Conserved Wat1/Pop3 WD-repeat protein of fission yeast secures genome stability through microtubule integrity and may be involved in mRNA maturation

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (16) ◽  
pp. 2911-2920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iciar L. Ochotorena ◽  
Dai Hirata ◽  
Kin-ichiro Kominami ◽  
Judith Potashkin ◽  
Fikret Sahin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Large Subunit ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Mrna Maturation ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Tubulin Mrna ◽  
Coupling Protein

Accurate chromosome segregation is dependent upon the integrity of mitotic spindles, which pull each pair of sister chromatids towards opposite poles. In this study, we have characterised fission yeast pop3-5235, a diploidising mutant that is impaired in genome stability. Pop3 is the same as Wat1, a conserved protein containing 7 WD repeats. Pop3/Wat1 has also been isolated from a two-hybrid screen as a binding partner to Prp2, the large subunit of the essential splicing factor U2AF. In wat1 mutants, the cellular amount of α-tubulin is decreased to very low levels, which results in compromised microtubules and spindles, consequently leading to unequal chromosome separation. Further analysis shows that, in spite of the binding between Wat1 and Prp2, Wat1 may not be involved directly in splicing reactions per se. Instead, we find that Wat1 is required for the maintenance of α-tubulin mRNA levels; moreover, transcript levels of genes other than the α-tubulin gene are also equally decreased in this mutant. Wild-type Wat1, but not the mutant protein, forms a large complex in the cell with several other proteins, suggesting that Wat1 functions as a structural linker in the complex. The results suggest that Wat1 plays a role in mRNA maturation as a coupling protein between splicing and synthesis and/or stabilisation.

scholarly journals The Mal2p Protein Is an Essential Component of the Fission Yeast Centromere

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 7168-7183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan-Wen Jin ◽  
Alison L. Pidoux ◽  
Corina Decker ◽  
Robin C. Allshire ◽  
Ursula Fleig
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Central Region ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Transcriptional Silencing ◽  
Core Complex ◽  
Chromatin Region ◽  
Essential Component ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Segregation Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACT Precise segregation of chromosomes requires the activity of a specialized chromatin region, the centromere, that assembles the kinetochore complex to mediate the association with spindle microtubules. We show here that Mal2p, previously identified as a protein required for genome stability, is an essential component of the fission yeast centromere. Loss of functional Mal2p leads to extreme missegregation of chromosomes due to nondisjunction of sister chromatids and results in inviable cells. Mal2p associates specifically with the central region of the complex fission yeast centromere, where it is required for the specialized chromatin architecture as well as for transcriptional silencing of this region. Genetic evidence indicates that mal2 + interacts with mis12 +, encoding another component of the inner centromere core complex. In addition, Mal2p is required for correct metaphase spindle length. Our data imply that the Mal2p protein is required to build up a functional fission yeast centromere.

Regulation of tubulin and actin mRNA production in rat brain: expression of a new beta-tubulin mRNA with development

1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 1333-1342
Author(s):  
J F Bond ◽  
S R Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Rat Brain ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
In Vitro Translation ◽  
Brain Maturation ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Beta Tubulin ◽  
Mrna Species ◽  
Tubulin Mrna ◽  
Actin Mrna

The expression of alpha-tubulin, beta-tubulin, and actin mRNA during rat brain development has been examined by using specific cDNA clones and in vitro translation techniques. During brain maturation (0 to 80 days postnatal), these mRNA species undergo a significant decrease in abundance. The kinetics of this decrease varies between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. These mRNAs are most abundant in both tissues during week 1 postnatal, each representing 10 to 15% of total mRNA activity. Both alpha- and beta-tubulin mRNA content decreases by 90 to 95% in the cerebrum after day 11 postnatal, and 70 to 80% decreases in the cerebellum after day 16. Actin sequences also decrease but to a lesser extent in both tissues (i.e., 50%). These decreases coincide with the major developmental morphological changes (i.e., neurite extension) occurring during this postnatal period. These studies have also identified the appearance of a new 2.5-kilobase beta-tubulin mRNA species, which is more predominant in the cerebellar cytoplasm. The appearance of this form occurs at a time when the major 1.8-kilobase beta-tubulin mRNA levels are declining. The possibility that the tubulin multigene family is phenotypically expressed and then this expression responds to the morphological state of the nerve cells is discussed.

scholarly journals Monitoring S. pombe genome stress by visualizing end-binding protein Ku

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chance Jones ◽  
Susan L Forsburg
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Protein Complex ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Dna Lesions ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Dna Damage Checkpoint ◽  
Unique Pattern ◽  
Ku Protein

AbstractStudies of genome stability have exploited visualization of fluorescently tagged proteins in live cells to characterize DNA damage, checkpoint, and repair responses. In this report, we describe a new tool for fission yeast, a tagged version of the end-binding protein Pku70 which is part of the KU protein complex. We compare Pku70 localization to other markers upon treatment to various genotoxins, and identify a unique pattern of distribution. Pku70 provides a new tool to define and characterize DNA lesions and the repair response.

scholarly journals The fission yeast ferric reductase gene frp1+ is required for ferric iron uptake and encodes a protein that is homologous to the gp91-phox subunit of the human NADPH phagocyte oxidoreductase

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4342-4350
Author(s):  
D G Roman ◽  
A Dancis ◽  
G J Anderson ◽  
R D Klausner
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Iron Uptake ◽  
Ferric Iron ◽  
Reductase Activity ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Mutant Gene ◽  
Predicted Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Ferric Reductase

We have identified a cell surface ferric reductase activity in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. A mutant strain deficient in this activity was also deficient in ferric iron uptake, while ferrous iron uptake was not impaired. Therefore, reduction is a required step in cellular ferric iron acquisition. We have cloned frp1+, the wild-type allele of the mutant gene. frp1+ mRNA levels were repressed by iron addition to the growth medium. Fusion of 138 nucleotides of frp1+ promoter sequences to a reporter gene, the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene, conferred iron-dependent regulation upon the latter when introduced into S. pombe. The predicted amino acid sequence of the frp1+ gene exhibits hydrophobic regions compatible with transmembrane domains. It shows similarity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae FRE1 gene product and the gp91-phox protein, a component of the human NADPH phagocyte oxidoreductase that is deficient in X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

scholarly journals Ase1/Prc1-dependent spindle elongation corrects merotely during anaphase in fission yeast

2009 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thibault Courtheoux ◽  
Guillaume Gay ◽  
Yannick Gachet ◽  
Sylvie Tournier
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Mechanical Model ◽  
Elongation Rate ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Spindle Elongation ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

Faithful segregation of sister chromatids requires the attachment of each kinetochore (Kt) to microtubules (MTs) that extend from opposite spindle poles. Merotelic Kt orientation is a Kt–MT misattachment in which a single Kt binds MTs from both spindle poles rather than just one. Genetic induction of merotelic Kt attachment during anaphase in fission yeast resulted in intra-Kt stretching followed by either correction or Kt disruption. Laser ablation of spindle MTs revealed that intra-Kt stretching and merotelic correction were dependent on MT forces. The presence of multiple merotelic chromosomes linearly antagonized the spindle elongation rate, and this phenomenon could be solved numerically using a simple force balance model. Based on the predictions of our mechanical model, we provide in vivo evidence that correction of merotelic attachment in anaphase is tension dependent and requires an Ase1/Prc1-dependent mechanism that prevents spindle collapse and thus asymmetric division and/or the appearance of the cut phenotype.

scholarly journals Nup132 modulates meiotic spindle attachment in fission yeast by regulating kinetochore assembly

2015 ◽  
Vol 211 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Ju Yang ◽  
Haruhiko Asakawa ◽  
Tokuko Haraguchi ◽  
Yasushi Hiraoka
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Meiotic Prophase ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Meiotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Attachment ◽  
Kinetochore Assembly ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Monopolar Spindle ◽  
Meiosis I

During meiosis, the kinetochore undergoes substantial reorganization to establish monopolar spindle attachment. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the KNL1–Spc7-Mis12-Nuf2 (KMN) complex, which constitutes the outer kinetochore, is disassembled during meiotic prophase and is reassembled before meiosis I. Here, we show that the nucleoporin Nup132 is required for timely assembly of the KMN proteins: In the absence of Nup132, Mis12 and Spc7 are precociously assembled at the centromeres during meiotic prophase. In contrast, Nuf2 shows timely dissociation and reappearance at the meiotic centromeres. We further demonstrate that depletion of Nup132 activates the spindle assembly checkpoint in meiosis I, possibly because of the increased incidence of erroneous spindle attachment at sister chromatids. These results suggest that precocious assembly of the kinetochores leads to the meiosis I defects observed in the nup132-disrupted mutant. Thus, we propose that Nup132 plays an important role in establishing monopolar spindle attachment at meiosis I through outer kinetochore reorganization at meiotic prophase.

A maternal product of the Punch locus of Drosophila melanogaster is required for precellular blastoderm nuclear divisions

1994 ◽  
Vol 107 (12) ◽  
pp. 3501-3513 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Chen ◽  
E.R. Reynolds ◽  
G. Ranganayakulu ◽  
J.M. O'Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Guanosine Triphosphate ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Essentially Normal ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Oocyte Cytoplasm ◽  
Mitotic Figures ◽  
Pteridine Biosynthesis

The Punch locus of Drosophila melanogaster encodes the pteridine biosynthesis enzyme guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase. One class of Punch mutants is defective for a maternal function that results in embryonic death. We demonstrate here that the embryos exhibit nuclear division defects during the precellular blastoderm stage of development. These defects include abnormal nuclear distribution, mitotic asynchrony, and persisting chromatin bridges. Daughter nuclei that do not complete chromosome separation nevertheless initiate new interphase and mitotic cycles. As a result, interconnected mitotic figures are observed. Mitotic spindles and nuclear envelopes appear essentially normal. A mutant phenocopy was induced in wild-type embryos by treatment with the guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase inhibitor, 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine, at a very early cleavage stage. Furthermore, an inhibitor of a terminal step in pteridine biosynthesis produced an identical phenotype. Immunolocalization experiments define expression of Punch protein in nurse cells during oogenesis. The protein is packaged into granules as it is transported into the oocyte cytoplasm. As syncytial blastoderm nuclear divisions proceed, Punch protein levels decrease and disappear by cellularization. Defects in the expression of the protein in Punch maternal effect mutants correlate well with the early phenotypes. These results show that a Punch product is directly involved in early nuclear divisions and suggest a possible role in chromosome separation.

scholarly journals Disruption of Astral Microtubule Contact with the Cell Cortex Activates a Bub1, Bub3, and Mad3-dependent Checkpoint in Fission Yeast

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 3345-3356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Tournier ◽  
Yannick Gachet ◽  
Vicky Buck ◽  
Jeremy S. Hyams ◽  
Jonathan B.A. Millar
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Checkpoint Proteins ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Astral Microtubule ◽  
Spindle Rotation

In animal and yeast cells, the mitotic spindle is aligned perpendicularly to the axis of cell division. This ensures that sister chromatids are separated to opposite sides of the cytokinetic actomyosin ring. In fission yeast, spindle rotation is dependent upon the interaction of astral microtubules with the cortical actin cytoskeleton. In this article, we show that addition of Latrunculin A, which prevents spindle rotation, delays the separation of sister chromatids and anaphase promoting complex-mediated destruction of spindle-associated Securin and Cyclin B. Moreover, we find that whereas sister kinetochore pairs normally congress to the spindle midzone before anaphase onset, this congression is disrupted when astral microtubule contact with the actin cytoskeleton is disturbed. By analyzing the timing of kinetochore separation, we find that this anaphase delay requires the Bub3, Mad3, and Bub1 but not the Mad1 or Mad2 spindle assembly checkpoint proteins. In agreement with this, we find that Bub1 remains associated with kinetochores when spindles are mispositioned. These data indicate that, in fission yeast, astral microtubule contact with the medial cell cortex is monitored by a subset of spindle assembly checkpoint proteins. We propose that this checkpoint ensures spindles are properly oriented before anaphase takes place.

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