Article abstract
Nature Cell Biology 8, 137 - 147 (2005)
Published online: 25 December 2005 | doi:10.1038/ncb1349
GCP-WD is a 
-tubulin targeting factor required for centrosomal and chromatin-mediated microtubule nucleation
Jens Lüders1, Urvashi K. Patel1 & Tim Stearns1,2
Abstract
The 
-tubulin ring complex (TuRC) is a large multi-protein complex that is required for microtubule nucleation from the centrosome. Here, we show that the GCP-WD protein (originally named NEDD1) is the orthologue of the DrosophilaDgrip71WD protein, and is a subunit of the human TuRC. GCP-WD has the properties of an attachment factor for the TuRC: depletion or inhibition of GCP-WD results in loss of the TuRC from the centrosome, abolishing centrosomal microtubule nucleation, although the TuRC is intact and able to bind to microtubules. GCP-WD depletion also blocks mitotic chromatin-mediated microtubule nucleation, resulting in failure of spindle assembly. Mitotic phosphorylation of GCP-WD is required for association of -tubulin with the spindle, separately from association with the centrosome. Our results indicate that GCP-WD broadly mediates targeting of the TuRC to sites of microtubule nucleation and to the mitotic spindle, which is essential for spindle formation.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Correspondence to: Tim Stearns1,2 e-mail: stearns@stanford.edu
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Anchoring microtubules at the spindle polesNature Cell Biology News and Views (01 Jun 2007)
A dynamic duo of microtubule modulatorsNature Cell Biology News and Views (01 Jan 2000)
See all 7 matches for News And ViewsRESEARCH
Cep72 regulates the localization of key centrosomal proteins and proper bipolar spindle formationThe EMBO Journal Article (22 Jul 2009)
γ-Tubulin complex-mediated anchoring of spindle microtubules to spindle-pole bodies requires Msd1 in fission yeastNature Cell Biology Letter (01 Jun 2007)
See all 57 matches for Research
