Calmodulin colocalization with cold-stable and nocodazole-stable microtubules in living PtK1 cells

To investigate the association of calmodulin (CaM) with microtubules (MTs) in the mitotic apparatus (MA), the distributions of both CaM and tubulin were examined in mitotic PtK1 cells in which MT subclasses had been selectively removed or altered by treatment with cold or with the MT inhibitor, nocodazole. A fluorescent CaM conjugate with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (CaM-TRITC) was microinjected into living cells, and the CaM distribution in the living cell was compared to the distribution of MTs indicated by tubulin immunofluorescence. In cells which had been treated for 2 h at 0 to 4 degrees C or with a low (0.03 micrograms/ml) dose of nocodazole, the only MTs remaining appeared to be kinetochore MTs (kMTs). The distribution of microinjected CaM-TRITC in these cells was indistinguishable from that found in untreated cells and appeared to be colocalized with the kMTs. In cells which were treated with a high (3.0 micrograms/ml) dose of nocodazole, only short MTs remained. When CaM-TRITC was injected into these cells, it formed a somewhat punctate distribution near the chromosomes and, after tubulin immunofluorescence processing, colocalized with what appeared to be remnants of kMTs. We believe that these observations support the hypothesis that CaM exists in the MA in a structural association with kMTs.     

Calmodulin is associated with microtubules forming in PTK1 cells upon release from nocodazole treatment

To investigate the association of calmodulin (CaM) with microtubules (MTs) in the mitotic apparatus (MA), the distributions of CaM and tubulin were examined in cells in which the normal spindle organization had been altered. A fluorescent CaM conjugate with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (CaM-TRITC) and a dichlorotriazinyl aminofluorescein conjugate with tubulin (tubulin-DTAF) were injected into cells that had been treated with the MT inhibitor nocodazole. With moderate nocodazole concentration (0.3 micrograms/ml, 37 degrees C, 4 h) in live cells, CaM-TRITC and tubulin-DTAF concentrated identically on or near the centrosomes and kinetochores. In serial sections of these cells, small MT segments were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the regions where fluorescent protein had concentrated. When a higher drug concentration was used (3.0 micrograms/ml, 37 degrees C, 4 h), no regions of CaM-TRITC or tubulin-DTAF localization were observed, and no MTs were observed when serial sections were examined by TEM. However, following release from the high-concentration nocodazole block, CaM-TRITC colocalized with newly formed MTs at the kinetochores and centrosomes. Later in the recovery period, when chromosome-to-pole fibers had formed, CaM association with kinetochores diminished, ultimately attaining its normal pole-proximal association with kinetochore MTs in cells that progressed through mitosis. We interpret these observations as supporting the hypothesis that in the MA, CaM attains a physical association with kinetochore MTs and suggest that CaM-associated MTs may be inherently more stable.     

Development of a novel photoreactive calmodulin derivative: cross-linking of purified adenylate cyclase from bovine brain

A novel photoreactive calmodulin (CaM) derivative was developed and used to label the purified CaM-sensitive adenylate cyclase from bovine cortex. 125I-CaM was conjugated with the heterobifunctional cross-linking agent p-nitrophenyl 3-diazopyruvate (DAPpNP). Spectral data indicated that diazopyruvoyl (DAP) groups were incorporated into the CaM molecule. Iodo-CaM-DAPs behaved like native CaM with respect to (1) Ca2+-dependent enhanced mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels and (2) Ca2+-dependent stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. 125I-CaM-DAP photochemically cross-linked to CaM-binding proteins in a manner that was both Ca2+ dependent and CaM specific. Photolysis of forskolin-agarose-purified adenylate cyclase from bovine cortex with 125I-CaM-DAP produced a single cross-linked product which migrates on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 140,000.     

Kinetochore microtubule dynamics and the metaphase-anaphase transition

We have quantitatively studied the dynamic behavior of kinetochore fiber microtubules (kMTs); both turnover and poleward transport (flux) in metaphase and anaphase mammalian cells by fluorescence photoactivation. Tubulin derivatized with photoactivatable fluorescein was microinjected into prometaphase LLC-PK and PtK1 cells and allowed to incorporate to steady-state. A fluorescent bar was generated across the MTs in a half-spindle of the mitotic cells using laser irradiation and the kinetics of fluorescence redistribution were determined in terms of a double exponential decay process. The movement of the activated zone was also measured along with chromosome movement and spindle elongation. To investigate the possible regulation of MT transport at the metaphase-anaphase transition, we performed double photoactivation analyses on the same spindles as the cell advanced from metaphase to anaphase. We determined values for the turnover of kMTs (t1/2 = 7.1 +/- 2.4 min at 30 degrees C) and demonstrated that the turnover of kMTs in metaphase is approximately an order of magnitude slower than that for non-kMTs. In anaphase, kMTs become dramatically more stable as evidenced by a fivefold increase in the fluorescence redistribution half-time (t1/2 = 37.5 +/- 8.5 min at 30 degrees C). Our results also indicate that MT transport slows abruptly at anaphase onset to one-half the metaphase value. In early anaphase, MT depolymerization at the kinetochore accounted, on average, for 84% of the rate of chromosome movement toward the pole whereas the relative contribution of MT transport and depolymerization at the pole contributed 16%. These properties reflect a dramatic shift in the dynamic behavior of kMTs at the metaphase-anaphase transition. A release-capture model is presented in which the stability of kMTs is increased at the onset of anaphase through a reduction in the probability of MT release from the kinetochore. The reduction in MT transport at the metaphase-anaphase transition suggests that motor activity and/or subunit dynamics at the centrosome are subject to modulation at this key cell cycle point.     

The proteolysis-dependent metaphase to anaphase transition: calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II mediates onset of anaphase in extracts prepared from unfertilized Xenopus eggs.

It has been shown, using spindles assembled in vitro in extracts containing CSF (the cytostatic factor responsible for arresting unfertilized vertebrate eggs at metaphase), that onset of anaphase requires Ca(2+)-dependent activation of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway that destroys both mitotic cyclins and an unknown protein responsible for metaphase arrest (Holloway et al., 1993, Cell, 73, 1382-1402). We showed recently that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) activates the ubiquitin-dependent cyclin degradation pathway in CSF extracts (Lorca et al., 1993, Nature, 366, 270-273), but did not investigate its possible effect on sister chromatid segregation. In this work we identify CaM KII as the only target of Ca2+ in inducing anaphase in CSF extracts, and further show that transition to anaphase does not require the direct phosphorylation of metaphase spindle components by CaM KII. A possible interpretation of the above results could have been that the ubiquitin-dependent degradation pathway is required for onset of anaphase only when spindles are clamped at metaphase due to CSF activity, and not in the regular cell cycle that occurs in the absence of CSF activity. We ruled out this possibility by showing that competitive inhibition of the ubiquitin-dependent degradation pathway still prevents the onset of anaphase in cycling extracts that lack CSF and do not require Ca2+ for sister chromatid separation.     

Role of non-kinetochore microtubules in spindle elongation in mitotic PtK1 cells

PtK1 metaphase cells were treated with varying concentrations of nocodazole to reduce spindle microtubule number and spindle length. The range of concentrations employed reduced spindle length from approximately 47% to 82% of the original pole-pole distance. Electron microscopy of cells treated with the lowest concentration of nocodazole employed (0.01 microgram/ml) showed a small decrease in the number of non-kinetochore microtubules (nkMTs), particularly evident in the astral region, with no significant effect on kinetochore microtubule number. Metaphase cells treated with 1 microgram/ml nocodazole for 2 min demonstrated a reduction in spindle length and loss of most non-kinetochore microtubules with little effect on the number and arrangement of the kinetochore class of microtubules. Following nocodazole treatment, the cells were perfused with 0.5 M sucrose dissolved in tissue culture medium, a treatment which has previously been shown to induce spindle elongation in metaphase cells. In cells where nocodazole effected a large decrease in non-kinetochore microtubule number with a concomitant decrease in spindle length, sucrose treatment had a reduced effect in inducing spindle elongation. In cells treated with lower concentrations of nocodazole, where numerous non-kinetochore microtubules remained, sucrose had a greater effect in inducing spindle elongation. These data suggest that the non-kinetochore population of microtubules is responsible for the extent of sucrose-induced spindle elongation. An explanation of these data is provided which suggests that the role of non-kinetochore microtubules is to trap energy in the developing spindle, such that it can be used to separate spindle poles during anaphase B.     

Calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase activity in rat cerebral cortex: effects of divalent cations, forskolin and isoprenaline

The role of calcium-calmodulin (Ca2+-CaM) in the modulation of beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase activity in rat cerebral cortex has been studied. In addition, the effects of manganese (Mn2+) and forskolin on CaM-dependent enzyme activity were investigated. At 2 mM magnesium (Mg2+) low concentrations of Ca2+ stimulated the enzyme activity (Ka 0.25 +/- 0.08 microM), whereas higher Ca2+ levels (greater than 2 microM) inhibited the activity. No activating effect of Ca2+ was observed in CaM-depleted membranes, but the inhibitory effect persisted and the stimulatory action of Ca2+ could be restored by addition of exogenous CaM. The ability of Ca2+ to activate the enzyme was reduced by increasing concentrations of Mg2+. At 10 mM Mg2+ the apparent Ka of Ca2+ was 0.55 +/- 0.16 microM and half-maximal inhibition was observed at 80-120 microM Ca2+. A synergistic effect was observed between Ca2+ and isoprenaline on the adenylate cyclase activity. Calcium did not alter the apparent Ka of isoprenaline (0.9 +/- 0.27 microM) and isoprenaline did not change the apparent Ka of Ca2+. However, isoprenaline decreased the apparent Ka of CaM; 0.11 +/- 0.07 micrograms vs. 0.32 +/- 0.1 micrograms (0.5 ml assay mixture)-1, with and without isoprenaline, respectively. A synergistic effect was also observed between Ca2+ and forskolin, but no change in their apparent Ka values was found. Furthermore, Mn2+ was found to activate the enzyme through CaM. These data demonstrate that Ca2+ -CaM potentiates beta-adrenergic adenylate cyclase activity and thus is able to modulate neurotransmitter stimulation in cortex. Furthermore, both forskolin and Mn2+ affect CaM-dependent enzyme activity. Forskolin potentiates Ca2+-CaM stimulation, while Mn2+ increases the activity by activating the enzyme through CaM.     

Potent and cooperative feedback inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity by calcium in pituitary-derived GH3 cells

Calcium (Ca2+) ion concentrations that are achieved intracellularly upon membrane depolarization or activation of phospholipase C stimulate adenylate cyclase via calmodulin (CaM) in brain tissue. In the present study, this range of Ca2+ concentrations produced unanticipated inhibitory effects on the plasma membrane adenylate cyclase activity of GH3 cells. Ca2+ concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 microM exerted an increasing inhibition on enzyme activity, which reached a plateau (35-45% inhibition) at around 1 microM. This inhibitory effect was highly cooperative for Ca2+ ions, but was neither enhanced nor dependent upon the addition of CaM (1 microM) to EGTA-washed membranes. The inhibition was greatly enhanced upon stimulation of the enzyme by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and/or GTP. Prior exposure of cultured cells to pertussis toxin did not affect the inhibition of plasma membrane adenylate cyclase activity by Ca2+, although in these membranes, hormonal (somatostatin) inhibition was significantly attenuated. Maximally effective concentrations of Ca2+ and somatostatin produced additive inhibitory effects on adenylate cyclase. The addition of phosphodiesterase inhibitors demonstrated that inhibitory effects of Ca2+ were not mediated by Ca2(+)-dependent stimulation of a phosphodiesterase activity. These observations provide a mechanism for the feedback inhibition by elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels on cAMP-facilitated Ca2+ entry into GH3 cells, as well as inhibitory crosstalk between Ca2(+)-mobilizing signals and adenylate cyclase activity.     

Metabolic inhibitors and mitosis: I. Effects of dinitrophenol/deoxyglucose and nocodazole on the live spindle

Summary Dinitrophenol and deoxyglucose (DNP/DOG) were used to investigate the effects of ATP depletion on mitotic PtK₁ cells. Direct determination of cellular ATP levels showed that the drop of ATP induced by DNP/DOG was rapid; recovery to normal ATP levels was equally rapid once DNP/DOG was removed. On addition of DNP/DOG to live cells, cytoplasmic activity ceased; interphase and prophase cells showed little other response to DNP/DOG. During prometaphase, DNP/DOG induced a pronounced movement of oscillating, monopolar chromosomes towards the spindle poles. As chromosomes became bipolarly attached, DNP/DOG caused the spindle poles themselves to move together. By metaphase, DNP/DOG-treatment led to significant shortening of the spindle which remained intact. DNP/DOG rapidly stopped anaphase chromosome movement and cytokinesis.Nocodazole (NOC) caused the rapid breakdown of the mitotic spindle; prometaphase chromosomes clustered at the poles and in metaphase cells, the poles were drawn towards the chromosomes as the spindle became disorganized. When cells were pretreated with DNP/DOG and then NOC/DNP/DOG, nocodazole did not break down the spindle. When nocodazole was applied first to break down spindle MTs then DNP/DOG was added to the nocodazole, a second contraction was often induced by the DNP/DOG in the absence of spindle microtubules (MTs). Chromosomes expanded appreciably outwards from the poles when the DNP/DOG was removed, even when the cells remained in nocodazole.     

Dynamic changes in autosomal spindle fibers during prometaphase in crane fly spermatocytes

Different prometaphase stages of Pales ferruginea spermatocytes were serially sectioned and the regions between kinetochores and poles analysed by counting and measuring spindle microtubules. These regions are characterized by an intermingling of kinetochoric (kMTs) and non-kinetochoric microtubules (nkMTs). A considerable proportion of nkMTs is skewed with respect to kMTs, thus being responsible for microtubule disorder in these spindle areas. The degree of disorder expressed by the percentage of skew microtubules was found to decrease from early prometaphase to metaphase, parallel with an increase in kMT number. A possible causal relation between pulling forces and morphological changes in the spindle is discussed.     

Characterization of EGTA-washed synaptosomal membrane with emphasis on its calmodulin-binding proteins. Demonstration of possible reconstitution with added calcium/calmodulin.

Endogenous calmodulin (CaM) in the EGTA-washed cerebral-cortical synaptosomal membrane (SM) preparation was estimated below 3 micrograms/ml protein by the semiquantitative immunoblot analysis (Natsukari, N., Ohta, H. and Fujita, M. (1989) J. Immunol. Methods 125, 159-166). Membrane-bound CaM was immunoelectron-microscopically demonstrated in EGTA-washed, non-treated (control), and Ca(2+)-treated cerebral-cortical synaptosomal membranes (SM) as well as for the SM enriched with added CaM. The density of CaM increased in the above order. CaM-dependent adenylate cyclase and CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase II) activities were restored, whereas the phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity was not affected by exogenous CaM over all the Ca2+ concentrations tested. Adenylate cyclase at pCa 6.2 was synergistically activated either by GTP and CaM or by CaM and beta-adrenergic agonist, (+/-)-isoproterenol, reflecting the intactness of signal transduction pathway in the SM. Also demonstrated were the presence of protein kinase A, CaM-kinase II, and their endogenous substrates in the SM. Based on 32P-autoradiography and 125I-CaM overlay data certain CaM-binding proteins such as CaM-kinase II and synapsin I were identified on SDS-PAGE. Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent CaMBPs were distinguished by 125I-CaM gel overlay with and without Ca2+. The former had bigger molecular size (greater than or equal to 49 kDa) than the latter (less than or equal to 34 kDa). Yield of Ca(2+)-dependent CaMBPs was not affected by Ca2+ concentration during preparation of the SM while that of Ca(2+)-independent CaMBPs was reduced by exposure to 100 microM Ca2+. In contrast with the CaMBPs of brain SM, those of enterocyte and eyrthrocyte plasma membranes especially, microvillous membrane of the enterocyte, showed quite distinct CaMBP profiles. The present findings suggested that the EGTA-washed SM preparation made a useful system for studying the role of CaM in the brain SM.     

ZYG-9, A Caenorhabditis elegans Protein Required for Microtubule Organization and Function, Is a Component of Meiotic and Mitotic Spindle Poles

We describe the molecular characterization of zyg-9, a maternally acting gene essential for microtubule organization and function in early Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. Defects in zyg-9 mutants suggest that the zyg-9 product functions in the organization of the meiotic spindle and the formation of long microtubules. One-cell zyg-9 embryos exhibit both meiotic and mitotic spindle defects. Meiotic spindles are disorganized, pronuclear migration fails, and the mitotic apparatus forms at the posterior, orients incorrectly, and contains unusually short microtubules. We find that zyg-9 encodes a component of the meiotic and mitotic spindle poles. In addition to the strong staining of spindle poles, we consistently detect staining in the region of the kinetochore microtubules at metaphase and early anaphase in mitotic spindles. The ZYG-9 signal at the mitotic centrosomes is not reduced by nocodazole treatment, indicating that ZYG-9 localization to the mitotic centrosomes is not dependent upon long astral microtubules. Interestingly, in embryos lacking an organized meiotic spindle, produced either by nocodazole treatment or mutations in the mei-1 gene, ZYG-9 forms a halo around the meiotic chromosomes. The protein sequence shows partial similarity to a small set of proteins that also localize to spindle poles, suggesting a common activity of the proteins.     

Quinacrine-induced changes in mitotic PtK1 spindle microtubule organization

Quinacrine, an acridine derivative which competitively binds to ATP binding sites, has been used to study the role of ATP requiring molecules in microtubule organization in mitotic PtK1 cells. Brief treatments of metaphase cells with concentrations of quinacrine ranging from 2 to 10 microM decreased spindle length and birefringence in a concentration-dependent manner. With either increasing quinacrine concentrations or duration of treatment, metaphase cells demonstrated a specific reorganization of spindle microtubules. Both polarization and electron microscopy showed a substantial loss of non-kinetochore spindle microtubules with an increase in astral microtubules: this was particularly evident in the region adjacent to the spindle domain. Addition of millimolar concentrations of dinitrophenol to quinacrine-containing medium did not potentiate the response of metaphase cells to quinacrine treatment. Time-lapse video analysis demonstrated that the astral microtubules are the result of reorganization of spindle microtubules. These data suggest that functional ATP binding sites are required to maintain stable interactions between microtubules and that these interactions are responsible for maintaining the bowed configuration of non-kinetochore spindle microtubules which are under compression at metaphase.     

Relationship of calmodulin and dopaminergic activity in the striatum

Increasing evidence suggests a relationship between dopaminergic activity in the striatum and the content of calmodulin (CaM), an endogenous Ca2+-binding protein. The content of CaM in striatal membranes is increased by treatments that produce supersensitivity in striatal membranes is increased by treatments that produce supersensitivity of striatal dopaminergic receptors such as chronic neuroleptic treatment or injection of 6-hydroxydopamine. Concomitant with the increase in CaM is a greater sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to dopamine and an increase in Ca2+-sensitive phosphorylation in the striatal membranes. Procedures that result in dopaminergic subsensitivity, such as amphetamine treatment, increase the cytosolic content of CaM that can subsequently activate Ca2+ and CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase activity. In vitro studies have demonstrated that CaM and Ca2+ can stimulate basal adenylate cyclase activity in a striatal particulate fraction as well as increase the sensitivity of the enzyme to dopamine. Ca2+ and CaM most likely affect the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase by interacting with guanyl nucleotides, which are required for dopamine sensitivity. It is concluded that a change in CaM concentration and/or location occurs during conditions of altered dopaminergic sensitivity in the striatum. These changes in CaM coupled with potential alterations in the Ca2+ concentration could modulate the sensitivity of the dopamine system and many CaM-dependent enzymes.     

Developmental regulation of calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase activity in an insect endocrine gland.

The insect prothoracic gland produces ecdysteroids that elicit molting and metamorphosis, and neurohormone stimulation of steroidogenesis by this gland involves both Ca2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate second messengers. Prothoracic gland adenylate cyclase exhibits a complex Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) dependence, a component of which requires an activated Gs alpha for expression. A developmental switch in this system has been identified that correlates with a change in both regulation and function of the gland and involves the loss of sensitivity to extracellular Ca2+ at a time approximately concurrent with the loss of Ca2+/CaM sensitivity by the adenylate cyclase. The extent of cholera toxin activation of gland Gs alpha is lowered before this developmental switch. However, no alterations in Gs alpha levels or mobility are detected, suggesting that Gs alpha interaction with another component in the signaling pathway, perhaps adenylate cyclase itself, produces the apparent Ca2+/CaM dependence and influences the ability of toxin to modify Gs alpha.     

Calmodulin-mediated adenylate cyclase from mammalian sperm

Calmodulin (CaM), the calcium binding protein that modulates the activity of a number of key regulatory enzymes, is present at high levels in sperm. To determine whether CaM regulates adenylate cyclase in mammalian sperm, the actions of EGTA and selected CaM antagonists on a solubilized adenylate cyclase from mature equine sperm were examined. The activity of equine sperm adenylate cyclase was inhibited by EGTA in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2 mM. Equine sperm adenylate cyclase was also inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the CaM antagonists chlorpromazine and calmidazolium (IC50 = 400 and 50 microM, respectively). The inhibition of enzyme activity by these agents correlated with their known potency and specificity as anti-CaM agents. The activity of the enzyme in the presence of 200 microM calmidazolium was restored by the addition of authentic CaM (EC50 = 15 microM); full activity was restored by the addition of 50 microM CaM. La3+, an ion that dissociates CaM from tightly bound CaM-enzyme systems, inhibited equine sperm adenylate cyclase (IC50 = 1 mM). Incubation of equine sperm adenylate cyclase with La3+ dissociated endogenous CaM from the enzyme so that most of the enzyme bound to a CaM-Sepharose column equilibrated with Ca2+. Specific elution of CaM-binding proteins from the CaM-Sepharose column with EGTA yielded a CaM-depleted adenylate cyclase fraction that was stimulated 2-fold by the addition of exogenous CaM.     

Calmodulin-binding proteins of calcium-independent type in rat brain synaptosomal membranes: their localization and properties.

Some properties of calmodulin(CaM)-binding proteins (CaMBPs) of the Ca(2+)-independent type were investigated in the synaptosomal membrane (SM) from rat brain using the [125I]CaM gel overlay method. When SM was prepared in the presence of Ca2+, Ca(2+)-independent CaM binding was decreased, whereas the Ca(2+)-dependent type was not altered. All Ca(2+)-independent-type CaMBPs were membrane-bound and scarcely present in the soluble fractions. When SM was heat-denatured, the 24/22.5-kDa CaMBPs could no longer be detected by [125]CaM binding and a new component with higher molecular mass (greater than 200 kDa) was shown to bind CaM in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. A possible effect of cAMP- and Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphorylation on CaM binding was also examined.     

Human chromokinesins promote chromosome congression and spindle microtubule dynamics during mitosis

Chromokinesins are microtubule plus end-directed motor proteins that bind to chromosome arms. In Xenopus egg cell-free extracts, Xkid and Xklp1 are essential for bipolar spindle formation but the functions of the human homologues, hKID (KIF22) and KIF4A, are poorly understood. By using RNAi-mediated protein knockdown in human cells, we find that only co-depletion delayed progression through mitosis in a Mad2-dependent manner. Depletion of hKID caused abnormal chromosome arm orientation, delayed chromosome congression, and sensitized cells to nocodazole. Knockdown of KIF4A increased the number and length of microtubules, altered kinetochore oscillations, and decreased kinetochore microtubule flux. These changes were associated with failures in establishing a tight metaphase plate and an increase in anaphase lagging chromosomes. Co-depletion of both chromokinesins aggravated chromosome attachment failures, which led to mitotic arrest. Thus, hKID and KIF4A contribute independently to the rapid and correct attachment of chromosomes by controlling the positioning of chromosome arms and the dynamics of microtubules, respectively.     

A 210 kDa nuclear matrix protein is a functional part of the mitotic spindle; a microinjection study using SPN monoclonal antibodies.

Six monoclonal antibodies identify a 210 kDa polypeptide which shows a cell cycle specific redistribution from the nucleus to the mitotic spindle. In interphase cells this polypeptide was localized in the nucleus and behaved during differential cell extraction as a component of the nuclear matrix. It accumulated in the centrosome region at prophase, in the pole regions of the mitotic spindle at metaphase and in crescents at the poles in anaphase, and reassociated with the nuclei as they reformed in telophase. Due to its staining pattern we call the protein the Spindle Pole-Nucleus (SPN) antigen. The localization of SPN antigen during mitosis was dependent on the integrity of the spindle since treatment of cells with nocodazole resulted in the dispersal of SPN antigen into many small foci which acted as microtubule organizing centres when the drug was removed. The SPN antigen was present in nuclei and mitotic spindles of all human and mammalian cell lines and tissues so far tested. When microinjected into the cytoplasm or nuclei of HeLa cells, one antibody caused a block in mitosis. Total cell number remained constant or decreased slightly after 24 h. At this time, about half the cells were arrested in a prometaphase-like state and revealed aberrant spindles. Many other cells were multinucleate. These results show that the SPN antigen is a protein associated with mitotic spindle microtubules which has to function correctly for the cell to complete mitosis.     

Kinetochore microtubule numbers of different sized chromosomes

For three species of grasshoppers the volumes of the largest and the smallest metaphase chromosome differ by a factor of 10, but the microtubules (MTs) attached to the individual kinetochores show no corresponding range in numbers. Locusta mitotic metaphase chromosomes range from 2 to 21 μm, and the average number of MTs per kinetochore is 21 with an SD of 4.6. Locusta meiotic bivalents at late metaphase I range from 4 to 40 μm(3), and the kinetochore regions (= two sister kinetochores facing the same spindle pole) have an average of 25 kinetochore microtubules (kMTs) with an SD of 4.9. Anaphase velocities are the same at mitosis and meiosis I. The smaller mitotic metaphase chromosomes of neopodismopsis are similar in size, 6 to 45 μm(3), to Locusta, but they have an average more kMTs, 33, SD = 9.2. The four large Robertsonian fusion chromosomes of neopodismopsis have an average of 67 MTs per kinetochore, the large number possibly the result of a permanent dicentric condition. Chloealtis has three pairs of Robertsonian fusion chromosomes which, at late meiotic metaphase I, form bivalents of 116, 134, and 152 μm (3) with an average of 67 MTs per kinetochore similar to Locusta bivalents, but with a much higher average of 42 MTs per kinetochore region. It is speculated that, in addition to mechanical demands of force, load, and viscosity, the kMT numbers are governed by cell type and evolutionary history of the karyotype in these grasshoppers.