1
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Bagdadi N, Wu J, Delaroche J, Serre L, Delphin C, De Andrade M, Carcel M, Nawabi H, Pinson B, Vérin C, Couté Y, Gory-Fauré S, Andrieux A, Stoppin-Mellet V, Arnal I. Stable GDP-tubulin islands rescue dynamic microtubules. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202307074. [PMID: 38758215 PMCID: PMC11101955 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202307074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are dynamic polymers that interconvert between phases of growth and shrinkage, yet they provide structural stability to cells. Growth involves hydrolysis of GTP-tubulin to GDP-tubulin, which releases energy that is stored within the microtubule lattice and destabilizes it; a GTP cap at microtubule ends is thought to prevent GDP subunits from rapidly dissociating and causing catastrophe. Here, using in vitro reconstitution assays, we show that GDP-tubulin, usually considered inactive, can itself assemble into microtubules, preferentially at the minus end, and promote persistent growth. GDP-tubulin-assembled microtubules are highly stable, displaying no detectable spontaneous shrinkage. Strikingly, islands of GDP-tubulin within dynamic microtubules stop shrinkage events and promote rescues. Microtubules thus possess an intrinsic capacity for stability, independent of accessory proteins. This finding provides novel mechanisms to explain microtubule dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassiba Bagdadi
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Juliette Wu
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Julie Delaroche
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Laurence Serre
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Christian Delphin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Manon De Andrade
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Marion Carcel
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Homaira Nawabi
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Benoît Pinson
- Metabolic Analyses Service, TBMCore—Université de Bordeaux—CNRS UAR 3427—INSERM US005, Bordeaux, France
| | - Claire Vérin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, UA13 BGE, CNRS, FR2048, Grenoble, France
| | - Yohann Couté
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, CEA, UA13 BGE, CNRS, FR2048, Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvie Gory-Fauré
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Annie Andrieux
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Virginie Stoppin-Mellet
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
| | - Isabelle Arnal
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, U1216, CNRS, CEA, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences (GIN), Grenoble, France
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2
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Kumar A, Larrea D, Pero ME, Infante P, Conenna M, Shin GJ, Van Elias V, Grueber WB, Di Marcotullio L, Area-Gomez E, Bartolini F. MFN2 coordinates mitochondria motility with α-tubulin acetylation and this regulation is disrupted in CMT2A. iScience 2024; 27:109994. [PMID: 38883841 PMCID: PMC11177149 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitofusin-2 (MFN2), a large GTPase residing in the mitochondrial outer membrane and mutated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 disease (CMT2A), is a regulator of mitochondrial fusion and tethering with the ER. The role of MFN2 in mitochondrial transport has however remained elusive. Like MFN2, acetylated microtubules play key roles in mitochondria dynamics. Nevertheless, it is unknown if the α-tubulin acetylation cycle functionally interacts with MFN2. Here, we show that mitochondrial contacts with microtubules are sites of α-tubulin acetylation, which occurs through MFN2-mediated recruitment of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1). This activity is critical for MFN2-dependent regulation of mitochondria transport, and axonal degeneration caused by CMT2A MFN2 associated R94W and T105M mutations may depend on the inability to release ATAT1 at sites of mitochondrial contacts with microtubules. Our findings reveal a function for mitochondria in α-tubulin acetylation and suggest that disruption of this activity plays a role in the onset of MFN2-dependent CMT2A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Kumar
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Delfina Larrea
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Maria Elena Pero
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa Conenna
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Grace J Shin
- Department of Neuroscience, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Vincent Van Elias
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Wesley B Grueber
- Department of Neuroscience, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Department of Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", 00161 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Estela Area-Gomez
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Francesca Bartolini
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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3
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Yan Y, Dai L, Wang T, Zhang Y. Damage-repair events increase the instability of cortical microtubules in Arabidopsis. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar86. [PMID: 38656813 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-11-0461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Microtubules rely on dynamic assembly and disassembly for their functions. Increasing evidences support that the damage-repair of microtubule lattices can affect microtubule dynamics in vitro and in animal cells. Here we successfully established a way for visualizing damage-repair sites on microtubule lattices in plant cells, via labeling the tubulin proteins with the photoconvertible fluorescent protein mEOS3.2. We observed that the crossovers of the microtubule lattice were more prone to be damaged and repaired, with the frequency of damage-repair events positively correlated with the crossing angle between microtubules. The microtubules with damage-repair events displayed shorter lifespans and significantly increased severing frequency compared with the undamaged microtubules. These observations suggested that the damage-repair events promoted instability of cortical microtubules in plant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yan
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Liufeng Dai
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Center for Biological Science and Technology, Zhuhai-Macao Biotechnology Joint Laboratory, Advanced Institute of Natural Science, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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4
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Andreu-Carbó M, Egoldt C, Velluz MC, Aumeier C. Microtubule damage shapes the acetylation gradient. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2029. [PMID: 38448418 PMCID: PMC10918088 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46379-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The properties of single microtubules within the microtubule network can be modulated through post-translational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation within the lumen of microtubules. To access the lumen, the enzymes could enter through the microtubule ends and at damage sites along the microtubule shaft. Here we show that the acetylation profile depends on damage sites, which can be caused by the motor protein kinesin-1. Indeed, the entry of the deacetylase HDAC6 into the microtubule lumen can be modulated by kinesin-1-induced damage sites. In contrast, activity of the microtubule acetylase αTAT1 is independent of kinesin-1-caused shaft damage. On a cellular level, our results show that microtubule acetylation distributes in an exponential gradient. This gradient results from tight regulation of microtubule (de)acetylation and scales with the size of the cells. The control of shaft damage represents a mechanism to regulate PTMs inside the microtubule by giving access to the lumen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cornelia Egoldt
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Charlotte Aumeier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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5
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Shiff CE, Kondev J, Mohapatra L. Ultrasensitivity of microtubule severing due to damage repair. iScience 2024; 27:108874. [PMID: 38327774 PMCID: PMC10847648 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-based cytoskeletal structures aid in cell motility, cell polarization, and intracellular transport. These functions require a coordinated effort of regulatory proteins which interact with microtubule cytoskeleton distinctively. In-vitro experiments have shown that free tubulin can repair nanoscale damages of microtubules created by severing proteins. Based on this observation, we theoretically analyze microtubule severing as a competition between the processes of damage spreading and tubulin-induced repair. We demonstrate that this model is in quantitative agreement with in-vitro experiments and predict the existence of a critical tubulin concentration above which severing becomes rare, fast, and sensitive to concentration of free tubulin. We show that this sensitivity leads to a dramatic increase in the dynamic range of steady-state microtubule lengths when the free tubulin concentration is varied, and microtubule lengths are controlled by severing. Our work demonstrates how synergy between tubulin and microtubule-associated proteins can bring about specific dynamical properties of microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe E. Shiff
- Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jane Kondev
- Department of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA
| | - Lishibanya Mohapatra
- School of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
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6
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Schmidt CJ, Stehbens SJ. Microtubule control of migration: Coordination in confinement. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 86:102289. [PMID: 38041936 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2023.102289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule cytoskeleton has a well-established, instrumental role in coordinating cell migration. Decades of research has focused on understanding how microtubules couple intracellular trafficking with cortical targeting and spatial organization of signaling to facilitate locomotion. Movement in physically challenging environments requires coordination of forces generated by the actin cytoskeleton to drive cell shape changes, with microtubules acting to spatially regulate contractility. Recent work has demonstrated that the mechanical properties of microtubules are adaptive to stress, leading to a new understanding of their roles in cell migration. Herein we review new developments in how microtubules sense and adapt to changes in the physical properties of their environment during migration. We frame our discussion around our current understanding of how microtubules target cell-matrix adhesions, and their role in the spatiotemporal coordination of signaling to form mechano feedback loops. We expand on how these mechanisms may influence cell morphology in confined three-dimensional settings, and the importance of locally tuning the mechanical stability of polymers in response to mechanical cues. Finally, we discuss new roles for Golgi-derived microtubules in mechanosensing, and how preferential motor use may influence polymer stability to resist the physical constraints cells experience in confined environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christanny J Schmidt
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Samantha J Stehbens
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
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7
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Lawrence EJ, Chatterjee S, Zanic M. More is different: Reconstituting complexity in microtubule regulation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105398. [PMID: 37898404 PMCID: PMC10694663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal filaments that undergo stochastic switching between phases of polymerization and depolymerization-a behavior known as dynamic instability. Many important cellular processes, including cell motility, chromosome segregation, and intracellular transport, require complex spatiotemporal regulation of microtubule dynamics. This coordinated regulation is achieved through the interactions of numerous microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) with microtubule ends and lattices. Here, we review the recent advances in our understanding of microtubule regulation, focusing on results arising from biochemical in vitro reconstitution approaches using purified multiprotein ensembles. We discuss how the combinatory effects of MAPs affect both the dynamics of individual microtubule ends, as well as the stability and turnover of the microtubule lattice. In addition, we highlight new results demonstrating the roles of protein condensates in microtubule regulation. Our overall intent is to showcase how lessons learned from reconstitution approaches help unravel the regulatory mechanisms at play in complex cellular environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Lawrence
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Saptarshi Chatterjee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Marija Zanic
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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8
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Romeiro Motta M, Biswas S, Schaedel L. Beyond uniformity: Exploring the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of the microtubule lattice. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151370. [PMID: 37922811 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A fair amount of research on microtubules since their discovery in 1963 has focused on their dynamic tips. In contrast, the microtubule lattice was long believed to be highly regular and static, and consequently received far less attention. Yet, as it turned out, the microtubule lattice is neither as regular, nor as static as previously believed: structural studies uncovered the remarkable wealth of different conformations the lattice can accommodate. In the last decade, the microtubule lattice was shown to be labile and to spontaneously undergo renovation, a phenomenon that is intimately linked to structural defects and was called "microtubule self-repair". Following this breakthrough discovery, further recent research provided a deeper understanding of the lattice self-repair mechanism, which we review here. Instrumental to these discoveries were in vitro microtubule reconstitution assays, in which microtubules are grown from the minimal components required for their dynamics. In this review, we propose a shift from the term "lattice self-repair" to "lattice dynamics", since this phenomenon is an inherent property of microtubules and can happen without microtubule damage. We focus on how in vitro microtubule reconstitution assays helped us learn (1) which types of structural variations microtubules display, (2) how these structural variations influence lattice dynamics and microtubule damage caused by mechanical stress, (3) how lattice dynamics impact tip dynamics, and (4) how microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) can play a role in structuring the lattice. Finally, we discuss the unanswered questions about lattice dynamics and how technical advances will help us tackle these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Romeiro Motta
- Department of Physics, Center for Biophysics, Campus A2 4, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Laboratoire Reproduction et Développement des Plantes, Université de Lyon, École normale supérieure de Lyon, Lyon 69364, France
| | - Subham Biswas
- Department of Physics, Center for Biophysics, Campus A2 4, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Laura Schaedel
- Department of Physics, Center for Biophysics, Campus A2 4, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
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9
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Duan D, Lyu W, Chai P, Ma S, Wu K, Wu C, Xiong Y, Sestan N, Zhang K, Koleske AJ. Abl2 repairs microtubules and phase separates with tubulin to promote microtubule nucleation. Curr Biol 2023; 33:4582-4598.e10. [PMID: 37858340 PMCID: PMC10877310 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Abl family kinases are evolutionarily conserved regulators of cell migration and morphogenesis. Genetic experiments in Drosophila suggest that Abl family kinases interact functionally with microtubules to regulate axon guidance and neuronal morphogenesis. Vertebrate Abl2 binds to microtubules and promotes their plus-end elongation, both in vitro and in cells, but the molecular mechanisms by which Abl2 regulates microtubule (MT) dynamics are unclear. We report here that Abl2 regulates MT assembly via condensation and direct interactions with both the MT lattice and tubulin dimers. We find that Abl2 promotes MT nucleation, which is further facilitated by the ability of the Abl2 C-terminal half to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and form co-condensates with tubulin. Abl2 binds to regions adjacent to MT damage, facilitates MT repair via fresh tubulin recruitment, and increases MT rescue frequency and lifetime. Cryo-EM analyses strongly support a model in which Abl2 engages tubulin C-terminal tails along an extended MT lattice conformation at damage sites to facilitate repair via fresh tubulin recruitment. Abl2Δ688-790, which closely mimics a naturally occurring splice isoform, retains binding to the MT lattice but does not bind tubulin, promote MT nucleation, or increase rescue frequency. In COS-7 cells, MT reassembly after nocodazole treatment is greatly slowed in Abl2 knockout COS-7 cells compared with wild-type cells, and these defects are rescued by re-expression of Abl2, but not Abl2Δ688-790. We propose that Abl2 locally concentrates tubulin to promote MT nucleation and recruits it to defects in the MT lattice to enable repair and rescue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Duan
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Wanqing Lyu
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Pengxin Chai
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shaojie Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kuanlin Wu
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Chunxiang Wu
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yong Xiong
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Nenad Sestan
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Anthony J Koleske
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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10
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Smith G, Sweeney ST, O’Kane CJ, Prokop A. How neurons maintain their axons long-term: an integrated view of axon biology and pathology. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1236815. [PMID: 37564364 PMCID: PMC10410161 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1236815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Axons are processes of neurons, up to a metre long, that form the essential biological cables wiring nervous systems. They must survive, often far away from their cell bodies and up to a century in humans. This requires self-sufficient cell biology including structural proteins, organelles, and membrane trafficking, metabolic, signalling, translational, chaperone, and degradation machinery-all maintaining the homeostasis of energy, lipids, proteins, and signalling networks including reactive oxygen species and calcium. Axon maintenance also involves specialised cytoskeleton including the cortical actin-spectrin corset, and bundles of microtubules that provide the highways for motor-driven transport of components and organelles for virtually all the above-mentioned processes. Here, we aim to provide a conceptual overview of key aspects of axon biology and physiology, and the homeostatic networks they form. This homeostasis can be derailed, causing axonopathies through processes of ageing, trauma, poisoning, inflammation or genetic mutations. To illustrate which malfunctions of organelles or cell biological processes can lead to axonopathies, we focus on axonopathy-linked subcellular defects caused by genetic mutations. Based on these descriptions and backed up by our comprehensive data mining of genes linked to neural disorders, we describe the 'dependency cycle of local axon homeostasis' as an integrative model to explain why very different causes can trigger very similar axonopathies, providing new ideas that can drive the quest for strategies able to battle these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaynor Smith
- Cardiff University, School of Medicine, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Sean T. Sweeney
- Department of Biology, University of York and York Biomedical Research Institute, York, United Kingdom
| | - Cahir J. O’Kane
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Prokop
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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11
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Fu G, Yan S, Khoo CJ, Chao VC, Liu Z, Mukhi M, Hervas R, Li XD, Ti SC. Integrated regulation of tubulin tyrosination and microtubule stability by human α-tubulin isotypes. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112653. [PMID: 37379209 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tubulin isotypes are critical for the functions of cellular microtubules, which exhibit different stability and harbor various post-translational modifications. However, how tubulin isotypes determine the activities of regulators for microtubule stability and modifications remains unknown. Here, we show that human α4A-tubulin, a conserved genetically detyrosinated α-tubulin isotype, is a poor substrate for enzymatic tyrosination. To examine the stability of microtubules reconstituted with defined tubulin compositions, we develop a strategy to site-specifically label recombinant human tubulin for single-molecule TIRF microscopy-based in vitro assays. The incorporation of α4A-tubulin into the microtubule lattice stabilizes the polymers from passive and MCAK-stimulated depolymerization. Further characterization reveals that the compositions of α-tubulin isotypes and tyrosination/detyrosination states allow graded control for the microtubule binding and the depolymerization activities of MCAK. Together, our results uncover the tubulin isotype-dependent enzyme activity for an integrated regulation of α-tubulin tyrosination/detyrosination states and microtubule stability, two well-correlated features of cellular microtubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoling Fu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shan Yan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chen Jing Khoo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Victor C Chao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mayur Mukhi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rubén Hervas
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiang David Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shih-Chieh Ti
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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12
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Verhey KJ, Ohi R. Causes, costs and consequences of kinesin motors communicating through the microtubule lattice. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:293511. [PMID: 36866642 PMCID: PMC10022682 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are critical for a variety of important functions in eukaryotic cells. During intracellular trafficking, molecular motor proteins of the kinesin superfamily drive the transport of cellular cargoes by stepping processively along the microtubule surface. Traditionally, the microtubule has been viewed as simply a track for kinesin motility. New work is challenging this classic view by showing that kinesin-1 and kinesin-4 proteins can induce conformational changes in tubulin subunits while they are stepping. These conformational changes appear to propagate along the microtubule such that the kinesins can work allosterically through the lattice to influence other proteins on the same track. Thus, the microtubule is a plastic medium through which motors and other microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) can communicate. Furthermore, stepping kinesin-1 can damage the microtubule lattice. Damage can be repaired by the incorporation of new tubulin subunits, but too much damage leads to microtubule breakage and disassembly. Thus, the addition and loss of tubulin subunits are not restricted to the ends of the microtubule filament but rather, the lattice itself undergoes continuous repair and remodeling. This work leads to a new understanding of how kinesin motors and their microtubule tracks engage in allosteric interactions that are critical for normal cell physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen J. Verhey
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Author for correspondence ()
| | - Ryoma Ohi
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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13
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Schaer J, Andreu-Carbó M, Kruse K, Aumeier C. The effect of motor-induced shaft dynamics on microtubule stability and length. Biophys J 2023; 122:346-359. [PMID: 36502273 PMCID: PMC9892620 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Control of microtubule abundance, stability, and length is crucial to regulate intracellular transport as well as cell polarity and division. How microtubule stability depends on tubulin addition or removal at the dynamic ends is well studied. However, microtubule rescue, the event when a microtubule switches from shrinking to growing, occurs at tubulin exchange sites along the shaft. Molecular motors have recently been shown to promote such exchanges. Using a stochastic theoretical description, we study how microtubule stability and length depend on motor-induced tubulin exchange and thus rescue. Our theoretical description matches our in vitro experiments on microtubule dynamics in the presence of kinesin-1 molecular motors. Although the overall dynamics of a population of microtubules can be captured by an effective rescue rate, by assigning rescue to exchange sites, we reveal that the dynamics of individual microtubules within the population differ dramatically. Furthermore, we study in detail a transition from bounded to unbounded microtubule growth. Our results provide novel insights into how molecular motors imprint information of microtubule stability on the microtubule network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joël Schaer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Theoretical Physics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Karsten Kruse
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Theoretical Physics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; National Center for Competence in Research Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Charlotte Aumeier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; National Center for Competence in Research Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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14
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Gazzola M, Schaeffer A, Butler-Hallissey C, Friedl K, Vianay B, Gaillard J, Leterrier C, Blanchoin L, Théry M. Microtubules self-repair in living cells. Curr Biol 2023; 33:122-133.e4. [PMID: 36565699 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Microtubule self-repair has been studied both in vitro and in vivo as an underlying mechanism of microtubule stability. The turnover of tubulin dimers along the microtubule has challenged the pre-existing dogma that only growing ends are dynamic. However, although there is clear evidence of tubulin incorporation into the shaft of polymerized microtubules in vitro, the possibility of such events occurring in living cells remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated this possibility by microinjecting purified tubulin dimers labeled with a red fluorophore into the cytoplasm of cells expressing GFP-tubulin. We observed the appearance of red dots along the pre-existing green microtubule within minutes. We found that the fluorescence intensities of these red dots were inversely correlated with the green signal, suggesting that the red dimers were incorporated into the microtubules and replaced the pre-existing green dimers. Lateral distance from the microtubule center was similar to that in incorporation sites and in growing ends. The saturation of the size and spatial frequency of incorporations as a function of injected tubulin concentration and post-injection delay suggested that the injected dimers incorporated into a finite number of damaged sites. By our low estimate, within a few minutes of the injections, free dimers incorporated into major repair sites every 70 μm of microtubules. Finally, we mapped the location of these sites in micropatterned cells and found that they were more concentrated in regions where the actin filament network was less dense and where microtubules exhibited greater lateral fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Gazzola
- University of Paris, INSERM, CEA, UMRS1160, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, CytoMorpho Lab, Hôpital Saint Louis, 10 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Schaeffer
- University of Paris, INSERM, CEA, UMRS1160, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, CytoMorpho Lab, Hôpital Saint Louis, 10 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Ciarán Butler-Hallissey
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INP UMR7051, NeuroCyto Lab, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Karoline Friedl
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INP UMR7051, NeuroCyto Lab, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille, France; Abbelight, 191 Avenue Aristide Briand, 94230 Cachan, France
| | - Benoit Vianay
- University of Paris, INSERM, CEA, UMRS1160, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, CytoMorpho Lab, Hôpital Saint Louis, 10 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Jérémie Gaillard
- University of Grenoble-Alpes, CEA, CNRS, UMR5168, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, CytoMorpho Lab, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe Leterrier
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, INP UMR7051, NeuroCyto Lab, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Blanchoin
- University of Grenoble-Alpes, CEA, CNRS, UMR5168, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, CytoMorpho Lab, 17 rue des Martyrs, 38054 Grenoble, France.
| | - Manuel Théry
- University of Paris, INSERM, CEA, UMRS1160, Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, CytoMorpho Lab, Hôpital Saint Louis, 10 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France.
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15
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Iwanski MK, Kapitein LC. Cellular cartography: Towards an atlas of the neuronal microtubule cytoskeleton. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1052245. [PMID: 37035244 PMCID: PMC10073685 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1052245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubules, one of the major components of the cytoskeleton, play a crucial role during many aspects of neuronal development and function, such as neuronal polarization and axon outgrowth. Consequently, the microtubule cytoskeleton has been implicated in many neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. The polar nature of microtubules is quintessential for their function, allowing them to serve as tracks for long-distance, directed intracellular transport by kinesin and dynein motors. Most of these motors move exclusively towards either the plus- or minus-end of a microtubule and some have been shown to have a preference for either dynamic or stable microtubules, those bearing a particular post-translational modification or those decorated by a specific microtubule-associated protein. Thus, it becomes important to consider the interplay of these features and their combinatorial effects on transport, as well as how different types of microtubules are organized in the cell. Here, we discuss microtubule subsets in terms of tubulin isotypes, tubulin post-translational modifications, microtubule-associated proteins, microtubule stability or dynamicity, and microtubule orientation. We highlight techniques used to study these features of the microtubule cytoskeleton and, using the information from these studies, try to define the composition, role, and organization of some of these subsets in neurons.
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16
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Castrogiovanni C, Inchingolo AV, Harrison JU, Dudka D, Sen O, Burroughs NJ, McAinsh AD, Meraldi P. Evidence for a HURP/EB free mixed-nucleotide zone in kinetochore-microtubules. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4704. [PMID: 35948594 PMCID: PMC9365851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32421-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Current models infer that the microtubule-based mitotic spindle is built from GDP-tubulin with small GTP caps at microtubule plus-ends, including those that attach to kinetochores, forming the kinetochore-fibres. Here we reveal that kinetochore-fibres additionally contain a dynamic mixed-nucleotide zone that reaches several microns in length. This zone becomes visible in cells expressing fluorescently labelled end-binding proteins, a known marker for GTP-tubulin, and endogenously-labelled HURP - a protein which we show to preferentially bind the GDP microtubule lattice in vitro and in vivo. We find that in mitotic cells HURP accumulates on the kinetochore-proximal region of depolymerising kinetochore-fibres, whilst avoiding recruitment to nascent polymerising K-fibres, giving rise to a growing "HURP-gap". The absence of end-binding proteins in the HURP-gaps leads us to postulate that they reflect a mixed-nucleotide zone. We generate a minimal quantitative model based on the preferential binding of HURP to GDP-tubulin to show that such a mixed-nucleotide zone is sufficient to recapitulate the observed in vivo dynamics of HURP-gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Castrogiovanni
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Translational Research Centre in Onco-hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
| | - Alessio V Inchingolo
- Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Jonathan U Harrison
- Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Damian Dudka
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Translational Research Centre in Onco-hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Onur Sen
- Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Nigel J Burroughs
- Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Andrew D McAinsh
- Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
| | - Patrick Meraldi
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
- Translational Research Centre in Onco-hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
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17
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Palacios Martínez S, Greaney J, Zenker J. Beyond the centrosome: The mystery of microtubule organising centres across mammalian preimplantation embryos. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 77:102114. [PMID: 35841745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.102114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian preimplantation embryogenesis depends on the spatio-temporal dynamics of the microtubule cytoskeleton to enable exceptionally fast changes in cell number, function, architecture, and fate. Microtubule organising centres (MTOCs), which coordinate the remodelling of microtubules, are therefore of fundamental significance during the first days of a new life. Despite its indispensable role during early mammalian embryogenesis, the origin of microtubule growth remains poorly understood. In this review, we summarise the most recent discoveries on microtubule organisation and function during early human embryogenesis and compare these to innovative studies conducted in alternative mammalian models. We emphasise the differences and analogies of centriole inheritance and their role during the first cleavage. Furthermore, we highlight the significance of non-centrosomal MTOCs for embryo viability and discuss the potential of novel in vitro models and light-inducible approaches towards unravelling microtubule formation in research and assisted reproductive technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Greaney
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Zenker
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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18
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Kuo YW, Mahamdeh M, Tuna Y, Howard J. The force required to remove tubulin from the microtubule lattice by pulling on its α-tubulin C-terminal tail. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3651. [PMID: 35752623 PMCID: PMC9233703 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31069-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Severing enzymes and molecular motors extract tubulin from the walls of microtubules by exerting mechanical force on subunits buried in the lattice. However, how much force is needed to remove tubulin from microtubules is not known, nor is the pathway by which subunits are removed. Using a site-specific functionalization method, we applied forces to the C-terminus of α-tubulin with an optical tweezer and found that a force of ~30 pN is required to extract tubulin from the microtubule wall. Additionally, we discovered that partial unfolding is an intermediate step in tubulin removal. The unfolding and extraction forces are similar to those generated by AAA-unfoldases. Lastly, we show that three kinesin-1 motor proteins can also extract tubulin from the microtubule lattice. Our results provide the first experimental investigation of how tubulin responds to mechanical forces exerted on its α-tubulin C-terminal tail and have implications for the mechanisms of severing enzymes and microtubule stability. Tubulin, the building blocks of microtubules, can be removed from the microtubule wall by mechanical forces. Using single-molecule methods, the authors show that tubulin partially unfolds prior to its removal and determined the tubulin-extraction force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Wei Kuo
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mohammed Mahamdeh
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yazgan Tuna
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jonathon Howard
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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19
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Andreu-Carbó M, Fernandes S, Aumeier C. Two-color in vitro assay to visualize and quantify microtubule shaft dynamics. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101320. [PMID: 35496777 PMCID: PMC9043774 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules are dynamic polymers where tubulin exchanges not only at the ends but also all along the microtubule shaft. In vitro reconstitutions are a vital approach to study microtubule tip dynamics, while direct observation of shaft dynamics is challenging. Here, we describe a dual-color in vitro assay to visualize microtubule shaft dynamics using purified, labeled bovine brain tubulin. With this assay, we can quantitatively address how proteins or small molecules impact the dynamics at the microtubule shaft. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Andreu-Carbó et al. (2022).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Fernandes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Aumeier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- National Center for Competence in Research Chemical Biology, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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20
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Sabo J, Lansky Z. Molecular motors: Turning kinesin-1 into a microtubule destroyer. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R518-R520. [PMID: 35671724 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Kinesin-1 is a typical microtubule-associated molecular motor that drives cargo transport in the cell. New work now shows that small changes in its structure can bring out unforeseen powers in this motor, turning it into a microtubule destroyer and highlighting the interdependencies between the biological motor and its track.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Sabo
- Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prague West, Czech Republic
| | - Zdenek Lansky
- Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Prague West, Czech Republic.
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21
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Budaitis BG, Badieyan S, Yue Y, Blasius TL, Reinemann DN, Lang MJ, Cianfrocco MA, Verhey KJ. A kinesin-1 variant reveals motor-induced microtubule damage in cells. Curr Biol 2022; 32:2416-2429.e6. [PMID: 35504282 PMCID: PMC9993403 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Kinesins drive the transport of cellular cargoes as they walk along microtubule tracks; however, recent work has suggested that the physical act of kinesins walking along microtubules can stress the microtubule lattice. Here, we describe a kinesin-1 KIF5C mutant with an increased ability to generate damage sites in the microtubule lattice as compared with the wild-type motor. The expression of the mutant motor in cultured cells resulted in microtubule breakage and fragmentation, suggesting that kinesin-1 variants with increased damage activity would have been selected against during evolution. The increased ability to damage microtubules is not due to the enhanced motility properties of the mutant motor, as the expression of the kinesin-3 motor KIF1A, which has similar single-motor motility properties, also caused increased microtubule pausing, bending, and buckling but not breakage. In cells, motor-induced microtubule breakage could not be prevented by increased α-tubulin K40 acetylation, a post-translational modification known to increase microtubule flexibility. In vitro, lattice damage induced by wild-type KIF5C was repaired by soluble tubulin and resulted in increased rescues and overall microtubule growth, whereas lattice damage induced by the KIF5C mutant resulted in larger repair sites that made the microtubule vulnerable to breakage and fragmentation when under mechanical stress. These results demonstrate that kinesin-1 motility causes defects in and damage to the microtubule lattice in cells. While cells have the capacity to repair lattice damage, conditions that exceed this capacity result in microtubule breakage and fragmentation and may contribute to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breane G Budaitis
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Somayesadat Badieyan
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yang Yue
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - T Lynne Blasius
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dana N Reinemann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Matthew J Lang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Michael A Cianfrocco
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kristen J Verhey
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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22
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Higgs VE, Das RM. Establishing neuronal polarity: microtubule regulation during neurite initiation. OXFORD OPEN NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 1:kvac007. [PMID: 38596701 PMCID: PMC10913830 DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvac007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The initiation of nascent projections, or neurites, from the neuronal cell body is the first stage in the formation of axons and dendrites, and thus a critical step in the establishment of neuronal architecture and nervous system development. Neurite formation relies on the polarized remodelling of microtubules, which dynamically direct and reinforce cell shape, and provide tracks for cargo transport and force generation. Within neurons, microtubule behaviour and structure are tightly controlled by an array of regulatory factors. Although microtubule regulation in the later stages of axon development is relatively well understood, how microtubules are regulated during neurite initiation is rarely examined. Here, we discuss how factors that direct microtubule growth, remodelling, stability and positioning influence neurite formation. In addition, we consider microtubule organization by the centrosome and modulation by the actin and intermediate filament networks to provide an up-to-date picture of this vital stage in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria E Higgs
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Raman M Das
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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23
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Akhmanova A, Kapitein LC. Mechanisms of microtubule organization in differentiated animal cells. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:541-558. [PMID: 35383336 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00473-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microtubules are polarized cytoskeletal filaments that serve as tracks for intracellular transport and form a scaffold that positions organelles and other cellular components and modulates cell shape and mechanics. In animal cells, the geometry, density and directionality of microtubule networks are major determinants of cellular architecture, polarity and proliferation. In dividing cells, microtubules form bipolar spindles that pull chromosomes apart, whereas in interphase cells, microtubules are organized in a cell type-specific fashion, which strongly correlates with cell physiology. In motile cells, such as fibroblasts and immune cells, microtubules are organized as radial asters, whereas in immotile epithelial and neuronal cells and in muscles, microtubules form parallel or antiparallel arrays and cortical meshworks. Here, we review recent work addressing how the formation of such microtubule networks is driven by the plethora of microtubule regulatory proteins. These include proteins that nucleate or anchor microtubule ends at different cellular structures and those that sever or move microtubules, as well as regulators of microtubule elongation, stability, bundling or modifications. The emerging picture, although still very incomplete, shows a remarkable diversity of cell-specific mechanisms that employ conserved building blocks to adjust microtubule organization in order to facilitate different cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Akhmanova
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Lukas C Kapitein
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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