Centrosomes and the Scrambled protein coordinate microtubule-independent actin reorganization.
In Drosophila syncytial blastoderm embryos, centrosomes specify the position of actin-based interphase caps and mitotic furrows. Mutations in the scrambled locus prevent assembly of mitotic furrows, but do not block actin cap formation. The scrambled gene encodes a protein that localizes to the mitotic furrows and centrosomes. Sced localization, actin reorganization from caps into mitotic furrows, and centrosome-coordinated assembly of actin caps are not blocked by microtubule disruption. Our results indicate that centrosomes may coordinate assembly of cortical actin caps through a microtubule-independent mechanism, and that Scrambled mediates a second microtubule-independent process that drives mitotic furrow assembly.
Stevenson
V A
VA
Program in Molecular Medicine and the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, 373 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA.
Kramer
J
J
Kuhn
J
J
Theurkauf
W E
WE
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001756:Blastoderm / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D018385:Centrosome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015638:Cytochalasin D / Q000494:pharmacology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007399:Interphase / Q000502:physiology; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D011108:Polymers; C421006:sced protein, Drosophila; D015638:Cytochalasin D; D003078:Colchicine