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Myosin V orientates the mitotic spindle in yeast

Nature volume 406, pages 1013–1015 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

Coordination of spindle orientation with the axis of cell division is an essential process in all eukaryotes. In addition to ensuring accurate chromosomal segregation, proper spindle orientation also establishes differential cell fates and proper morphogenesis1. In both animal and yeast cells, this process is dependent on cytoplasmic microtubules interacting with the cortical actin-based cytoskeleton2,3,4,5, although the motive force was unknown. Here we show that yeast Myo2, a myosin V that translocates along polarized actin cables into the bud6, orientates the spindle early in the cell cycle by binding and polarizing the microtubule-associated protein Kar9 (refs 7,8,9). The tail domain of Myo2 that binds Kar9 also interacts with secretory vesicles12 and vacuolar elements13, making it a pivotal component of yeast cell polarization.

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Figure 1: Spindle orientation depends on Myo2.
Figure 2: Kar9 polarization is affected by only those myo2 alleles that disrupt spindle orientation.
Figure 3: Kar9 interacts with the tail of Myo2.
Figure 4: Working model for the establishment of spindle orientation by Myo2.

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Acknowledgements

We thank R. Miller, M. Rose, P. Novick, S. Lillie and D. Schott for advice and reagents. This work was supported by grants from the NIH.

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  1. Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biotechnology Building Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853, USA

    Hongwei Yin, David Pruyne, Tim C. Huffaker & Anthony Bretscher

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  1. Hongwei Yin
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Correspondence to Tim C. Huffaker.

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Yin, H., Pruyne, D., Huffaker, T. et al. Myosin V orientates the mitotic spindle in yeast. Nature 406, 1013–1015 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35023024

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