Drosophila Incenp is required for cytokinesis and asymmetric cell division during development of the nervous system.
The chromosomal passenger protein complex has emerged as a key player in mitosis, with important roles in chromatin modifications, kinetochore-microtubule interactions, chromosome bi-orientation and stability of the bipolar spindle, mitotic checkpoint function, assembly of the central spindle and cytokinesis. The inner centromere protein (Incenp; a subunit of this complex) is thought to regulate the Aurora B kinase and target it to its substrates. To explore the roles of the passenger complex in a developing multicellular organism, we have performed a genetic screen looking for new alleles and interactors of Drosophila Incenp. We have isolated a new null allele of Incenp that has allowed us for the first time to study the functions of the chromosomal passengers during development. Homozygous incenp(EC3747) embryos show absence of phosphorylation of histone H3 in mitosis, failure of cytokinesis and polyploidy, and defects in peripheral nervous system development. These defects are consistent with depletion of Aurora B kinase activity. In addition, the segregation of the cell-fate determinant Prospero in asymmetric neuroblast division is abnormal, suggesting a role for the chromosomal passenger complex in the regulation of this process.
Chang
Chih-Jui
CJ
Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR, UK.
Goulding
Sarah
S
Adams
Richard R
RR
Earnshaw
William C
WC
Carmena
Mar
M
D000818:Animals; D064127:Aurora Kinases; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics*; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D038081:Organogenesis; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C512039:Incenp protein, Drosophila; D064127:Aurora Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases