Mitotic Mapping Research Articles

Directly Measuring Forces within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles.

Microtubule networks are employed in cells to accomplish a wide range of tasks, ranging from acting as tracks for vesicle transport to working as specialized arrays during mitosis to regulate chromosome segregation. Proteins that interact with microtubules include motors such as kinesins and dynein, which can generate active forces and directional motion, as well as non-motor proteins that crosslink filaments into higher-order networks or regulate filament dynamics. To date, biophysical studies of microtubule-associated proteins have overwhelmingly focused on the role of single motor proteins needed for vesicle transport, and significant progress has been made in elucidating the force-generating properties and mechanochemical regulation of kinesins and dyneins. However, for processes in which microtubules act both as cargo and track, such as during filament sliding within the mitotic spindle, much less is understood about the biophysical regulation of ensembles of the crosslinking proteins involved. Here, we detail our methodology for directly probing force generation and response within crosslinked microtubule minimal networks reconstituted from purified microtubules and mitotic proteins. Microtubule pairs are crosslinked by proteins of interest, one microtubule is immobilized to a microscope coverslip, and the second microtubule is manipulated by an optical trap. Simultaneous total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy allows for multichannel visualization of all the components of this microtubule network as the filaments slide apart to generate force. We also demonstrate how these techniques can be used to probe pushing forces exerted by kinesin-5 ensembles and how viscous braking forces arise between sliding microtubule pairs crosslinked by the mitotic MAP PRC1. These assays provide insights into the mechanisms of spindle assembly and function and can be more broadly adapted to study dense microtubule network mechanics in diverse contexts, such as the axon and dendrites of neurons and polar epithelial cells.

The chromosomes of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae): detailed photographic polytene chromosomal maps and in situ hybridization data

The spotted wing drosophila, D. suzukii, is a serious agricultural pest attacking a variety of soft fruits and vegetables. Although originating from East Asia it has recently invaded America and Europe raising major concern about its expansion potential and the consequent economic losses. Since cytogenetic information on the species is scarce, we report here the mitotic karyotype and detailed photographic maps of the salivary gland polytene chromosomes of D. suzukii. The mitotic metaphase complement contains three pairs of autosomes, one of which is dot-like, and one pair of heteromorphic (XX/XY) sex chromosomes. The salivary gland polytene complement consists of five long polytene arms, representing the two metacentric autosomes and the acrocentric X chromosome, and one very short polytene element, which corresponds to the dot-like autosome. Banding pattern as well as the most characteristic features and prominent landmarks of each polytene chromosome arm are presented and discussed. Furthermore, twelve gene markers have been mapped on the polytene chromosomes of D. suzukii by in situ hybridization. Their distribution pattern was found quite similar to that of D. melanogaster revealing conservation of synteny although the relative position within each chromosome arm for most of the genes differed significantly between D. suzukii and D. melanogaster. The chromosome information presented here is suitable for comparative cytogenetic studies and phylogenetic exploration, while it could also facilitate the assembly of the genome sequence and support the development of genetic tools for species-specific and environment-friendly biological control applications such as the sterile insect technique.

Positional cloning in Cryptococcus neoformans and its application for identification and cloning of the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase

Cryptococcus neoformans, a basidiomycetous human pathogenic yeast, has been widely used in research fields in medical mycology as well as basic biology. Gene cloning or identification of the gene responsible for a mutation of interest is a key step for functional analysis of a particular gene. The availability therefore, of the multiple methods for cloning is desirable. In this study, we proposed a method for a mapping-based gene identification/cloning (positional cloning) method in C. neoformans. To this end, we constructed a series of tester strains, one of whose chromosomes was labeled with the URA5 gene. A heterozygous diploid constructed by crossing one of the tester strains to a mutant strain of interest loses a chromosome(s) spontaneously, which is the basis for assigning a recessive mutant gene to a particular chromosome in the mitotic mapping method. Once the gene of interest is mapped to one of the 14 chromosomes, classical genetic crosses can then be performed to determine its more precise location. The positional information thus obtained can then be used to significantly narrow down candidate genes by referring to the Cryptococcus genome database. Each candidate gene is then examined whether it would complement the mutation. We successfully applied this method to identify CNA07390 encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase as the gene responsible for a methionine-requiring mutant in our mutant collection.

"Caged cytoskeletons": a rapid method for the isolation of microtubule-associated proteins from synchronized plant suspension cells.

In the cytoskeleton method for isolating microtubule-associated proteins MAP65, DcKRP120-1 and DcKRP120-2, carrot cells are first converted to protoplasts but this method cannot be used to isolate mitotic MAPs as mitotic synchrony is eroded during lengthy cellulase treatment. Anti-microtubule cycle blocks would also be unsuitable. We report here a method for overcoming these problems. Cellulase degradation of tobacco BY-2 cells for only several minutes allows extraction of detergent-soluble proteins, leaving synchronized "caged cytoskeletons" for depolymerization and enabling affinity purification of MAPs on neurotubules. This rapid and simple method should be of general utility: it can be bulked up, avoids anti-microtubule blocks, and is applicable to other cell suspensions. The effectiveness of the caged cytoskeleton method is demonstrated by comparing known MAPs (the 65 kDa structural MAPs and the kinesin-related protein, TKRP125) in synchronized cells taken at the mitotic peak with those in unsynchronized cells.

Alpha and beta heterochromatin in polytene chromosome 2 of Drosophila melanogaster.

The formation of alpha and beta heterochromatin in chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster was studied in salivary glands (SGs) and pseudonurse cells (PNCs). In SGs of X0, XY, XYY, XX and XXY individuals the amounts of alpha heterochromatin were similar, suggesting that the Y chromosome does not substantially contribute to alpha heterochromatin formation. Pericentric heterochromatin developed a linear sequence of blocks in PNCs, showing morphology of both alpha and beta heterochromatin. In situ hybridization with Rsp sequences (Ho clone) revealed that the most proximal heterochromatic segment of the mitotic map (region h39) formed a polytenized block in PNCs. Dot analysis showed that the clone had a hybridization rate with PNC-DNA very close to that with DNA from mainly diploid head cells, whereas the homologous SG-DNA was dramatically underrepresented. A similar increase of DNA representation in PNC was found for AAGAC satellite DNA. The mitotic region h44 was found not to polytenize in the SG chromosome, whereas in PNC chromosome 2 this region was partly polytenized and presented as an array of several blocks of alpha and beta heterochromatin. The mapping of deficiencies with proximal breakpoints in the most distal heterochromatin segments h35 in arm 2L and h46 in 2R showed that the mitotic eu-heterochromatin transitions were located in SG chromosomes distally to the polytene 40E and 41C regions, respectively. Thus, the transition zones between mitotic hetero- and euchromatin are located in banded polytene euchromatin. A scheme for dynamic organization of pericentric heterochromatin in nuclei with polytene chromosomes is proposed.

Genetic mapping studies of 40 loci and 23 cosmids in chromosome 11p13-11q13, and exclusion of mu-calpain as the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 gene.

Forty loci (16 polymorphic and 24 non-polymorphic) together with 23 cosmids isolated from a chromosome 11-specific library were used to construct a detailed genetic map of 11p13-11q13. The map was constructed by using a panel of 13 somatic cell hybrids that sub-divided this region into 19 intervals, a meiotic mapping panel of 33 multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) families (134 affected and 269 unaffected members) and a mitotic mapping panel that was used to identify loss of heterozygosity in 38 MEN1-associated tumours. The results defined the most likely order of the 16 loci as being: 11pter-D11S871-(D11S288, D11S149)-11cen-CNTF-PGA-ROM1-D11S480-PYGM- SEA-D11S913-D11S970-D11S97- D11S146-INT2-D11S971-D11S533-11qter. The meiotic mapping studies indicated that the most likely location of the MEN1 gene was in the interval flanked by PYGM and D11S97, and the results of mitotic mapping suggested a possible location of the MEN1 gene telomeric to SEA. Mapping studies of the gene encoding mu-calpain (CAPN1) located CAPN1 to 11q13 and in the vicinity of the MEN1 locus. However, mutational analysis studies did not detect any germ-line CAPN1 DNA sequence abnormalities in 47 unrelated MEN1 patients and the results therefore exclude CAPN1 as the MEN1 gene. The detailed genetic map that has been constructed of the 11p13-11q13 region should facilitate the construction of a physical map and the identification of candidate genes for disease loci mapped to this region.

Genetic maps of eight linkage groups of Aspergillus niger based on mitotic mapping.

This paper provides a genetic map of Aspergillus niger. At present 84 markers have been assigned to eight linkage groups. The chromosomal location of 60 markers is presented in this paper. The allocation of markers is based on recombination due to mitotic crossing over. Various methods for selection and analysis of homozygous recombinants were applied, using colour, auxotrophic and resistance markers. In addition, transformants carrying the heterologous Aspergillus nidulans gene coding for acetamidase (amdS) were used for mitotic mapping of markers in several linkage groups. In most of the transformants the amdS insert appeared to be centromere-distal to all known genetic markers, thus extending the genetic map. The linear order of the markers in the eight linkage groups has been determined. On the basis of these and earlier experiments tentative genetic maps for the eight linkage groups are presented. Genetic markers were found on both arms of the chromosomes, except for chromosomes II and IV. The genetic distance between markers and the centromere varies from about 10(-4) (LG I, II, V) up to more than 10(-2) (LG III, VI, VIII). The total frequency of mitotic recombination per genome in this fungus has been estimated to be at least 1.2 x 10(-1).

Genetic mapping of 1,3-beta-glucanase-encoding genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The map position of three 1,3-beta-glucanase-encoding genes in S. cerevisiae has been determined following conventional meiotic and mitotic mapping combined with recombinant DNA techniques. EXG1, EXG2 and SSG1 were localized to chromosomes XII, IV and XV, respectively, by hybridizing the cloned genes to Southern blots of chromosomes separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, in conjunction with the rad52-1-dependent chromosome-loss mapping technique. Meiotic tetrad analyses further localized the EXG1 gene 6.1 centimorgans centromere-proximal to CDC25 on the right arm of chromosome XII. EXG2 was positioned between LYS4 and GCN2 on the right arm of chromosome IV, at distances of 6.2 centimorgans from LYS4 and 4.9 centimorgans from GCN2. Finally, the SSG1 locus mapped on the right arm of chromosome XV, about 8.2 centimorgans to the centromere-proximal side of HIS3.

Parasexual cycle and genetic analysis following protoplast fusion in Nectria haematococca

Protoplasts of multiauxotrophic strains of Nectria haematococca (the perfect form of Fusarium solani) were fused and grown on different selective media. Following protoplast fusion, rapidly growing heterokaryons were formed at high frequency (about 1%). By collecting uninucleate microconidia from these heterokaryons, it was possible to isolate a few colonies with new combinations of the parental markers. On some selective media, non-heterokaryotic fusion products, easily distinguishable from heterokaryons by their growth characteristics, were detected at low frequency. These colonies were either stable haploid recombinants or unstable ‘hybrids’ of unknown ploidy. Genetic analysis of ‘hybrids’ in which six factors were heterozygous provided evidence for nuclear fusion events. These ‘hybrid’ colonies spontaneously segregated a large number of haploid recombinants, allowing the analysis of linkage relationships between markers. The detection of a mitotic linkage between two markers.which appeared unlinked following meiosis, demonstrates that mitotic mapping may be an important complement to meiotic analysis for mapping the chromosomes of Nectria haematococca.

Loss of heterozygosity and mitotic linkage maps in the mouse.

Loss of heterozygosity is a significant oncogenetic mechanism and can involve a variety of mechanisms including chromosome loss, deletion, and homologous interchromosomal mitotic recombination. Analysis of H-2 antigen-loss variants from heterozygous murine cell lines provides an experimental system to estimate the relative contributions of different mechanisms for allele loss and to compare the chromosomal patterns of mitotic and meiotic recombination. Cytotoxic anti-H-2D antibodies and complement were used to isolate 161 independent target antigen-negative clones from H-2d/H-2b heterozygous cell lines; of these, 131 (84.5%) lost the allele encoding the target antigen. Allele-loss variants were typed and scored as either heterozygous or homozygous for six H-2D-proximal chromosome 17 markers and for one distal marker by restriction enzyme-site variations and Southern analysis. A single mitotic crossover could account for 50 clones (37%), with heterozygosity for at least one proximal marker and loss of heterozygosity for all markers distal to the putative recombination site. Eighty-two allele-loss variants (60%) were homozygous for all markers; the origin of these clones could be either chromosome loss or mitotic recombination between the centromere and the most proximal marker. Only 4 clones (3%) arose through more complex events such as multiple crossovers or deletion. A mitotic linkage map for mouse chromosome 17 was constructed, and the gene order deduced from somatic recombination was identical to that obtained by conventional transmission genetics. These results demonstrate that mitotic recombination is a common event leading to allele loss, in spite of the lack of evidence for frequent somatic pairing of homologous chromosomes. Mitotic mapping provides a defined system for comparison of mitotic and meiotic recombination and may lead to practical advances for elucidating somatic mechanisms of oncogenesis and for gene therapy in targeting mutations to specific sites through homologous recombination.

A monoclonal antibody to a mitotic microtubule-associated protein blocks mitotic progression.

A monoclonal antibody raised against mitotic spindles isolated from CHO cells ([CHO1], Sellitto, C., and R. Kuriyama. 1988. J. Cell Biol. 106:431-439) identifies an epitope that resides on polypeptides of 95 and 105 kD and is localized in the spindles of diverse organisms. The antigen is distributed throughout the spindle at metaphase but becomes concentrated in a progressively narrower zone on either side of the spindle midplane as anaphase progresses. Microinjection of CHO1, either as an ascites fluid or as purified IgM, results in mitotic inhibition in a stage-specific and dose-dependent manner. Parallel control injections with nonimmune IgMs do not yield significant mitotic inhibition. Immunofluorescence analysis of injected cells reveals that those which complete mitosis display normal localization of CHO1, whereas arrested cells show no specific localization of the CHO1 antigen within the spindle. Immunoelectron microscopic images of such arrested cells indicate aberrant microtubule organization. The CHO1 antigen in HeLa cell extracts copurifies with taxol-stabilized microtubules. Neither of the polypeptides bearing the antigen is extracted from microtubules by ATP or GTP, but both are approximately 60% extracted with 0.5 M NaCl. Sucrose gradient analysis reveals that the antigens sediment at approximately 11S. The CHO 1 antigen appears to be a novel mitotic MAP whose proper distribution within the spindle is required for mitosis. The properties of the antigen(s) suggest that the corresponding protein(s) are part of the mechanism that holds the antiparallel microtubules of the two interdigitating half spindles together during anaphase.

Genetic analysis ofamdS transformants ofAspergillus niger and their use in chromosome mapping

The Aspergillus nidulans gene coding for acetamidase (amdS) was introduced into A. niger by transformation. Twelve Amd+ transformants were analysed genetically. The amdS inserts were located in seven different linkage groups. In each transformant the plasmid was integrated in only a single chromosome. Our (non-transformed) A. niger strains do not grow on acetamide and are more resistant to fluoroacetamide than the transformants. Diploids hemizygous for the amdS insert have the Amd+ phenotype. We exploited the opportunity for two-way selection in A. niger: transformants can be isolated based on the Amd+ phenotype, whereas counter-selection can be performed using resistance to fluoroacetamide. On this basis we studied the phenotypic stability of the heterologous amdS gene in A. niger transformants as well as in diploids. Furthermore, we mapped the plasmid insert of transformant AT1 to the right arm of chromosome VI between pabA1 and cnxA1, providing evidence for a single transformational insert. The results also show that the amdS transformants of A. niger can be used to localize non-selectable recessive markers and that the method meets the prerequisites for efficient mitotic mapping. We suggest the use of amdS transformants for mitotic gene mapping in other fungi.

Genetic analysis of Aspergillus niger: Isolation of chlorate resistance mutants, their use in mitotic mapping and evidence for an eighth linkage group

This paper describes the use of chlorate resistant mutants in genetic analysis of Aspergillus niger. The isolated mutants could be divided into three phenotypic classes on the basis of nitrogen utilization. These were designated nia, nir and cnx as for Aspergillus nidulans. All mutations were recessive to their wild-type allele in heterokaryons as well as in heterozygous diploids. The mutations belong to nine different complementation groups. In addition a complex overlapping complementation group was found. Evidence for the existence of eight linkage groups was obtained. Two linked chlorate resistance mutations and two tryptophan auxotrophic markers, which were unlinked to any of the known markers, form linkage group VIII. We used the chlorate resistance mutations as genetic markers for the improvement of the mitotic linkage map of A. niger. We determined the linear order of three markers in linkage group VI as well as the position of the centromere by means of direct selection of homozygous cnxA1 recombinants. In heterozygous diploid cultures diploid chlorate resistant segregants appeared among conidiospores with a frequency of 3.9 x 10(-5) (cnxG13 in linkage group I) to 2.1 x 10(-2) (cnxD6 in linkage group III). The mean frequency of haploid chlorate resistant segregants was 1.3 x 10(-3). The niaD1 and niaD2 mutations were also complemented by transformation with the A. niger niaD+ gene cloned by Unkles et al. (1989). Mitotic stability of ten Nia+ transformants was determined. Two distinct stability classes were found, showing revertant frequencies of 5.0 x 10(-3) and 2.0 x 10(-5) respectively.

Mitotic mapping in linkage group V of Aspergillus niger based on selection of auxotrophic recombinants by Novozym enrichment.

This paper describes a procedure which allows the quantitative selection of auxotrophs of the fungus Aspergillus niger by enzymatic killing of immobilized germinating prototrophic conidiospores. We have applied this procedure to linkage analysis on the basis of mitotic cross-over in this fungus. Starting with a heterozygous diploid strain, we could select auxotrophic homozygous diploid recombinants quantitatively. We estimated the frequency of crossing-over after correction for clonal distribution of recombinants, and localized four auxotrophic markers as well as the centromere on chromosome V of this fungus. The Novozym enrichment procedure proved to be useful in genetic analysis and for the construction of recombinant genotypes in the case of closely linked auxotrophic markers. The determination of gene order and the estimation of distances on the basis of benomyl-induced recombinant haploid segregants may lead to incorrect conclusions. Genetic analysis on the basis of homozygous recombinants, however, can provide reliable estimates of map distances.

Mitotic deletions of 11p15.5 in two different tumors indicate that the CALCA locus is distal to the PTH locus

We have compared the constitutional and tumor genotypes in two patients with Wilms tumor and adrenocortical carcinoma. The allelic distribution of chromosome 11-specific markers spanning chromosome 11 from pter to qter (HRAS1-HBB-[CALCA/PTH]-FSHB-CAT-APOA1) and an approach combining RFLP analysis and gene copy number determination showed that a mitotic deletion had occurred in both tumors. The loss of one copy of the gene for alpha-calcitonin-gene-related polypeptide (CALCA), together with that of a more distal marker (HRAS1 or HBB), indicates that CALCA is distal to the gene for parathyroid hormone (PTH), which was not deleted in either tumor. These results suggest that mitotic deletion mapping may be as useful as meiotic deletion or recombination mapping in ordering closely linked markers, such as CALCA and PTH, for which other approaches, including physical mapping and multipoint linkage analysis, have failed to accurately identify the gene order.

Genetic analysis of the gene ICL1 of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

The gene ICL1 codes for the tetrameric enzyme isocitrate lyase of Y. lipolytica. Twenty icl1- alleles have been analysed for their reversion frequency, their interallelic complementation pattern, and the position of the corresponding mutation site on the fine structure map of the gene ICL1. One intragenic temperature-sensitive revertant of the allele icl1D-39 was isolated, which expressed a thermolabile enzyme. In spite of the fact that nonsense mutations have been detected, the direction of transcription of the gene ICL1 was inferred from the localization of a linked cis-dominant regulatory mutation site. The size of the mitotic map of this gene suggests that recombination frequency in Y. lipolytica is lower than in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Isolation of mitotic microtubule-associated proteins from sea urchin eggs.

We have used a taxol-based microtubule purification procedure and monoclonal antibodies to isolate and characterize the MAPs of mitotic spindle microtubules in the fertilized sea urchin egg. In so doing, we hope to have identified some of the essential working parts of the mitotic apparatus, namely those proteins that regulate the assembly, disassembly, organization and mechanochemical properties of spindle microtubules. The results of this effort strongly suggest that a rich diversity of polypeptides associate with mitotic spindle microtubules. Whether each of these represents an individual protein species is not currently known. It is possible, for example, that particular spindle MAPs comprise multiple, distinct subunits. This would not be surprising in light of the facts that both MAP-1 and MAP-2 contain lower molecular weight subunits, and that axonemal dyneins are complex assemblies of several polypeptide species. Our future efforts with the sea urchin system will be to determine how the various mitotic spindle MAPs we have identified function individually and in concert, and how those functions contribute to the mechanochemical properties of the spindle.

Map positions of yeast genes SIR1, SIR3 and SIR4.

The HML and HMR loci in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae each contain a complete copy of mating-type information. HML and HMR normally are transcriptionally inactive due to four unlinked genes, known as MAR or SIR or CMT. The map position of MAR1 (SIR2) has been reported previously; it is located on the left arm of chromosome IV, 27 cM from the centromere. Using conventional meiotic and mitotic mapping combined with recombinant DNA techniques, we have mapped three other SIR genes. SIR1 maps near the telomere of the right arm of chromosome XI; SIR3 (MAR2) maps to the right arm of chromosome XII, 31 cM distal to URA4; and SIR4 maps to the right arm of chromosome IV, 16 cM proximal to LYS4.

Genetic Mapping of a Phytopathogenic Basidiomycete, Ustilago violacea

The phytopathogenic Heterobasidiomycete Ustilago violacea (Pers.) Roussel has 14 identified linkage groups and may have 15-20 groups. Assigning mutant genes to known or to new linkage groups and constructing linkage maps in a species with a relatively large number of groups present a formidable task. Efficient meiotic and mitotic mapping strategies have been devised and successfully used (1) to determine centromere-linked values for selected mutations and (2) to detect linked genes. The available data clearly indicate that the genetic organization of the chromosomes in this Heterobasidiomycete differs from that of the chromosomes of the saprophytic Ascomycete species with extensive linkage maps.

Mapping genes by meiotic and UV-induced mitotic recombination in Coprinus cinereus

Three morphological mutants in Coprinus cinereus—one spontaneous (den-2) and two chemically induced (zigand sta)—were assigned to linkage groups and utilized in meiotic and mitotic mapping. Mutants den-2 and zig belong to linkage group III, den-2 being close to the centromere and about 20 map units (mu) from zig. The mutant sta in linkage group ‘G’ is at a distance of about 37 mu from ade-3. Mitotic mapping confirmed the gene order in linkage group III and provided evidence that trp-2 in linkage group ‘G’ was between the centromere and ade-3. These morphological mutants are compact in colony growth and therefore suited to high-density plating. The rarity of spontaneously occurring mitotic segregants suggests that diploids of Coprinus cinereus, heterozygous for morphoiogical markers in repuision, could serve as useful test systems for rapid screening of chemical mutagen/carcinogens via mitotic recombination studies.