title: The augmin connection in the geometry of microtubule networks.
abstract: Microtubules mediate important cellular processes by forming highly ordered arrays. Organization of these networks is achieved by nucleating and anchoring microtubules at centrosomes and other structures collectively known as microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs). However, the diverse microtubule configurations found in different cell types may not be generated and maintained by MTOCs alone. Work over the last few years has revealed a mechanism that has the capacity to generate cell-type-specific microtubule arrays independently of a specific organizer: nucleation of microtubules from the lateral surface of pre-existing microtubules. This type of nucleation requires cooperation between two different multi-subunit protein complexes, augmin and the γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC). Here we review recent molecular insight into microtubule-dependent nucleation and discuss the possibility that the augmin-γTuRC module, initially described in mitosis, may broadly contribute to microtubule organization also in non-mitotic cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), C/ Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Huertas
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), C/ Baldiri Reixac 10, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jens.luders@irbbarcelona.org.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lüders
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D022101:Microtubule-Organizing Center / Q000378:metabolism*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D014404:Tubulin