The Repetitive Microtubule-Associated Proteins MARP-1 and MARP-2 of Trypanosoma brucei

1994 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Affolter ◽  
Andrew Hemphill ◽  
Isabel Roditi ◽  
Norbert Müller ◽  
Thomas Seebeck
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Associated Proteins

scholarly journals Two Related Subpellicular Cytoskeleton-associated Proteins inTrypanosoma brucei Stabilize Microtubules

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1058-1070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Vedrenne ◽  
Christiane Giroud ◽  
Derrick R. Robinson ◽  
Sébastien Besteiro ◽  
Christophe Bosc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Cold Resistance ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Microtubule Bundle ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Asymmetric Cytokinesis

The subpellicular microtubules of the trypanosome cytoskeleton are cross-linked to each other and the plasma membrane, creating a cage-like structure. We have isolated, from Trypanosoma brucei, two related low-molecular-weight cytoskeleton-associated proteins (15- and 17-kDa), called CAP15 and CAP17, which are differentially expressed during the life cycle. Immunolabeling shows a corset-like colocalization of both CAPs and tubulin. Western blot and electron microscope analyses show CAP15 and CAP17 labeling on detergent-extracted cytoskeletons. However, the localization of both proteins is restricted to the anterior, microtubule minus, and less dynamic half of the corset. CAP15 and CAP17 share properties of microtubule-associated proteins when expressed in heterologous cells (Chinese hamster ovary and HeLa), colocalization with their microtubules, induction of microtubule bundle formation, cold resistance, and insensitivity to nocodazole. When overexpressed inT. brucei, both CAP15 and CAP17 cover the whole subpellicular corset and induce morphological disorders, cell cycle-based abnormalities, and subsequent asymmetric cytokinesis.

scholarly journals A novel microtubule-binding motif identified in a high molecular weight microtubule-associated protein from Trypanosoma brucei

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Hemphill ◽  
M Affolter ◽  
T Seebeck
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Amino Acid Repeat ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Repeat Units ◽  
Associated Proteins

The major component of the cytoskeleton of the parasitic hemoflagellate Trypanosoma brucei is a membrane skeleton which consists of a single layer of tightly spaced microtubules. This array encloses the entire cell body, and it is apposed to, and connected with, the overlying cell membrane. The microtubules of this array contain numerous microtubule-associated proteins. Prominent among those is a family of high molecular weight, repetitive proteins which consist to a large extent of tandemly arranged 38-amino acid repeat units. The binding of one of these proteins, MARP-1, to microtubules has now been characterized in vitro and in vivo. MARP-1 binds to microtubules via tubulin domains other than the COOH-termini used by microtubule-associated proteins from mammalian brain, e.g., MAP2 or Tau. In vitro binding assays using recombinant protein, as well as transfection of mammalian cell lines, have established that the repetitive 38-amino acid repeat units represent a novel microtubule-binding motif. This motif is very similar in length to those of the mammalian microtubule-associated proteins Tau, MAP2, and MAP-U, but both its sequence and charge are different. The observation that the microtubule-binding motifs both of the neural and the trypanosomal proteins are of similar length may reflect the fact that both mediate binding to the same repetitive surface, the microtubule, while their sequence and charge differences are in agreement with the observation that they interact with different domains of the tubulins.

A high molecular mass phosphoprotein defined by a novel monoclonal antibody is closely associated with the intermicrotubule cross bridges in the Trypanosoma brucei cytoskeleton

1992 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 665-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Woods ◽  
A.J. Baines ◽  
K. Gull
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
Relative Molecular Mass ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Heat Stable ◽  
Cytoplasmic Face ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Cross Bridges ◽  
Main Component

The main component of the cell body cytoskeleton of Trypanosoma brucei is the highly organised array of stable, subpellicular microtubules on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane. Although several microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) have been shown to be associated with this array, the mechanisms by which individual microtubules interact with one another and with the membrane are still largely undetermined. In this study we have used the T. brucei cytoskeleton as a complex immunogen for the production of monoclonal antibodies to define novel cytoskeletal antigens. Screening by immunofluorescence enabled the selection of an antibody, WCB-1, which detects an antigen associated specifically with the subpellicular microtubules and not with the flagellum microtubules. The antigen (WCB210) was shown to have a relative molecular mass of 210,000 by western blotting. Immunogold studies showed the epitope to be located on the membrane-facing side of the subpellicular cage; it appears to be closely associated with the cross-bridges lying between the microtubules. Unlike many MAPs this protein was shown not to be heat stable and is predicted to be a roughly globular monomer. Even though WCB210 is a very minor component of the cytoskeleton it is heavily phosphorylated. It is possible that this protein is involved in regulation of the subpellicular microtubule crossbridges by interaction with other proteins.

scholarly journals The Trypanosoma brucei subpellicular microtubule array is organized into functionally discrete subdomains defined by microtubule associated proteins

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. e1009588
Author(s):  
Amy N. Sinclair ◽  
Christine T. Huynh ◽  
Thomas E. Sladewski ◽  
Jenna L. Zuromski ◽  
Amanda E. Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Microtubule Array ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Asymmetric Shape ◽  
Local Properties ◽  
Parasite Viability ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Flagellar Axoneme

Microtubules are inherently dynamic cytoskeletal polymers whose length and organization can be altered to perform essential functions in eukaryotic cells, such as providing tracks for intracellular trafficking and forming the mitotic spindle. Microtubules can be bundled to create more stable structures that collectively propagate force, such as in the flagellar axoneme, which provides motility. The subpellicular microtubule array of the protist parasite Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, is a remarkable example of a highly specialized microtubule bundle. It is comprised of a single layer of microtubules that are crosslinked to each other and to the overlying plasma membrane. The array microtubules appear to be highly stable and remain intact throughout the cell cycle, but very little is known about the pathways that tune microtubule properties in trypanosomatids. Here, we show that the subpellicular microtubule array is organized into subdomains that consist of differentially localized array-associated proteins at the array posterior, middle, and anterior. The array-associated protein PAVE1 stabilizes array microtubules at the cell posterior and is essential for maintaining its tapered shape. PAVE1 and the newly identified protein PAVE2 form a complex that binds directly to the microtubule lattice, demonstrating that they are a true kinetoplastid-specific MAP. TbAIR9, which localizes to the entirety of the subpellicular array, is necessary for maintaining the localization of array-associated proteins within their respective subdomains of the array. The arrangement of proteins within the array likely tunes the local properties of array microtubules and creates the asymmetric shape of the cell, which is essential for parasite viability.

Characterization of microtubules by dark-field STEM and replication

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 152-153
Author(s):  
S.B. Andrews ◽  
R.D. Leapman ◽  
P.E. Gallant ◽  
T.S. Reese
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Unit Length ◽  
Dark Field ◽  
Carbon Films ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Molecular Weights ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Protein Motors ◽  
Associated Proteins

As part of a study on protein interactions involved in microtubule (MT)-based transport, we used the VG HB501 field-emission STEM to obtain low-dose dark-field mass maps of isolated, taxol-stabilized MTs and correlated these micrographs with detailed stereo images from replicas of the same MTs. This approach promises to be useful for determining how protein motors interact with MTs. MTs prepared from bovine and squid brain tubulin were purified and free from microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). These MTs (0.1-1 mg/ml tubulin) were adsorbed to 3-nm evaporated carbon films supported over Formvar nets on 600-m copper grids. Following adsorption, the grids were washed twice in buffer and then in either distilled water or in isotonic or hypotonic ammonium acetate, blotted, and plunge-frozen in ethane/propane cryogen (ca. -185 C). After cryotransfer into the STEM, specimens were freeze-dried and recooled to ca.-160 C for low-dose (<3000 e/nm2) dark-field mapping. The molecular weights per unit length of MT were determined relative to tobacco mosaic virus standards from elastic scattering intensities. Parallel grids were freeze-dried and rotary shadowed with Pt/C at 14°.

Filaments and membranes in the mitotic apparatus

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 544-547
Author(s):  
Kent McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filaments ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Light Microscope Level ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Force Generator ◽  
Spindle Function ◽  
Antibody Technology

At the light microscope level the recent developments and interest in antibody technology have permitted the localization of certain non-microtubule proteins within the mitotic spindle, e.g., calmodulin, actin, intermediate filaments, protein kinases and various microtubule associated proteins. Also, the use of fluorescent probes like chlorotetracycline suggest the presence of membranes in the spindle. Localization of non-microtubule structures in the spindle at the EM level has been less rewarding. Some mitosis researchers, e.g., Rarer, have maintained that actin is involved in mitosis movements though the bulk of evidence argues against this interpretation. Others suggest that a microtrabecular network such as found in chromatophore granule movement might be a possible force generator but there is little evidence for or against this view. At the level of regulation of spindle function, Harris and more recently Hepler have argued for the importance of studying spindle membranes. Hepler also believes that membranes might play a structural or mechanical role in moving chromosomes.

Analysis of the Mechanism of Microtubule Dynamic Instability Using a UV Microbeam to Sever Elongating Microtubules

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 122-123
Author(s):  
R.A Walker ◽  
S. Inoue ◽  
E.D. Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Microtubule Dynamic ◽  
Gtp Hydrolysis ◽  
Abrupt Transition ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Asymmetrical Structure ◽  
Associated Proteins

Microtubules polymerized in vitro from tubulin purified free of microtubule-associated proteins exhibit dynamic instability (1,2,3). Free microtubule ends exist in persistent phases of elongation or rapid shortening with infrequent, but, abrupt transitions between these phases. The abrupt transition from elongation to rapid shortening is termed catastrophe and the abrupt transition from rapid shortening to elongation is termed rescue. A microtubule is an asymmetrical structure. The plus end grows faster than the minus end. The frequency of catastrophe of the plus end is somewhat greater than the minus end, while the frequency of rescue of the plus end in much lower than for the minus end (4).The mechanism of catastrophe is controversial, but for both the plus and minus microtubule ends, catastrophe is thought to be dependent on GTP hydrolysis. Microtubule elongation occurs by the association of tubulin-GTP subunits to the growing end. Sometime after incorporation into an elongating microtubule end, the GTP is hydrolyzed to GDP, yielding a core of tubulin-GDP capped by tubulin-GTP (“GTP-cap”).

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