title: Characterization of Cep135, a novel coiled-coil centrosomal protein involved in microtubule organization in mammalian cells.
abstract: By using monoclonal antibodies raised against isolated clam centrosomes, we have identified a novel 135-kD centrosomal protein (Cep135), present in a wide range of organisms. Cep135 is located at the centrosome throughout the cell cycle, and localization is independent of the microtubule network. It distributes throughout the centrosomal area in association with the electron-dense material surrounding centrioles. Sequence analysis of cDNA isolated from CHO cells predicted a protein of 1,145-amino acid residues with extensive alpha-helical domains. Expression of a series of deletion constructs revealed the presence of three independent centrosome-targeting domains. Overexpression of Cep135 resulted in the accumulation of unique whorl-like particles in both the centrosome and the cytoplasm. Although their size, shape, and number varied according to the level of protein expression, these whorls were composed of parallel dense lines arranged in a 6-nm space. Altered levels of Cep135 by protein overexpression and/or suppression of endogenous Cep135 by RNA interference caused disorganization of interphase and mitotic spindle microtubules. Thus, Cep135 may play an important role in the centrosomal function of organizing microtubules in mammalian cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Toshiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Essner
authors.forename: Jung-Hwa
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Palazzo
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uetake
authors.forename: Ryoko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kuriyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D016466:CHO Cells; D018385:Centrosome / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006224:Cricetinae; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005347:Fibroblasts; D007399:Interphase / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015739:Nocodazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017433:Protein Structure, Secondary; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014162:Transfection; D014981:Xenopus
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D012330:RNA, Double-Stranded; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015739:Nocodazole