Abstract
Mitotic spindle mediates the segregation of chromosomes in the cell cycle and the proper function of the spindle is crucial to the high fidelity of chromosome segregation and to the stability of the genome. Nucleation of microtubules (MTs) from centrosomes and chromatin represents two well-characterized pathways essential for the assembly of a dynamic spindle in mitosis. Recently, we identified a third MT nucleation pathway, in which existing MTs in the spindle act as a template to promote the nucleation and polymerization of MTs, thereby efficiently amplifying MTs in the spindle. We will review here our current understanding on the molecular mechanism, the physiological function and the cell-cycle regulation of MT amplification.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barr, F.A., Sillje, H.H., and Nigg, E.A. (2004). Polo-like kinases and the orchestration of cell division. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 5, 429–440.
Gadde, S., and Heald, R. (2004). Mechanisms and molecules of the mitotic spindle. Curr. Biol. 14, R797–805.
Goshima, G., Mayer, M., Zhang, N., Stuurman, N., and Vale, R.D. (2008). Augmin: a protein complex required for centrosomeindependent microtubule generation within the spindle. J. Cell Biol. 181, 421–429.
Haren, L., Remy, M.H., Bazin, I., Callebaut, I., Wright, M., and Merdes, A. (2006). NEDD1-dependent recruitment of the gamma-tubulin ring complex to the centrosome is necessary for centriole duplication and spindle assembly. J. Cell Biol. 172, 505–515.
Janson, M.E., Setty, T.G., Paoletti, A., and Tran, P.T. (2005). Efficient formation of bipolar microtubule bundles requires microtubule-bound gamma-tubulin complexes. J. Cell Biol. 169, 297–308.
Kirschner, M., and Mitchison, T. (1986). Beyond self-assembly: from microtubules to morphogenesis. Cell 45, 329–342.
Kline-Smith, S.L., and Walczak, C.E. (2004). Mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation: refocusing on microtubule dynamics. Mol. Cell 15, 317–327.
Luders, J., Patel, U.K., and Stearns, T. (2006). GCP-WD is a gamma-tubulin targeting factor required for centrosomal and chromatin-mediated microtubule nucleation. Nat. Cell Biol. 8, 137–147.
Maiato, H., DeLuca, J., Salmon, E.D., and Earnshaw, W.C. (2004). The dynamic kinetochore-microtubule interface. J. Cell Sci. 117, 5461–5477.
McIntosh, J.R., Grishchuk, E.L., and West, R.R. (2002). Chromosome-microtubule interactions during mitosis. Annu. Rev. Cell Dev. Biol. 18, 193–219.
Murata, T., Sonobe, S., Baskin, T.I., Hyodo, S., Hasezawa, S., Nagata, T., Horio, T., and Hasebe, M. (2005). Microtubuledependent microtubule nucleation based on recruitment of gamma-tubulin in higher plants. Nat. Cell Biol. 7, 961–968.
Petronczki, M., Lenart, P., and Peters, J.M. (2008). Polo on the Rise-from Mitotic Entry to Cytokinesis with Plk1. Dev. Cell 14, 646–659.
Scholey, J.M., Brust-Mascher, I., and Mogilner, A. (2003). Cell division. Nature 422, 746–752.
van de Weerdt, B.C., and Medema, R.H. (2006). Polo-like kinases: a team in control of the division. Cell Cycle 5, 853–864.
Wiese, C., and Zheng, Y. (2006). Microtubule nucleation: gammatubulin and beyond. J. Cell Sci. 119, 4143–4153.
Zhu, H., Coppinger, J.A., Jang, C.Y., Yates, J.R., 3rd, and Fang, G. (2008). FAM29A promotes microtubule amplification via recruitment of the NEDD1-{gamma}-tubulin complex to the mitotic spindle. J. Cell Biol. 183, 835–848.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Zhu, H., Fang, K. & Fang, G. Mechanism, function and regulation of microtubule-dependent microtubule amplification in mitosis. Mol Cells 27, 1–3 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10059-009-0014-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10059-009-0014-2