scholarly journals Kinetochore-independent mechanisms of sister chromosome separation

PLoS Genetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e1009304
Author(s):  
Hannah Vicars ◽  
Travis Karg ◽  
Brandt Warecki ◽  
Ian Bast ◽  
William Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Sliding Mode ◽  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Sister Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Fragments ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Additional Image ◽  
Oriented Parallel ◽  
Cell Cycle Kinase

Although kinetochores normally play a key role in sister chromatid separation and segregation, chromosome fragments lacking kinetochores (acentrics) can in some cases separate and segregate successfully. In Drosophila neuroblasts, acentric chromosomes undergo delayed, but otherwise normal sister separation, revealing the existence of kinetochore- independent mechanisms driving sister chromosome separation. Bulk cohesin removal from the acentric is not delayed, suggesting factors other than cohesin are responsible for the delay in acentric sister separation. In contrast to intact kinetochore-bearing chromosomes, we discovered that acentrics align parallel as well as perpendicular to the mitotic spindle. In addition, sister acentrics undergo unconventional patterns of separation. For example, rather than the simultaneous separation of sisters, acentrics oriented parallel to the spindle often slide past one another toward opposing poles. To identify the mechanisms driving acentric separation, we screened 117 RNAi gene knockdowns for synthetic lethality with acentric chromosome fragments. In addition to well-established DNA repair and checkpoint mutants, this candidate screen identified synthetic lethality with X-chromosome-derived acentric fragments in knockdowns of Greatwall (cell cycle kinase), EB1 (microtubule plus-end tracking protein), and Map205 (microtubule-stabilizing protein). Additional image-based screening revealed that reductions in Topoisomerase II levels disrupted sister acentric separation. Intriguingly, live imaging revealed that knockdowns of EB1, Map205, and Greatwall preferentially disrupted the sliding mode of sister acentric separation. Based on our analysis of EB1 localization and knockdown phenotypes, we propose that in the absence of a kinetochore, microtubule plus-end dynamics provide the force to resolve DNA catenations required for sister separation.

scholarly journals Kinetochore-independent mechanisms of sister chromosome separation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Vicars ◽  
Travis Karg ◽  
Brandt Warecki ◽  
Ian Bast ◽  
William Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Sliding Mode ◽  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Sister Chromosome ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Chromosome Fragments ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Additional Image ◽  
Oriented Parallel

ABSTRACTAlthough kinetochores normally play a key role in sister chromatid separation and segregation, chromosome fragments lacking kinetochores (acentrics) can in some cases separate and segregate successfully. In Drosophila neuroblasts, acentric chromosomes undergo delayed, but otherwise normal sister separation, revealing the existence of kinetochore-independent mechanisms driving sister chromosome separation. Bulk cohesin removal from the acentric is not delayed, suggesting factors other than cohesin are responsible for the delay in acentric sister separation. In contrast to intact kinetochore-bearing chromosomes, we discovered that acentrics align parallel as well as perpendicular to the mitotic spindle. In addition, sister acentrics undergo unconventional patterns of separation. For example, rather than the simultaneous separation of sisters, acentrics oriented parallel to the spindle often slide past one another toward opposing poles. To identify the mechanisms driving acentric separation, we screened 117 RNAi gene knockdowns for synthetic lethality with acentric chromosome fragments. In addition to well-established DNA repair and checkpoint mutants, this candidate screen identified synthetic lethality with X-chromosome-derived acentric fragments in knockdowns of Greatwall (cell cycle kinase), EB1 (microtubule plus-end tracking protein), and Map205 (microtubule-stabilizing protein). Additional image-based screening revealed that reductions in Topoisomerase II levels disrupted sister acentric separation. Intriguingly, live imaging revealed that knockdowns of EB1, Map205, and Greatwall preferentially disrupted the sliding mode of sister acentric separation. Based on our analysis of EB1 localization and knockdown phenotypes, we propose that in the absence of a kinetochore, microtubule plus-end dynamics provide the force to resolve DNA catenations required for sister separation.AUTHOR SUMMARYKinetochores, the site on the chromosomes to which microtubules attach driving the separation and segregation of replicated sister chromosomes, have been viewed as essential for proper cell division and accurate transmission of chromosomes into daughter cells. However previous studies demonstrated that sister chromosomes lacking kinetochores (acentrics) often undergo separation, segregation and transmission. Here we demonstrate that sister acentrics are held together through DNA intertwining. We show that during anaphase, acentric sister separation is achieved through Topoisomerase activity, an enzyme that resolves these DNA linkages, as well as forces generated on the acentrics by the growing ends of highly dynamic microtubule polymers. We found that acentric sister chromatids display unique patterns of separation using mechanisms independent of the kinetochore. Additionally, we identified the specific microtubule-associated proteins required for the successful mitotic transmission of acentric chromosomes to daughter cells. These studies reveal unsuspected, distinct forces that likely act on all chromosomes during mitosis independent of kinetochore-microtubule attachments.

scholarly journals The forces that position a mitotic spindle asymmetrically are tethered until after the time of spindle assembly

2004 ◽  
Vol 167 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude Labbé ◽  
Erin K. McCarthy ◽  
Bob Goldstein
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Par Proteins ◽  
Temporal Regulation ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Pulling Forces ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
Early Phases

Regulation of the mitotic spindle's position is important for cells to divide asymmetrically. Here, we use Caenorhabditis elegans embryos to provide the first analysis of the temporal regulation of forces that asymmetrically position a mitotic spindle. We find that asymmetric pulling forces, regulated by cortical PAR proteins, begin to act as early as prophase and prometaphase, even before the spindle forms and shifts to a posterior position. The spindle does not shift asymmetrically during these early phases due to a tethering force, mediated by astral microtubules that reach the anterior cell cortex. We show that this tether is normally released after spindle assembly and independently of anaphase entry. Monitoring microtubule dynamics by photobleaching segments of microtubules during anaphase revealed that spindle microtubules do not undergo significant poleward flux in C. elegans. Together with the known absence of anaphase A, these data suggest that the major forces contributing to chromosome separation during anaphase originate outside the spindle. We propose that the forces positioning the mitotic spindle asymmetrically are tethered until after the time of spindle assembly and that these same forces are used later to drive chromosome segregation at anaphase.

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 Contribution of hCAP-D2, a Non-SMC Subunit of Condensin I, to Chromosome and Chromosomal Protein Dynamics during Mitosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 740-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwan Watrin ◽  
Vincent Legagneux
Keyword(s):  
Rna Interference ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Mitotic Chromosome ◽  
Chromosomal Protein ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Mitotic Chromosomes ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromosome Alignment ◽  
Structural Maintenance Of Chromosomes

ABSTRACT Condensins are heteropentameric complexes that were first identified as structural components of mitotic chromosomes. They are composed of two SMC (structural maintenance of chromosomes) and three non-SMC subunits. Condensins play a role in the resolution and segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis, as well as in some aspects of mitotic chromosome assembly. Two distinct condensin complexes, condensin I and condensin II, which differ only in their non-SMC subunits, exist. Here, we used an RNA interference approach to deplete hCAP-D2, a non-SMC subunit of condensin I, in HeLa cells. We found that the association of hCAP-H, another non-SMC subunit of condensin I, with mitotic chromosomes depends on the presence of hCAP-D2. Moreover, chromatid axes, as defined by topoisomerase II and hCAP-E localization, are disorganized in the absence of hCAP-D2, and the resolution and segregation of sister chromatids are impaired. In addition, hCAP-D2 depletion affects chromosome alignment in metaphase and delays entry into anaphase. This suggests that condensin I is involved in the correct attachment between chromosome kinetochores and microtubules of the mitotic spindle. These results are discussed relative to the effects of depleting both condensin complexes.

scholarly journals The Zebra fish cassiopeia Mutant Reveals that SIL Is Required for Mitotic Spindle Organization

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (16) ◽  
pp. 5887-5897 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen L. Pfaff ◽  
Christian T. Straub ◽  
Ken Chiang ◽  
Daniel M. Bear ◽  
Yi Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Zebra Fish ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Hairpin Rna ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle Assembly ◽  
Short Hairpin ◽  
Rna Knockdown

ABSTRACT A critical step in cell division is formation of the mitotic spindle, which is a bipolar array of microtubules that mediates chromosome separation. Here, we report that the SCL-interrupting locus (SIL), a vertebrate-specific cytosolic protein, is necessary for proper mitotic spindle organization in zebrafish and human cells. A homozygous lethal zebrafish mutant, cassiopeia (csp), was identified by a genetic screen for mitotic mutant. csp mutant embryos have an increased mitotic index, have highly disorganized mitotic spindles, and often lack one or both centrosomes. These phenotypes are caused by a loss-of-function mutation in zebrafish sil. To determine if the requirement for SIL in mitotic spindle organization is conserved in mammals, we generated an antibody against human SIL, which revealed that SIL localizes to the poles of the mitotic spindle during metaphase. Furthermore, short hairpin RNA knockdown of SIL in human cells recapitulates the zebrafish csp mitotic spindle defects. These data, taken together, identify SIL as a novel, vertebrate-specific regulator of mitotic spindle assembly.

scholarly journals Cdc20 hypomorphic mice fail to counteract de novo synthesis of cyclin B1 in mitosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liviu Malureanu ◽  
Karthik B. Jeganathan ◽  
Fang Jin ◽  
Darren J. Baker ◽  
Janine H. van Ree ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Cyclin B1 ◽  
Anaphase Promoting Complex ◽  
De Novo Synthesis ◽  
Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation ◽  
Microtubule Attachment ◽  
Anaphase Onset ◽  
Element Binding Protein ◽  
Sister Chromosome ◽  
Chromosome Separation

Cdc20 is an activator of the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome that initiates anaphase onset by ordering the destruction of cyclin B1 and securin in metaphase. To study the physiological significance of Cdc20 in higher eukaryotes, we generated hypomorphic mice that express small amounts of this essential cell cycle regulator. In this study, we show that these mice are healthy and not prone to cancer despite substantial aneuploidy. Cdc20 hypomorphism causes chromatin bridging and chromosome misalignment, revealing a requirement for Cdc20 in efficient sister chromosome separation and chromosome–microtubule attachment. We find that cyclin B1 is newly synthesized during mitosis via cytoplasmic polyadenylation element–binding protein-dependent translation, causing its rapid accumulation between prometaphase and metaphase of Cdc20 hypomorphic cells. Anaphase onset is significantly delayed in Cdc20 hypomorphic cells but not when translation is inhibited during mitosis. These data reveal that Cdc20 is particularly rate limiting for cyclin B1 destruction because of regulated de novo synthesis of this cyclin after prometaphase onset.

scholarly journals Sister chromatid separation in frog egg extracts requires DNA topoisomerase II activity during anaphase

1992 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 921-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
CE Shamu ◽  
AW Murray
Keyword(s):  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase ◽  
Egg Extracts ◽  
Chromosome Separation ◽  
Sister Chromatid Separation ◽  
Sperm Nuclei ◽  
Cytostatic Factor

We have produced metaphase spindles and induced them to enter anaphase in vitro. Sperm nuclei were added to frog egg extracts, allowed to replicate their DNA, and driven into metaphase by the addition of cytoplasm containing active maturation promoting factor (MPF) and cytostatic factor (CSF), an activity that stabilizes MPF. Addition of calcium induces the inactivation of MPF, sister chromatid separation and anaphase chromosome movement. DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors prevent chromosome segregation at anaphase, demonstrating that the chromatids are catenated at metaphase and that decatenation occurs at the start of anaphase. Topoisomerase II activity towards exogenous substrates does not increase at the metaphase to anaphase transition, showing that chromosome separation at anaphase is not triggered by a bulk activation of topoisomerase II.

scholarly journals DNA topoisomerase II must act at mitosis to prevent nondisjunction and chromosome breakage.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Holm ◽  
T Stearns ◽  
D Botstein
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Generation Time ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Chromosome Breakage ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
A Minor

The hypothesis that DNA topoisomerase II facilitates the separation of replicated sister chromatids was tested by examining the consequences of chromosome segregation in the absence of topoisomerase II activity. We observed a substantial elevation in the rate of nondisjunction in top2/top2 cells incubated at the restrictive temperature for one generation time. In contrast, only a minor increase in the amount of chromosome breakage was observed by either physical or genetic assays. These results suggest that aneuploidy is a major cause of the nonviability observed when top2 cells undergo mitosis at the restrictive temperature. In related experiments, we determined that topoisomerase II must act specifically during mitosis. This latter observation is consistent with the hypothesis that the mitotic spindle is necessary to allow topoisomerase II to complete the untangling of sister chromatids.

DNA topoisomerase II must act at mitosis to prevent nondisjunction and chromosome breakage

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-168
Author(s):  
C Holm ◽  
T Stearns ◽  
D Botstein
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Generation Time ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Chromosome Breakage ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
A Minor

The hypothesis that DNA topoisomerase II facilitates the separation of replicated sister chromatids was tested by examining the consequences of chromosome segregation in the absence of topoisomerase II activity. We observed a substantial elevation in the rate of nondisjunction in top2/top2 cells incubated at the restrictive temperature for one generation time. In contrast, only a minor increase in the amount of chromosome breakage was observed by either physical or genetic assays. These results suggest that aneuploidy is a major cause of the nonviability observed when top2 cells undergo mitosis at the restrictive temperature. In related experiments, we determined that topoisomerase II must act specifically during mitosis. This latter observation is consistent with the hypothesis that the mitotic spindle is necessary to allow topoisomerase II to complete the untangling of sister chromatids.

scholarly journals DNA Topoisomerase II Is a Determinant of the Tensile Properties of Yeast Centromeric Chromatin and the Tension Checkpoint

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 4421-4433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tariq H. Warsi ◽  
Michelle S. Navarro ◽  
Jeff Bachant
Keyword(s):  
Error Correction ◽  
Tensile Properties ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase Ii ◽  
Mechanical Tension ◽  
Dna Topoisomerase ◽  
Centromeric Chromatin ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Sister Kinetochore

Centromeric (CEN) chromatin is placed under mechanical tension and stretches as kinetochores biorient on the mitotic spindle. This deformation could conceivably provide a readout of biorientation to error correction mechanisms that monitor kinetochore–spindle interactions, but whether CEN chromatin acts in a tensiometer capacity is unresolved. Here, we report observations linking yeast Topoisomerase II (Top2) to both CEN mechanics and assessment of interkinetochore tension. First, in top2-4 and sumoylation-resistant top2-SNM mutants CEN chromatin stretches extensively during biorientation, resulting in increased sister kinetochore separation and preanaphase spindle extension. Our data indicate increased CEN stretching corresponds with alterations to CEN topology induced in response to tension. Second, Top2 potentiates aspects of the tension checkpoint. Mutations affecting the Mtw1 kinetochore protein activate Ipl1 kinase to detach kinetochores and induce spindle checkpoint arrest. In mtw1top2-4 and mtw1top2-SNM mutants, however, kinetochores are resistant to detachment and checkpoint arrest is attenuated. For top2-SNM cells, CEN stretching and checkpoint attenuation occur even in the absence of catenation linking sister chromatids. In sum, Top2 seems to play a novel role in CEN compaction that is distinct from decatenation. Perturbations to this function may allow weakened kinetochores to stretch CENs in a manner that mimics tension or evades Ipl1 surveillance.

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