Msps/XMAP215 interacts with the centrosomal protein D-TACC to regulate microtubule behaviour

Nat Cell Biol. 2001 Jul;3(7):643-9. doi: 10.1038/35083033.

Abstract

The XMAP215/ch-TOG/Msps family of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) promote microtubule growth in vitro and are concentrated at centrosomes in vivo. We show here that Msps (mini-spindles protein) interacts with the centrosomal protein D-TACC, and that this interaction strongly influences microtubule behaviour in Drosophila embryos. If D-TACC levels are reduced, Msps does not concentrate at the centrosomes efficiently and the centrosomal microtubules appear to be destabilized. If D-TACC levels are increased, both D-TACC and Msps accumulate around the centrosomes/spindle poles, and the centrosomal microtubules appear to be stabilized. We show that the interaction between D-TACC and Msps is evolutionarily conserved. We propose that D-TACC and Msps normally cooperate to stabilize centrosomal microtubules by binding to their minus ends and binding to their plus ends as they grow out from the centrosome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Centrosome / metabolism*
  • Centrosome / ultrastructure
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Drosophila / embryology
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Drug Interactions
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Humans
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Insect Proteins / pharmacology
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Microtubules / drug effects*
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Transfection
  • Xenopus Proteins*

Substances

  • CKAP5 protein, Xenopus
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • TACC protein, Drosophila
  • Xenopus Proteins
  • msps protein, Drosophila