title: Formation of a dynamic kinetochore- microtubule interface through assembly of the Dam1 ring complex.
abstract: How kinetochore proteins form a dynamic interface with microtubules is largely unknown. In budding yeast, the 10-protein Dam1 complex is an Aurora kinase target that plays essential roles maintaining the integrity of the mitotic spindle and regulating interactions with the kinetochore. Here, we investigated the biochemical properties of purified Dam1 complex. The complex oligomerized into rings around microtubules. Ring formation was facilitated by microtubules but could occur in their absence. Mutant alleles led to partially assembled complexes or reduced microtubule binding. The interaction between rings and microtubules is mediated by the C termini of both Dam1 and alphabeta-tubulin. Ring formation promotes microtubule assembly, stabilizes against disassembly, and promotes bundling. A GTP-tubulin lattice is the preferred binding partner for the complex, and Dam1 rings can exhibit lateral mobility on microtubules. These observations suggest a mechanism by which the kinetochore can recognize and stay attached to the plus ends of microtubules.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Westermann
authors.forename: Agustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avila-Sakar
authors.forename: Hong-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hanspeter
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niederstrasser
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Drubin
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nogales
authors.forename: Georjana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000378:metabolism; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C417561:Alexa 488 hydrazide; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C116003:DAM1 protein, S cerevisiae; C116004:DUO1 protein, S cerevisiae; D006834:Hydrazines; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014404:Tubulin; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate