Using Photoactivatable GFP to Study Microtubule Dynamics and Chromosome Segregation

2016 ◽  
pp. 15-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin He ◽  
Daniela Cimini
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Photoactivatable Gfp

scholarly journals Yeast Kinetochores Do Not Stabilize Stu2p-dependent Spindle Microtubule Dynamics

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 4181-4195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad G. Pearson ◽  
Paul S. Maddox ◽  
Ted R. Zarzar ◽  
E.D. Salmon ◽  
Kerry Bloom
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Cell Imaging ◽  
Regulatory Mechanism ◽  
Metaphase Plate ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Stabilization ◽  
Kinetochore Function

The interaction of kinetochores with dynamic microtubules during mitosis is essential for proper centromere motility, congression to the metaphase plate, and subsequent anaphase chromosome segregation. Budding yeast has been critical in the discovery of proteins necessary for this interaction. However, the molecular mechanism for microtubule–kinetochore interactions remains poorly understood. Using live cell imaging and mutations affecting microtubule binding proteins and kinetochore function, we identify a regulatory mechanism for spindle microtubule dynamics involving Stu2p and the core kinetochore component, Ndc10p. Depleting cells of the microtubule binding protein Stu2p reduces kinetochore microtubule dynamics. Centromeres remain under tension but lack motility. Thus, normal microtubule dynamics are not required to maintain tension at the centromere. Loss of the kinetochore (ndc10-1, ndc10-2, and ctf13-30) does not drastically affect spindle microtubule turnover, indicating that Stu2p, not the kinetochore, is the foremost governor of microtubule dynamics. Disruption of kinetochore function with ndc10-1 does not affect the decrease in microtubule turnover in stu2 mutants, suggesting that the kinetochore is not required for microtubule stabilization. Remarkably, a partial kinetochore defect (ndc10-2) suppresses the decreased spindle microtubule turnover in the absence of Stu2p. These results indicate that Stu2p and Ndc10p differentially function in controlling kinetochore microtubule dynamics necessary for centromere movements.

Regulation of Microtubule Assembly: The View From The End

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 80-81
Author(s):  
L. Cassimeris ◽  
C. Spittle ◽  
M. Kratzer
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Intrinsic Property ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Associated Proteins

The mitotic spindle is responsible for chromosome movement during mitosis. It is composed of a dynamic array of microtubules and associated proteins whose assembly and constant turnover are required for both spindle formation and chromosome movement. Because microtubule assembly and turnover are necessary for chromosome segregation, we are studying how cells regulate microtubule dynamics. Microtubules are polarized polymers composed of tubulin subunits; they assemble by a process of dynamic instability where individual microtubules exist in persistent phases of elongation or rapid shortening with abrupt transitions between these two states. The switch from elongation to shortening is termed catastrophe, and the switch from shortening to elongation, rescue. Although dynamic instability is an intrinsic property of the tubulin subunits, cells use associated proteins to both speed elongation (∼ 10 fold) and regulate transitions.The only protein isolated to date capable of promoting fast polymerization consistent with rates in vivo is XMAP215, a 215 kD protein from Xenopus eggs.

scholarly journals Microtubule dynamics and chromosome motion visualized in living anaphase cells.

1988 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 1185-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
G J Gorbsky ◽  
P J Sammak ◽  
G G Borisy
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Digital Imaging ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Digital Imaging Microscopy ◽  
Opposite Pole ◽  
Anaphase B ◽  
Chromosome Motion

Chromosome segregation in most animal cells is brought about through two events: the movement of the chromosomes to the poles (anaphase A) and the movement of the poles away from each other (anaphase B). Essential to an understanding of the mechanism of mitosis is information on the relative movements of components of the spindle and identification of sites of subunit loss from shortening microtubules. Through use of tubulin derivatized with X-rhodamine, photobleaching, and digital imaging microscopy of living cells, we directly determined the relative movements of poles, chromosomes, and a marked domain on kinetochore fibers during anaphase. During chromosome movement and pole-pole separation, the marked domain did not move significantly with respect to the near pole. Therefore, the kinetochore microtubules were shortened by the loss of subunits at the kinetochore, although a small amount of subunit loss elsewhere was not excluded. In anaphase A, chromosomes moved on kinetochore microtubules that remained stationary with respect to the near pole. In anaphase B, the kinetochore fiber microtubules accompanied the near pole in its movement away from the opposite pole. These results eliminate models of anaphase in which microtubules are thought to be traction elements that are drawn to and depolymerized at the pole. Our results are compatible with models of anaphase in which the kinetochore fiber microtubules remain anchored at the pole and in which microtubule dynamics are centered at the kinetochore.

scholarly journals csi2p modulates microtubule dynamics and organizes the bipolar spindle for chromosome segregation

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (24) ◽  
pp. 3900-3908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judite Costa ◽  
Chuanhai Fu ◽  
V. Mohini Khare ◽  
Phong T. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Eukaryotic Chromosome ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Multiple Phenotypes

Proper chromosome segregation is of paramount importance for proper genetic inheritance. Defects in chromosome segregation can lead to aneuploidy, which is a hallmark of cancer cells. Eukaryotic chromosome segregation is accomplished by the bipolar spindle. Additional mechanisms, such as the spindle assembly checkpoint and centromere positioning, further help to ensure complete segregation fidelity. Here we present the fission yeast csi2+. csi2p localizes to the spindle poles, where it regulates mitotic microtubule dynamics, bipolar spindle formation, and subsequent chromosome segregation. csi2 deletion (csi2Δ) results in abnormally long mitotic microtubules, high rate of transient monopolar spindles, and subsequent high rate of chromosome segregation defects. Because csi2Δ has multiple phenotypes, it enables estimates of the relative contribution of the different mechanisms to the overall chromosome segregation process. Centromere positioning, microtubule dynamics, and bipolar spindle formation can all contribute to chromosome segregation. However, the major determinant of chromosome segregation defects in fission yeast may be microtubule dynamic defects.

scholarly journals Aurora A kinase phosphorylates Hec1 to regulate metaphase kinetochore–microtubule dynamics

2017 ◽  
Vol 217 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith F. DeLuca ◽  
Amanda Meppelink ◽  
Amanda J. Broad ◽  
Jeanne E. Mick ◽  
Olve B. Peersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Aurora A Kinase ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Tail Domain ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Metaphase Chromosomes ◽  
Mitotic Kinases ◽  
Microtubule Attachment

Precise regulation of kinetochore–microtubule attachments is essential for successful chromosome segregation. Central to this regulation is Aurora B kinase, which phosphorylates kinetochore substrates to promote microtubule turnover. A critical target of Aurora B is the N-terminal “tail” domain of Hec1, which is a component of the NDC80 complex, a force-transducing link between kinetochores and microtubules. Although Aurora B is regarded as the “master regulator” of kinetochore–microtubule attachment, other mitotic kinases likely contribute to Hec1 phosphorylation. In this study, we demonstrate that Aurora A kinase regulates kinetochore–microtubule dynamics of metaphase chromosomes, and we identify Hec1 S69, a previously uncharacterized phosphorylation target site in the Hec1 tail, as a critical Aurora A substrate for this regulation. Additionally, we demonstrate that Aurora A kinase associates with inner centromere protein (INCENP) during mitosis and that INCENP is competent to drive accumulation of the kinase to the centromere region of mitotic chromosomes. These findings reveal that both Aurora A and B contribute to kinetochore–microtubule attachment dynamics, and they uncover an unexpected role for Aurora A in late mitosis.

scholarly journals Centrosome fragments and microtubules are transported asymmetrically away from division plane in anaphase

2005 ◽  
Vol 168 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasser M. Rusan ◽  
Patricia Wadsworth
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Cyclin B ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Division Plane ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
Photoactivatable Gfp ◽  
Spinning Disc ◽  
Stimulation Of

Spinning disc confocal microscopy of LLCPK1 cells expressing GFP-tubulin was used to demonstrate that microtubules (MTs) rapidly elongate to the cell cortex after anaphase onset. Concurrently, individual MTs are released from the centrosome and the centrosome fragments into clusters of MTs. Using cells expressing photoactivatable GFP-tubulin to mark centrosomal MT minus ends, a sevenfold increase in MT release in anaphase is documented as compared with metaphase. Transport of both individually released MTs and clusters of MTs is directionally biased: motion is directed away from the equatorial region. Clusters of MTs retain centrosomal components at their focus and the capacity to nucleate MTs. Injection of mRNA encoding nondegradable cyclin B blocked centrosome fragmentation and the stimulation of MT release in anaphase despite allowing anaphase-like chromosome segregation. Biased MT release may provide a mechanism for MT-dependent positioning of components necessary for specifying the site of contractile ring formation.

scholarly journals GDP to GTP exchange on the microtubule end can contribute to the frequency of catastrophe

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe-Andrés Piedra ◽  
Tae Kim ◽  
Emily S. Garza ◽  
Elisabeth A. Geyer ◽  
Alexander Burns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Model ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Way Of Thinking ◽  
Exposed Terminal

ABSTRACTMicrotubules are dynamic polymers of αβ-tubulin that have essential roles in chromosome segregation and organizing the cytoplasm. Catastrophe – the switch from growing to shrinking – occurs when a microtubule loses its stabilizing GTP cap. Recent evidence indicates that the nucleotide on the microtubule end controls how tightly an incoming subunit will be bound (trans-acting GTP), but most current models do not incorporate this information. We implemented transacting GTP into a computational model for microtubule dynamics. In simulations, growing microtubules often exposed terminal GDP-bound subunits without undergoing catastrophe. Transient GDP exposure on the growing plus end slowed elongation by reducing the number of favorable binding sites on the microtubule end. Slower elongation led to erosion of the GTP cap and an increase in the frequency of catastrophe. Allowing GDP to GTP exchange on terminal subunits in simulations mitigated these effects. Using mutant αβ-tubulin or modified GTP, we showed experimentally that a more readily exchangeable nucleotide led to less frequent catastrophe. Current models for microtubule dynamics do not account for GDP to GTP exchange on the growing microtubule end, so our findings provide a new way of thinking about the molecular events that initiate catastrophe.

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