubule attachment. Understanding of their biochemical activity has advanced, but little work directly addresses the functionality and interplay of these conserved factors. We utilised the synthetic lethality of fission yeast kinesin-8 (Klp5-Klp6) and XMAP215/chTOG (Dis1) to study their individual and overlapping roles. We found that the non-motor kinesin-8 tailbox is essential for mitotic function; mutation compromises plus-end-directed processivity. Klp5-Klp6 induces catastrophes to control microtubule length and, surprisingly, Dis1 collaborates with kinesin-8 to slow spindle elongation. Together, they enforce a maximum spindle length for a viable metaphase-anaphase transition and limit elongation during anaphase A to prevent lagging chromatids. Our work provides mechanistic insight into how kinesin-8 negatively regulates microtubules and how this functionally overlaps with Dis1 and highlights the importance of spindle length control in mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Pinder
- Cell Regulation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Division of Biological and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8530, Japan
| | - Yuzy Matsuo
- Cell Regulation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Synthetic and Systems Biochemistry of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Sebastian P Maurer
- Synthetic and Systems Biochemistry of the Microtubule Cytoskeleton Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08002 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Takashi Toda
- Cell Regulation Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Division of Biological and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8530, Japan
- Hiroshima Research Center for Healthy Aging (HiHA), Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8530, Japan
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12
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The quantification and regulation of microtubule dynamics in the mitotic spindle. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2019; 60:36-43. [PMID: 31108428 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules play essential roles in cellular organization, cargo transport, and chromosome segregation during cell division. During mitosis microtubules form a macromolecular structure known as the mitotic spindle that is responsible for the accurate segregation of chromosomes between the two daughter cells. This is accomplished thanks to finely tuned control of microtubule dynamics. Even small changes in microtubule dynamics during spindle formation and/or operation may lead to chromosome mis-segregation, chromosome instability and aneuploidy. These three events are directly correlated with human diseases like cancer and developmental defects. Precise measurements of microtubule dynamics in the spindle will allow us to discover new molecules involved in regulating microtubule dynamics and enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that underlie mitosis and cancer emergence and development. Moreover, many chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment are targeted to microtubules, so continued investigation of their dynamics with utmost precision will facilitate the development of new drugs. Measuring microtubule dynamics in the spindle has been a difficult task until recently. With the development of new and gentler microscopic techniques, and new computer programs, we can perform better and more accurate measurements of microtubule dynamics during mitosis.
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