scholarly journals The KinI kinesin Kif2a is required for bipolar spindle assembly through a functional relationship with MCAK

2004 ◽  
Vol 166 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil J. Ganem ◽  
Duane A. Compton
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Kinesin Eg5 ◽  
Dependent Pathway

Although the microtubule-depolymerizing KinI motor Kif2a is abundantly expressed in neuronal cells, we now show it localizes to centrosomes and spindle poles during mitosis in cultured cells. RNAi-induced knockdown of Kif2a expression inhibited cell cycle progression because cells assembled monopolar spindles. Bipolar spindle assembly was restored in cells lacking Kif2a by treatments that altered microtubule assembly (nocodazole), eliminated kinetochore–microtubule attachment (loss of Nuf2), or stabilized microtubule plus ends at kinetochores (loss of MCAK). Thus, two KinI motors, MCAK and Kif2a, play distinct roles in mitosis, and MCAK activity at kinetochores must be balanced by Kif2a activity at poles for spindle bipolarity. These treatments failed to restore bipolarity to cells lacking the activity of the kinesin Eg5. Thus, two independent pathways contribute to spindle bipolarity, with the Eg5-dependent pathway using motor force to drive spindle bipolarity and the Kif2a-dependent pathway relying on microtubule polymer dynamics to generate force for spindle bipolarity.

scholarly journals Recent Progress on the Localization of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Machinery to Kinetochores

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Dou ◽  
Diogjena Prifti ◽  
Ping Gui ◽  
Xing Liu ◽  
Sabine Elowe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Mitotic Progression ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Surveillance Mechanism

Faithful chromosome segregation during mitosis is crucial for maintaining genome stability. The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a surveillance mechanism that ensures accurate mitotic progression. Defective SAC signaling leads to premature sister chromatid separation and aneuploid daughter cells. Mechanistically, the SAC couples the kinetochore microtubule attachment status to the cell cycle progression machinery. In the presence of abnormal kinetochore microtubule attachments, the SAC prevents the metaphase-to-anaphase transition through a complex kinase-phosphatase signaling cascade which results in the correct balance of SAC components recruited to the kinetochore. The correct kinetochore localization of SAC proteins is a prerequisite for robust SAC signaling and, hence, accurate chromosome segregation. Here, we review recent progresses on the kinetochore recruitment of core SAC factors.

The checkpoint control for anaphase onset does not monitor excess numbers of spindle poles or bipolar spindle symmetry

1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Sluder ◽  
E.A. Thompson ◽  
F.J. Miller ◽  
J. Hayes ◽  
C.L. Rieder
Keyword(s):  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Checkpoint Control ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
Monopolar Spindle

Exit from mitosis in animal cells is substantially delayed when spindle assembly is inhibited, spindle bipolarity is disrupted, or when a monopolar spindle is formed. These observations have led to the proposal that animal cells have a ‘spindle assembly’ checkpoint for the metaphase-anaphase transition that monitors bipolar spindle organization. However, the existence of such a checkpoint is uncertain because perturbations in spindle organization can produce unattached kinetochores, which by themselves are known to delay anaphase onset. In this study we have tested if cells monitor bipolar spindle organization, independent of kinetochore attachment, by analyzing the duration of mitosis in sea urchin zygotes and vertebrate somatic cells containing multipolar spindles in which all kinetochores are attached to spindle poles. We found that sea urchin zygotes containing tripolar or tetrapolar spindles progressed from nuclear envelope breakdown to anaphase onset with normal timing. We also found that the presence of supernumerary, unpaired spindle poles did not greatly prolong mitosis. Observation of untreated PtK1 cells that formed tripolar or tetrapolar spindles revealed that they progressed through mitosis, on average, at the normal rate. More importantly, the interval between the bipolar attachment of the last monooriented chromosome and anaphase onset was normal. Thus, neither of these cell types can detect the presence of gross aberrations in spindle architecture that inevitably lead to aneuploidy. We conclude that animal cells do not have a checkpoint for the metaphase-anaphase transition that monitors defects in spindle architecture independent of the checkpoint that monitors kinetochore attachment to the spindle. For dividing cells in which spindle microtubule assembly is not experimentally compromised, we propose that the completion of kinetochore attachment is the event which limits the time of the metaphase-anaphase transition.

scholarly journals Kinetochore-generated pushing forces separate centrosomes during bipolar spindle assembly

2009 ◽  
Vol 184 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Toso ◽  
Jennifer R. Winter ◽  
Ainslie J. Garrod ◽  
Ana C. Amaro ◽  
Patrick Meraldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Nuclear Envelope Breakdown ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Centrosome Separation ◽  
Dependent Pathway

In animal somatic cells, bipolar spindle formation requires separation of the centrosome-based spindle poles. Centrosome separation relies on multiple pathways, including cortical forces and antiparallel microtubule (MT) sliding, which are two activities controlled by the protein kinase aurora A. We previously found that depletion of the human kinetochore protein Mcm21RCENP-O results in monopolar spindles, raising the question as to whether kinetochores contribute to centrosome separation. In this study, we demonstrate that kinetochores promote centrosome separation after nuclear envelope breakdown by exerting a pushing force on the kinetochore fibers (k-fibers), which are bundles of MTs that connect kinetochores to centrosomes. This force is based on poleward MT flux, which incorporates new tubulin subunits at the plus ends of k-fibers and requires stable k-fibers to drive centrosomes apart. This kinetochore-dependent force becomes essential for centrosome separation if aurora A is inhibited. We conclude that two mechanisms control centrosome separation during prometaphase: an aurora A–dependent pathway and a kinetochore-dependent pathway that relies on k-fiber–generated pushing forces.

scholarly journals Chromosomes initiate spindle assembly upon experimental dissolution of the nuclear envelope in grasshopper spermatocytes.

1995 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
pp. 1125-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zhang ◽  
R B Nicklas
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Chromosomal Protein ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Late Prophase ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Bipolar Spindle

Chromosomes are known to enhance spindle microtubule assembly in grasshopper spermatocytes, which suggested to us that chromosomes might play an essential role in the initiation of spindle formation. Chromosomes might, for example, activate other spindle components such as centrosomes and tubulin subunits upon the breakdown of the nuclear envelope. We tested this possibility in living grasshopper spermatocytes. We ruptured the nuclear envelope during prophase, which prematurely exposed the centrosomes to chromosomes and nuclear sap. Spindle assembly was promptly initiated. In contrast, assembly of the spindle was completely inhibited if the nucleus was mechanically removed from a late prophase cell. Other experiments showed that the trigger for spindle assembly is associated with the chromosomes; other constituents of the nucleus cannot initiate spindle assembly in the absence of the chromosomes. The initiation of spindle assembly required centrosomes as well as chromosomes. Extracting centrosomes from late prophase cells completely inhibited spindle assembly after dissolution of the nuclear envelope. We conclude that the normal formation of a bipolar spindle in grasshopper spermatocytes is regulated by chromosomes. A possible explanation is an activator, perhaps a chromosomal protein (Yeo, J.-P., F. Alderuccio, and B.-H. Toh. 1994a. Nature (Lond.). 367: 288-291), that promotes and stabilizes the assembly of astral microtubules and thus promotes assembly of the spindle.

The role of gamma-tubulin in mitotic spindle formation and cell cycle progression in Aspergillus nidulans

1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 623-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Martin ◽  
S.A. Osmani ◽  
B.R. Oakley
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubule ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Gamma Tubulin

gamma-Tubulin has been hypothesized to be essential for the nucleation of the assembly of mitotic spindle microtubules, but some recent results suggest that this may not be the case. To clarify the role of gamma-tubulin in microtubule assembly and cell-cycle progression, we have developed a novel variation of the gene disruption/heterokaryon rescue technique of Aspergillus nidulans. We have used temperature-sensitive cell-cycle mutations to synchronize germlings carrying a gamma-tubulin disruption and observe the phenotypes caused by the disruption in the first cell cycle after germination. Our results indicate that gamma-tubulin is absolutely required for the assembly of mitotic spindle microtubules, a finding that supports the hypothesis that gamma-tubulin is involved in spindle microtubule nucleation. In the absence of functional gamma-tubulin, nuclei are blocked with condensed chromosomes for about the length of one cell cycle before chromatin decondenses without nuclear division. Our results indicate that gamma-tubulin is not essential for progression from G1 to G2, for entry into mitosis nor for spindle pole body replication. It is also not required for reactivity of spindle pole bodies with the MPM-2 antibody which recognizes a phosphoepitope important to mitotic spindle formation. Finally, it does not appear to be absolutely required for cytoplasmic microtubule assembly but may play a role in the formation of normal cytoplasmic microtubule arrays.

scholarly journals Kinetochore-mediated outward force promotes spindle pole separation in fission yeast

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (22) ◽  
pp. 2802-2813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Shirasugi ◽  
Masamitsu Sato
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Bipolar Spindles ◽  
Meiosis I

Bipolar spindles are organized by motor proteins that generate microtubule-­dependent forces to separate the two spindle poles. The fission yeast Cut7 (kinesin-5) is a plus-end-directed motor that generates the outward force to separate the two spindle poles, whereas the minus-end-directed motor Pkl1 (kinesin-14) generates the inward force. Balanced forces by these antagonizing kinesins are essential for bipolar spindle organization in mitosis. Here, we demonstrate that chromosomes generate another outward force that contributes to the bipolar spindle assembly. First, it was noted that the cut7 pkl1 double knockout failed to separate spindle poles in meiosis I, although the mutant is known to succeed it in mitosis. It was assumed that this might be because meiotic kinetochores of bivalent chromosomes joined by cross-overs generate weaker tensions in meiosis I than the strong tensions in mitosis generated by tightly tethered sister kinetochores. In line with this idea, when meiotic mono-oriented kinetochores were artificially converted to a mitotic bioriented layout, the cut7 pkl1 mutant successfully separated spindle poles in meiosis I. Therefore, we propose that spindle pole separation is promoted by outward forces transmitted from kinetochores to spindle poles through microtubules.

scholarly journals Anastral meiotic spindle morphogenesis: role of the non-claret disjunctional kinesin-like protein.

1996 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
H J Matthies ◽  
H B McDonald ◽  
L S Goldstein ◽  
W E Theurkauf
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Scanning Confocal Microscopy ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Assembly Kinetics

We have used time-lapse laser scanning confocal microscopy to directly examine microtubule reorganization during meiotic spindle assembly in living Drosophila oocytes. These studies indicate that the bipolarity of the meiosis I spindle is not the result of a duplication and separation of centrosomal microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs). Instead, microtubules first associate with a tight chromatin mass, and then bundle to form a bipolar spindle that lacks asters. Analysis of mutant oocytes indicates that the Non-Claret Disjunctional (NCD) kinesin-like protein is required for normal spindle assembly kinetics and stabilization of the spindle during metaphase arrest. Immunolocalization analyses demonstrate that NCD is associated with spindle microtubules, and that the centrosomal components gamma-tubulin, CP-190, and CP-60 are not concentrated at the meiotic spindle poles. Based on these observations, we propose that microtubule bundling by the NCD kinesin-like protein promotes assembly of a stable bipolar spindle in the absence of typical MTOCs.

scholarly journals RanGTP induces an effector gradient of XCTK2 and importin α/β for spindle microtubule cross-linking

2020 ◽  
Vol 219 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie C. Ems-McClung ◽  
Mackenzie Emch ◽  
Stephanie Zhang ◽  
Serena Mahnoor ◽  
Lesley N. Weaver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Tail Domain ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Assembly Factors ◽  
Importin Α ◽  
Combined Actions

High RanGTP around chromatin is important for governing spindle assembly during meiosis and mitosis by releasing the inhibitory effects of importin α/β. Here we examine how the Ran gradient regulates Kinesin-14 function to control spindle organization. We show that Xenopus Kinesin-14, XCTK2, and importin α/β form an effector gradient that is highest at the poles and diminishes toward the chromatin, which is opposite the RanGTP gradient. Importin α and β preferentially inhibit XCTK2 antiparallel microtubule cross-linking and sliding by decreasing the microtubule affinity of the XCTK2 tail domain. This change in microtubule affinity enables RanGTP to target endogenous XCTK2 to the spindle. We propose that these combined actions of the Ran pathway are critical to promote Kinesin-14 parallel microtubule cross-linking to help focus spindle poles for efficient bipolar spindle assembly. Furthermore, our work illustrates that RanGTP regulation in the spindle is not simply a switch, but rather generates effector gradients where importins α and β gradually tune the activities of spindle assembly factors.

scholarly journals BUB-1 promotes amphitelic chromosome biorientation via multiple activities at the kinetochore

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Edwards ◽  
Gilliane Maton ◽  
Nelly Gareil ◽  
Julie C Canman ◽  
Julien Dumont
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
Chromatid Segregation ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Chromosome Attachment

Accurate chromosome segregation relies on bioriented amphitelic attachments of chromosomes to microtubules of the mitotic spindle, in which sister chromatids are connected to opposite spindle poles. BUB-1 is a protein of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint (SAC) that coordinates chromosome attachment with anaphase onset. BUB-1 is also required for accurate sister chromatid segregation independently of its SAC function, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that, in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, BUB-1 accelerates the establishment of non-merotelic end-on kinetochore-microtubule attachments by recruiting the RZZ complex and its downstream partner dynein-dynactin at the kinetochore. In parallel, BUB-1 limits attachment maturation by the SKA complex. This activity opposes kinetochore-microtubule attachment stabilisation promoted by CLS-2CLASP-dependent kinetochore-microtubule assembly. BUB-1 is therefore a SAC component that coordinates the function of multiple downstream kinetochore-associated proteins to ensure accurate chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals Centriole and PCM cooperatively recruit CEP192 to spindle poles to promote bipolar spindle assembly

2021 ◽  
Vol 220 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takumi Chinen ◽  
Kaho Yamazaki ◽  
Kaho Hashimoto ◽  
Ken Fujii ◽  
Koki Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
A549 Cells ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Scaffold Proteins ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Pericentriolar Material ◽  
Mitotic Cells

The pericentriolar material (PCM) that accumulates around the centriole expands during mitosis and nucleates microtubules. Here, we show the cooperative roles of the centriole and PCM scaffold proteins, pericentrin and CDK5RAP2, in the recruitment of CEP192 to spindle poles during mitosis. Systematic depletion of PCM proteins revealed that CEP192, but not pericentrin and/or CDK5RAP2, was crucial for bipolar spindle assembly in HeLa, RPE1, and A549 cells with centrioles. Upon double depletion of pericentrin and CDK5RAP2, CEP192 that remained at centriole walls was sufficient for bipolar spindle formation. In contrast, through centriole removal, we found that pericentrin and CDK5RAP2 recruited CEP192 at the acentriolar spindle pole and facilitated bipolar spindle formation in mitotic cells with one centrosome. Furthermore, the perturbation of PLK1, a critical kinase for PCM assembly, efficiently suppressed bipolar spindle formation in mitotic cells with one centrosome. Overall, these data suggest that the centriole and PCM scaffold proteins cooperatively recruit CEP192 to spindle poles and facilitate bipolar spindle formation.

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