EB1 reveals mobile microtubule nucleation sites in Arabidopsis.
In plants, it is unclear how dispersed cortical microtubules are nucleated, polarized and organized in the absence of centrosomes. In Arabidopsis thaliana cells, expression of a fusion between the microtubule-end-binding protein AtEB1a and green fluorescent protein (GFP) results in labelling of spindle poles, where minus ends gather. During interphase, AtEB1a-GFP labels the microtubule plus end as a comet, but also marks the minus end as a site from which microtubules can grow and shrink. These minus-end nucleation sites are mobile, explaining how the cortical array can redistribute during the cell cycle and supporting the idea of a flexible centrosome in plants.
Chan
Jordi
J
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
Calder
Grant M
GM
Doonan
John H
JH
Lloyd
Clive W
CW
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins