title: Slk19p is a centromere protein that functions to stabilize mitotic spindles.
abstract: We have identified a novel centromere-associated gene product from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that plays a role in spindle assembly and stability. Strains with a deletion of SLK19 (synthetic lethal Kar3p gene) exhibit abnormally short mitotic spindles, increased numbers of astral microtubules, and require the presence of the kinesin motor Kar3p for viability. When cells are deprived of both Slk19p and Kar3p, rapid spindle breakdown and mitotic arrest is observed. A functional fusion of Slk19p to green fluorescent protein (GFP) localizes to kinetochores and, during anaphase, to the spindle midzone, whereas Kar3p-GFP was found at the nuclear side of the spindle pole body. Thus, these proteins seem to play overlapping roles in stabilizing spindle structure while acting from opposite ends of the microtubules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kahana
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Morphew
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McIntosh
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Fitch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carbon
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D000705:Anaphase; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002503:Centromere / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005804:Genes, Lethal; D016547:Kinesins; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000378:metabolism; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D008938:Mitosis; D009154:Mutation; D009963:Orotic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010641:Phenotype; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C075342:CIN8 protein, S cerevisiae; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C063504:KAR3 protein, S cerevisiae; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D009963:Orotic Acid; C001242:5-fluoroorotic acid; D016547:Kinesins