scholarly journals Differentiation of Cytoplasmic and Meiotic Spindle Assembly MCAK Functions by Aurora B-dependent Phosphorylation

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 2895-2906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryoma Ohi ◽  
Tanuj Sapra ◽  
Jonathan Howard ◽  
Timothy J. Mitchison
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Bipolar Spindles

The KinI kinesin MCAK is a microtubule depolymerase important for governing spindle microtubule dynamics during chromosome segregation. The dynamic nature of spindle assembly and chromosome-microtubule interactions suggest that mechanisms must exist that modulate the activity of MCAK, both spatially and temporally. In Xenopus extracts, MCAK associates with and is stimulated by the inner centromere protein ICIS. The inner centromere kinase Aurora B also interacts with ICIS and MCAK raising the possibility that Aurora B may regulate MCAK activity as well. Herein, we demonstrate that recombinant Aurora B-INCENP inhibits Xenopus MCAK activity in vitro in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Substituting endogenous MCAK in Xenopus extracts with the alanine mutant XMCAK-4A, which is resistant to inhibition by Aurora B-INCENP, led to assembly of mono-astral and monopolar structures instead of bipolar spindles. The size of these structures and extent of tubulin polymerization in XMCAK-4A extracts indicate that XM-CAK-4A is not defective for microtubule dynamics regulation throughout the cytoplasm. We further demonstrate that the ability of XMCAK-4A to localize to inner centromeres is abolished. Our results show that MCAK regulation of cytoplasmic and spindle-associated microtubules can be differentiated by Aurora B-dependent phosphorylation, and they further demonstrate that this regulation is required for bipolar meiotic spindle assembly.

scholarly journals PP2A-B56 opposes Mps1 phosphorylation of Knl1 and thereby promotes spindle assembly checkpoint silencing

2014 ◽  
Vol 206 (7) ◽  
pp. 833-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Espert ◽  
Pelin Uluocak ◽  
Ricardo Nunes Bastos ◽  
Davinderpreet Mangat ◽  
Philipp Graab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Eukaryotic Cells ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Safeguard Mechanism

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) monitors correct attachment of chromosomes to microtubules, an important safeguard mechanism ensuring faithful chromosome segregation in eukaryotic cells. How the SAC signal is turned off once all the chromosomes have successfully attached to the spindle remains an unresolved question. Mps1 phosphorylation of Knl1 results in recruitment of the SAC proteins Bub1, Bub3, and BubR1 to the kinetochore and production of the wait-anaphase signal. SAC silencing is therefore expected to involve a phosphatase opposing Mps1. Here we demonstrate in vivo and in vitro that BubR1-associated PP2A-B56 is a key phosphatase for the removal of the Mps1-mediated Knl1 phosphorylations necessary for Bub1/BubR1 recruitment in mammalian cells. SAC silencing is thus promoted by a negative feedback loop involving the Mps1-dependent recruitment of a phosphatase opposing Mps1. Our findings extend the previously reported role for BubR1-associated PP2A-B56 in opposing Aurora B and suggest that BubR1-bound PP2A-B56 integrates kinetochore surveillance and silencing of the SAC.

scholarly journals Dynamic Changes of pStat3 are Involved in Meiotic Spindle Assembly in Mouse Oocytes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiki Haraguchi ◽  
Mitsumi Ikeda ◽  
Satoshi Akagi ◽  
Yuji Hirao
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Activation Of Transcription ◽  
Transcription 3

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is activated in response to the phosphorylation of Y705 (pStat3) and has the dual function of signal transduction and activation of transcription. Our previous study suggested that pStat3 is functional during oocyte maturation when transcription is silenced. Therefore, we speculated that pStat3 may have another function. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that pStat3 emerges at the microtubule asters and spindle and then localizes at the spindle poles concomitant with a Pericentrin during mouse oocyte maturation. When we examined conditionally knocked out Stat3−/− oocytes, we detected Stat3 and pStat3 proteins. The localization of the pStat3 was the same as that of Stat3+/+ oocytes, and the oocyte maturation proceeded normally, suggesting that pStat3 was still functioning. The oocytes were treated either with the Stat3 specific inhibitors, Stattic and BP-1-102, or anti-pStat3 antibody injection. This caused significant abnormal spindle assembly and chromosome mis-location in a dose-dependent manner, in which the pStat3 was either negative or localized improperly. Moreover, development of pre-implantation stage embryos derived from inhibitor-treated oocytes was also hampered significantly after in vitro fertilization. These findings indicate a novel function of pStat3 involved in spindle assembly.

scholarly journals Spastin Interacts with CRMP5 to Promote  Spindle Organization of Mouse Oocytes by  Severing Microtubules.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua-Feng Shou ◽  
Lei-lei Gao ◽  
Zhen Jin ◽  
Jin-Wei Liu ◽  
Shan-Shan Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Microtubule Severing ◽  
Abnormal Phenotype ◽  
Mammalian Oocyte ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Normal Meiosis

Abstract Background ： Microtubule-severing protein (MTSP) is highly critical for the survival of both mitotic and post-mitotic cells.However, the study of MTSP in the meiosis of mammalian oocyte has not been reported. Results ：We found that spastin, a member of the MTSP family, was highly expressed in oocyte and aggregated in spindle microtubules. After knocking down spastin by specific siRNA, the spindle microtubule density of meiotic oocyte decreased significantly. When the oocyte was cultured in vitro, the oocyte lacking spastin showed obvious maturation obstacles. Combining with the microtubule severing activity of spastin, we speculate that spastin on spindle may increase the microtubule broken ends by severing microtubules, thus playing a nucleating role, promoting spindle assembly and ensuring normal meiosis. In addition, we found that there was co-localization and interaction between CRMP5 and spastin in oocyte. The knockdown of CRMP5 may also lead to spindle abnormalities and developmental disorders in oocyte. Overexpression of spastin may save the abnormal phenotype caused by deletion of CRMP5. Conclusions ：To sum up, our data support a model in which the interaction between spastin and CRMP5 promotes the assembly of spindle microtubules in oocyte by controlling microtubule dynamics, thus ensuring normal meiosis.

scholarly journals Dynamic Changes in pStat3 Are Involved in Meiotic Spindle Assembly in Mouse Oocytes

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1220
Author(s):  
Seiki Haraguchi ◽  
Mitsumi Ikeda ◽  
Satoshi Akagi ◽  
Yuji Hirao
Keyword(s):  
Oocyte Maturation ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Transcription 3

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is activated upon phosphorylation at Y705 (pStat3) and serves the dual function of signal transduction and transcription activation. Our previous study suggested that pStat3 is functional during oocyte maturation when transcription is silenced. Therefore, we speculated that pStat3 serves other functions. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that pStat3 emerges at microtubule asters and spindle and is subsequently localized at the spindle poles along with pericentrin during mouse oocyte maturation. Both Stat3 and pStat3 proteins were detected in conditionally knocked out Stat3−/− mouse oocytes. pStat3 localization was the same in Stat3+/+ and Stat3−/− oocytes, and oocyte maturation proceeded normally, suggesting that pStat3 was still functional. Furthermore, the treatment of oocytes with the Stat3-specific inhibitors stattic and BP-1-102 or anti-pStat3 antibody led to significantly abnormal spindle assembly and chromosome mislocation in a dose-dependent manner, and pStat3 was either absent or improperly localized in these oocytes. Moreover, the development of pre-implantation stage embryos derived from inhibitor-treated oocytes was significantly hampered following in vitro fertilization. These findings indicate a novel function of pStat3 in spindle assembly.

scholarly journals Spindle assembly and cytokinesis in the absence of chromosomes during Drosophila male meiosis

2003 ◽  
Vol 160 (7) ◽  
pp. 993-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Bucciarelli ◽  
Maria Grazia Giansanti ◽  
Silvia Bonaccorsi ◽  
Maurizio Gatti
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Male Meiosis ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Aurora B Kinase ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Central Spindle ◽  
Morphological Transformations ◽  
Bipolar Spindles ◽  
Drosophila Mutants

Alarge body of work indicates that chromosomes play a key role in the assembly of both acentrosomal and centrosome-containing spindles. In animal systems, the absence of chromosomes either prevents spindle formation or allows the assembly of a metaphase-like spindle that fails to evolve into an ana-telophase spindle. Here, we show that Drosophila secondary spermatocytes can assemble morphologically normal spindles in the absence of chromosomes. The Drosophila mutants fusolo and solofuso are severely defective in chromosome segregation and produce secondary spermatocytes that are devoid of chromosomes. The centrosomes of these anucleated cells form robust asters that give rise to bipolar spindles that undergo the same ana-telophase morphological transformations that characterize normal spindles. The cells containing chromosome-free spindles are also able to assemble regular cytokinetic structures and cleave normally. In addition, chromosome-free spindles normally accumulate the Aurora B kinase at their midzones. This suggests that the association of Aurora B with chromosomes is not a prerequisite for its accumulation at the central spindle, or for its function during cytokinesis.

scholarly journals SKAP interacts with Aurora B to guide end-on capture of spindle microtubules via phase separation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjuan Zhang ◽  
Fengrui Yang ◽  
Wenwen Wang ◽  
Xiwei Wang ◽  
Dongmei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Aurora B ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Chromosome Alignment ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Chromosome segregation in mitosis is orchestrated by the dynamic interactions between the kinetochore and spindle microtubules. Our recent studies show that mitotic motor CENP-E cooperates with SKAP and forms a link between kinetochore core MIS13 complex and spindle microtubule plus-ends to achieve accurate chromosome alignment in mitosis. However, it remains elusive how SKAP regulates kinetochore attachment from lateral association to end-on attachment during metaphase alignment. Here, we identify a novel interaction between Aurora B and SKAP that orchestrates accurate interaction between the kinetochore and dynamic spindle microtubules. Interestingly, SKAP spontaneously phase-separates in vitro via weak, multivalent interactions into droplets with fast internal dynamics. SKAP and Aurora B form heterogeneous coacervates in vitro, which recapitulate the dynamics and behavior of SKAP comets in vivo. Importantly, SKAP interaction with Aurora B via phase separation is essential for accurate chromosome segregation and alignment. Based on those findings, we reason that SKAP–Aurora B interaction via phase separation constitutes a dynamic pool of Aurora B activity during the lateral to end-on conversion of kinetochore–microtubule attachments to achieve faithful cell division.

scholarly journals The Interplay of the N- and C-Terminal Domains of MCAK Control Microtubule Depolymerization Activity and Spindle Assembly

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 282-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie C. Ems-McClung ◽  
Kathleen M. Hertzer ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Mill W. Miller ◽  
Claire E. Walczak
Keyword(s):  
High Activity ◽  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Microtubule Depolymerization ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Assembly Activity ◽  
Terminal Domains

Spindle assembly and accurate chromosome segregation require the proper regulation of microtubule dynamics. MCAK, a Kinesin-13, catalytically depolymerizes microtubules, regulates physiological microtubule dynamics, and is the major catastrophe factor in egg extracts. Purified GFP-tagged MCAK domain mutants were assayed to address how the different MCAK domains contribute to in vitro microtubule depolymerization activity and physiological spindle assembly activity in egg extracts. Our biochemical results demonstrate that both the neck and the C-terminal domain are necessary for robust in vitro microtubule depolymerization activity. In particular, the neck is essential for microtubule end binding, and the C-terminal domain is essential for tight microtubule binding in the presence of excess tubulin heterodimer. Our physiological results illustrate that the N-terminal domain is essential for regulating microtubule dynamics, stimulating spindle bipolarity, and kinetochore targeting; whereas the C-terminal domain is necessary for robust microtubule depolymerization activity, limiting spindle bipolarity, and enhancing kinetochore targeting. Unexpectedly, robust MCAK microtubule (MT) depolymerization activity is not needed for sperm-induced spindle assembly. However, high activity is necessary for proper physiological MT dynamics as assayed by Ran-induced aster assembly. We propose that MCAK activity is spatially controlled by an interplay between the N- and C-terminal domains during spindle assembly.

scholarly journals KLP-7 acts through the Ndc80 complex to limit pole number in C. elegans oocyte meiotic spindle assembly

2015 ◽  
Vol 210 (6) ◽  
pp. 917-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy A. Connolly ◽  
Kenji Sugioka ◽  
Chien-Hui Chuang ◽  
Joshua B. Lowry ◽  
Bruce Bowerman
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Meiotic Cell ◽  
Bipolar Structure ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Ndc80 Complex ◽  
Bipolar Spindles

During oocyte meiotic cell division in many animals, bipolar spindles assemble in the absence of centrosomes, but the mechanisms that restrict pole assembly to a bipolar state are unknown. We show that KLP-7, the single mitotic centromere–associated kinesin (MCAK)/kinesin-13 in Caenorhabditis elegans, is required for bipolar oocyte meiotic spindle assembly. In klp-7(−) mutants, extra microtubules accumulated, extra functional spindle poles assembled, and chromosomes frequently segregated as three distinct masses during meiosis I anaphase. Moreover, reducing KLP-7 function in monopolar klp-18(−) mutants often restored spindle bipolarity and chromosome segregation. MCAKs act at kinetochores to correct improper kinetochore–microtubule (k–MT) attachments, and depletion of the Ndc-80 kinetochore complex, which binds microtubules to mediate kinetochore attachment, restored bipolarity in klp-7(−) mutant oocytes. We propose a model in which KLP-7/MCAK regulates k–MT attachment and spindle tension to promote the coalescence of early spindle pole foci that produces a bipolar structure during the acentrosomal process of oocyte meiotic spindle assembly.

scholarly journals The impact of chromosomes and centrosomes on spindle assembly as observed in living cells.

1995 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 1287-1300 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zhang ◽  
R B Nicklas
Keyword(s):  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Living Cells ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Specific Site ◽  
Polarization Microscopy ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Single Chromosome ◽  
Bipolar Spindle ◽  
The Impact

We analyzed the role that chromosomes, kinetochores, and centrosomes play in spindle assembly in living grasshopper spermatocytes by reconstructing spindles lacking certain components. We used video-enhanced, polarization microscopy to distinguish the effect of each component on spindle microtubule dynamics and we discovered that both chromosomes and centrosomes make potent and very different contributions to the organization of the spindle. Remarkably, the position of a single chromosome can markedly affect the distribution of microtubules within a spindle or even alter the fate of spindle assembly. In an experimentally constructed spindle having only one chromosome, moving the chromosome to one of the two poles induces a dramatic assembly of microtubules at the nearer pole and a concomitant disassembly at the farther pole. So long as a spindle carries a single chromosome it will persist normally. A spindle will also persist even when all chromosomes are detached and then removed from the cell. If, however, a single chromosome remains in the cell but is detached from the spindle and kept in the cytoplasm, the spindle disassembles. One might expect the effect of chromosomes on spindle assembly to relate to a property of a specific site on each chromosome, perhaps the kinetochore. We have ruled out that possibility by showing that it is the size of chromosomes rather than the number of kinetochores that matters. Although chromosomes affect spindle assembly, they cannot organize a spindle in the absence of centrosomes. In contrast, centrosomes can organize a functional bipolar spindle in the absence of chromosomes. If both centrosomes and chromosomes are removed from the cell, the spindle quickly disappears.

scholarly journals Yeast Kinetochores Do Not Stabilize Stu2p-dependent Spindle Microtubule Dynamics

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 4181-4195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad G. Pearson ◽  
Paul S. Maddox ◽  
Ted R. Zarzar ◽  
E.D. Salmon ◽  
Kerry Bloom
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Cell Imaging ◽  
Regulatory Mechanism ◽  
Metaphase Plate ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Spindle Microtubule ◽  
Microtubule Binding ◽  
Microtubule Stabilization ◽  
Kinetochore Function

The interaction of kinetochores with dynamic microtubules during mitosis is essential for proper centromere motility, congression to the metaphase plate, and subsequent anaphase chromosome segregation. Budding yeast has been critical in the discovery of proteins necessary for this interaction. However, the molecular mechanism for microtubule–kinetochore interactions remains poorly understood. Using live cell imaging and mutations affecting microtubule binding proteins and kinetochore function, we identify a regulatory mechanism for spindle microtubule dynamics involving Stu2p and the core kinetochore component, Ndc10p. Depleting cells of the microtubule binding protein Stu2p reduces kinetochore microtubule dynamics. Centromeres remain under tension but lack motility. Thus, normal microtubule dynamics are not required to maintain tension at the centromere. Loss of the kinetochore (ndc10-1, ndc10-2, and ctf13-30) does not drastically affect spindle microtubule turnover, indicating that Stu2p, not the kinetochore, is the foremost governor of microtubule dynamics. Disruption of kinetochore function with ndc10-1 does not affect the decrease in microtubule turnover in stu2 mutants, suggesting that the kinetochore is not required for microtubule stabilization. Remarkably, a partial kinetochore defect (ndc10-2) suppresses the decreased spindle microtubule turnover in the absence of Stu2p. These results indicate that Stu2p and Ndc10p differentially function in controlling kinetochore microtubule dynamics necessary for centromere movements.

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