RRC ID 16035
Author Funaya C, Samarasinghe S, Pruggnaller S, Ohta M, Connolly Y, Müller J, Murakami H, Grallert A, Yamamoto M, Smith D, Antony C, Tanaka K.
Title Transient structure associated with the spindle pole body directs meiotic microtubule reorganization in S. pombe.
Journal Curr Biol
Abstract BACKGROUND:Vigorous chromosome movements driven by cytoskeletal assemblies are a widely conserved feature of sexual differentiation to facilitate meiotic recombination. In fission yeast, this process involves the dramatic conversion of arrays of cytoplasmic microtubules (MTs), generated from multiple MT organizing centers (MTOCs), into a single radial MT (rMT) array associated with the spindle pole body (SPB), the major MTOC during meiotic prophase. The rMT is then dissolved upon the onset of meiosis I when a bipolar spindle emerges to conduct chromosome segregation. Structural features and molecular mechanisms that govern these dynamic MT rearrangements are poorly understood.
RESULTS:Electron tomography of the SPBs showed that the rMT emanates from a newly recognized amorphous structure, which we term the rMTOC. The rMTOC, which resides at the cytoplasmic side of the SPB, is highly enriched in γ-tubulin reminiscent of the pericentriolar material of higher eukaryotic centrosomes. Formation of the rMTOC depends on Hrs1/Mcp6, a meiosis-specific SPB component that is located at the rMTOC. At the onset of meiosis I, Hrs1/Mcp6 is subject to strict downregulation by both proteasome-dependent degradation and phosphorylation leading to complete inactivation of the rMTOC. This ensures rMT dissolution and bipolar spindle formation.
CONCLUSIONS:Our study reveals the molecular basis for the transient generation of a novel MTOC, which triggers a program of MT rearrangement that is required for meiotic differentiation.
Volume 22(7)
Pages 562-74
Published 2012-4-10
DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2012.02.042
PII S0960-9822(12)00193-5
PMID 22425159
PMC PMC3382715
MeSH Cell Nucleus / physiology* Meiosis Microscopy, Fluorescence Microtubule-Organizing Center / metabolism* Microtubules / metabolism* Schizosaccharomyces / metabolism* Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism* Spindle Apparatus / metabolism* Tubulin / metabolism
IF 9.601
Times Cited 24
WOS Category BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY CELL BIOLOGY
Resource
Yeast YGRC strains