scholarly journals TINA Interacts with the NIMA Kinase in Aspergillus nidulans and Negatively Regulates Astral Microtubules during Metaphase Arrest

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 3169-3179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysha H. Osmani ◽  
Jonathan Davies ◽  
C. Elizabeth Oakley ◽  
Berl R. Oakley ◽  
Stephen A. Osmani
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Metaphase Arrest ◽  
Enhanced Production ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
In Series ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules

The tinA gene of Aspergillus nidulans encodes a protein that interacts with the NIMA mitotic protein kinase in a cell cycle-specific manner. Highly similar proteins are encoded in Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus fumigatus. TINA and NIMA preferentially interact in interphase and larger forms of TINA are generated during mitosis. Localization studies indicate that TINA is specifically localized to the spindle pole bodies only during mitosis in a microtubule-dependent manner. Deletion of tinA alone is not lethal but displays synthetic lethality in combination with the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome mutation bimE7. At the bimE7 metaphase arrest point, lack of TINA enhanced the nucleation of bundles of cytoplasmic microtubules from the spindle pole bodies. These microtubules interacted to form spindles joined in series via astral microtubules as revealed by live cell imaging. Because TINA is modified and localizes to the spindle pole bodies at mitosis, and lack of TINA causes enhanced production of cytoplasmic microtubules at metaphase arrest, we suggest TINA is involved in negative regulation of the astral microtubule organizing capacity of the spindle pole bodies during metaphase.

scholarly journals The Three Fungal Transmembrane Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins of Aspergillus nidulans Are Dispensable in the Presence of an Intact An-Nup84-120 Complex

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 616-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Lin Liu ◽  
Colin P.C. De Souza ◽  
Aysha H. Osmani ◽  
Stephen A. Osmani
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Nuclear Envelope ◽  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complex ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Nuclear Pore Complexes ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Pore Complexes

In Aspergillus nidulans nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) undergo partial mitotic disassembly such that 12 NPC proteins (Nups) form a core structure anchored across the nuclear envelope (NE). To investigate how the NPC core is maintained, we affinity purified the major core An-Nup84-120 complex and identified two new fungal Nups, An-Nup37 and An-ELYS, previously thought to be vertebrate specific. During mitosis the An-Nup84-120 complex locates to the NE and spindle pole bodies but, unlike vertebrate cells, does not concentrate at kinetochores. We find that mutants lacking individual An-Nup84-120 components are sensitive to the membrane destabilizer benzyl alcohol (BA) and high temperature. Although such mutants display no defects in mitotic spindle formation, they undergo mitotic specific disassembly of the NPC core and transient aggregation of the mitotic NE, suggesting the An-Nup84-120 complex might function with membrane. Supporting this, we show cells devoid of all known fungal transmembrane Nups (An-Ndc1, An-Pom152, and An-Pom34) are viable but that An-ndc1 deletion combined with deletion of individual An-Nup84-120 components is either lethal or causes sensitivity to treatments expected to destabilize membrane. Therefore, the An-Nup84-120 complex performs roles, perhaps at the NPC membrane as proposed previously, that become essential without the An-Ndc1 transmembrane Nup.

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 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 The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kinesin-related Motor Kar3p Acts at Preanaphase Spindle Poles to Limit the Number and Length of Cytoplasmic Microtubules

1997 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Saunders ◽  
David Hornack ◽  
Valerie Lengyel ◽  
Changchun Deng
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Spindle Pole Body ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Microtubule Depolymerization ◽  
Growth Defects ◽  
Microtubule Polymerization ◽  
Late Anaphase ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinesin-related motor Kar3p, though known to be required for karyogamy, plays a poorly defined, nonessential role during vegetative growth. We have found evidence suggesting that Kar3p functions to limit the number and length of cytoplasmic microtubules in a cell cycle–specific manner. Deletion of KAR3 leads to a dramatic increase in cytoplasmic microtubules, a phenotype which is most pronounced from START through the onset of anaphase but less so during late anaphase in synchronized cultures. We have immunolocalized HA-tagged Kar3p to the spindle pole body region, and fittingly, Kar3p was not detected by late anaphase. A microtubule depolymerizing activity may be the major vegetative role for Kar3p. Addition of the microtubule polymerization inhibitors nocodazol or benomyl to the medium or deletion of the nonessential α-tubulin TUB3 gene can mostly correct the abnormal microtubule arrays and other growth defects of kar3 mutants, suggesting that these phenotypes result from excessive microtubule polymerization. Microtubule depolymerization may also be the mechanism by which Kar3p acts in opposition to the anaphase B motors Cin8p and Kip1p. A preanaphase spindle collapse phenotype of cin8 kip1 mutants, previously shown to involve Kar3p, is markedly delayed when microtubule depolymerization is inhibited by the tub2-150 mutation. These results suggest that the Kar3p motor may act to regulate the length and number of microtubules in the preanaphase spindle.

scholarly journals The yeast centrosome translates the positional information of the anaphase spindle into a cell cycle signal

2007 ◽  
Vol 179 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromi Maekawa ◽  
Claire Priest ◽  
Johannes Lechner ◽  
Gislene Pereira ◽  
Elmar Schiebel
Keyword(s):  
Spindle Pole Body ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Positional Information ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Mitotic Exit ◽  
Spindle Orientation ◽  
Additional Function ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphatase

The spindle orientation checkpoint (SPOC) of budding yeast delays mitotic exit when cytoplasmic microtubules (MTs) are defective, causing the spindle to become misaligned. Delay is achieved by maintaining the activity of the Bfa1–Bub2 guanosine triphosphatase–activating protein complex, an inhibitor of mitotic exit. In this study, we show that the spindle pole body (SPB) component Spc72, a transforming acidic coiled coil–like molecule that interacts with the γ-tubulin complex, recruits Kin4 kinase to both SPBs when cytoplasmic MTs are defective. This allows Kin4 to phosphorylate the SPB-associated Bfa1, rendering it resistant to inactivation by Cdc5 polo kinase. Consistently, forced targeting of Kin4 to both SPBs delays mitotic exit even when the anaphase spindle is correctly aligned. Moreover, we present evidence that Spc72 has an additional function in SPOC regulation that is independent of the recruitment of Kin4. Thus, Spc72 provides a missing link between cytoplasmic MT function and components of the SPOC.

scholarly journals Mitosis in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as revealed by freeze-substitution electron microscopy

1986 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-268
Author(s):  
K. Tanaka ◽  
T. Kanbe
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Nuclear Division ◽  
Freeze Substitution ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Nuclear Space ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules ◽  
Spindle Microtubules

Nuclear division in Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been studied in transmission electron micrographs of sections of cells fixed by a method of freeze-substitution. We have found cytoplasmic microtubules in the vicinity of the spindle pole bodies and two kinds of microtubules, short discontinuous ones and long, parallel ones in the intranuclear mitotic spindle. For most of the time taken by nuclear division the spindle pole bodies face each other squarely across the nuclear space but early in mitosis they briefly appear twisted out of alignment with each other, thereby imparting a sigmoidal shape to the bundle of spindle microtubules extending between them. This configuration is interpreted as indicating active participation of the spindle in the initial elongation of the dividing nucleus. It is proposed that mitosis is accompanied by the shortening of chromosomal microtubules simultaneously with the elongation of the central pole-to-pole bundle of microtubules of the intranuclear spindle. Daughter nuclei are separated by the sliding apart of interdigitating microtubules of the spindle at telophase. Some of the latter bear dense knobs at their ends.

scholarly journals BIK1, a protein required for microtubule function during mating and mitosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, colocalizes with tubulin.

1990 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 2573-2586 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Berlin ◽  
C A Styles ◽  
G R Fink
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Nuclear Fusion ◽  
Spindle Pole Body ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
Chromosome Loss ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Pole Body ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules ◽  
And Function

BIK1 function is required for nuclear fusion, chromosome disjunction, and nuclear segregation during mitosis. The BIK1 protein colocalizes with tubulin to the spindle pole body and mitotic spindle. Synthetic lethality observed in double mutant strains containing a mutation in the BIK1 gene and in the gene for alpha- or beta-tubulin is consistent with a physical interaction between BIK1 and tubulin. Furthermore, over- or underexpression of BIK1 causes aberrant microtubule assembly and function, bik1 null mutants are viable but contain very short or undetectable cytoplasmic microtubules. Spindle formation often occurs strictly within the mother cell, probably accounting for the many multinucleate and anucleate bik1 cells. Elevated levels of chromosome loss in bik1 cells are indicative of defective spindle function. Nuclear fusion is blocked in bik1 x bik1 zygotes, which have truncated cytoplasmic microtubules. Cells overexpressing BIK1 initially have abnormally short or nonexistent spindle microtubules and long cytoplasmic microtubules. Subsequently, cells lose all microtubule structures, coincident with the arrest of division. Based on these results, we propose that BIK1 is required stoichiometrically for the formation or stabilization of microtubules during mitosis and for spindle pole body fusion during conjugation.

scholarly journals Mto2p, a Novel Fission Yeast Protein Required for Cytoplasmic Microtubule Organization and Anchoring of the Cytokinetic Actin Ring

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 3052-3063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas Venkatram ◽  
Jennifer L. Jennings ◽  
Andrew Link ◽  
Kathleen L. Gould
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Spindle Pole Body ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Microtubule Organization ◽  
Actin Ring ◽  
Medial Region ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubule ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules

Microtubules regulate diverse cellular processes, including chromosome segregation, nuclear positioning, and cytokinesis. In many organisms, microtubule nucleation requires γ-tubulin and associated proteins present at specific microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs). In fission yeast, interphase cytoplasmic microtubules originate from poorly characterized interphase MTOCs and spindle pole body (SPB), and during late anaphase from the equatorial MTOC (EMTOC). It has been previously shown that Mto1p (Mbo1p/Mod20p) function is important for the organization/nucleation of all cytoplasmic microtubules. Here, we show that Mto2p, a novel protein, interacts with Mto1p and is important for establishing a normal interphase cytoplasmic microtubule array. In addition, mto2Δ cells fail to establish a stable EMTOC and localize γ-tubulin complex members to this medial structure. As predicted from these functions, Mto2p localizes to microtubules, the SPB, and the EMTOC in an Mto1p-dependent manner. mto2Δ cells fail to anchor the cytokinetic actin ring in the medial region of the cell and under conditions that mildly perturb actin structures, these rings unravel in mto2Δ cells. Our results suggest that the Mto2p and the EMTOC are critical for anchoring the cytokinetic actin ring to the medial region of the cell and for proper coordination of mitosis with cytokinesis.

scholarly journals Aspergillus nidulans Dis1/XMAP215 Protein AlpA Localizes to Spindle Pole Bodies and Microtubule Plus Ends and Contributes to Growth Directionality

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 555-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathrin Enke ◽  
Nadine Zekert ◽  
Daniel Veith ◽  
Carolin Schaaf ◽  
Sven Konzack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Nidulans ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Family Protein ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Hyphal Morphology ◽  
Conventional Kinesin ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACTThe dynamics of cytoplasmic microtubules (MTs) is largely controlled by a protein complex at the MT plus end. InSchizosaccharomyces pombeand in filamentous fungi, MT plus end-associated proteins also determine growth directionality. We have characterized the Dis1/XMAP215 family protein AlpA fromAspergillus nidulansand show that it determines MT dynamics as well as hyphal morphology. Green fluorescent protein-tagged AlpA localized to MT-organizing centers (centrosomes) and to MT plus ends. The latter accumulation occurred independently of conventional kinesin or the Kip2-familiy kinesin KipA.alpAdeletion strains were viable and only slightly temperature sensitive. Mitosis, nuclear migration, and nuclear positioning were not affected, but hyphae grew in curves rather than straight, which appeared to be an effect of reduced MT growth and dynamics.

scholarly journals The Meiosis-Specific Sid2p-related Protein Slk1p Regulates Forespore Membrane Assembly in Fission Yeast

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 3676-3690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Yan ◽  
Wanzhong Ge ◽  
Ting Gang Chew ◽  
Jeng Yeong Chow ◽  
Dannel McCollum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Membrane Assembly ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Spindle Pole Bodies ◽  
Septation Initiation Network ◽  
Secretory Apparatus

Cytokinesis in all organisms involves the creation of membranous barriers that demarcate individual daughter cells. In fission yeast, a signaling module termed the septation initiation network (SIN) plays an essential role in the assembly of new membranes and cell wall during cytokinesis. In this study, we have characterized Slk1p, a protein-kinase related to the SIN component Sid2p. Slk1p is expressed specifically during meiosis and localizes to the spindle pole bodies (SPBs) during meiosis I and II in a SIN-dependent manner. Slk1p also localizes to the forespore membrane during sporulation. Cells lacking Slk1p display defects associated with sporulation, leading frequently to the formation of asci with smaller and/or fewer spores. The ability of slk1Δ cells to sporulate, albeit inefficiently, is fully abolished upon compromise of function of Sid2p, suggesting that Slk1p and Sid2p play overlapping roles in sporulation. Interestingly, increased expression of the syntaxin Psy1p rescues the sporulation defect of sid2-250 slk1Δ. Thus, it is likely that Slk1p and Sid2p play a role in forespore membrane assembly by facilitating recruitment of components of the secretory apparatus, such as Psy1p, to allow membrane expansion. These studies thereby provide a novel link between the SIN and vesicle trafficking during cytokinesis.

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