SART1 localizes to spindle poles forming a SART1 cap and promotes centrosome and spindle assembly
Abstract SART1 is overexpressed in various cancers. However, its physiological function and cancer relevance remains elusive. Here we identify SART1 as a mitotic-specific and Ran-regulated microtubule-associated protein. SART1 downregulation in human cells as well as its depletion from frog egg extracts disrupts spindle assembly. While SART1 is nuclear in interphase, it localizes during mitosis to spindle poles in a microtubule-dependent manner. SART1 accumulates close to centrosomes forming a half circle which we designate as SART1 cap. Immunoprecipitation of SART1 identifies the centrosome scaffold protein Cep192 as an interaction partner. Accordingly, Cep192 downregulation abolishes SART1 localization to spindle poles, and SART1 downregulation displaces centrosomal proteins like Ninein from centrosomes, but does not affect γ-tubulin localization. Furthermore, SART1 downregulation selectively kills cancer cells and prevents normal cells from oncogenic transformation. Our data unravel a novel function of SART1 for centrosome organization and spotlight SRAT1 as a potential target for anticancer therapies.