Abstract
Bipolar spindle assembly is a critical control point for initiation of mitosis through nucleation and organization of spindle microtubules and is regulated by kinesin-like proteins. In fission yeast, the kinesin-14 Pkl1 binds the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) microtubule-organizing centre at spindle poles and can alter its structure and function. Here we show that kinesin-14 blocks microtubule nucleation in yeast and reveal that this inhibition is countered by the kinesin-5 protein, Cut7. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Cut7 binding to γ-TuRC and the Cut7 BimC domain are both required for inhibition of Pkl1. We also demonstrate that a yeast kinesin-14 peptide blocks microtubule nucleation in two human breast cancer cell lines, suggesting that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved. In conclusion, using genetic, biochemical and cell biology approaches we uncover antagonistic control of microtubule nucleation at γ-TuRC by two kinesin-like proteins, which may represent an attractive anti-mitotic target for cancer therapies.
Highlights
Bipolar spindle assembly is a critical control point for initiation of mitosis through nucleation and organization of spindle microtubules and is regulated by kinesin-like proteins
We demonstrate that Cut[7] binding to g-tubulin ring complex (g-TuRC) and the Cut[7] BimC domain are both required for inhibition of Pkl[1]
We demonstrate that a yeast kinesin-14 peptide blocks microtubule nucleation in two human breast cancer cell lines, suggesting that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved
Summary
Bipolar spindle assembly is a critical control point for initiation of mitosis through nucleation and organization of spindle microtubules and is regulated by kinesin-like proteins. In fission yeast, kinesin-5 Cut[7] counters Pkl[1] ability to block nucleation by associating with g-TuRC and binding to g-tubulin This counteraction requires the additional conserved kinesin-5 BimC domain. Our findings identify kinesin-14 Pkl[1] as a Klp-negative regulator of microtubule nucleation at g-TuRC and demonstrate conservation of this mechanism in human breast cancer cells, resulting in mitotic arrest. We expect these discoveries to be broadly relevant to the microtubule cytoskeleton field with potential as a novel strategy and target for future development in cancer therapeutics
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