Centrosome maturation and mitotic spindle assembly in C. elegans require SPD-5, a protein with multiple coiled-coil domains.
The maternally expressed C. elegans gene spd-5 encodes a centrosomal protein with multiple coiled-coil domains. During mitosis in mutants with reduced levels of SPD-5, microtubules assemble but radiate from condensed chromosomes without forming a spindle, and mitosis fails. SPD-5 is required for the centrosomal localization of gamma-tubulin, XMAP-215, and Aurora A kinase family members, but SPD-5 accumulates at centrosomes in mutants lacking these proteins. Furthermore, SPD-5 interacts genetically with a dynein heavy chain. We propose that SPD-5, along with dynein, is required for centrosome maturation and mitotic spindle assembly.
Hamill
Danielle R
DR
Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
Severson
Aaron F
AF
Carter
J Clayton
JC
Bowerman
Bruce
B
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018385:Centrosome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004398:Dyneins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016296:Mutagenesis; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D004398:Dyneins