The Kar3p and Kip2p motors function antagonistically at the spindle poles to influence cytoplasmic microtubule numbers

1998 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Huyett ◽  
J. Kahana ◽  
P. Silver ◽  
X. Zeng ◽  
W.S. Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Motors ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Intermediate Phenotype ◽  
Microtubule Network ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubule ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Microtubule Motors ◽  
Microtubule Growth

Microtubules provide the substrate for intracellular trafficking by association with molecular motors of the kinesin and dynein superfamilies. Motor proteins are generally thought to function as force generating units for transport of various cargoes along the microtubule polymer. Recent work suggests additional roles for motor proteins in changing the structure of the microtubule network itself. We report here that in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae microtubule motors have antagonistic effects on microtubule numbers and lengths. As shown previously, loss of the Kar3p motor stimulates cytoplasmic microtubule growth while loss of Kip2p leads to a sharp reduction in cytoplasmic microtubule numbers. Loss of both the Kip2p and Kar3p motors together in the same cell produces an intermediate phenotype, suggesting that these two motors act in opposition to control cytoplasmic microtubule density. A Kip2p-GFP fusion from single gene expression is most concentrated at the spindle poles, as shown previously for an epitope tagged Kar3p-HA, suggesting both of these motors act from the minus ends of the microtubules to influence microtubule numbers.

scholarly journals Poleward transport of Eg5 by dynein–dynactin in Xenopus laevis egg extract spindles

2008 ◽  
Vol 182 (4) ◽  
pp. 715-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Uteng ◽  
Christian Hentrich ◽  
Kota Miura ◽  
Peter Bieling ◽  
Thomas Surrey
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Molecular Motors ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Motor Protein ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Motor Movement ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Egg Extract

Molecular motors are required for spindle assembly and maintenance during cell division. How motors move and interact inside spindles is unknown. Using photoactivation and photobleaching, we measure mitotic motor movement inside a dynamic spindle. We find that dynein–dynactin transports the essential motor Eg5 toward the spindle poles in Xenopus laevis egg extract spindles, revealing a direct interplay between two motors of opposite directionality. This transport occurs throughout the spindle except at the very spindle center and at the spindle poles, where Eg5 remains stationary. The variation of Eg5 dynamics with its position in the spindle is indicative of position-dependent functions of this motor protein. Our results suggest that Eg5 drives microtubule flux by antiparallel microtubule sliding in the spindle center, whereas the dynein-dependent concentration of Eg5 outside the spindle center could contribute to parallel microtubule cross-linking. These results emphasize the importance of spatially differentiated functions of motor proteins and contribute to our understanding of spindle organization.

scholarly journals Tea2p Is a Kinesin-like Protein Required to Generate Polarized Growth in Fission Yeast

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Browning ◽  
Jacqueline Hayles ◽  
Juan Mata ◽  
Lauren Aveline ◽  
Paul Nurse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Specific Marker ◽  
Polarized Growth ◽  
Microtubule Network ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubule ◽  
Morphological Defects ◽  
Morphological Mutants ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubules ◽  
Microtubule Growth ◽  
Punctate Pattern

Cytoplasmic microtubules are critical for establishing and maintaining cell shape and polarity. Our investigations of kinesin-like proteins (klps) and morphological mutants in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have identified a kinesin-like gene, tea2+, that is required for cells to generate proper polarized growth. Cells deleted for this gene are often bent during exponential growth and initiate growth from improper sites as they exit stationary phase. They have a reduced cytoplasmic microtubule network and display severe morphological defects in genetic backgrounds that produce long cells. The tip-specific marker, Tea1p, is mislocalized in both tea2-1 and tea2Δ cells, indicating that Tea2p function is necessary for proper localization of Tea1p. Tea2p is localized to the tips of the cell and in a punctate pattern within the cell, often coincident with the ends of cytoplasmic microtubules. These results suggest that this kinesin promotes microtubule growth, possibly through interactions with the microtubule end, and that it is important for establishing and maintaining polarized growth along the long axis of the cell.

scholarly journals Bidirectional Translocation of Neurofilaments along Microtubules Mediated in Part by Dynein/Dynactin

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 3495-3508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagesh V. Shah ◽  
Lisa A. Flanagan ◽  
Paul A. Janmey ◽  
Jean-François Leterrier
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Molecular Motors ◽  
Motor Proteins ◽  
Motor Complex ◽  
Microtubule Motors ◽  
Microtubule Motor ◽  
Cytoskeletal Elements

Neuronal cytoskeletal elements such as neurofilaments, F-actin, and microtubules are actively translocated by an as yet unidentified mechanism. This report describes a novel interaction between neurofilaments and microtubule motor proteins that mediates the translocation of neurofilaments along microtubules in vitro. Native neurofilaments purified from spinal cord are transported along microtubules at rates of 100-1000 nm/s to both plus and minus ends. This motion requires ATP and is partially inhibited by vanadate, consistent with the activity of neurofilament-bound molecular motors. Motility is in part mediated by the dynein/dynactin motor complex and several kinesin-like proteins. This reconstituted motile system suggests how slow net movement of cytoskeletal polymers may be achieved by alternating activities of fast microtubule motors.

The Cloning and Mapping of ADR6, a Gene Required for Sporulation and for Expression of the Alcohol Dehydrogenase II Isozyme From Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-540
Author(s):  
Aileen K W Taguchi ◽  
Elton T Young
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Alcohol Dehydrogenase ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Transcription Unit ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Recessive Mutation ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Upstream Activating Sequence ◽  
A Site

ABSTRACT The alcohol dehydrogenase II (ADH2) gene of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is not transcribed during growth on fermentable carbon sources such as glucose. Growth of yeast cells in a medium containing only nonfermentable carbon sources leads to a marked increase or derepression of ADH2 expression. The recessive mutation, adr6-1, leads to an inability to fully derepress ADH2 expression and to an inability to sporulate. The ADR6 gene product appears to act directly or indirectly on ADH2 sequences 3' to or including the presumptive TATAA box. The upstream activating sequence (UAS) located 5' to the TATAA box is not required for the Adr6- phenotype. Here, we describe the isolation of a recombinant plasmid containing the wild-type ADR6 gene. ADR6 codes for a 4.4-kb RNA which is present during growth both on glucose and on nonfermentable carbon sources. Disruption of the ADR6 transcription unit led to viable cells with decreased ADHII activity and an inability to sporulate. This indicates that both phenotypes result from mutations within a single gene and that the adr6-1 allele was representative of mutations at this locus. The ADR6 gene mapped to the left arm of chromosome XVI at a site 18 centimorgans from the centromere.

scholarly journals A presumptive helicase (MOT1 gene product) affects gene expression and is required for viability in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1879-1892 ◽  
Author(s):  
J L Davis ◽  
R Kunisawa ◽  
J Thorner
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Gene Product ◽  
Essential Gene ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Upstream Activating Sequence ◽  
Identical Manner

Exposure of a haploid yeast cell to mating pheromone induces transcription of a set of genes. Induction is mediated through a cis-acting DNA sequence found upstream of all pheromone-responsive genes. Although the STE12 gene product binds specifically to this sequence element and is required for maximum levels of both basal and induced transcription, not all pheromone-responsive genes are regulated in an identical manner. To investigate whether additional factors may play a role in transcription of these genes, a genetic screen was used to identify mutants able to express pheromone-responsive genes constitutively in the absence of Ste12. In this way, we identified a recessive, single gene mutation (mot1, for modifier of transcription) which increases the basal level of expression of several, but not all, pheromone-responsive genes. The mot1-1 allele also relaxes the requirement for at least one other class of upstream activating sequence and enhances the expression of another gene not previously thought to be involved in the mating pathway. Cells carrying mot1-1 grow slowly at 30 degrees C and are inviable at 38 degrees C. The MOT1 gene was cloned by complementation of this temperature-sensitive lethality. Construction of a null allele confirmed that MOT1 is an essential gene. MOT1 residues on chromosome XVI and encodes a large protein of 1,867 amino acids which contains all seven of the conserved domains found in known and putative helicases. The product of MOT1 is strikingly homologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SNF2/SW12 and RAD54 gene products over the entire helicase region.

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 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.

JNK2 Participates in Spindle Assembly during Mouse Oocyte Meiotic Maturation

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Huang ◽  
Jing-Shan Tong ◽  
Zhen-Bo Wang ◽  
Cai-Rong Yang ◽  
Shu-Tao Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polar Body ◽  
Specific Inhibitor ◽  
Germinal Vesicle ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Mouse Oocyte ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubule ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
First Polar Body ◽  
Oocyte Meiotic Maturation

AbstractIt is well known that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) plays pivotal roles in various mitotic events, but its function in mammalian oocyte meiosis remains unknown. In this study, we found that no specific JNK2 signal was detected in germinal vesicle stage. JNK2 was associated with the spindles especially the spindle poles and cytoplasmic microtubule organizing centers at prometaphase I, metaphase I, and metaphase II stages. JNK2 became diffusely distributed and associated with the midbody at telophase I stage. Injection of myc-tagged JNK2α1 mRNA into oocytes also revealed its localization on spindle poles. The association of JNK2 with spindle poles was further confirmed by colocalization with the centrosomal proteins, γ-tubulin and Plk1. Nocodazole treatment showed that JNK2 may interact with Plk1 to regulate the spindle assembly. Then we investigated the possible function of JNK2 by JNK2 antibody microinjection and JNK specific inhibitor SP600125 treatment. These two manipulations caused abnormal spindle formation and decreased the rate of first polar body (PB1) extrusion. In addition, inhibition of JNK2 resulted in impaired localization of Plk1. Taken together, our results suggest that JNK2 plays an important role in spindle assembly and PB1 extrusion during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

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