Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) Proteins Link Microtubule Stability to Genome Integrity

Structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) proteins are key organizers of chromosome architecture and are essential for genome integrity. They act by binding to chromatin and connecting distinct parts of chromosomes together. Interestingly, their potential role in providing connections between chromatin and the mitotic spindle has not been explored. Here, we show that yeast SMC proteins bind directly to microtubules and can provide a functional link between microtubules and DNA. We mapped the microtubule-binding region of Smc5 and generated a mutant with impaired microtubule binding activity. This mutant is viable in yeast but exhibited a cold-specific conditional lethality associated with mitotic arrest, aberrant spindle structures, and chromosome segregation defects. In an in vitro reconstitution assay, this Smc5 mutant also showed a compromised ability to protect microtubules from cold-induced depolymerization. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SMC proteins can bind to and stabilize microtubules and that SMC-microtubule interactions are essential to establish a robust system to maintain genome integrity.     

Cortical microtubular lattices: Absent from mature mesophyll and necessary for cell division?

Using immunofluorescence microscopy, the cortical microtubular net which is regularly present in cells of young, growing tissue is shown to be absent, or largely reduced, in mature mesophyll cells of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viv., N. tabacum L., Petunia hybrida Hort. and Brassica napus L. The onset of division in protoplasts isolated from these fully differentiated tissues is preceded by a period of dedifferentiation. One of the early events during dedifferentiation, as shown for N. plumbaginifolia, is the re-establishment of a net of cortical microtubules, prior to spindle formation. These findings indicate that the presence of the cortical microtubular lattice is a prerequisite for protoplast division. Cell-wall regeneration, which also must precede division, occurs simultaneously with the formation of the lattice. However, the cortical microtubules seem to not exert any influence on the orientation of the microfibrils.     

Direct incorporation of microtubule oligomers at high GTP concentrations

Chick brain microtubule protein consists primarily of a mixture of MAP2:tubulin oligomers and dimeric tubulin. The assembly of this protein is described by a single pseudofirst-order reaction at 20 microM GTP, but by the summation of two pseudofirst-order reactions at 1 mM GTP. The protein contains two GTP-binding species, corresponding to the tubulin dimers and the oligomers, and conditions which alter the dimer: oligomer equilibrium, affect the kinetics of microtubule assembly. The results indicate that the oligomers are only direct assembly intermediates at high GTP concentrations.     

Relationship between the generative cell and vegetative nucleus in pollen tubes of Nicotiana tabacum

Summary Fluorescence microscopy was used to visualize microtubules (Mts) and chromatin in an effort to further clarify the relationship between the generative cell (GC) and vegetative nucleus (VN) in pollen tubes of tobacco. Prominent Mt bundles are present in one or more GC extensions that can be finger-like or lamellar in form. While the VN is positioned distal to the GC in most cases, it can also straddle the cell or lie proximal to it. In all cases, however, extensions embrace, penetrate or clasp the VN. GC Mts are reorganized during the formation of the mitotic apparatus, and cell extensions are fully or partially withdrawn. By telophase in many pollen tubes, the VN shifts to a more proximal position and appears to adhere to the region of the GC containing the phragmoplast. Application of oryzalin leads to the disorganization of Mts, changes in cell shape, including the loss or alteration of cell extensions, and separation of the GC and VN in some cases. However, the position and polarity of the VN is maintained in most pollen tubes. The results indicate that GC Mts and cell extensions play a role in the association with the VN. However, the relationship appears to be controlled by other factors as well. Attention should now be directed at potential interactions involving the VN envelope, vegetative plasma membrane, GC plasma membrane and extracellular matrix.Abbreviations GC Generative cell - MGU male germ unit - Mt microtubule - VN vegetative nucleus     

Patterns of cortical and perinuclear microtubule organization in meristematic root cells ofAdiantum capillus veneris

Summary The interphase meristematic root cells ofAdiantum capillus venerispossess a well developed cytoskeleton of cortical microtubules (Mts), which disappear at prophase. The preprophase-prophase cells display a well organized preprophase microtubule band (PMB) and a perinuclear Mt system. The observations favour the suggestion that the cell edges included in the PMB cortical zone possess a Mt organizing capacity and thus play an important role in PMB formation. The perinuclear Mts are probably organized on the nuclear surface. The preprophase-prophase nuclei often form protrusions towards the PMB cortical zone and the spindle poles, assuming a conical or rhomboid shape. Mts may be involved in this nuclear shaping.Reinstallation of cortical Mts in dividing cells begins about the middle of cytokinesis with the reappearance of short Mts on the cell surface. When cytokinesis terminates, numerous Mts line the postcytokinetic daughter wall. Many of them converge or form clusters in the cytoplasm occupying the junctions of the new and the old walls. In the examined fern, the cortical Mt arrays seem to be initiated in the cortex of post-cytokinetic root cells. A transitory radial perinuclear Mt array, comparable to that found in post-telophase root cells of flowering plants, was not observed inA. capillus veneris.     

Cellulose-microfibril-orienting mechanisms in plant cells walls

A brief review is given of the changing views over the years, as knowledge of wall structure has developed, concerning the mechanism whereby cellulose chains may be oriented. This leads to an examination of current concepts, particularly those concerning microtubules. It is shown that none of the mechanisms suggested whereby microtubules might cause orientation of cellulose microfibrils is consistent with the known range of molecular architectures found in plant cell walls. It is further concluded that any mechanism which necessitates an indissoluble link between the plasmalemma and the cellulose-synthesising complex at the tip of a microfibril is unacceptable. A new proposal is presented in which it is speculated that both microtubules and microfibrils are oriented by a mechanism separate from both. It is shown that if two vectors are contemplated, one parallel to cell length and one at right angles, and a sensor exists on the plasmalemma surface which responds to changes in the vectors, then all known wall structures may be explained. The possible nature of the vectors and the sensor are considered.     

以单细胞免疫荧光技术观察烟草细胞融合过程中微管骨架的变化

本文建立了单细胞免疫荧光标记技术并以此结合单对细胞融合技术对细胞融合过程中微管骨架组织形式的动态变化进行了追踪观察。发现在聚乙二醇(PEG)诱导条件下,一旦细胞开始粘连,细胞内微管骨架便开始解聚。在细胞融合的整个过程中一直维持着这种解聚的状态,直到融合完成,在后续的培养中微管骨架才重新出现。在微管骨架呈解聚状态时融合产物不能完成与另外的细胞融合。实验揭示了细胞的再融合能力可能受细胞本身微管骨架状态的影响。该结果为解释高等植物如何避免多精入卵提供了新的可能性。     

小麦叶肉细胞原生质体中微管骨架的排列格局与[Ca2+]cyt的关系

以小麦叶肉细胞原生质体为材料,通过免疫荧光标记和Ca~(2 )荧光染料的装载并结合药物学试验,借助激光共聚焦扫描显微镜观察,探讨微管骨架和Ca~(2 )之间的内在联系。试验结果表明,[Ca~(2 )]_(cyt)的升高能够诱发微管骨架的解聚;而微管骨架的解聚也会促使胞外Ca~(2 )内流,进而造成[Ca~(2 )]_(cyt)的升高。     

萱草花粉中微管蛋白生物化学性质

微管（microtubule）是细胞骨架的重要成份,参与囊泡运输、信息传递等多种生命活动。我们从萱草花粉中纯化了植物微管蛋白,对其生物化学及生物物理学部分性质研究表明,纯化的微管蛋白经超离心法测定沉降系数为6．2S,SDS-PAGE分析α,β微管蛋白分子量为56kD、58kD,凝胶扫描分析纯度为93．7％。等电聚焦电泳测定等电点为pI=5．35。光谱学性质研究结果表明,最大紫外吸收峰为280．8nm,荧光光谱研究表明最大激发波长为282nm;此时的最大发射峰为338nm,圆二色光谱分析二级结构表明小螺旋占27．24％,β-折叠占24．48％,无规卷曲为48．28％,呈典型球蛋白特征。