scholarly journals Poleward microtubule flux mitotic spindles assembled in vitro.

1991 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 941-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
K E Sawin ◽  
T J Mitchison
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Preceding Paper ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Mitotic Spindle Assembly ◽  
Spindle Elongation ◽  
Dynamic Structures ◽  
Poleward Flux

In the preceding paper we described pathways of mitotic spindle assembly in cell-free extracts prepared from eggs of Xenopus laevis. Here we demonstrate the poleward flux of microtubules in spindles assembled in vitro, using a photoactivatable fluorescein covalently coupled to tubulin and multi-channel fluorescence videomicroscopy. After local photoactivation of fluorescence by UV microbeam, we observed poleward movement of fluorescein-marked microtubules at a rate of 3 microns/min, similar to rates of chromosome movement and spindle elongation during prometaphase and anaphase. This movement could be blocked by the addition of millimolar AMP-PNP but was not affected by concentrations of vanadate up to 150 microM, suggesting that poleward flux may be driven by a microtubule motor similar to kinesin. In contrast to previous results obtained in vivo (Mitchison, T. J. 1989. J. Cell Biol. 109:637-652), poleward flux in vitro appears to occur independently of kinetochores or kinetochore microtubules, and therefore may be a general property of relatively stable microtubules within the spindle. We find that microtubules moving towards poles are dynamic structures, and we have estimated the average half-life of fluxing microtubules in vitro to be between approximately 75 and 100 s. We discuss these results with regard to the function of poleward flux in spindle movements in anaphase and prometaphase.

Katanin, the microtubule-severing ATPase, is concentrated at centrosomes

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. McNally ◽  
K. Okawa ◽  
A. Iwamatsu ◽  
R.D. Vale
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Microtubule Severing ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Gamma Tubulin ◽  
And Function ◽  
Poleward Flux

The assembly and function of the mitotic spindle involve specific changes in the dynamic properties of microtubules. One such change results in the poleward flux of tubulin in which spindle microtubules polymerize at their kinetochore-attached plus ends while they shorten at their centrosome-attached minus ends. Since free microtubule minus ends do not depolymerize in vivo, the poleward flux of tubulin suggests that spindle microtubules are actively disassembled at or near their centrosomal attachment points. The microtubule-severing ATPase, katanin, has the ability actively to sever and disassemble microtubules and is thus a candidate for the role of a protein mediating the poleward flux of tubulin. Here we determine the subcellular localization of katanin by immunofluorescence as a preliminary step in determining whether katanin mediates the poleward flux of tubulin. We find that katanin is highly concentrated at centrosomes throughout the cell cycle. Katanin's localization is different from that of gamma-tubulin in that microtubules are required to maintain the centrosomal localization of katanin. Direct comparison of the localization of katanin and gamma-tubulin reveals that katanin is localized in a region surrounding the gamma-tubulin-containing pericentriolar region in detergent-extracted mitotic spindles. The centrosomal localization of katanin is consistent with the hypothesis that katanin mediates the disassembly of microtubule minus ends during poleward flux.

scholarly journals A motor neuron disease–associated mutation in p150Glued perturbs dynactin function and induces protein aggregation

2006 ◽  
Vol 172 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Levy ◽  
Charlotte J. Sumner ◽  
Juliane P. Caviston ◽  
Mariko K. Tokito ◽  
Srikanth Ranganathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Aggregate Formation ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Delayed Recovery

The microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein and its activator dynactin drive vesicular transport and mitotic spindle organization. Dynactin is ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotes, but a G59S mutation in the p150Glued subunit of dynactin results in the specific degeneration of motor neurons. This mutation in the conserved cytoskeleton-associated protein, glycine-rich (CAP-Gly) domain lowers the affinity of p150Glued for microtubules and EB1. Cell lines from patients are morphologically normal but show delayed recovery after nocodazole treatment, consistent with a subtle disruption of dynein/dynactin function. The G59S mutation disrupts the folding of the CAP-Gly domain, resulting in aggregation of the p150Glued protein both in vitro and in vivo, which is accompanied by an increase in cell death in a motor neuron cell line. Overexpression of the chaperone Hsp70 inhibits aggregate formation and prevents cell death. These data support a model in which a point mutation in p150Glued causes both loss of dynein/dynactin function and gain of toxic function, which together lead to motor neuron cell death.

scholarly journals Cdk1-Cyclin B1-mediated Phosphorylation of Tumor-associated Microtubule-associated Protein/Cytoskeleton-associated Protein 2 in Mitosis

2009 ◽  
Vol 284 (24) ◽  
pp. 16501-16512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung Uk Hong ◽  
Hyun-Jun Kim ◽  
Hyo-Sil Kim ◽  
Yeon-Sun Seong ◽  
Kyeong-Man Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cyclin B1 ◽  
Mutant Form ◽  
Metaphase Chromosomes ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Mitotic Spindle Assembly ◽  
Bipolar Spindles

During mitosis, establishment of structurally and functionally sound bipolar spindles is necessary for maintaining the fidelity of chromosome segregation. Tumor-associated microtubule-associated protein (TMAP), also known as cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 (CKAP2), is a mitotic spindle-associated protein whose level is frequently up-regulated in various malignancies. Previous reports have suggested that TMAP is a potential regulator of mitotic spindle assembly and dynamics and that it is required for chromosome segregation to occur properly. So far, there have been no reports on how its mitosis-related functions are regulated. Here, we report that TMAP is hyper-phosphorylated at the C terminus specifically during mitosis. At least four different residues (Thr-578, Thr-596, Thr-622, and Ser-627) were responsible for the mitosis-specific phosphorylation of TMAP. Among these, Thr-622 was specifically phosphorylated by Cdk1-cyclin B1 both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, compared with the wild type, a phosphorylation-deficient mutant form of TMAP, in which Thr-622 had been replaced with an alanine (T622A), induced a significant increase in the frequency of metaphase cells with abnormal bipolar spindles, which often displayed disorganized, asymmetrical, or narrow and elongated morphologies. Formation of these abnormal bipolar spindles subsequently resulted in misalignment of metaphase chromosomes and ultimately caused a delay in the entry into anaphase. Moreover, such defects resulting from the T622A mutation were associated with a decrease in the rate of protein turnover at spindle microtubules. These findings suggest that Cdk1-cyclin B1-mediated phosphorylation of TMAP is important for and contributes to proper regulation of microtubule dynamics and establishment of functional bipolar spindles during mitosis.

scholarly journals Mitotic kinesins in action: diffusive searching, directional switching, and ensemble coordination

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1153-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison M. Gicking ◽  
Weihong Qiu ◽  
William O. Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Motor Systems ◽  
Microtubule Motors ◽  
Biophysical Studies ◽  
Cellular Behaviors ◽  
Mitotic Spindle Assembly

Mitotic spindle assembly requires the collective action of multiple microtubule motors that coordinate their activities in ensembles. However, despite significant advances in our understanding of mitotic kinesins at the single-motor level, multi-motor systems are challenging to reconstitute in vitro and thus less well understood. Recent findings highlighted in this perspective demonstrate how various properties of kinesin-5 and -14 motors—diffusive searching, directional switching, and multivalent interactions—allow them to achieve their physiological roles of cross-linking parallel microtubules and sliding antiparallel ones during cell division. Additionally, we highlight new experimental techniques that will help bridge the gap between in vitro biophysical studies and in vivo cell biology investigations and provide new insights into how specific single-molecule mechanisms generate complex cellular behaviors.

Kinetic analysis of mitotic spindle elongation in vitro

1990 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-89
Author(s):  
T.I. Baskin ◽  
W.Z. Cande
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Total Elongation ◽  
Force Transducer ◽  
Bovine Brain ◽  
Spindle Elongation ◽  
Anaphase B

Studies of mitotic spindle elongation in vitro using populations of diatom spindles visualized with immunofluorescence microscopy have shown that the two interdigitating half-spindles are driven apart by an ATP-dependent process that generates force in the zone of overlap between half-spindles. To characterize further the system responsible for spindle elongation, we observed spindle elongation directly with polarized light or phase-contrast video-microscopy. We report that the kinetics of spindle elongation versus time are linear. A constant rate of spindle elongation occurs despite the continuous decrease in length of the zone of overlap between half-spindles. The average rate of spindle elongation varies as a function of treatment, and rates measured match spindle elongation rates measured in vivo. When spindles elongated in the presence of polymerizing tubulin (from bovine brain), the extent of elongation was greater than the original zone of half-spindle overlap, but the rate of elongation was constant. No component of force due to tubulin polymerization was found. The total elongation observed in the presence of added tubulin could exceed a doubling of original spindle length, matching the elongation in the intact diatom. The linear rate of spindle elongation in vitro suggests that the force transducer for anaphase B is a mechanochemical ATPase, analogous to dynein or myosin, and that the force for spindle elongation does not arise from stored energy, e.g. in an elastic matrix in the midzone. Additionally, on the basis of observations described here, we conclude that the force-transduction system for spindle elongation must be able to remain in the zone of microtubule overlap during the sliding apart of half-spindles, and that the transducer can generate force between microtubules that are not strictly antiparallel.

scholarly journals Mitotic Regulation of Protein 4.1R Involves Phosphorylation by cdc2 Kinase

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Ching Huang ◽  
Eva S. Liu ◽  
Siu-Hong Chan ◽  
Indira D. Munagala ◽  
Heidi T. Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Dynamic Structures ◽  
Protein 4.1R ◽  
Mitotic Regulation

The nonerythrocyte isoform of the cytoskeletal protein 4.1R (4.1R) is associated with morphologically dynamic structures during cell division and has been implicated in mitotic spindle function. In this study, we define important 4.1R isoforms expressed in interphase and mitotic cells by RT-PCR and mini-cDNA library construction. Moreover, we show that 4.1R is phosphorylated by p34cdc2kinase on residues Thr60 and Ser679 in a mitosis-specific manner. Phosphorylated 4.1R135isoform(s) associate with tubulin and Nuclear Mitotic Apparatus protein (NuMA) in intact HeLa cells in vivo as well as with the microtubule-associated proteins in mitotic asters assembled in vitro. Recombinant 4.1R135is readily phosphorylated in mitotic extracts and reconstitutes mitotic aster assemblies in 4.1R-immunodepleted extracts in vitro. Furthermore, phosphorylation of these residues appears to be essential for the targeting of 4.1R to the spindle poles and for mitotic microtubule aster assembly in vitro. Phosphorylation of 4.1R also enhances its association with NuMA and tubulin. Finally, we used siRNA inhibition to deplete 4.1R from HeLa cells and provide the first direct genetic evidence that 4.1R is required to efficiently focus mitotic spindle poles. Thus, we suggest that 4.1R is a member of the suite of direct cdc2 substrates that are required for the establishment of a bipolar spindle.

scholarly journals Microtubule Motor Ncd Induces Sliding of Microtubules In Vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 3601-3606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abiola Oladipo ◽  
Ann Cowan ◽  
Vladimir Rodionov
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
In Vitro Motility ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Microscopy Analysis ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
First Time ◽  
Segregation Of Chromosomes

The mitotic spindle is a microtubule (MT)-based molecular machine that serves for equal segregation of chromosomes during cell division. The formation of the mitotic spindle requires the activity of MT motors, including members of the kinesin-14 family. Although evidence suggests that kinesins-14 act by driving the sliding of MT bundles in different areas of the spindle, such sliding activity had never been demonstrated directly. To test the hypothesis that kinesins-14 can induce MT sliding in living cells, we developed an in vivo assay, which involves overexpression of the kinesin-14 family member Drosophila Ncd in interphase mammalian fibroblasts. We found that green fluorescent protein (GFP)–Ncd colocalized with cytoplasmic MTs, whose distribution was determined by microinjection of Cy3 tubulin into GFP-transfected cells. Ncd overexpression resulted in the formation of MT bundles that exhibited dynamic “looping” behavior never observed in control cells. Photobleaching studies and fluorescence speckle microscopy analysis demonstrated that neighboring MTs in bundles could slide against each other with velocities of 0.1 μm/s, corresponding to the velocities of movement of the recombinant Ncd in in vitro motility assays. Our data, for the first time, demonstrate generation of sliding forces between adjacent MTs by Ncd, and they confirm the proposed roles of kinesins-14 in the mitotic spindle morphogenesis.

scholarly journals THE ANTICOAGULANT AND ANTILYMPHOMA PROPERTIES OF ARSENIC AZOPROTEINS

1964 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Broome ◽  
John G. Kidd
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Preceding Paper

Experiments here given show that 4-arsonophenylazoproteins form complexes with fibrinogen which are resistant to the enzymic action of thrombin, coagulation being thus inhibited; also that arsenic azoproteins combine strongly with polymerizing fibrin, the reaction leading uniquely to acceleration of the process. Ordinary arsenicals have little or no effect on the proliferation of Lymphoma 6C3HED cells in vivo. 4-Arsonophenylazoproteins, by contrast, are strongly inhibitory, and they arrest the process of mitosis in metaphase, as does colchicine. Considered together with the observations of the preceding paper, the findings suggest that 4-arsonophenylazoproteins may exert their anticoagulant and antilymphoma effects by similar or related means: in the former instance, by combining in vitro with fibrinogen and polymerizing fibrin, thus altering the clotting process as mentioned above; and in the latter instance by combining, perhaps in a similar way, with polymerizing proteins in the mitotic spindle of proliferating Lymphoma 6C3HED cells, thus arresting mitosis. Further implications of the findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Isolation and characterization of a gene (CBF2) specifying a protein component of the budding yeast kinetochore.

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Jiang ◽  
J Lechner ◽  
J Carbon
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Motors ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Sequence Homologies ◽  
Binding Factor ◽  
Microtubule Motor

We have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequence of the gene (CBF2) specifying the large (110 kD) subunit of the 240-kD multisubunit yeast centromere binding factor CBF3, which binds selectively in vitro to yeast centromere DNA and contains a minus end-directed microtubule motor activity. The deduced amino acid sequence of CBF2p shows no sequence homologies with known molecular motors, although a consensus nucleotide binding site is present. The CBF2 gene is essential for viability of yeast and is identical to NDC10, in which a conditional mutation leads to a defect in chromosome segregation (Goh, P.-Y., and J. V. Kilmartin, in this issue of The Journal of Cell Biology). The combined in vitro and in vivo evidence indicate that CBF2p is a key component of the budding yeast kinetochore.

Real time imaging reveals a peroxisomal reticulum in living cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (20) ◽  
pp. 3663-3671 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Schrader ◽  
S.J. King ◽  
T.A. Stroh ◽  
T.A. Schroer
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Real Time Imaging ◽  
Peroxisomal Targeting ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Targeting Signal ◽  
Peroxisomal Targeting Signal

We have directly imaged the dynamic behavior of a variety of morphologically different peroxisomal structures in HepG2 and COS-7 cells transfected with a construct encoding GFP bearing the C-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal 1. Real time imaging revealed that moving peroxisomes interacted with each other and were engaged in transient contacts, and at higher magnification, tubular peroxisomes appeared to form a peroxisomal reticulum. Local remodeling of these structures could be observed involving the formation and detachment of tubular processes that interconnected adjacent organelles. Inhibition of cytoplasmic dynein based motility by overexpression of the dynactin subunit, dynamitin (p50), inhibited the movement of peroxisomes in vivo and interfered with the reestablishment of a uniform distribution of peroxisomes after recovery from nocodazole treatment. Isolated peroxisomes moved in vitro along microtubules in the presence of a microtubule motor fraction. Our data reveal that peroxisomal behavior in vivo is significantly more dynamic and interactive than previously thought and suggest a role for the dynein/dynactin motor in peroxisome motility.

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