scholarly journals Mitotic Spindle Poles are Organized by Structural and Motor Proteins in Addition to Centrosomes

1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. 1055-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tirso Gaglio ◽  
Mary A. Dionne ◽  
Duane A. Compton
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Recent Observation ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Free System ◽  
Spindle Poles

The focusing of microtubules into mitotic spindle poles in vertebrate somatic cells has been assumed to be the consequence of their nucleation from centrosomes. Contrary to this simple view, in this article we show that an antibody recognizing the light intermediate chain of cytoplasmic dynein (70.1) disrupts both the focused organization of microtubule minus ends and the localization of the nuclear mitotic apparatus protein at spindle poles when injected into cultured cells during metaphase, despite the presence of centrosomes. Examination of the effects of this dynein-specific antibody both in vitro using a cell-free system for mitotic aster assembly and in vivo after injection into cultured cells reveals that in addition to its direct effect on cytoplasmic dynein this antibody reduces the efficiency with which dynactin associates with microtubules, indicating that the antibody perturbs the cooperative binding of dynein and dynactin to microtubules during spindle/aster assembly. These results indicate that microtubule minus ends are focused into spindle poles in vertebrate somatic cells through a mechanism that involves contributions from both centrosomes and structural and microtubule motor proteins. Furthermore, these findings, together with the recent observation that cytoplasmic dynein is required for the formation and maintenance of acentrosomal spindle poles in extracts prepared from Xenopus eggs (Heald, R., R. Tournebize, T. Blank, R. Sandaltzopoulos, P. Becker, A. Hyman, and E. Karsenti. 1996. Nature (Lond.). 382: 420–425) demonstrate that there is a common mechanism for focusing free microtubule minus ends in both centrosomal and acentrosomal spindles. We discuss these observations in the context of a search-capture-focus model for spindle assembly.

scholarly journals Opposing motor activities are required for the organization of the mammalian mitotic spindle pole.

1996 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Gaglio ◽  
A Saredi ◽  
J B Bingham ◽  
M J Hasbani ◽  
S R Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Free System ◽  
Cell Free System

We use both in vitro and in vivo approaches to examine the roles of Eg5 (kinesin-related protein), cytoplasmic dynein, and dynactin in the organization of the microtubules and the localization of NuMA (Nu-clear protein that associates with the Mitotic Apparatus) at the polar ends of the mammalian mitotic spindle. Perturbation of the function of Eg5 through either immunodepletion from a cell free system for assembly of mitotic asters or antibody microinjection into cultured cells leads to organized astral microtubule arrays with expanded polar regions in which the minus ends of the microtubules emanate from a ring-like structure that contains NuMA. Conversely, perturbation of the function of cytoplasmic dynein or dynactin through either specific immunodepletition from the cell free system or expression of a dominant negative subunit of dynactin in cultured cells results in the complete lack of organization of microtubules and the failure to efficiently concentrate the NuMA protein despite its association with the microtubules. Simultaneous immunodepletion of these proteins from the cell free system for mitotic aster assembly indicates that the plus end-directed activity of Eg5 antagonizes the minus end-directed activity of cytoplasmic dynein and a minus end-directed activity associated with NuMA during the organization of the microtubules into a morphologic pole. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the unique organization of the minus ends of microtubules and the localization of NuMA at the polar ends of the mammalian mitotic spindle can be accomplished in a centrosome-independent manner by the opposing activities of plus end- and minus end-directed motors.

scholarly journals Requirements for NuMA in maintenance and establishment of mammalian spindle poles

2009 ◽  
Vol 184 (5) ◽  
pp. 677-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain D. Silk ◽  
Andrew J. Holland ◽  
Don W. Cleveland
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Primary Cells ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Process Thought ◽  
Direct Capture ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Spindle Fibers

Microtubules of the mitotic spindle in mammalian somatic cells are focused at spindle poles, a process thought to include direct capture by astral microtubules of kinetochores and/or noncentrosomally nucleated microtubule bundles. By construction and analysis of a conditional loss of mitotic function allele of the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein in mice and cultured primary cells, we demonstrate that NuMA is an essential mitotic component with distinct contributions to the establishment and maintenance of focused spindle poles. When mitotic NuMA function is disrupted, centrosomes provide initial focusing activity, but continued centrosome attachment to spindle fibers under tension is defective, and the maintenance of focused kinetochore fibers at spindle poles throughout mitosis is prevented. Without centrosomes and NuMA, initial establishment of spindle microtubule focusing completely fails. Thus, NuMA is a defining feature of the mammalian spindle pole and functions as an essential tether linking bulk microtubules of the spindle to centrosomes.

scholarly journals NuMA is required for the organization of microtubules into aster-like mitotic arrays.

1995 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
pp. 693-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Gaglio ◽  
A Saredi ◽  
D A Compton
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Free System ◽  
Cell Free System ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Late Stages ◽  
Temporal Accumulation

NuMA (Nuclear protein that associates with the Mitotic Apparatus) is a 235-kD intranuclear protein that accumulates at the pericentrosomal region of the mitotic spindle in vertebrate cells. To determine if NuMA plays an active role in organizing the microtubules at the polar region of the mitotic spindle, we have developed a cell free system for the assembly of mitotic asters derived from synchronized cultured cells. Mitotic asters assembled in this extract are composed of microtubules arranged in a radial array that contain NuMA concentrated at the central core. The organization of microtubules into asters in this cell free system is dependent on NuMA because immunodepletion of NuMA from the extract results in randomly dispersed microtubules instead of organized mitotic asters, and addition of the purified recombinant NuMA protein to the NuMA-depleted extract fully reconstitutes the organization of the microtubules into mitotic asters. Furthermore, we show that NuMA is phosphorylated upon mitotic aster assembly and that NuMA is only required in the late stages of aster assembly in this cell free system consistent with the temporal accumulation of NuMA at the polar ends of the mitotic spindle in vivo. These results, in combination with the phenotype observed in vivo after the prevention of NuMA from targeting onto the mitotic spindle by antibody microinjection, suggest that NuMA plays a functional role in the organization of the microtubules of the mitotic spindle.

scholarly journals Mechanisms for focusing mitotic spindle poles by minus end–directed motor proteins

2005 ◽  
Vol 171 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gohta Goshima ◽  
François Nédélec ◽  
Ronald D. Vale
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Computer Modeling ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
S2 Cells ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Drosophila S2 Cells ◽  
High Resolution Microscopy

During the formation of the metaphase spindle in animal somatic cells, kinetochore microtubule bundles (K fibers) are often disconnected from centrosomes, because they are released from centrosomes or directly generated from chromosomes. To create the tightly focused, diamond-shaped appearance of the bipolar spindle, K fibers need to be interconnected with centrosomal microtubules (C-MTs) by minus end–directed motor proteins. Here, we have characterized the roles of two minus end–directed motors, dynein and Ncd, in such processes in Drosophila S2 cells using RNA interference and high resolution microscopy. Even though these two motors have overlapping functions, we show that Ncd is primarily responsible for focusing K fibers, whereas dynein has a dominant function in transporting K fibers to the centrosomes. We also report a novel localization of Ncd to the growing tips of C-MTs, which we show is mediated by the plus end–tracking protein, EB1. Computer modeling of the K fiber focusing process suggests that the plus end localization of Ncd could facilitate the capture and transport of K fibers along C-MTs. From these results and simulations, we propose a model on how two minus end–directed motors cooperate to ensure spindle pole coalescence during mitosis.

scholarly journals Evidence for dynein and astral microtubule–mediated cortical release and transport of Gαi/LGN/NuMA complex in mitotic cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 901-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Zheng ◽  
Qingwen Wan ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Huabin Zhu ◽  
Xiaogang Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Spindle Positioning ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Astral Microtubule ◽  
Mammalian Homologue ◽  
Cortical Localization

Spindle positioning is believed to be governed by the interaction between astral microtubules and the cell cortex and involve cortically anchored motor protein dynein. How dynein is recruited to and regulated at the cell cortex to generate forces on astral microtubules is not clear. Here we show that mammalian homologue of Drosophila Pins (Partner of Inscuteable) (LGN), a Gαi-binding protein that is critical for spindle positioning in different systems, associates with cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain (DYNC1H1) in a Gαi-regulated manner. LGN is required for the mitotic cortical localization of DYNC1H1, which, in turn, also modulates the cortical accumulation of LGN. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis, we show that cortical LGN is dynamic and the turnover of LGN relies, at least partially, on astral microtubules and DYNC1H1. We provide evidence for dynein- and astral microtubule–mediated transport of Gαi/LGN/nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) complex from cell cortex to spindle poles and show that actin filaments counteract such transport by maintaining Gαi/LGN/NuMA and dynein at the cell cortex. Our results indicate that astral microtubules are required for establishing bipolar, symmetrical cortical LGN distribution during metaphase. We propose that regulated cortical release and transport of LGN complex along astral microtubules may contribute to spindle positioning in mammalian cells.

Immunolocalization of cytoplasmic dynein to lysosomes in cultured cells

1992 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.X. Lin ◽  
C.A. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Fibroblast Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Rat Tissues ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Directed Movement ◽  
Double Labeling ◽  
Fluorescent Markers ◽  
High Degree

Polyclonal antisera have been raised against cytoplasmic dynein purified from calf brain and rat testis. These antibodies reacted most strongly with the 74 kDa dynein intermediate chain, but also recognized the 410 kDa heavy chain, and the 150 and 45 kDa polypeptides previously observed to copurify with cytoplasmic dynein from rat tissues. Localization studies were performed by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using a fibroblast cell line. Dynein-specific staining appeared vesicular, distributed throughout the cell, but more concentrated near the nucleus. Double-labeling studies using fluorescent markers for membranous organelles indicated a co-localization of dynein with lysosomes. The distribution of the dynein-positive lysosomes was disrupted by treatment of the cells with microtubule-active drugs, and by acidification of the cytoplasm. Comparison of the distribution of lysosomes with peripheral microtubules indicated a high degree of coincidence. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cytoplasmic dynein is involved in retrograde-directed movement of membranous organelles. In mitotic cells, dynein staining was also apparent along the microtubules of the mitotic apparatus, though vesicular staining was still conspicuous. The presence of dynein on vesicles as well as on spindle microtubules indicates that dynein distribution between these compartments may be regulated by distinct binding proteins.

A probe for flagellar dynein in the mammalian mitotic apparatus

1981 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-257
Author(s):  
G.W. Zieve ◽  
J.R. NcIntosh
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescence ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Specific Staining ◽  
Bovine Sperm ◽  
Sperm Proteins

An anti-serum has been prepared in rabbits that precipitates high-molecular-weight bovine sperm proteins, including the dyneins. The activity of the serum against the dyneins is demonstrated by the recognition of dynein polypeptides in stained electrophoretic profiles of sperm proteins and in immunoprecipitates of radiolabelled sperm proteins. In addition, the serum stains the sperm flagella when used in indirect immunofluorescence and quantitatively inhibits the motility of demembranated sperm reactivated with ATP. However, the serum has additional anti-sperm activities besides those directed against the dyneins as demonstrated by the staining of the acrosome in indirect immunofluorescence. When used to immunoprecipitate proteins from extracts of cultured cells, the serum precipitates 2 polypeptides; one has a molecular weight higher than the flagellar dyneins, one lower. No specific staining of cultured cells is observed when an affinity-purified anti-dynein fraction IgG is used to stain a variety of cultured cells including bovine fibroblasts. We interpret these data to suggest that flagellar dynein is not a component of the mammalian mitotic spindle and discuss how this conclusion is consistent with recent genetic and structural studies on the mitotic spindle.

Cytocentrin is a Ral-binding protein involved in the assembly and function of the mitotic apparatus

1999 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 707-718
Author(s):  
A. Quaroni ◽  
E.C. Paul
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Early Prophase ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Cytosolic Protein ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Ral Gtpases ◽  
And Function ◽  
High Degree

Cytocentrin is a cytosolic protein that transiently associates with the mitotic spindle poles in early prophase, and dissociates from them after completion of mitosis. Cloning of its cDNA demonstrated a high degree of homology with three proteins known to specifically interact with an activated form of Ral. Herein we demonstrate that overexpression of cytocentrin inhibits assembly of the mitotic spindle without affecting polymerization or distribution of interphase microtubules. Conversely, loss of cytocentrin expression leads to formation of monopolar spindles. These results indicate that association of cytocentrin with the centrosome may be essential for a timely separation of the diplosomes. They also implicate Ral GTPases and their related pathways in the assembly and function of the mitotic apparatus.

scholarly journals Interaction of NuMA protein with the kinesin Eg5: its possible role in bipolar spindle assembly and chromosome alignment

2013 ◽  
Vol 451 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Iwakiri ◽  
Sachiko Kamakura ◽  
Junya Hayase ◽  
Hideki Sumimoto
Keyword(s):  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Interphase Cells ◽  
Correct Alignment ◽  
Spindle Microtubules

Bipolar spindle assembly in mitotic cells is a prerequisite to ensure correct alignment of chromosomes for their segregation to each daughter cell; spindle microtubules are tethered at plus ends to chromosomes and focused at minus ends to either of the two spindle poles. NuMA (nuclear mitotic apparatus protein) is present solely in the nucleus in interphase cells, but relocalizes during mitosis to the spindle poles to play a crucial role in spindle assembly via focusing spindle microtubules to each pole. In the present study we show that the kinesin-5 family motor Eg5 is a protein that directly interacts with NuMA, using a proteomics approach and various binding assays both in vivo and in vitro. During mitosis Eg5 appears to interact with NuMA in the vicinity of the spindle poles, whereas the interaction does not occur in interphase cells, where Eg5 is distributed throughout the cytoplasm but NuMA exclusively localizes to the nucleus. Slight, but significant, depletion of Eg5 in HeLa cells by RNA interference results in formation of less-focused spindle poles with misaligned chromosomes in metaphase; these phenotypes are similar to those induced by depletion of NuMA. Since NuMA is less accumulated at the spindle poles in Eg5-depleted cells, Eg5 probably contributes to spindle assembly via regulating NuMA localization. Furthermore, depletion of cytoplasmic dynein induces mislocalization of NuMA and phenotypes similar to those observed in NuMA-depleted cells, without affecting Eg5 localization to the spindles. Thus dynein appears to control NuMA function in conjunction with Eg5.

scholarly journals Microtubule-dependent Changes in Assembly of Microtubule Motor Proteins and Mitotic Spindle Checkpoint Proteins at PtK1 Kinetochores

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1995-2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Hoffman ◽  
Chad G. Pearson ◽  
Tim J. Yen ◽  
Bonnie J. Howell ◽  
E.D. Salmon
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Spindle Checkpoint ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Microtubule Depolymerization ◽  
Mitotic Spindle Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Proteins ◽  
Outer Domain

The ability of kinetochores to recruit microtubules, generate force, and activate the mitotic spindle checkpoint may all depend on microtubule- and/or tension-dependent changes in kinetochore assembly. With the use of quantitative digital imaging and immunofluorescence microscopy of PtK1 tissue cells, we find that the outer domain of the kinetochore, but not the CREST-stained inner core, exhibits three microtubule-dependent assembly states, not directly dependent on tension. First, prometaphase kinetochores with few or no kinetochore microtubules have abundant punctate or oblate fluorescence morphology when stained for outer domain motor proteins CENP-E and cytoplasmic dynein and checkpoint proteins BubR1 and Mad2. Second, microtubule depolymerization induces expansion of the kinetochore outer domain into crescent and ring morphologies around the centromere. This expansion may enhance recruitment of kinetochore microtubules, and occurs with more than a 20- to 100-fold increase in dynein and relatively little change in CENP-E, BubR1, and Mad2 in comparison to prometaphase kinetochores. Crescents disappear and dynein decreases substantially upon microtubule reassembly. Third, when kinetochores acquire their full metaphase complement of kinetochore microtubules, levels of CENP-E, dynein, and BubR1 decrease by three- to sixfold in comparison to unattached prometaphase kinetochores, but remain detectable. In contrast, Mad2 decreases by 100-fold and becomes undetectable, consistent with Mad2 being a key factor for the “wait-anaphase” signal produced by unattached kinetochores. Like previously found for Mad2, the average amounts of CENP-E, dynein, or BubR1 at metaphase kinetochores did not change with the loss of tension induced by taxol stabilization of microtubules.

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