The microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein is required for spindle orientation during germline cell divisions and oocyte differentiation in Drosophila

Development ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 124 (12) ◽  
pp. 2409-2419 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. McGrail ◽  
T.S. Hays
Keyword(s):  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Spindle Orientation ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Animal Development ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Oocyte Differentiation

During animal development cellular differentiation is often preceded by an asymmetric cell division whose polarity is determined by the orientation of the mitotic spindle. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, the oocyte differentiates in a 16-cell syncytium that arises from a cystoblast which undergoes 4 synchronous divisions with incomplete cytokinesis. During these divisions, spindle orientation is highly ordered and is thought to impart a polarity to the cyst that is necessary for the subsequent differentiation of the oocyte. Using mutations in the Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain gene, Dhc64C, we show that cytoplasmic dynein is required at two stages of oogenesis. Early in oogenesis, dynein mutations disrupt spindle orientation in dividing cysts and block oocyte determination. The localization of dynein in mitotic cysts suggests spindle orientation is mediated by the microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein. Later in oogenesis, dynein function is necessary for proper differentiation, but does not appear to participate in morphogen localization within the oocyte. These results provide evidence for a novel developmental role for the cytoplasmic dynein motor in cellular determination and differentiation.

scholarly journals The Gene for the Intermediate Chain Subunit of Cytoplasmic Dynein Is Essential in Drosophila

Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 162 (3) ◽  
pp. 1211-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin L M Boylan ◽  
Thomas S Hays
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Transport ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Wing Development ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Dynein Intermediate Chain ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Intermediate Chain

Abstract The microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein powers a variety of intracellular transport events that are essential for cellular and developmental processes. A current hypothesis is that the accessory subunits of the dynein complex are important for the specialization of cytoplasmic dynein function. In a genetic approach to understanding the range of dynein functions and the contribution of the different subunits to dynein motor function and regulation, we have identified mutations in the gene for the cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain, Dic19C. We used a functional Dic transgene in a genetic screen to recover X-linked lethal mutations that require this transgene for viability. Three Dic mutations were identified and characterized. All three Dic alleles result in larval lethality, demonstrating that the intermediate chain serves an essential function in Drosophila. Like a deficiency that removes Dic19C, the Dic mutations dominantly enhance the rough eye phenotype of Glued1, a dominant mutation in the gene for the p150 subunit of the dynactin complex, a dynein activator. Additionally, we used complementation analysis to identify an existing mutation, shortwing (sw), as an allele of the dynein intermediate chain gene. Unlike the Dic alleles isolated de novo, shortwing is homozygous viable and exhibits recessive and temperature-sensitive defects in eye and wing development. These phenotypes are rescued by the wild-type Dic transgene, indicating that shortwing is a viable allele of the dynein intermediate chain gene and revealing a novel role for dynein function during wing development.

scholarly journals Dynein light chain 1 and a spindle-associated adaptor promote dynein asymmetry and spindle orientation

2012 ◽  
Vol 198 (6) ◽  
pp. 1039-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja K. Dunsch ◽  
Dean Hammond ◽  
Jennifer Lloyd ◽  
Lothar Schermelleh ◽  
Ulrike Gruneberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Spindle Orientation ◽  
Growth Surface ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Dynein Light Chain ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Pulling Forces

The cytoplasmic dynein motor generates pulling forces to center and orient the mitotic spindle within the cell. During this positioning process, dynein oscillates from one pole of the cell cortex to the other but only accumulates at the pole farthest from the spindle. Here, we show that dynein light chain 1 (DYNLL1) is required for this asymmetric cortical localization of dynein and has a specific function defining spindle orientation. DYNLL1 interacted with a spindle-microtubule–associated adaptor formed by CHICA and HMMR via TQT motifs in CHICA. In cells depleted of CHICA or HMMR, the mitotic spindle failed to orient correctly in relation to the growth surface. Furthermore, CHICA TQT motif mutants localized to the mitotic spindle but failed to recruit DYNLL1 to spindle microtubules and did not correct the spindle orientation or dynein localization defects. These findings support a model where DYNLL1 and CHICA-HMMR form part of the regulatory system feeding back spindle position to dynein at the cell cortex.

scholarly journals Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein, a microtubule motor that is asymmetrically localized in the oocyte.

1994 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 1475-1494 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Li ◽  
M McGrail ◽  
M Serr ◽  
T S Hays
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Maternal Effect ◽  
Nurse Cell ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Dynein Heavy Chain ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Maternal Effect Gene ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Egg Chambers

The unidirectional movements of the microtubule-associated motors, dyneins, and kinesins, provide an important mechanism for the positioning of cellular organelles and molecules. An intriguing possibility is that this mechanism may underlie the directed transport and asymmetric positioning of morphogens that influence the development of multicellular embryos. In this report, we characterize the Drosophila gene, Dhc64C, that encodes a cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain polypeptide. The primary structure of the Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain polypeptide has been determined by the isolation and sequence analysis of overlapping cDNA clones. Drosophila cytoplasmic dynein is highly similar in sequence and structure to cytoplasmic dynein isoforms reported for other organisms. The Dhc64C dynein transcript is differentially expressed during development with the highest levels being detected in the ovaries of adult females. Within the developing egg chambers of the ovary, the dynein gene is predominantly transcribed in the nurse cell complex. In contrast, the encoded dynein motor protein displays a striking accumulation in the single cell that will develop as the oocyte. The temporal and spatial pattern of dynein accumulation in the oocyte is remarkably similar to that of several maternal effect gene products that are essential for oocyte differentiation and axis specification. This distribution and its disruption by specific maternal effect mutations lends support to recent models suggesting that microtubule motors participate in the transport of these morphogens from the nurse cell cytoplasm to the oocyte.

scholarly journals Differential Effects of LIS1 On Processive Dynein-Dynactin Motility

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro A. Gutierrez ◽  
Richard J. McKenney
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Regulatory Factor ◽  
Single Molecule Microscopy ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Microtubule Motor Protein

AbstractCytoplasmic dynein is the primary minus-end directed microtubule motor protein in cells. LIS1 is a highly conserved dynein regulatory factor that binds directly to the dynein motor domain, uncoupling the enzymatic and mechanical cycles of the motor, and stalling dynein on the microtubule track. Dynactin, another ubiquitous dynein regulatory factor, acts to release dynein from an autoinhibited state, leading to a dramatic increase in fast, processive dynein motility. How these opposing activities are integrated to control dynein motility is unknown. Here we used fluorescence single-molecule microscopy to study the interaction of LIS1 with the processive dynein-dynactin-BicD2N (DDB) complex. Surprisingly, in contrast to the prevailing model for LIS1 function established in the context of dynein alone, we find that binding of LIS1 to DDB does not strongly disrupt processive motility. Motile DDB complexes bind up to two LIS1 dimers, and mutational analysis suggests LIS1 binds directly to the dynein motor domains during DDB movement. Interestingly, LIS1 enhances DDB velocity in a concentration dependent manner, in contrast to observations of LIS1’s effects on the motility of isolated dynein. Thus, LIS1 exerts concentration dependent effects on dynein motility, and can synergize with dynactin to enhance processive movement in the absence of load.

scholarly journals Mitotic Spindle Positioning in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Is Accomplished by Antagonistically Acting Microtubule Motor Proteins

1997 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
pp. 1041-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank R. Cottingham ◽  
M. Andrew Hoyt
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Spindle Positioning ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Bud Neck ◽  
Microtubule Motor

Proper positioning of the mitotic spindle is often essential for cell division and differentiation processes. The asymmetric cell division characteristic of budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, requires that the spindle be positioned at the mother–bud neck and oriented along the mother–bud axis. The single dynein motor encoded by the S. cerevisiae genome performs an important but nonessential spindle-positioning role. We demonstrate that kinesin-related Kip3p makes a major contribution to spindle positioning in the absence of dynein. The elimination of Kip3p function in dyn1Δ cells severely compromised spindle movement to the mother–bud neck. In dyn1Δ cells that had completed positioning, elimination of Kip3p function caused spindles to mislocalize to distal positions in mother cell bodies. We also demonstrate that the spindle-positioning defects exhibited by dyn1 kip3 cells are caused, to a large extent, by the actions of kinesin- related Kip2p. Microtubules in kip2Δ cells were shorter and more sensitive to benomyl than wild-type, in contrast to the longer and benomyl-resistant microtubules found in dyn1Δ and kip3Δ cells. Most significantly, the deletion of KIP2 greatly suppressed the spindle localization defect and slow growth exhibited by dyn1 kip3 cells. Likewise, induced expression of KIP2 caused spindles to mislocalize in cells deficient for dynein and Kip3p. Our findings indicate that Kip2p participates in normal spindle positioning but antagonizes a positioning mechanism acting in dyn1 kip3 cells. The observation that deletion of KIP2 could also suppress the inviability of dyn1Δ kar3Δ cells suggests that kinesin-related Kar3p also contributes to spindle positioning.

scholarly journals Regulation of cytoplasmic dynein function in vivo by the Drosophila Glued complex.

1995 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
M McGrail ◽  
J Gepner ◽  
A Silvanovich ◽  
S Ludmann ◽  
M Serr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Microtubule Associated Proteins ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Associated Proteins

The Drosophila Glued gene product shares sequence homology with the p150 component of vertebrate dynactin. Dynactin is a multiprotein complex that stimulates cytoplasmic dynein-mediated vesicle motility in vitro. In this report, we present biochemical, cytological, and genetic evidence that demonstrates a functional similarity between the Drosophila Glued complex and vertebrate dynactin. We show that, similar to the vertebrate homologues in dynactin, the Glued polypeptides are components of a 20S complex. Our biochemical studies further reveal differential expression of the Glued polypeptides, all of which copurify as microtubule-associated proteins. In our analysis of the Glued polypeptides encoded by the dominant mutation, Glued, we identify a truncated polypeptide that fails to assemble into the wild-type 20S complex, but retains the ability to copurify with microtubules. The spatial and temporal distribution of the Glued complex during oogenesis is shown by immunocytochemistry methods to be identical to the pattern previously described for cytoplasmic dynein. Significantly, the pattern of Glued distribution in oogenesis is dependent on dynein function, as well as several other gene products known to be required for proper dynein localization. In genetic complementation studies, we find that certain mutations in the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain gene Dhc64C act as dominant suppressors or enhancers of the rough eye phenotype of the dominant Glued mutation. Furthermore, we show that a mutation that was previously isolated as a suppressor of the Glued mutation is an allele of Dhc64C. Together with the observed dependency of Glued localization on dynein function, these genetic interactions demonstrate a functional association between the Drosophila dynein motor and Glued complexes.

scholarly journals New insights into the mechanism of dynein motor regulation by lissencephaly-1

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M Markus ◽  
Matthew G Marzo ◽  
Richard J McKenney
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Brain Disease ◽  
Causative Gene ◽  
New Model ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Neuronal Transport

Lissencephaly (‘smooth brain’) is a severe brain disease associated with numerous symptoms, including cognitive impairment, and shortened lifespan. The main causative gene of this disease – lissencephaly-1 (LIS1) – has been a focus of intense scrutiny since its first identification almost 30 years ago. LIS1 is a critical regulator of the microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein, which transports numerous cargoes throughout the cell, and is a key effector of nuclear and neuronal transport during brain development. Here, we review the role of LIS1 in cellular dynein function and discuss recent key findings that have revealed a new mechanism by which this molecule influences dynein-mediated transport. In addition to reconciling prior observations with this new model for LIS1 function, we also discuss phylogenetic data that suggest that LIS1 may have coevolved with an autoinhibitory mode of cytoplasmic dynein regulation.

scholarly journals A Molecular Genetic Analysis of the Interaction between the Cytoplasmic Dynein Intermediate Chain and the Glued (Dynactin) Complex

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3791-3803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Boylan ◽  
Madeline Serr ◽  
Tom Hays
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Molecular Genetic Analysis ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Dynein Intermediate Chain ◽  
Biochemical Interaction ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Regulatory Complex ◽  
Intermediate Chain

The microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein performs multiple cellular functions; however, the regulation and targeting of the motor to different cargoes is not well understood. A biochemical interaction between the dynein intermediate chain subunit and the p150-Glued component of the dynein regulatory complex, dynactin, has supported the hypothesis that the intermediate chain is a key modulator of dynein attachment to cellular cargoes. In this report, we identify multiple intermediate chain polypeptides that cosediment with the 19S dynein complex and two differentially expressed transcripts derived from the single cytoplasmic dynein intermediate chain (Cdic) gene that differ in the 3′ untranslated region sequence. These results support previous observations of multiple Cdic gene products that may contribute to the specialization of dynein function. Most significantly, we provide genetic evidence that the interaction between the dynein intermediate chain and p150-Glued is functionally relevant. We use a genomic Cdic transgene to show that extra copies of the dynein intermediate chain gene act to suppress the rough eye phenotype of the mutant Glued 1, a mutation in the p150-Glued subunit of dynactin. Furthermore, we show that the interaction between the dynein intermediate chain and p150-Glued is dependent on the dosage of the Cdic gene. This result suggests that the dynein intermediate chain may be a limiting component in the assembly of the dynein complex and that the regulation of the interaction between the dynein intermediate chain and dynactin is critical for dynein function.

scholarly journals Functional interaction between dynein light chain and intermediate chain is required for mitotic spindle positioning

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 2690-2701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa D. Stuchell-Brereton ◽  
Amanda Siglin ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Jeffrey K. Moore ◽  
Shubbir Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Retrograde Transport ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Dynein Light Chain ◽  
Spindle Positioning ◽  
Dynein Motor ◽  
Intermediate Chains ◽  
Activator Complex

Cytoplasmic dynein is a large multisubunit complex involved in retrograde transport and the positioning of various organelles. Dynein light chain (LC) subunits are conserved across species; however, the molecular contribution of LCs to dynein function remains controversial. One model suggests that LCs act as cargo-binding scaffolds. Alternatively, LCs are proposed to stabilize the intermediate chains (ICs) of the dynein complex. To examine the role of LCs in dynein function, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in which the sole function of dynein is to position the spindle during mitosis. We report that the LC8 homologue, Dyn2, localizes with the dynein complex at microtubule ends and interacts directly with the yeast IC, Pac11. We identify two Dyn2-binding sites in Pac11 that exert differential effects on Dyn2-binding and dynein function. Mutations disrupting Dyn2 elicit a partial loss-of-dynein phenotype and impair the recruitment of the dynein activator complex, dynactin. Together these results indicate that the dynein-based function of Dyn2 is via its interaction with the dynein IC and that this interaction is important for the interaction of dynein and dynactin. In addition, these data provide the first direct evidence that LC occupancy in the dynein motor complex is important for function.

scholarly journals Dynactin is required for bidirectional organelle transport

2003 ◽  
Vol 160 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean W. Deacon ◽  
Anna S. Serpinskaya ◽  
Patricia S. Vaughan ◽  
Monica Lopez Fanarraga ◽  
Isabelle Vernos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Cytoplasmic Dynein ◽  
Opposite Polarity ◽  
Model System ◽  
Organelle Transport ◽  
Transport Activity ◽  
Microtubule Motors ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Dynactin Complex ◽  
Binding Subunit

Kinesin II is a heterotrimeric plus end–directed microtubule motor responsible for the anterograde movement of organelles in various cell types. Despite substantial literature concerning the types of organelles that kinesin II transports, the question of how this motor associates with cargo organelles remains unanswered. To address this question, we have used Xenopus laevis melanophores as a model system. Through analysis of kinesin II–mediated melanosome motility, we have determined that the dynactin complex, known as an anchor for cytoplasmic dynein, also links kinesin II to organelles. Biochemical data demonstrates that the putative cargo-binding subunit of Xenopus kinesin II, Xenopus kinesin II–associated protein (XKAP), binds directly to the p150Glued subunit of dynactin. This interaction occurs through aa 530–793 of XKAP and aa 600–811 of p150Glued. These results reveal that dynactin is required for transport activity of microtubule motors of opposite polarity, cytoplasmic dynein and kinesin II, and may provide a new mechanism to coordinate their activities.

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