Three-Dimensional reconstruction of isolated centrosomes by automated electron tomography

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 310-311
Author(s):  
M.B. Braunfeld ◽  
M. Moritz ◽  
B.M. Alberts ◽  
J.W. Sedat ◽  
D.A. Agard
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Center ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Resolution Model

In animal cells, the centrosome functions as the primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC). As such the centrosome plays a vital role in determining a cell's shape, migration, and perhaps most importantly, its division. Despite the obvious importance of this organelle little is known about centrosomal regulation, duplication, or how it nucleates microtubules. Furthermore, no high resolution model for centrosomal structure exists.We have used automated electron tomography, and reconstruction techniques in an attempt to better understand the complex nature of the centrosome. Additionally we hope to identify nucleation sites for microtubule growth.Centrosomes were isolated from early Drosophila embryos. Briefly, after large organelles and debris from homogenized embryos were pelleted, the resulting supernatant was separated on a sucrose velocity gradient. Fractions were collected and assayed for centrosome-mediated microtubule -nucleating activity by incubating with fluorescently-labeled tubulin subunits. The resulting microtubule asters were then spun onto coverslips and viewed by fluorescence microscopy.

Structure of Centrosomes and Chromosomes Through IVEM Tomography

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. 223-224
Author(s):  
D.A. Agard ◽  
Vincent Guenbaut ◽  
Michelle Moritz ◽  
M.B. Braunfeld ◽  
GuoFung Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Proof ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Center ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Ring Structures ◽  
Ring Complexes ◽  
Basic Level ◽  
Drosophila Embryos

Centrosome structure: The centrosome is the major microtubule-organizing center of animal cells - it initiates spindle formation at the onset of mitosis and plays an active role in chromosome segregation. At the most basic level, microtubule (MT) formation is regulated at least in part, through the functional availability of nucleation sites on the centrosome. Functional centrosomes can be isolated from Drosophila embryos. When visualized with IVEM Tomography (IVEM-T) ring complexes are visualized throughout the peri-centriolar material (PCM) (1). γ-tubulin has been implicated in MT nucleation. Through immuno-IVEM-T we have shown that the ring structures within the PCM, contain y-tubulin and further that the only place γ-tubulin is found is at the minus (nucleating) end of MTs (2). This strongly implicates these γ-tubulin containing ring structures in MT polymerization, until our studies there was no direct proof that γ-tubulin was located at the site of MT nucleation. Furthermore Zheng et al have been able to isolate similar ring structures that are soluble from both Xenopus and Drosophila embryos (3).

scholarly journals The role of Aspergillus nidulans polo-like kinase PlkA in microtubule-organizing center control

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolei Gao ◽  
Saturnino Herrero ◽  
Valentin Wernet ◽  
Sylvia Erhardt ◽  
Oliver Valerius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Center ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Ring Complex ◽  
Core Components

Centrosomes are important microtubule-organizing centers (MTOC) in animal cells. In addition, non-centrosomal MTOCs (ncMTOCs) were described in many cell types. Functional analogs of centrosomes in fungi are the spindle pole bodies (SPBs). In Aspergillus nidulans additional MTOCs were discovered at septa (sMTOC). Although the core components are conserved in both MTOCs, their composition and organization are different and dynamic. Here, we show that the polo-like kinase PlkA binds the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) receptor protein ApsB and contributes to targeting ApsB to both MTOCs. PlkA coordinates SPB outer plaque with sMTOC activities. PlkA kinase activity was required for astral MT formation involving ApsB recruitment. PlkA also interacted with the γ-TuRC inner plaque receptor protein PcpA. Mitosis was delayed without PlkA, and the PlkA protein was required for proper mitotic spindle morphology, although this function was independent of its catalytic activity. Our results suggest polo-like kinase as a regulator of MTOC activities and as a scaffolding unit through interaction with γ-tubulin ring complex receptors.

scholarly journals Super-resolution microscopy: successful applications in centrosome study and beyond

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyan Fu ◽  
Chuanmao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Diffraction Limit ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Center ◽  
The Past ◽  
Eukaryotic Species ◽  
Organizing Center ◽  
Cilia And Flagella ◽  
Super Resolution Microscopy

AbstractCentrosome is the main microtubule-organizing center in most animal cells. Its core structure, centriole, also assembles cilia and flagella that have important sensing and motility functions. Centrosome has long been recognized as a highly conserved organelle in eukaryotic species. Through electron microscopy, its ultrastructure was revealed to contain a beautiful nine-symmetrical core 60 years ago, yet its molecular basis has only been unraveled in the past two decades. The emergence of super-resolution microscopy allows us to explore the insides of a centrosome, which is smaller than the diffraction limit of light. Super-resolution microscopy also enables the compartmentation of centrosome proteins into different zones and the identification of their molecular interactions and functions. This paper compiles the centrosome architecture knowledge that has been revealed in recent years and highlights the power of several super-resolution techniques.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of axonemal outer dynein arms in situ by electron tomography

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Lupetti ◽  
Salvatore Lanzavecchia ◽  
David Mercati ◽  
Francesca Cantele ◽  
Romano Dallai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Three Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Dynein Arms

scholarly journals Quantifying Morphology and Diffusion Properties of Mesoporous Carbon From High-Fidelity 3D Reconstructions

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 891-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wu Wang ◽  
Artur Svidrytski ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
Alberto Villa ◽  
Horst Hahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mesoporous Carbon ◽  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Morphological Description ◽  
Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Reconstruction Algorithms ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Iterative Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Diffusion Properties

AbstractA reliable quantitative analysis in electron tomography, which depends on the segmentation of the three-dimensional reconstruction, is challenging because of constraints during tilt-series acquisition (missing wedge) and reconstruction artifacts introduced by reconstruction algorithms such as the Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Technique (SIRT) and Discrete Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (DART). We have carefully evaluated the fidelity of segmented reconstructions analyzing a disordered mesoporous carbon used as support in catalysis. Using experimental scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography data as well as realistic phantoms, we have quantitatively analyzed the effect on the morphological description as well as on diffusion properties (based on a random-walk particle-tracking simulation) to understand the role of porosity in catalysis. The morphological description of the pore structure can be obtained reliably both using SIRT and DART reconstructions even in the presence of a limited missing wedge. However, the measured pore volume is sensitive to the threshold settings, which are difficult to define globally for SIRT reconstructions. This leads to noticeable variations of the diffusion coefficients in the case of SIRT reconstructions, whereas DART reconstructions resulted in more reliable data. In addition, the anisotropy of the determined diffusion properties was evaluated, which was significant in the presence of a limited missing wedge for SIRT and strongly reduced for DART.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of collagen–proteoglycan interactions in the mouse corneal stroma by electron tomography

2010 ◽  
Vol 170 (2) ◽  
pp. 392-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraint J. Parfitt ◽  
Christian Pinali ◽  
Robert D. Young ◽  
Andrew J. Quantock ◽  
Carlo Knupp
Keyword(s):  
Electron Tomography ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Corneal Stroma ◽  
Three Dimensional Reconstruction ◽  
Dimensional Reconstruction

Mechanisms of nuclear positioning

1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (16) ◽  
pp. 2283-2295 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Reinsch ◽  
P. Gonczy
Keyword(s):  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Organizing Center ◽  
Nuclear Positioning ◽  
Microtubule Polymerization ◽  
Organizing Center

The mechanisms underlying two types of microtubule-dependent nuclear positioning are discussed. ‘MTOC-dependent nuclear positioning’ occurs when a nucleus is tightly associated with a microtubule organizing center (MTOC). ‘Nuclear tracking along microtubules’ is analogous to the motor-driven motility of other organelles and occurs when the nucleus lacks an associated MTOC. These two basic types of microtubule-dependent nuclear positioning may cooperate in many proliferating animal cells to achieve proper nuclear positioning. Microtubule polymerization and dynamics, motor proteins, MAPs and specialized sites such as cortical anchors function to control nuclear movements within cells.

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