The nuclear F-actin interactome of Xenopus oocytes reveals an actin-bundling kinesin that is essential for meiotic cytokinesis

EMBO J. 2013 Jul 3;32(13):1886-902. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2013.108. Epub 2013 May 31.

Abstract

Nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes grow 100 000-fold larger in volume than a typical somatic nucleus and require an unusual intranuclear F-actin scaffold for mechanical stability. We now developed a method for mapping F-actin interactomes and identified a comprehensive set of F-actin binders from the oocyte nuclei. Unexpectedly, the most prominent interactor was a novel kinesin termed NabKin (Nuclear and meiotic actin-bundling Kinesin). NabKin not only binds microtubules but also F-actin structures, such as the intranuclear actin bundles in prophase and the contractile actomyosin ring during cytokinesis. The interaction between NabKin and F-actin is negatively regulated by Importin-β and is responsive to spatial information provided by RanGTP. Disconnecting NabKin from F-actin during meiosis caused cytokinesis failure and egg polyploidy. We also found actin-bundling activity in Nabkin's somatic paralogue KIF14, which was previously shown to be essential for somatic cell division. Our data are consistent with the notion that NabKin/KIF14 directly link microtubules with F-actin and that such link is essential for cytokinesis.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Actomyosin / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Cytokinesis / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Immunoblotting
  • Kinesins / metabolism*
  • Meiosis / physiology*
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Oocytes / metabolism*
  • Phalloidine / metabolism
  • Ploidies
  • Proteomics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Xenopus laevis / growth & development
  • Xenopus laevis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Phalloidine
  • Actomyosin
  • Kinesins