Mitotic spindle assembly around RCC1-coated beads in Xenopus egg extracts

Roles of Tubulin Concentration during Prometaphase and Ran-GTP during Anaphase of Caenorhabditis elegans Meiosis

In many animal species, the oocyte meiotic spindle, which is required for chromosome segregation, forms without centrosomes. In some systems, Ran-GEF on chromatin initiates spindle assembly. We found that in Caenorhabditis elegans oocytes, endogenously-tagged Ran-GEF dissociates from chromatin during spindle assembly but re-associates during meiotic anaphase. Meiotic spindle assembly occurred after auxin-induced degradation of Ran-GEF, but anaphase I was faster than controls and extrusion of the first polar body frequently failed. In search of a possible alternative pathway for spindle assembly, we found that soluble tubulin concentrates in the nuclear volume during germinal vesicle breakdown. We found that the concentration of soluble tubulin in the metaphase spindle region is enclosed by ER sheets which exclude cytoplasmic organelles including mitochondria and yolk granules. Measurement of the volume occupied by yolk granules and mitochondria indicated that volume exclusion would be sufficient to explain the concentration of tubulin in the spindle volume. We suggest that this concentration of soluble tubulin may be a redundant mechanism promoting spindle assembly near chromosomes.

Roles of Tubulin Concentration during Prometaphase and Ran-GTP during Anaphase of C. elegans meiosis

In many animal species, the oocyte meiotic spindle, which is required for chromosome segregation, forms without centrosomes. In some systems, Ran-GEF on chromatin initiates spindle assembly. We found that in C. elegans oocytes, endogenously-tagged Ran-GEF dissociates from chromatin during spindle assembly but re-associates during meiotic anaphase. Meiotic spindle assembly occurred after auxin-induced degradation of Ran-GEF but anaphase I was faster than controls and extrusion of the first polar body frequently failed. In search of a possible alternative pathway for spindle assembly, we found that soluble tubulin concentrates in the nuclear volume during germinal vesicle breakdown. We found that the concentration of soluble tubulin in the metaphase spindle region is enclosed by ER sheets which exclude cytoplasmic organelles including mitochondria and yolk granules. Measurement of the volume occupied by yolk granules and mitochondria indicated that volume exclusion would be sufficient to explain the concentration of tubulin in the spindle volume. We suggest that this concentration of soluble tubulin may be a redundant mechanism promoting spindle assembly near chromosomes.

Regulator of Chromosome Condensation (RCC1) a novel therapeutic target in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma drives tumor progression via the c-Myc-RCC1-Ran axis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Here we for the first time evaluated the role of regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1) in PDAC subsistence and drug resistance. RCC1 expression was found to be elevated in PDAC tissues in comparison with normal pancreatic tissues and was linked to poor prognosis. RCC1 silencing in a panel of PDAC cells by RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9 resulted in reduced cellular proliferation in 2D and 3D cultures. RCC1 KD reduced migratory and clonogenic ability, enhanced apoptosis, and altered cell cycle distribution in human PDAC cells as well as cells isolated from the LSL-Kras G12D/+; LSL-Trp53 R172H/+ ;Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mouse tumors. Subcutaneous cell-derived xenografts show significantly attenuated growth of RCC1 KO tumors. Mechanistically, RCC1 knockdown resulted in disruption of subcellular Ran distribution indicating that stable nuclear Ran localization is critical for PDAC proliferation. Nuclear and cytosolic proteomic analysis revealed altered subcellular proteome in RCC1 KD KPC-tumor-derived cells. Altered cytoplasmic protein pathways include several metabolic pathways and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Pathways enriched in altered nuclear proteins include cell cycle, mitosis, and RNA regulation. RNA sequencing of RCC1 KO cells showed widespread transcriptional alterations. Upstream of RCC1, c-Myc activates the RCC1-Ran axis, and RCC1 KO enhances the sensitivity of PDAC cells to c-Myc inhibitors. Finally, RCC1 knockdown resulted in the sensitization of PDAC cells to Gemcitabine. Our results indicate that RCC1 is a potential therapeutic target in PDAC that warrants further clinical investigations.

Microtubule nucleation for spindle assembly: one molecule at a time

The cell orchestrates the dance of chromosome segregation with remarkable speed and fidelity. The mitotic spindle is built from scratch after interphase through microtubule (MT) nucleation, which is dependent on the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), the universal MT template. Although several MT nucleation pathways build the spindle framework, the question of when and how γ-TuRC is targeted to these nucleation sites in the spindle and subsequently activated remains an active area of investigation. Recent advances facilitated the discovery of new MT nucleation effectors and their mechanisms of action. In this review, we illuminate each spindle assembly pathway and subsequently consider how the pathways are merged to build a spindle.

Mechanisms underlying spindle assembly and robustness

The microtubule-based spindle orchestrates chromosome segregation during cell division. Following more than a century of study, many components and pathways contributing to spindle assembly have been described, but how the spindle robustly assembles remains incompletely understood. This process involves the self-organization of a large number of molecular parts - up to hundreds of thousands in vertebrate cells - whose local interactions give rise to a cellular-scale structure with emergent architecture, mechanics and function. In this Review, we discuss key concepts in our understanding of spindle assembly, focusing on recent advances and the new approaches that enabled them. We describe the pathways that generate the microtubule framework of the spindle by driving microtubule nucleation in a spatially controlled fashion and present recent insights regarding the organization of individual microtubules into structural modules. Finally, we discuss the emergent properties of the spindle that enable robust chromosome segregation.

Cohesin is required for meiotic spindle assembly independent of its role in cohesion in C. elegans

Accurate chromosome segregation requires a cohesin-mediated physical attachment between chromosomes that are to be segregated apart, and a bipolar spindle with microtubule plus ends emanating from exactly two poles toward the paired chromosomes. We asked whether the striking bipolar structure of C. elegans meiotic chromosomes is required for bipolarity of acentriolar female meiotic spindles by time-lapse imaging of mutants that lack cohesion between chromosomes. Both a spo-11 rec-8 coh-4 coh-3 quadruple mutant and a spo-11 rec-8 double mutant entered M phase with separated sister chromatids lacking any cohesion. However, the quadruple mutant formed an apolar spindle whereas the double mutant formed a bipolar spindle that segregated chromatids into two roughly equal masses. Residual non-cohesive COH-3/4-dependent cohesin on separated sister chromatids of the double mutant was sufficient to recruit haspin-dependent Aurora B kinase, which mediated bipolar spindle assembly in the apparent absence of chromosomal bipolarity. We hypothesized that cohesin-dependent Aurora B might activate or inhibit spindle assembly factors in a manner that would affect their localization on chromosomes and found that the chromosomal localization patterns of KLP-7 and CLS-2 correlated with Aurora B loading on chromosomes. These results demonstrate that cohesin is essential for spindle assembly and chromosome segregation independent of its role in sister chromatid cohesion.

A celebration of the 25th anniversary of chromatin-mediated spindle assembly

Formation of a bipolar spindle is required for the faithful segregation of chromosomes during cell division. Twenty-five years ago, a transformative insight into how bipolarity is achieved was provided by Rebecca Heald, Eric Karsenti, and colleagues in their landmark publication characterizing a chromatin-mediated spindle assembly pathway in which centrosomes and kinetochores were dispensable. The discovery revealed that bipolar spindle assembly is a self-organizing process where microtubules, which possess an intrinsic polarity, polymerize around chromatin and become sorted by mitotic motors into a bipolar structure. On the 25^th anniversary of this seminal paper, we discuss what was known before, what we have learned since, and what may lie ahead in understanding the bipolar spindle.

The Multifaceted Roles of RCC1 in Tumorigenesis

RCC1 (regulator of chromosome condensation 1) is the only known guanine nucleotide exchange factor of Ran, a nuclear Ras-like G protein. RCC1 combines with chromatin and Ran to establish a concentration gradient of RanGTP, thereby participating in a series of cell physiological activities. In this review, we discuss the structure of RCC1 and describe how RCC1 affects the formation and function of the nuclear envelope, spindle formation, and nuclear transport. We mainly focus on the effect of RCC1 on the cell cycle during tumorigenesis and the recent research progress that has been made in relation to different tumor types.

RanGTP induces an effector gradient of XCTK2 and importin α/β for spindle microtubule cross-linking

High RanGTP around chromatin is important for governing spindle assembly during meiosis and mitosis by releasing the inhibitory effects of importin α/β. Here we examine how the Ran gradient regulates Kinesin-14 function to control spindle organization. We show that Xenopus Kinesin-14, XCTK2, and importin α/β form an effector gradient that is highest at the poles and diminishes toward the chromatin, which is opposite the RanGTP gradient. Importin α and β preferentially inhibit XCTK2 antiparallel microtubule cross-linking and sliding by decreasing the microtubule affinity of the XCTK2 tail domain. This change in microtubule affinity enables RanGTP to target endogenous XCTK2 to the spindle. We propose that these combined actions of the Ran pathway are critical to promote Kinesin-14 parallel microtubule cross-linking to help focus spindle poles for efficient bipolar spindle assembly. Furthermore, our work illustrates that RanGTP regulation in the spindle is not simply a switch, but rather generates effector gradients where importins α and β gradually tune the activities of spindle assembly factors.

Mechanisms of spindle assembly and size control

The spindle is crucial for cell division by allowing the faithful segregation of replicated chromosomes to daughter cells. Proper segregation is ensured only if microtubules (MTs) and hundreds of other associated factors interact to assemble this complex structure with the appropriate architecture and size. In this review, we describe the latest view of spindle organisation as well as the molecular gradients and mechanisms underlying MT nucleation and spindle assembly. We then discuss the overlapping physical and molecular constraints that dictate spindle morphology, concluding with a focus on spindle size regulation.

Spindle assembly without spindle pole body insertion into the nuclear envelope in fission yeast meiosis

Centrosomes represent the major microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in eukaryotic cells and are responsible for nucleation of the spindle, the vehicle of chromosome segregation. In human female meiosis, however, spindle assembly occurs in the absence of centrosomes or other MTOCs and microtubules are nucleated around chromosomes. In yeast, spindle formation in mitosis and meiosis depends on the activity of spindle pole bodies (SPBs), the functional equivalents of centrosomes; thus, SPBs and centrosomes use similar machineries to assemble spindles. Here, we develop a system to explore the molecular mechanisms supporting acentrosomal spindle formation using fission yeast meiosis as a model scenario. We achieve this situation by removing access of the SPBs to the nucleus after their duplication. Under these conditions, we observe self-assembly-based spindle formation in the nuclear environment, conferring an ability to segregate chromosomes independently of the SPBs. Our results open the possibility to utilize the experimental advantages of fission yeast for insights into the molecular basis of acentrosomal spindle formation in meiosis.

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of Plasmid-Bound Proteins in Xenopus Egg Extracts

Xenopus egg extracts provide a cell-free system to analyze various aspects of chromatin biology. Here we describe a modified method of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) to detect the interaction of proteins with plasmid DNA incubated in extract. The combination of ChIP and Xenopus egg extracts provides a highly versatile and tractable approach to analyze dynamic protein-DNA interactions with great spatial and temporal detail.

Context-dependent spindle pole focusing

The formation of a robust, bi-polar spindle apparatus, capable of accurate chromosome segregation, is a complex process requiring the co-ordinated nucleation, sorting, stabilization and organization of microtubules (MTs). Work over the last 25 years has identified protein complexes that act as functional modules to nucleate spindle MTs at distinct cellular sites such as centrosomes, kinetochores, chromatin and pre-existing MTs themselves. There is clear evidence that the extent to which these different MT nucleating pathways contribute to spindle mass both during mitosis and meiosis differs not only between organisms, but also in different cell types within an organism. This plasticity contributes the robustness of spindle formation; however, whether such plasticity is present in other aspects of spindle formation is less well understood. Here, we review the known roles of the protein complexes responsible for spindle pole focusing, investigating the evidence that these, too, act co-ordinately and differentially, depending on cellular context. We describe relationships between MT minus-end directed motors dynein and HSET/Ncd, depolymerases including katanin and MCAK, and direct minus-end binding proteins such as nuclear-mitotic apparatus protein, ASPM and Patronin/CAMSAP. We further explore the idea that the focused spindle pole acts as a non-membrane bound condensate and suggest that the metaphase spindle pole be treated as a transient organelle with context-dependent requirements for function.

Assembly and Positioning of the Oocyte Meiotic Spindle

Fertilizable eggs develop from diploid precursor cells termed oocytes. Once every menstrual cycle, an oocyte matures into a fertilizable egg in the ovary. To this end, the oocyte eliminates half of its chromosomes into a small cell termed a polar body. The egg is then released into the Fallopian tube, where it can be fertilized. Upon fertilization, the egg completes the second meiotic division, and the mitotic division of the embryo starts. This review highlights recent work that has shed light on the cytoskeletal structures that drive the meiotic divisions of the oocyte in mammals. In particular, we focus on how mammalian oocytes assemble a microtubule spindle in the absence of centrosomes, how they position the spindle in preparation for polar body extrusion, and how the spindle segregates the chromosomes. We primarily focus on mouse oocytes as a model system but also highlight recent insights from human oocytes.

Spindle assembly in egg extracts of the Marsabit clawed frog, Xenopus borealis

Egg extracts of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis have provided a cell-free system instrumental in elucidating events of the cell cycle, including mechanisms of spindle assembly. Comparison with extracts from the diploid Western clawed frog, Xenopus tropicalis, which is smaller at the organism, cellular and subcellular levels, has enabled the identification of spindle size scaling factors. We set out to characterize the Marsabit clawed frog, Xenopus borealis, which is intermediate in size between the two species, but more recently diverged in evolution from X. laevis than X. tropicalis. X. borealis eggs were slightly smaller than those of X. laevis, and slightly smaller spindles were assembled in egg extracts. Interestingly, microtubule distribution across the length of the X. borealis spindles differed from both X. laevis and X. tropicalis. Extract mixing experiments revealed common scaling phenomena among Xenopus species, while characterization of spindle factors katanin, TPX2, and Ran indicate that X. borealis spindles possess both X. laevis and X. tropicalis features. Thus, X. borealis egg extract provides a third in vitro system to investigate interspecies scaling and spindle morphometric variation.

Mechanisms that prevent catastrophic interactions between paternal chromosomes and the oocyte meiotic spindle

Meiosis produces haploid gametes by accurately reducing chromosome ploidy through one round of DNA replication and two subsequent rounds of chromosome segregation and cell division. The cell divisions of female meiosis are highly asymmetric and give rise to a large egg and two very small polar bodies that do not contribute to development. These asymmetric divisions are driven by meiotic spindles that are small relative to the size of the egg and have one pole juxtaposed against the cell cortex to promote polar body extrusion. An additional unique feature of female meiosis is that fertilization occurs before extrusion of the second polar body in nearly all animal species. Thus sperm-derived chromosomes are present in the egg during female meiosis. Here, we explore the idea that the asymmetry of female meiosis spatially separates the sperm from the meiotic spindle to prevent detrimental interactions between the spindle and the paternal chromosomes.

Aberrant Meiotic Modulation Partially Contributes to the Lower Germination Rate of Pollen Grains in Maize (Zea mays L.) Under Low Nitrogen Supply

Pollen germination is an essential step towards successful pollination during maize reproduction. How low niutrogen (N) affects pollen germination remains an interesting biological question to be addressed. We found that only low N resulted in a significantly lower germination rate of pollen grains after 4 weeks of low N, phosphorus or potassium treatment in maize production. Importantly, cytological analysis showed 7-fold more micronuclei in male meiocytes under the low N treatment than in the control, indicating that the lower germination rate of pollen grains was partially due to numerous chromosome loss events resulting from preceding meiosis. The appearance of 10 bivalents in the control and low N cells at diakinesis suggested that chromosome pairing and recombination in meiosis I was not affected by low N. Further gene expression analysis revealed dramatic down-regulation of Nuclear Division Cycle 80 (Ndc80) and Regulator of Chromosome Condensation 1 (Rcc1-1) expression and up-regulation of Cell Division Cycle 20 (Cdc20-1) expression, although no significant difference in the expression level of kinetochore foundation proteins Centromeric Histone H3 (Cenh3) and Centromere Protein C (Cenpc) and cohesion regulators Recombination 8 (Rec8) and Shugoshin (Sgo1) was observed. Aberrant modulation of three key meiotic regulators presumably resulted in a high likelihood of erroneous chromosome segregation, as testified by pronounced lagging chromosomes at anaphase I or cell cycle disruption at meiosis II. Thus, we proposed a cytogenetic mechanism whereby low N affects male meiosis and causes a higher chromosome loss frequency and eventually a lower germination rate of pollen grains in a staple crop plant.

Triggering signaling pathways using F-actin self-organization

The spatiotemporal organization of proteins within cells is essential for cell fate behavior. Although it is known that the cytoskeleton is vital for numerous cellular functions, it remains unclear how cytoskeletal activity can shape and control signaling pathways in space and time throughout the cell cytoplasm. Here we show that F-actin self-organization can trigger signaling pathways by engineering two novel properties of the microfilament self-organization: (1) the confinement of signaling proteins and (2) their scaffolding along actin polymers. Using in vitro reconstitutions of cellular functions, we found that both the confinement of nanoparticle-based signaling platforms powered by F-actin contractility and the scaffolding of engineered signaling proteins along actin microfilaments can drive a signaling switch. Using Ran-dependent microtubule nucleation, we found that F-actin dynamics promotes the robust assembly of microtubules. Our in vitro assay is a first step towards the development of novel bottom-up strategies to decipher the interplay between cytoskeleton spatial organization and signaling pathway activity.

Mechanisms of Mitotic Spindle Assembly

Life depends on cell proliferation and the accurate segregation of chromosomes, which are mediated by the microtubule (MT)-based mitotic spindle and ∼200 essential MT-associated proteins. Yet, a mechanistic understanding of how the mitotic spindle is assembled and achieves chromosome segregation is still missing. This is mostly due to the density of MTs in the spindle, which presumably precludes their direct observation. Recent insight has been gained into the molecular building plan of the metaphase spindle using bulk and single-molecule measurements combined with computational modeling. MT nucleation was uncovered as a key principle of spindle assembly, and mechanistic details about MT nucleation pathways and their coordination are starting to be revealed. Lastly, advances in studying spindle assembly can be applied to address the molecular mechanisms of how the spindle segregates chromosomes.

The Ran Pathway in Drosophila melanogaster Mitosis

Over the last two decades, the small GTPase Ran has emerged as a central regulator of both mitosis and meiosis, particularly in the generation, maintenance, and regulation of the microtubule (MT)-based bipolar spindle. Ran-regulated pathways in mitosis bear many similarities to the well-characterized functions of Ran in nuclear transport and, as with transport, the majority of these mitotic effects are mediated through affecting the physical interaction between karyopherins and Spindle Assembly Factors (SAFs)—a loose term describing proteins or protein complexes involved in spindle assembly through promoting nucleation, stabilization, and/or depolymerization of MTs, through anchoring MTs to specific structures such as centrosomes, chromatin or kinetochores, or through sliding MTs along each other to generate the force required to achieve bipolarity. As such, the Ran-mediated pathway represents a crucial functional module within the wider spindle assembly landscape. Research into mitosis using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster has contributed substantially to our understanding of centrosome and spindle function. However, in comparison to mammalian systems, very little is known about the contribution of Ran-mediated pathways in Drosophila mitosis. This article sets out to summarize our understanding of the roles of the Ran pathway components in Drosophila mitosis, focusing on the syncytial blastoderm embryo, arguing that it can provide important insights into the conserved functions on Ran during spindle formation.

Spatial gradients controlling spindle assembly

The mitotic spindle is the macromolecular machine utilized to accurately segregate chromosomes in cells. How this self-organized structure assembles is a key aspect of understanding spindle morphogenesis. In the present review, we focus on understanding mechanisms of spindle self-assembly and address how subcellular signalling gradients, such as Ran-GTP and Aurora B, contribute to spindle organization and function.

Nucleosome functions in spindle assembly and nuclear envelope formation

Chromosomes are not only carriers of the genetic material, but also actively regulate the assembly of complex intracellular architectures. During mitosis, chromosome-induced microtubule polymerisation ensures spindle assembly in cells without centrosomes and plays a supportive role in centrosome-containing cells. Chromosomal signals also mediate post-mitotic nuclear envelope (NE) re-formation. Recent studies using novel approaches to manipulate histones in oocytes, where functions can be analysed in the absence of transcription, have established that nucleosomes, but not DNA alone, mediate the chromosomal regulation of spindle assembly and NE formation. Both processes require the generation of RanGTP by RCC1 recruited to nucleosomes but nucleosomes also acquire cell cycle stage specific regulators, Aurora B in mitosis and ELYS, the initiator of nuclear pore complex assembly, at mitotic exit. Here, we review the mechanisms by which nucleosomes control assembly and functions of the spindle and the NE, and discuss their implications for genome maintenance.

Reprint of "Nuclear transport factors: global regulation of mitosis"

The unexpected repurposing of nuclear transport proteins from their function in interphase to an equally vital and very different set of functions in mitosis was very surprising. The multi-talented cast when first revealed included the import receptors, importin alpha and beta, the small regulatory GTPase RanGTP, and a subset of nuclear pore proteins. In this review, we report that recent years have revealed new discoveries in each area of this expanding story in vertebrates: (a) The cast of nuclear import receptors playing a role in mitotic spindle regulation has expanded: both transportin, a nuclear import receptor, and Crm1/Xpo1, an export receptor, are involved in different aspects of spindle assembly. Importin beta and transportin also regulate nuclear envelope and pore assembly. (b) The role of nucleoporins has grown to include recruiting the key microtubule nucleator – the γ-TuRC complex – and the exportin Crm1 to the mitotic kinetochores of humans. Together they nucleate microtubule formation from the kinetochores toward the centrosomes. (c) New research finds that the original importin beta/RanGTP team have been further co-opted by evolution to help regulate other cellular and organismal activities, ranging from the actual positioning of the spindle within the cell perimeter, to regulation of a newly discovered spindle microtubule branching activity, to regulation of the interaction of microtubule structures with specific actin structures. (d) Lastly, because of the multitudinous roles of karyopherins throughout the cell cycle, a recent large push toward testing their potential as chemotherapeutic targets has begun to yield burgeoning progress in the clinic.

Nuclear transport factors: global regulation of mitosis

The unexpected repurposing of nuclear transport proteins from their function in interphase to an equally vital and very different set of functions in mitosis was very surprising. The multi-talented cast when first revealed included the import receptors, importin alpha and beta, the small regulatory GTPase RanGTP, and a subset of nuclear pore proteins. In this review, we report that recent years have revealed new discoveries in each area of this expanding story in vertebrates: (a) The cast of nuclear import receptors playing a role in mitotic spindle regulation has expanded: both transportin, a nuclear import receptor, and Crm1/Xpo1, an export receptor, are involved in different aspects of spindle assembly. Importin beta and transportin also regulate nuclear envelope and pore assembly. (b) The role of nucleoporins has grown to include recruiting the key microtubule nucleator - the γ-TuRC complex - and the exportin Crm1 to the mitotic kinetochores of humans. Together they nucleate microtubule formation from the kinetochores toward the centrosomes. (c) New research finds that the original importin beta/RanGTP team have been further co-opted by evolution to help regulate other cellular and organismal activities, ranging from the actual positioning of the spindle within the cell perimeter, to regulation of a newly discovered spindle microtubule branching activity, to regulation of the interaction of microtubule structures with specific actin structures. (d) Lastly, because of the multitudinous roles of karyopherins throughout the cell cycle, a recent large push toward testing their potential as chemotherapeutic targets has begun to yield burgeoning progress in the clinic.

Building the Microtubule Cytoskeleton Piece by Piece

The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton gives cells their shape, organizes the cellular interior, and segregates chromosomes. These functions rely on the precise arrangement of MTs, which is achieved by the coordinated action of MT-associated proteins (MAPs). We highlight the first and most important examples of how different MAP activities are combined in vitro to create an ensemble function that exceeds the simple addition of their individual activities, and how the Xenopus laevis egg extract system has been utilized as a powerful intermediate between cellular and purified systems to uncover the design principles of self-organized MT networks in the cell.

RanBP1 governs spindle assembly by defining mitotic Ran-GTP production

Accurate control of the Ras-related nuclear protein (Ran) GTPase cycle depends on the regulated activity of regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1), Ran's nucleotide exchange factor. RanBP1 has been characterized as a coactivator of the Ran GTPase-activating protein RanGAP1. RanBP1 can also form a stable complex with Ran and RCC1, although the dynamics and function of this complex remain poorly understood. Here, we show that formation of the heterotrimeric RCC1/Ran/RanBP1 complex in M phase Xenopus egg extracts controls both RCC1's enzymatic activity and partitioning between the chromatin-bound and soluble pools of RCC1. This mechanism is critical for spatial control of Ran-guanosine triphosphate (GTP) gradients that guide mitotic spindle assembly. Moreover, phosphorylation of RanBP1 drives changes in the dynamics of chromatin-bound RCC1 pools at the metaphase-anaphase transition. Our findings reveal an important mitotic role for RanBP1, controlling the spatial distribution and magnitude of mitotic Ran-GTP production and thereby ensuring accurate execution of Ran-dependent mitotic events.

Polarised cell migration: intrinsic and extrinsic drivers

Cell polarity arises out of asymmetry of the distribution and organisation of cell contents. Polarity is an important feature of all living organisms and much energy is devoted to breaking symmetry and establishing polarity. Recent developments in our understanding of how the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae establishes and maintains polarity for cell division shed light on universal mechanisms that may be relevant to both asymmetric cell division and polarised cell migration in other organisms. Here, we summarise some of the recent developments in our understanding of polarity of the cytoskeleton and associated signalling molecules as it relates to cell migration. Parallels are drawn between planar cell polarity and apical-basal polarity in epithelial tissues and front-back polarity in migrating cells.

GTPase Ran strongly accumulates at the kinetochores of somatic chromosomes in the spermatogonial mitoses of Acricotopus lucidus (Diptera, Chironomidae)

Unequal chromosome segregation and spindle formation occurs in the last gonial mitosis in the germ line of the chironomid Acricotopus lucidus. During this differential mitosis, all germ line-limited chromosomes (=Ks) migrate undivided to only one pole of the cell, while the somatic chromosomes (=Ss) first remain in the metaphase plane, and with the arrival of the Ks at the pole, they then separate equally. The evolutionarily conserved GTPase Ran plays a crucial role in many cellular processes. This includes the regulation of microtubule nucleation and stabilisation at kinetochores and of spindle assembly during mitosis, which is promoted by a RanGTP concentration gradient that forms around the mitotic chromosomes (Kalab et al. in Science 295:2452-2456, 2002, Nature 440:697-701, 2006). In the present study, a strong accumulation of Ran was detected by immunofluorescence at the kinetochores of the Ss in normal gonial and differential gonial mitoses of males of A. lucidus. In contrast, no Ran accumulation was observed at the kinetochores of the Ss in the metaphases of brain ganglia mitoses or of aberrant spermatocytes or in metaphases I and II of spermatocyte meiotic divisions. Likewise, there was no accumulation at the kinetochores of Drosophila melanogaster mitotic chromosomes from larval brains. The specific accumulation of Ran at the kinetochores of the Ss in differential gonial mitoses of A. lucidus strongly suggests that Ran is involved in a mechanism acting in this exceptional mitosis, which retains the Ss at the metaphase plane and prevents a premature separation and unequal segregation of the Ss during monopolar migration of the Ks.

Nucleosomal regulation of chromatin composition and nuclear assembly revealed by histone depletion

Nucleosomes are the fundamental unit of chromatin, but analysis of transcription-independent nucleosome functions has been complicated by the gene-expression changes resulting from histone manipulation. Here we solve this dilemma by developing Xenopus laevis egg extracts deficient for nucleosome formation and by analyzing the proteomic landscape and behavior of nucleosomal chromatin and nucleosome-free DNA. We show that although nucleosome-free DNA can recruit nuclear-envelope membranes, nucleosomes are required for spindle assembly and for formation of the lamina and of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). We show that, in addition to the Ran G-nucleotide exchange factor RCC1, ELYS, the initiator of NPC formation, fails to associate with naked DNA but directly binds histone H2A-H2B dimers and nucleosomes. Tethering ELYS and RCC1 to DNA bypasses the requirement for nucleosomes in NPC formation in a synergistic manner. Thus, the minimal essential function of nucleosomes in NPC formation is to recruit RCC1 and ELYS.

Spindle assembly on immobilized chromatin micropatterns

We describe a method to assemble meiotic spindles on immobilized micropatterns of chromatin built on a first layer of biotinylated BSA deposited by microcontact printing. Such chromatin patterns routinely produce bipolar spindles with a yield of 60%, and offer the possibility to follow spindle assembly dynamics, from the onset of nucleation to the establishment of a quasi steady state. Hundreds of spindles can be recorded in parallel for different experimental conditions. We also describe the semi-automated image analysis pipeline, which is used to analyze the assembly kinetics of spindle arrays, or the final morphological diversity of the spindles.

Mitotic spindle assembly on chromatin patterns made with deep UV photochemistry

We provide a detailed method to generate arrays of mitotic spindles in vitro. Spindles are formed in extract prepared from unfertilized Xenopus laevis eggs, which contain all the molecular ingredients of mitotic spindles. The method is based on using deep UV photochemistry to attach chromatin-coated beads on a glass surface according to a pattern of interest. The immobilized beads act as artificial chromosomes, and induce the formation of mitotic spindles in their immediate vicinity. To perform the experiment, a chamber is assembled over the chromatin pattern, Xenopus egg extract is flowed in and after incubation the spindles are imaged with a confocal microscope.

Phosphorylation of Crm1 by CDK1-cyclin-B promotes Ran-dependent mitotic spindle assembly

Mitotic spindle assembly in animal cells is orchestrated by a chromosome-dependent pathway that directs microtubule stabilization. RanGTP generated at chromosomes releases spindle assembly factors from inhibitory complexes with importins, the nuclear transport factors that facilitate protein import into the nucleus during interphase. In addition, the nuclear export factor Crm1 has been proposed to act as a mitotic effector of RanGTP through the localized assembly of protein complexes on the mitotic spindle, notably at centrosomes and kinetochores. It has been unclear, however, how the functions of nuclear transport factors are controlled during mitosis. Here, we report that human Crm1 is phosphorylated at serine 391 in mitosis by CDK1-cyclin-B (i.e. the CDK1 and cyclin B complex). Expression of Crm1 with serine 391 mutated to either non-phosphorylated or phosphorylation-mimicking residues indicates that phosphorylation directs the localization of Crm1 to the mitotic spindle and facilitates spindle assembly, microtubule stabilization and chromosome alignment. We find that phosphorylation of Crm1 at serine 391 enhances its RanGTP-dependent interaction with RanGAP1-RanBP2 and promotes their recruitment to the mitotic spindle. These results show that phosphorylation of Crm1 controls its molecular interactions, localization and function during mitosis, uncovering a new mechanism for the control of mitotic spindle assembly by CDK1-cyclin-B. We propose that nuclear transport factors are controlled during mitosis through the selection of specific molecular interactions by protein phosphorylation.

Spatiotemporal control of microtubule nucleation and assembly using magnetic nanoparticles

Decisions on the fate of cells and their functions are dictated by the spatiotemporal dynamics of molecular signalling networks. However, techniques to examine the dynamics of these intracellular processes remain limited. Here, we show that magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with key regulatory proteins can artificially control, in time and space, the Ran/RCC1 signalling pathway that regulates the cell cytoskeleton. In the presence of a magnetic field, RanGTP proteins conjugated to superparamagnetic nanoparticles can induce microtubule fibres to assemble into asymmetric arrays of polarized fibres in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. The orientation of the fibres is dictated by the direction of the magnetic force. When we locally concentrated nanoparticles conjugated with the upstream guanine nucleotide exchange factor RCC1, the assembly of microtubule fibres could be induced over a greater range of distances than RanGTP particles. The method shows how bioactive nanoparticles can be used to engineer signalling networks and spatial self-organization inside a cell environment.

Chromosomal gain promotes formation of a steep RanGTP gradient that drives mitosis in aneuploid cells

The chromosome-centered RanGTP gradient, which is strongly reduced in slow-growing normal cells, is amplified by chromosomal gain and is required for mitosis in rapidly growing aneuploid cells.

Many mitotic factors were shown to be activated by Ran guanosine triphosphatase. Previous studies in Xenopus laevis egg extracts and in highly proliferative cells showed that mitotic chromosomes were surrounded by steep Ran guanosine triphosphate (GTP) concentration gradients, indicating that RanGTP-activated factors promote spindle assembly around chromosomes. However, the mitotic role of Ran in normal differentiated cells is not known. In this paper, we show that although the steep mitotic RanGTP gradients were present in rapidly growing cell lines and were required for chromosome congression in mitotic HeLa cells, the gradients were strongly reduced in slow-growing primary cells, such as HFF-1 fibroblasts. The overexpression of RCC1, the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ran, induced steeper mitotic RanGTP gradients in HFF-1 cells, showing the critical role of RCC1 levels in the regulation of mitosis by Ran. Remarkably, in vitro fusion of HFF-1 cells produced cells with steep mitotic RanGTP gradients comparable to HeLa cells, indicating that chromosomal gain can promote mitosis in aneuploid cancer cells via Ran.

Directed cytoskeleton self-organization

The cytoskeleton architecture supports many cellular functions. Cytoskeleton networks form complex intracellular structures that vary during the cell cycle and between different cell types according to their physiological role. These structures do not emerge spontaneously. They result from the interplay between intrinsic self-organization properties and the conditions imposed by spatial boundaries. Along these boundaries, cytoskeleton filaments are anchored, repulsed, aligned, or reoriented. Such local effects can propagate alterations throughout the network and guide cytoskeleton assembly over relatively large distances. The experimental manipulation of spatial boundaries using microfabrication methods has revealed the underlying physical processes directing cytoskeleton self-organization. Here we review, step-by-step, from molecules to tissues, how the rules that govern assembly have been identified. We describe how complementary approaches, all based on controlling geometric conditions, from in vitro reconstruction to in vivo observation, shed new light on these fundamental organizing principles.

Scoring a backstage pass: mechanisms of ciliogenesis and ciliary access

Cilia are conserved, microtubule-based cell surface projections that emanate from basal bodies, membrane-docked centrioles. The beating of motile cilia and flagella enables cells to swim and epithelia to displace fluids. In contrast, most primary cilia do not beat but instead detect environmental or intercellular stimuli. Inborn defects in both kinds of cilia cause human ciliopathies, diseases with diverse manifestations such as heterotaxia and kidney cysts. These diseases are caused by defects in ciliogenesis or ciliary function. The signaling functions of cilia require regulation of ciliary composition, which depends on the control of protein traffic into and out of cilia.