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 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 Stu1p Is Physically Associated with β-Tubulin and Is Required for Structural Integrity of the Mitotic Spindle

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1881-1892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Yin ◽  
Liru You ◽  
Danielle Pasqualone ◽  
Kristen M. Kopski ◽  
Tim C. Huffaker
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Balance Of Forces ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Β Tubulin

Formation of the bipolar mitotic spindle relies on a balance of forces acting on the spindle poles. The primary outward force is generated by the kinesin-related proteins of the BimC family that cross-link antiparallel interpolar microtubules and slide them past each other. Here, we provide evidence that Stu1p is also required for the production of this outward force in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the temperature-sensitive stu1–5mutant, spindle pole separation is inhibited, and preanaphase spindles collapse, with their previously separated poles being drawn together. The temperature sensitivity of stu1–5 can be suppressed by doubling the dosage of Cin8p, a yeast BimC kinesin–related protein. Stu1p was observed to be a component of the mitotic spindle localizing to the midregion of anaphase spindles. It also binds to microtubules in vitro, and we have examined the nature of this interaction. We show that Stu1p interacts specifically with β-tubulin and identify the domains required for this interaction on both Stu1p and β-tubulin. Taken together, these findings suggest that Stu1p binds to interpolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle and plays an essential role in their ability to provide an outward force on the spindle poles.

scholarly journals Synergistic role of fission yeast Alp16GCP6 and Mzt1MOZART1 in γ-tubulin complex recruitment to mitotic spindle pole bodies and spindle assembly

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1753-1763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirohisa Masuda ◽  
Takashi Toda
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Mitotic Spindle Pole

In fission yeast, γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC)–specific components Gfh1GCP4, Mod21GCP5, and Alp16GCP6 are nonessential for cell growth. Of these deletion mutants, only alp16Δ shows synthetic lethality with temperature-sensitive mutants of Mzt1MOZART1, a component of the γTuRC required for recruitment of the complex to microtubule-organizing centers. γ-Tubulin small complex levels at mitotic spindle pole bodies (SPBs, the centrosome equivalent in fungi) and microtubule levels for preanaphase spindles are significantly reduced in alp16Δ cells but not in gfh1Δ or mod21Δ cells. Furthermore, alp16Δ cells often form monopolar spindles and frequently lose a minichromosome when the spindle assembly checkpoint is inactivated. Alp16GCP6 promotes Mzt1-dependent γTuRC recruitment to mitotic SPBs and enhances spindle microtubule assembly in a manner dependent on its expression levels. Gfh1GCP4 and Mod21GCP5 are not required for Alp16GCP6-dependent γTuRC recruitment. Mzt1 has an additional role in the activation of the γTuRC for spindle microtubule assembly. The ratio of Mzt1 to γTuRC levels for preanaphase spindles is higher than at other stages of the cell cycle. Mzt1 overproduction enhances spindle microtubule assembly without affecting γTuRC levels at mitotic SPBs. We propose that Alp16GCP6 and Mzt1 act synergistically for efficient bipolar spindle assembly to ensure faithful chromosome segregation.

scholarly journals Cell shape impacts on the positioning of the mitotic spindle with respect to the substratum

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1286-1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Lázaro-Diéguez ◽  
Iaroslav Ispolatov ◽  
Anne Müsch
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Mdck Cells ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Spindle Orientation ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Spindle Positioning ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Spindle Position

All known mechanisms of mitotic spindle orientation rely on astral microtubules. We report that even in the absence of astral microtubules, metaphase spindles in MDCK and HeLa cells are not randomly positioned along their x-z dimension, but preferentially adopt shallow β angles between spindle pole axis and substratum. The nonrandom spindle positioning is due to constraints imposed by the cell cortex in flat cells that drive spindles that are longer and/or wider than the cell's height into a tilted, quasidiagonal x-z position. In rounder cells, which are taller, fewer cortical constraints make the x-z spindle position more random. Reestablishment of astral microtubule–mediated forces align the spindle poles with cortical cues parallel to the substratum in all cells. However, in flat cells, they frequently cause spindle deformations. Similar deformations are apparent when confined spindles rotate from tilted to parallel positions while MDCK cells progress from prometaphase to metaphase. The spindle disruptions cause the engagement of the spindle assembly checkpoint. We propose that cell rounding serves to maintain spindle integrity during its positioning.

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 The Drosophila Kinesin-13, KLP59D, Impacts Pacman- and Flux-based Chromosome Movement

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 4696-4705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uttama Rath ◽  
Gregory C. Rogers ◽  
Dongyan Tan ◽  
Maria Ana Gomez-Ferreria ◽  
Daniel W. Buster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
The Other ◽  
Chromosome Movement ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Important Regulator ◽  
Chromosome Movements

Chromosome movements are linked to the active depolymerization of spindle microtubule (MT) ends. Here we identify the kinesin-13 family member, KLP59D, as a novel and uniquely important regulator of spindle MT dynamics and chromosome motility in Drosophila somatic cells. During prometaphase and metaphase, depletion of KLP59D, which targets to centrosomes and outer kinetochores, suppresses the depolymerization of spindle pole–associated MT minus ends, thereby inhibiting poleward tubulin Flux. Subsequently, during anaphase, loss of KLP59D strongly attenuates chromatid-to-pole motion by suppressing the depolymerization of both minus and plus ends of kinetochore-associated MTs. The mechanism of KLP59D's impact on spindle MT plus and minus ends appears to differ. Our data support a model in which KLP59D directly depolymerizes kinetochore-associated plus ends during anaphase, but influences minus ends indirectly by localizing the pole-associated MT depolymerase KLP10A. Finally, electron microscopy indicates that, unlike the other Drosophila kinesin-13s, KLP59D is largely incapable of oligomerizing into MT-associated rings in vitro, suggesting that such structures are not a requisite feature of kinetochore-based MT disassembly and chromosome movements.

scholarly journals Chromosome misalignment is associated with PLK1 activity at cenexin-positive mitotic centrosomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (13) ◽  
pp. 1598-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica G. Colicino ◽  
Katrina Stevens ◽  
Erin Curtis ◽  
Lindsay Rathbun ◽  
Michael Bates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Mitotic Kinase ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Chromosome Distribution ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Mother Centriole

The mitotic kinase, polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), facilitates the assembly of the two mitotic spindle poles, which are required for the formation of the microtubule-based spindle that ensures appropriate chromosome distribution into the two forming daughter cells. Spindle poles are asymmetric in composition. One spindle pole contains the oldest mitotic centriole, the mother centriole, where the majority of cenexin, the mother centriole appendage protein and PLK1 binding partner, resides. We hypothesized that PLK1 activity is greater at the cenexin-positive older spindle pole. Our studies found that PLK1 asymmetrically localizes between spindle poles under conditions of chromosome misalignment, and chromosomes tend to misalign toward the oldest spindle pole in a cenexin- and PLK1-dependent manner. During chromosome misalignment, PLK1 activity is increased specifically at the oldest spindle pole, and this increase in activity is lost in cenexin-depleted cells. We propose a model where PLK1 activity elevates in response to misaligned chromosomes at the oldest spindle pole during metaphase.

Two domains of p80 katanin regulate microtubule severing and spindle pole targeting by p60 katanin

2000 ◽  
Vol 113 (9) ◽  
pp. 1623-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.P. McNally ◽  
O.A. Bazirgan ◽  
F.J. McNally
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Severing ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Wd40 Domain

The assembly and function of the mitotic spindle requires the activity of a number of microtubule-binding proteins. Some microtubule-binding proteins bind microtubules in vitro but do not co-localize with microtubules in interphase cells. Instead these proteins associate with specific subregions of the mitotic spindle. Katanin, a heterodimeric microtubule-severing ATPase, is found localized at mitotic spindle poles. In this paper we demonstrate that human p60 katanin and the C-terminal domain of human p80 katanin both bind microtubules in vitro. Association of these two proteins results in an increased microtubule affinity and increased microtubule-severing activity in vitro. Association of these subunits in transfected HeLa cells increases microtubule disassembly activity and targeting to spindle poles. The N-terminal WD40 domain of p80 katanin acts as a negative regulator of microtubule disassembly activity and is also required for spindle pole localization, possibly through interactions with another spindle-pole protein. These results support a model in which katanin is targeted to spindle poles through a combination of direct microtubule binding by the p60 subunit and through interactions between the WD40 domain and an unknown protein. We propose that both domains of p80 are essential in precisely regulating katanin's activity in vivo.

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 A Potential Role for Human Cohesin in Mitotic Spindle Aster Assembly

2001 ◽  
Vol 276 (50) ◽  
pp. 47575-47582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather C. Gregson ◽  
John A. Schmiesing ◽  
Jong-Soo Kim ◽  
Toshiki Kobayashi ◽  
Sharleen Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Metaphase Plate ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion

The cohesin multiprotein complex containing SMC1, SMC3, Scc3 (SA), and Scc1 (Rad21) is required for sister chromatid cohesion in eukaryotes. Although metazoan cohesin associates with chromosomes and was shown to function in the establishment of sister chromatid cohesion during interphase, the majority of cohesin was found to be off chromosomes and reside in the cytoplasm in metaphase. Despite its dissociation from chromosomes, however, microinjection of an antibody against human SMC1 led to disorganization of the metaphase plate and cell cycle arrest, indicating that human cohesin still plays an important role in metaphase. To address the mitotic function of human cohesin, the subcellular localization of cohesin components was reexamined in human cells. Interestingly, we found that cohesin localizes to the spindle poles during mitosis and interacts with NuMA, a spindle pole-associated factor required for mitotic spindle organization. The interaction with NuMA persists during interphase. Similar to NuMA, a significant amount of cohesin was found to associate with the nuclear matrix. Furthermore, in the absence of cohesin, mitotic spindle asters failed to formin vitro. Our results raise the intriguing possibility that in addition to its well demonstrated function in sister chromatid cohesion, cohesin may be involved in spindle assembly during mitosis.

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