Journal
ELIFE
Volume 9, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELIFE SCIENCES PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.49769
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Funding
- University of Exeter Proof of Concept Award
- Carlota Palmer University of Exeter PhD Studentship
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), UK
- BBSRC [BB/K017837/1] Funding Source: UKRI
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Eukaryotic cell division requires the mitotic spindle, a microtubule (MT)-based structure which accurately aligns and segregates duplicated chromosomes. The dynamics of spindle formation are determined primarily by correctly localising the MT nucleator, gamma-Tubulin Ring Complex (gamma-TuRC), within the cell. A conserved MT-associated protein complex, Augmin, recruits gamma-TuRC to pre-existing spindle MTs, amplifying their number, in an essential cellular phenomenon termed 'branching' MT nucleation. Here, we purify endogenous, GFP-tagged Augmin and gamma-TuRC from Drosophila embryos to near homogeneity using a novel one-step affinity technique. We demonstrate that, in vitro, while Augmin alone does not affect Tubulin polymerisation dynamics, it stimulates gamma-TuRC-dependent MT nucleation in a cell cycle-dependent manner. We also assemble and visualise the MT-Augmin-gamma-TuRC-MT junction using light microscopy. Our work therefore conclusively reconstitutes branching MT nucleation. It also provides a powerful synthetic approach with which to investigate the emergence of cellular phenomena, such as mitotic spindle formation, from component parts.
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