title: ASAP, a human microtubule-associated protein required for bipolar spindle assembly and cytokinesis.
abstract: We have identified a unique human microtubule-associated protein (MAP) named ASAP for ASter-Associated Protein. ASAP localizes to microtubules in interphase, associates with the mitotic spindle during mitosis, localizes to the central body during cytokinesis and directly binds to purified microtubules by its COOH-terminal domain. Overexpression of ASAP induces profound bundling of cytoplasmic microtubules in interphase cells and aberrant monopolar spindles in mitosis. Depletion of ASAP by RNA interference results in severe mitotic defects: it provokes aberrant mitotic spindle, delays mitotic progression, and leads to defective cytokinesis or cell death. These results suggest a crucial role for ASAP in the organization of the bipolar mitotic spindle, mitosis progression, and cytokinesis and define ASAP as a key factor for proper spindle assembly.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Génétique Humaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Propre de Recherche 1142, Rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cédex 5, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Saffin
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venoux
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prigent
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espeut
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poulat
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.forename: Ariane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abrieu
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rouquier
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000502:physiology*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D034622:RNA Interference; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C505827:MAP9 protein, human; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D005982:Glutathione Transferase