scholarly journals γ-Tubulin Complexes and Fibrillar Arrays: Two Conserved High Molecular Forms with Many Cellular Functions

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 776
Author(s):  
Jana Chumová ◽  
Hana Kourová ◽  
Lucie Trögelová ◽  
Geoffrey Daniel ◽  
Pavla Binarová
Keyword(s):  
Higher Plants ◽  
Molecular Forms ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Microtubule Organization ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Spontaneous Nucleation ◽  
Plant Microtubules

Higher plants represent a large group of eukaryotes where centrosomes are absent. The functions of γ-tubulin small complexes (γ-TuSCs) and γ-tubulin ring complexes (γ-TuRCs) in metazoans and fungi in microtubule nucleation are well established and the majority of components found in the complexes are present in plants. However, plant microtubules are also nucleated in a γ-tubulin-dependent but γ-TuRC-independent manner. There is growing evidence that γ-tubulin is a microtubule nucleator without being complexed in γ-TuRC. Fibrillar arrays of γ-tubulin were demonstrated in plant and animal cells and the ability of γ-tubulin to assemble into linear oligomers/polymers was confirmed in vitro for both native and recombinant γ-tubulin. The functions of γ-tubulin as a template for microtubule nucleation or in promoting spontaneous nucleation is outlined. Higher plants represent an excellent model for studies on the role of γ-tubulin in nucleation due to their acentrosomal nature and high abundancy and conservation of γ-tubulin including its intrinsic ability to assemble filaments. The defining scaffolding or sequestration functions of plant γ-tubulin in microtubule organization or in nuclear processes will help our understanding of its cellular roles in eukaryotes.

scholarly journals The disassembly and reassembly of functional centrosomes in vitro

1998 ◽  
Vol 95 (16) ◽  
pp. 9295-9300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley J. Schnackenberg ◽  
Alexey Khodjakov ◽  
Conly L. Rieder ◽  
Robert E. Palazzo
Keyword(s):  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Ring Structures ◽  
Pericentriolar Material

Animal cells contain a single centrosome that nucleates and organizes a polarized array of microtubules which functions in many cellular processes. In most cells the centrosome is composed of two centrioles surrounded by an ill-defined “cloud” of pericentriolar material. Recently, γ-tubulin-containing 25-nm diameter ring structures have been identified as likely microtubule nucleation sites within the pericentriolar material of isolated centrosomes. Here we demonstrate that when Spisula centrosomes are extracted with 1.0 M KI they lose their microtubule nucleation potential and appear by three-dimensional electron microscopy as a complex lattice, built from 12- to 15-nm thick elementary fiber(s), that lack centrioles and 25-nm rings. Importantly, when these remnants are incubated in extracts prepared from Spisula oocytes they recover their 25-nm rings, γ-tubulin, and microtubule nucleation potential. This recovery process occurs in the absence of microtubules, divalent cations, and nucleotides. Thus, in animals the centrosome is structurally organized around a KI-insoluble filament-based “centromatrix” that serves as a scaffold to which those proteins required for microtubule nucleation bind, either directly or indirectly, in a divalent cation and nucleotide independent manner.

Centrosome and microtubule dynamics during meiotic progression in the mouse oocyte

1991 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Messinger ◽  
D.F. Albertini
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Oocyte ◽  
Meiotic Maturation ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Microtubule Organization ◽  
Double Labeling ◽  
Meiotic Progression ◽  
Tubulin Antibodies ◽  
Discrete Populations ◽  
Meiosis I

The disposition, function and fate of centrosomes were analysed in mouse oocytes undergoing in vitro meiotic maturation, using multiple-label fluorescence microscopy. Oocytes fixed at various points during meiotic progression were double labeled with either human centrosome-specific antibody, 5051, and anti-tubulin antibodies or 5051 and MPM-2 antibodies in order to evaluate the microtubule nucleation capacity and phosphorylation status of centrosomes during this process. Double labeling with anti-tubulin antibodies revealed two populations of centrosomes that undergo stage-specific changes in number, location and microtubule nucleation capacity in relation to spindle assembly and cytoplasmic events. Specifically, one population was consistently associated with chromatin throughout meiotic maturation whereas a second population of cytoplasmic centrosomes exhibited maximal numbers and nucleation capacity at prometaphase and anaphase of meiosis-I. Quantitative evaluation of cytoplasmic centrosomes indicated increased numbers during the transition from diakinesis to prometaphase and metaphase to anaphase and total disappearance during telophase. Colocalization studies with MPM-2 revealed that centrosomes were always phosphorylated. However, at metaphase of meiosis I and II the microtubule nucleation capacity of centrosomes was diminished. These results suggest the existence of two discrete populations of centrosomes in the mouse oocyte that are coordinately regulated to subserve aspects of microtubule organization relative to both nuclear and cytoplasmic events.

scholarly journals Interaction of Aurora-A and centrosomin at the microtubule-nucleating site in Drosophila and mammalian cells

2003 ◽  
Vol 162 (5) ◽  
pp. 757-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiko Terada ◽  
Yumi Uetake ◽  
Ryoko Kuriyama
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Aurora A Kinase ◽  
Aurora A ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Microtubule Organization ◽  
Centrosomal Protein ◽  
Spindle Poles

A mitosis-specific Aurora-A kinase has been implicated in microtubule organization and spindle assembly in diverse organisms. However, exactly how Aurora-A controls the microtubule nucleation onto centrosomes is unknown. Here, we show that Aurora-A specifically binds to the COOH-terminal domain of a Drosophila centrosomal protein, centrosomin (CNN), which has been shown to be important for assembly of mitotic spindles and spindle poles. Aurora-A and CNN are mutually dependent for localization at spindle poles, which is required for proper targeting of γ-tubulin and other centrosomal components to the centrosome. The NH2-terminal half of CNN interacts with γ-tubulin, and induces cytoplasmic foci that can initiate microtubule nucleation in vivo and in vitro in both Drosophila and mammalian cells. These results suggest that Aurora-A regulates centrosome assembly by controlling the CNN's ability to targeting and/or anchoring γ-tubulin to the centrosome and organizing microtubule-nucleating sites via its interaction with the COOH-terminal sequence of CNN.

scholarly journals Bioactive fractions and compound of Ardisia crispa roots exhibit anti-arthritic properties mediated via angiogenesis inhibition in vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Anak Blin ◽  
Roslida Abdul Hamid ◽  
Huzwah Khaza’ai
Keyword(s):  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Angiogenesis Inhibition ◽  
Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ◽  
Ardisia Crispa

Abstract Background Ardisia crispa (Thunb.) A.DC (Primulaceae), is a medicinal herb traditionally used by Asian people as remedies to cure inflammatory related diseases, including rheumatism. The plant roots possess various pharmacological activities including antipyretic, anti-inflammation and antitumor. Previous phytochemical studies of the plant roots have identified long chain alkyl-1,4-benzoquinones as major constituents, together with other phytochemicals. Hexane fraction of the plant roots (ACRH), was previously reported with anti-angiogenic and anti-arthritic properties, while its effect on their anti-arthritic in vitro, is yet unrevealed. Considering the significance of angiogenesis inhibition in developing new anti-arthritic agent, thus we investigated the anti-arthritic potential of Ardisia crispa roots by suppressing angiogenesis, in vitro. Methods Ardisia crispa roots hexane extract (ACRH) was prepared from the plant roots using absolute n-hexane. ACRH was fractionated into quinone-rich fraction (QRF) and further isolated to yield benzoquinonoid compound (BQ), respectively. In vitro experiments using VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and IL-1β-induced human fibroblast-like synoviocytes for rheumatoid arthritis (HFLS-RA) were performed to evaluate the effects of these samples on VEGF-induced HUVECs proliferation and tube formation, and towards IL-1β-induced HFLS-RA proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively. Therapeutic concentrations (0.05, 0.5, and 5 μg/mL) tested in this study were predetermined based on the IC50 values obtained from the MTT assay. Results ACRH, QRF, and BQ exerted concentration-independent antiproliferative effects on VEGF-induced HUVECs and IL-1β-induced HFLS-RA, with IC50 values at 1.09 ± 0.18, 3.85 ± 0.26, and 1.34 ± 0.16 μg/mL in HUVECs; and 3.60 ± 1.38, 4.47 ± 0.34, and 1.09 ± 0.09 μg/mL in HFLS-RA, respectively. Anti-angiogenic properties of these samples were verified via significant inhibition on VEGF-induced HUVECs tube formation, in a concentration-independent manner. The invasiveness of IL-1β-induced HFLS-RA was also significantly inhibited in a concentration-independent manner by all samples. ACRH and BQ, but not QRF, significantly enhanced the apoptosis of IL-1β-induced HFLS-RA elicited at their highest concentration (5 μg/mL) (P < 0.05). Conclusions These findings highlight the bioactive fractions and compound from Ardisia crispa roots as potential anti-arthritic agents by inhibiting both HUVECs and HFLS-RA’s cellular functions in vitro, possibly mediated via their anti-angiogenic effects.

scholarly journals Fission Yeast mto2p Regulates Microtubule Nucleation by the Centrosomin-related Protein mto1p

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 3040-3051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itaru Samejima ◽  
Paula C. C. Lourenço ◽  
Hilary A. Snaith ◽  
Kenneth E. Sawin
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Insertional Mutagenesis ◽  
Spindle Pole ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Microtubule Organization ◽  
Cytoplasmic Microtubule ◽  
Division Site ◽  
Cell Extracts

From an insertional mutagenesis screen, we isolated a novel gene, mto2+, involved in microtubule organization in fission yeast. mto2Δ strains are viable but exhibit defects in interphase microtubule nucleation and in formation of the postanaphase microtubule array at the end of mitosis. The mto2Δ defects represent a subset of the defects displayed by cells deleted for mto1+ (also known as mod20+ and mbo1+), a centrosomin-related protein required to recruit the γ-tubulin complex to cytoplasmic microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs). We show that mto2p colocalizes with mto1p at MTOCs throughout the cell cycle and that mto1p and mto2p coimmunoprecipitate from cytoplasmic extracts. In vitro studies suggest that mto2p binds directly to mto1p. In mto2Δ mutants, although some aspects of mto1p localization are perturbed, mto1p can still localize to spindle pole bodies and the cell division site and to “satellite” particles on interphase microtubules. In mto1Δ mutants, localization of mto2p to all of these MTOCs is strongly reduced or absent. We also find that in mto2Δ mutants, cytoplasmic forms of the γ-tubulin complex are mislocalized, and the γ-tubulin complex no longer coimmunoprecipitates with mto1p from cell extracts. These experiments establish mto2p as a major regulator of mto1p-mediated microtubule nucleation by the γ-tubulin complex.

scholarly journals The Tribbles 2 (TRB2) pseudokinase binds to ATP and autophosphorylates in a metal-independent manner

2015 ◽  
Vol 467 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona P. Bailey ◽  
Dominic P. Byrne ◽  
Krishnadev Oruganty ◽  
Claire E. Eyers ◽  
Christopher J. Novotny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Phosphoryl Transfer ◽  
Divalent Metal Ions ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Calcium Calmodulin Dependent ◽  
Related Family ◽  
Cancer Phenotypes

The human Tribbles (TRB)-related pseudokinases are CAMK (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase)-related family members that have evolved a series of highly unusual motifs in the ‘pseudocatalytic’ domain. In canonical kinases, conserved amino acids bind to divalent metal ions and align ATP prior to efficient phosphoryl-transfer to substrates. However, in pseudokinases, atypical residues give rise to diverse and often unstudied biochemical and structural features that are thought to be central to cellular functions. TRB proteins play a crucial role in multiple signalling networks and overexpression confers cancer phenotypes on human cells, marking TRB pseudokinases out as a novel class of drug target. In the present paper, we report that the human pseudokinase TRB2 retains the ability to both bind and hydrolyse ATP weakly in vitro. Kinase activity is metal-independent and involves a catalytic lysine residue, which is conserved in TRB proteins throughout evolution alongside several unique amino acids in the active site. A similar low level of autophosphorylation is also preserved in the closely related human TRB3. By employing chemical genetics, we establish that the nucleotide-binding site of an ‘analogue-sensitive’ (AS) TRB2 mutant can be targeted with specific bulky ligands of the pyrazolo-pyrimidine (PP) chemotype. Our analysis confirms that TRB2 retains low levels of ATP binding and/or catalysis that is targetable with small molecules. Given the significant clinical successes associated with targeting of cancer-associated kinases with small molecule inhibitors, it is likely that similar approaches will be useful for further evaluating the TRB pseudokinases, with the translation of this information likely to furnish new leads for drug discovery.

scholarly journals The Plant Hormone Abscisic Acid Is a Prosurvival Factor in Human and Murine Megakaryocytes

2017 ◽  
Vol 292 (8) ◽  
pp. 3239-3251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Malara ◽  
Chiara Fresia ◽  
Christian Andrea Di Buduo ◽  
Paolo Maria Soprano ◽  
Francesco Moccia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abscisic Acid ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Independent Manner ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone involved in pivotal physiological functions in higher plants. Recently, ABA has been proven to be also secreted and active in mammals, where it stimulates the activity of innate immune cells, mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, and insulin-releasing pancreatic β cells through a signaling pathway involving the second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). In addition to behaving like an animal hormone, ABA also holds promise as a nutraceutical plant-derived compound in humans. Many biological functions of ABA in mammals are mediated by its binding to the LANCL-2 receptor protein. A putative binding of ABA to GRP78, a key regulator of endoplasmic reticulum stress, has also been proposed. Here we investigated the role of exogenous ABA in modulating thrombopoiesis, the process of platelet generation. Our results demonstrate that expression of both LANCL-2 and GRP78 is up-regulated during hematopoietic stem cell differentiation into mature megakaryocytes (Mks). Functional ABA receptors exist in mature Mks because ABA induces an intracellular Ca2+ increase ([Ca2+]i) through PKA activation and subsequent cADPR generation. In vitro exposure of human or murine hematopoietic progenitor cells to 10 μm ABA does not increase recombinant thrombopoietin (rTpo)-dependent Mk differentiation or platelet release. However, under conditions of cell stress induced by rTpo and serum deprivation, ABA stimulates, in a PKA- and cADPR-dependent fashion, the mitogen-activated kinase ERK 1/2, resulting in the modulation of lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family members, increased Mk survival, and higher rates of platelet production. In conclusion, we demonstrate that ABA is a prosurvival factor for Mks in a Tpo-independent manner.

scholarly journals NME7 is a functional component of the γ-tubulin ring complex

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 2017-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Liu ◽  
Yuk-Kwan Choi ◽  
Robert Z. Qi
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Microtubule Nucleation ◽  
Microtubule Organization ◽  
Functional Component ◽  
Ring Complex

As the primary microtubule nucleator in animal cells, the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) plays a crucial role in microtubule organization, but little is known about how the activity of the γTuRC is regulated. Recently, isolated γTuRC was found to contain NME7, a poorly characterized member of the NME family. Here we report that NME7 is a γTuRC component that regulates the microtubule-nucleating activity of the γTuRC. NME7 contains two putative kinase domains, A and B, and shows autophosphorylating activity. Whereas domain A is involved in the autophosphorylation, domain B is inactive. NME7 interacts with the γTuRC through both A and B domains, with Arg-322 in domain B being crucial to the binding. In association with the γTuRC, NME7 localizes to centrosomes throughout the cell cycle and to mitotic spindles during mitosis. Suppression of NME7 expression does not affect γTuRC assembly or localization to centrosomes, but it does impair centrosome-based microtubule nucleation. Of importance, wild-type NME7 promotes γTuRC-dependent nucleation of microtubules, but kinase-deficient NME7 does so only poorly. These results suggest that NME7 functions in the γTuRC in a kinase-dependent manner to facilitate microtubule nucleation.

Surface Structure of Nucleated Animal Cells: Carbon Replicas

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 120-121
Author(s):  
Robert M. Glaeser ◽  
Thea B. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Surface Structure ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Replica Technique ◽  
Carbon Replica ◽  
Characteristic Particle ◽  
Cell Surface Structure ◽  
Carbon Replicas

The carbon-replica technique can be used to obtain information about cell-surface structure that cannot ordinarily be obtained by thin-section techniques. Mammalian erythrocytes have been studied by the replica technique and they appear to be characterized by a pebbly or “plaqued“ surface texture. The characteristic “particle” diameter is about 200 Å to 400 Å. We have now extended our observations on cell-surface structure to chicken and frog erythrocytes, which possess a broad range of cellular functions, and to normal rat lymphocytes and mouse ascites tumor cells, which are capable of cell division. In these experiments fresh cells were washed in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium Salt Solution (for suspension cultures) and one volume of a 10% cell suspension was added to one volume of 2% OsO4 or 5% gluteraldehyde in 0.067 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.3. Carbon replicas were obtained by a technique similar to that employed by Glaeser et al. Figure 1 shows an electron micrograph of a carbon replica made from a chicken erythrocyte, and Figure 2 shows an enlarged portion of the same cell.

In vitro and in vivo polysaccharides assembly: ultrastructural and cytochemical study of growing plant cell wall components.

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-435
Author(s):  
D. Reis ◽  
B. Vian ◽  
J. C. Roland
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cytochemical Study ◽  
Wall Components

Wall morphogenesis in higher plants is a problem still open to controversy. Until now the possibility of a transmembrane control and the involvement of microtubules were mostly envisaged. Self-assembly processes have been observed in the case of walls of Chlamydomonas and bacteria. Spontaneous gelling interactions between xanthan and galactomannan from Ceratonia have been analyzed very recently. The present work provides indications that some processes of spontaneous aggregation could occur in higher plants during the formation and expansion of cell wall.Observations were performed on hypocotyl of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) for which growth characteristics and wall composition have been previously defined.In situ, the walls of actively growing cells (primary walls) show an ordered three-dimensional organization (fig. 1). The wall is typically polylamellate with multifibrillar layers alternately transverse and longitudinal. Between these layers intermediate strata exist in which the orientation of microfibrils progressively rotates. Thus a progressive change in the morphogenetic activity occurs.

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