title: Microtubule dynamics in the budding yeast mating pathway.
abstract: In order for haploid gametes to fuse during fertilization, microtubules (MTs) must generate forces that are sufficient to move the nuclei together. Nuclear movements during fertilization rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), many of which have been characterized extensively during mitosis. A useful model system to study MT-dependent forces before nuclear fusion, or karyogamy, is the mating pathway of budding yeast. Dynamic MTs are guided to the mating projection (shmoo tip) when plus-end-binding proteins interact with polarized actin microfilaments. If two shmoo tips are in proximity they may fuse, dissolving the MT-cortical interactions. Subsequently, oppositely oriented MT plus ends interact and draw the nuclei together. The plus-end-binding proteins in the yeast mating pathway are conserved in metazoan cells and may play a role in higher eukaryotic fertilizaton. Thus, understanding the mechanism of plus end orientation and karyogamy in budding yeast will reveal mechanisms of MT-dependent force generation conserved throughout evolution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Molk
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bloom
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D015825:Chromosomes, Fungal; D048749:Cytokinesis; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins