MuSK is required for anchoring acetylcholinesterase at the neuromuscular junction

At the neuromuscular junction, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is mainly present as asymmetric forms in which tetramers of catalytic subunits are associated to a specific collagen, collagen Q (ColQ). The accumulation of the enzyme in the synaptic basal lamina strictly relies on ColQ. This has been shown to be mediated by interaction between ColQ and perlecan, which itself binds dystroglycan. Here, using transfected mutants of ColQ in a ColQ-deficient muscle cell line or COS-7 cells, we report that ColQ clusterizes through a more complex mechanism. This process requires two heparin-binding sites contained in the collagen domain as well as the COOH terminus of ColQ. Cross-linking and immunoprecipitation experiments in Torpedo postsynaptic membranes together with transfection experiments with muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) constructs in MuSK-deficient myotubes or COS-7 cells provide the first evidence that ColQ binds MuSK. Together, our data suggest that a ternary complex containing ColQ, perlecan, and MuSK is required for AChE clustering and support the notion that MuSK dictates AChE synaptic localization at the neuromuscular junction.     

Dynactin is required for microtubule anchoring at centrosomes.

The multiprotein complex, dynactin, is an integral part of the cytoplasmic dynein motor and is required for dynein-based motility in vitro and in vivo. In living cells, perturbation of the dynein-dynactin interaction profoundly blocks mitotic spindle assembly, and inhibition or depletion of dynein or dynactin from meiotic or mitotic cell extracts prevents microtubules from focusing into spindles. In interphase cells, perturbation of the dynein-dynactin complex is correlated with an inhibition of ER-to-Golgi movement and reorganization of the Golgi apparatus and the endosome-lysosome system, but the effects on microtubule organization have not previously been defined. To explore this question, we overexpressed a variety of dynactin subunits in cultured fibroblasts. Subunits implicated in dynein binding have effects on both microtubule organization and centrosome integrity. Microtubules are reorganized into unfocused arrays. The pericentriolar components, gamma tubulin and dynactin, are lost from centrosomes, but pericentrin localization persists. Microtubule nucleation from centrosomes proceeds relatively normally, but microtubules become disorganized soon thereafter. Overexpression of some, but not all, dynactin subunits also affects endomembrane localization. These data indicate that dynein and dynactin play important roles in microtubule organization at centrosomes in fibroblastic cells and provide new insights into dynactin-cargo interactions.     

The midbody ring scaffolds the abscission machinery in the absence of midbody microtubules

Abscission completes cytokinesis to form the two daughter cells. Although abscission could be organized from the inside out by the microtubule-based midbody or from the outside in by the contractile ring–derived midbody ring, it is assumed that midbody microtubules scaffold the abscission machinery. In this paper, we assess the contribution of midbody microtubules versus the midbody ring in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. We show that abscission occurs in two stages. First, the cytoplasm in the daughter cells becomes isolated, coincident with formation of the intercellular bridge; proper progression through this stage required the septins (a midbody ring component) but not the membrane-remodeling endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. Second, the midbody and midbody ring are released into a specific daughter cell during the subsequent cell division; this stage required the septins and the ESCRT machinery. Surprisingly, midbody microtubules were dispensable for both stages. These results delineate distinct steps during abscission and highlight the central role of the midbody ring, rather than midbody microtubules, in their execution.     

SHCBP1 is required for midbody organization and cytokinesis completion

The centralspindlin complex, which is composed of MKLP1 and MgcRacGAP, is one of the crucial factors involved in cytokinesis initiation. Centralspindlin is localized at the middle of the central spindle during anaphase and then concentrates at the midbody to control abscission. A number of proteins that associate with centralspindlin have been identified. These associating factors regulate furrowing and abscission in coordination with centralspindlin. A recent study identified a novel centralspindlin partner, called Nessun Dorma, which is essential for germ cell cytokinesis in Drosophila melanogaster. SHCBP1 is a human ortholog of Nessun Dorma that associates with human centralspindlin. In this report, we analyzed the interaction of SHCBP1 with centralspindlin in detail and determined the regions that are required for the interaction. In addition, we demonstrate that the central region is necessary for the SHCBP1 dimerization. Both MgcRacGAP and MKLP1 are degraded once cells exit mitosis. Similarly, endogenous and exogenous SHCBP1 were degraded with mitosis progression. Interestingly, SHCBP1 expression was significantly reduced in the absence of centralspindlin, whereas centralspindlin expression was not affected by SHCBP1 knockdown. Finally, we demonstrate that SHCBP1 depletion promotes midbody structure disruption and inhibits abscission, a final stage of cytokinesis. Our study gives novel insight into the role of SHCBP in cytokinesis completion.     

The peptidyl prolyl isomerase cyclophilin A localizes at the centrosome and the midbody and is required for cytokinesis

Failed cytokinesis leads to tetraploidy, which is an important intermediate preceding aneuploidy and the onset of tumorigenesis. The centrosome is required for the completion of cytokinesis through the transport of important components to the midbody; however, the identity of molecular components and the mechanism involved remains poorly understood. In this study, we report that the peptidyl prolyl isomerase cyclophilin A (cypA) is a centrosome protein that undergoes cell cycle-dependent relocation to the midzone and midbody during cytokinesis in Jurkat cells implicating a role during division. Depletion of cypA does not disrupt mitotic spindle formation or progression through anaphase; however, it leads to cytokinesis defects through an inability to resolve intercellular bridges, culminating in delayed or failed cytokinesis. Defective cytokinesis is also evident by an increased prevalence of midbody-arrested cells. Expression of wild-type cypA reverses the cytokinesis defect in knockout cells, whereas an isomerase mutant does not, indicating that the isomerisation activity of cypA is required for cytokinesis. In contrast, wild-type cypA and the isomerase mutant localize to the centrosome and midbody, suggesting that localization to these structures is independent of isomerase activity. Depletion of cypA also generates tetraploid cells and supernumerary centrosomes. Finally, colony formation in soft agar is impaired in cypA-knockout cells, suggesting that cypA confers clonogenic advantage on tumor cells. Collectively, this data reveals a novel role for cypA isomerase activity in the completion of cytokinesis and the maintenance of genome stability.     

Xenopus TACC3/maskin is not required for microtubule stability but is required for anchoring microtubules at the centrosome

Members of the transforming acidic coiled coil (TACC) protein family are emerging as important mitotic spindle assembly proteins in a variety of organisms. The molecular details of how TACC proteins function are unknown, but TACC proteins have been proposed to recruit microtubule-stabilizing proteins of the tumor overexpressed gene (TOG) family to the centrosome and to facilitate their loading onto newly emerging microtubules. Using Xenopus egg extracts and in vitro assays, we show that the Xenopus TACC protein maskin is required for centrosome function beyond recruiting the Xenopus TOG protein XMAP215. The conserved C-terminal TACC domain of maskin is both necessary and sufficient to restore centrosome function in maskin-depleted extracts, and we provide evidence that the N terminus of maskin inhibits the function of the TACC domain. Time-lapse video microscopy reveals that microtubule dynamics in Xenopus egg extracts are unaffected by maskin depletion. Our results provide direct experimental evidence of a role for maskin in centrosome function and suggest that maskin is required for microtubule anchoring at the centrosome.     

Mammalian exocyst complex is required for the docking step of insulin vesicle exocytosis

Glucose stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells by inducing the recruitment and fusion of insulin vesicles to the plasma membrane. However, little is currently known about the mechanism of the initial docking or tethering of insulin vesicles prior to fusion. Here, we examined the role of the SEC6-SEC8 (exocyst) complex, implicated in trafficking of secretory vesicles to fusion sites in the plasma membrane in yeast and in regulating glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic MIN6 beta cells. We show first that SEC6 is concentrated on insulin-positive vesicles, whereas SEC5 and SEC8 are largely confined to the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane, respectively. Overexpression of truncated, dominant-negative SEC8 or SEC10 mutants decreased the number of vesicles at the plasma membrane, whereas expression of truncated SEC6 or SEC8 inhibited overall insulin secretion. When single exocytotic events were imaged by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, the fluorescence of the insulin surrogate, neuropeptide Y-monomeric red fluorescent protein brightened, diffused, and then vanished with kinetics that were unaffected by overexpression of truncated SEC8 or SEC10. Together, these data suggest that the exocyst complex serves to selectively regulate the docking of insulin-containing vesicles at sites of release close to the plasma membrane.     

Annexin 11 is required for midbody formation and completion of the terminal phase of cytokinesis

Annexins are Ca(2+)-binding, membrane-fusogenic proteins with diverse but poorly understood functions. Here, we show that during cell cycle progression annexin 11 translocates from the nucleus to the spindle poles in metaphase and to the spindle midzone in anaphase. Annexin 11 is recruited to the midbody in late telophase, where it forms part of the detergent-resistant matrix that also contains CHO1. To investigate the significance of these observations, we used RNA interference to deplete cells of annexin 11. A combination of confocal and video time-lapse microscopy revealed that cells lacking annexin 11 fail to establish a functional midbody. Instead, daughter cells remain connected by intercellular bridges that contain bundled microtubules and cytoplasmic organelles but exclude normal midbody components such as MKLP1 and Aurora B. Annexin 11-depleted cells failed to complete cytokinesis and died by apoptosis. These findings demonstrate an essential role for annexin 11 in the terminal phase of cytokinesis.     

SNARE complex assembly is required for human sperm acrosome reaction

Exocytosis of the acrosome (the acrosome reaction) is a terminal morphological alteration that sperm must undergo prior to penetration of the extracellular coat of the egg. Ca(2+) is an essential mediator of this regulated secretory event. Aided by a streptolysin-O permeabilization protocol developed in our laboratory, we have previously demonstrated requirements for Rab3A, NSF, and synaptotagmin VI in the human sperm acrosome reaction. Interestingly, Rab3A elicits an exocytotic response of comparable magnitude to that of Ca(2+). Here, we report a direct role for the SNARE complex in the acrosome reaction. First, the presence of SNARE proteins is demonstrated by Western blot. Second, the Ca(2+)-triggered acrosome reaction is inhibited by botulinum neurotoxins BoNT/A, -E, -C, and -F. Third, antibody inhibition studies show a requirement for SNAP-25, SNAP-23, syntaxins 1A, 1B, 4, and 6, and VAMP 2. Fourth, addition of bacterially expressed SNAP-25 and SNAP-23 abolishes exocytosis. Acrosome reaction elicited by Rab3-GTP is also inhibited by BoNT/A, -C, and -F. Taken together, these results demonstrate a requirement for members of all SNARE protein families in the Ca(2+)- and Rab3A-triggered acrosome reaction. Furthermore, they indicate that the onset of sperm exocytosis relies on the functional assembly of SNARE complexes.     

The exocyst is required for melanin exocytosis from melanocytes and transfer to keratinocytes

Skin pigmentation involves the production of the pigment melanin by melanocytes, in melanosomes and subsequent transfer to keratinocytes. Within keratinocytes, melanin polarizes to the apical perinuclear region to form a protective cap, shielding the DNA from ultraviolet radiation‐induced damage. Previously, we found evidence to support the exocytosis by melanocytes of the melanin core, termed melanocore, followed by endo/phagocytosis by keratinocytes as a main form of transfer, with Rab11b playing a key role in the process. Here, we report the requirement for the exocyst tethering complex in melanocore exocytosis and transfer to keratinocytes. We observed that the silencing of the exocyst subunits Sec8 or Exo70 impairs melanocore exocytosis from melanocytes, without affecting melanin synthesis. Moreover, we confirmed by immunoprecipitation that Rab11b interacts with Sec8 in melanocytes. Furthermore, we found that the silencing of Sec8 or Exo70 in melanocytes impairs melanin transfer to keratinocytes. These results support our model as melanocore exocytosis from melanocytes is essential for melanin transfer to keratinocytes and skin pigmentation and suggest that the role of Rab11b in melanocore exocytosis is mediated by the exocyst.     

Profilin 1 is required for abscission during late cytokinesis of chondrocytes

Profilins are key factors for dynamic rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. However, the functions of profilins in differentiated mammalian cells are uncertain because profilin deficiency is early embryonic lethal for higher eukaryotes. To examine profilin function in chondrocytes, we disrupted the profilin 1 gene in cartilage (Col2pfn1). Homozygous Col2pfn1 mice develop progressive chondrodysplasia caused by disorganization of the growth plate and defective chondrocyte cytokinesis, indicated by the appearance of binucleated cells. Surprisingly, Col2pfn1 chondrocytes assemble and contract actomyosin rings normally during cell division; however, they display defects during late cytokinesis as they frequently fail to complete abscission due to their inability to develop strong traction forces. This reduced force generation results from an impaired formation of lamellipodia, focal adhesions and stress fibres, which in part could be linked to an impaired mDia1‐mediated actin filament elongation. Neither an actin nor a poly‐proline binding‐deficient profilin 1 is able to rescue the defects. Taken together, our results demonstrate that profilin 1 is not required for actomyosin ring formation in dividing chondrocytes but necessary to generate sufficient force for abscission during late cytokinesis.     

Src signaling regulates completion of abscission in cytokinesis through ERK/MAPK activation at the midbody

Src family non-receptor-type tyrosine kinases regulate a wide variety of cellular events including cell cycle progression in G(2)/M phase. Here, we show that Src signaling regulates the terminal step in cytokinesis called abscission in HeLa cells. Abscission failure with an unusually elongated intercellular bridge containing the midbody is induced by treatment with the chemical Src inhibitors PP2 and SU6656 or expression of membrane-anchored Csk chimeras. By anti-phosphotyrosine immunofluorescence and live cell imaging, completion of abscission requires Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation during early stages of mitosis (before cleavage furrow formation), which is subsequently delivered to the midbody through Rab11-driven vesicle transport. Treatment with U0126, a MEK inhibitor, decreases tyrosine phosphorylation levels at the midbody, leading to abscission failure. Activated ERK by MEK-catalyzed dual phosphorylation on threonine and tyrosine residues in the TEY sequence, which is strongly detected by anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, is transported to the midbody in a Rab11-dependent manner. Src kinase activity during the early mitosis mediates ERK activation in late cytokinesis, indicating that Src-mediated signaling for abscission is spatially and temporally transmitted. Thus, these results suggest that recruitment of activated ERK, which is phosphorylated by MEK downstream of Src kinases, to the midbody plays an important role in completion of abscission.     

The Tlg SNARE complex is required for TGN homotypic fusion.

Using a new assay for membrane fusion between late Golgi/endosomal compartments, we have reconstituted a rapid, robust homotypic fusion reaction between membranes containing Kex2p and Ste13p, two enzymes resident in the yeast trans-Golgi network (TGN). Fusion was temperature, ATP, and cytosol dependent. It was inhibited by dilution, Ca+2 chelation, N-ethylmaleimide, and detergent. Coimmunoisolation confirmed that the reaction resulted in cointegration of the two enzymes into the same bilayer. Antibody inhibition experiments coupled with antigen competition indicated a requirement for soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins Tlg1p, Tlg2p, and Vti1p in this reaction. Membrane fusion also required the rab protein Vps21p. Vps21p was sufficient if present on either the Kex2p or Ste13p membranes alone, indicative of an inherent symmetry in the reaction. These results identify roles for a Tlg SNARE complex composed of Tlg1p, Tlg2p, Vti1p, and the rab Vps21p in this previously uncharacterized homotypic TGN fusion reaction.     

The exocyst component Sec5 is required for membrane traffic and polarity in the Drosophila ovary

The directed traffic of membrane proteins to the cell surface is crucial for many developmental events. We describe the role of Sec5, a member of the exocyst complex, in directed membrane traffic in the Drosophila oocyte. During oogenesis, we find that Sec5 localization undergoes dynamic changes, correlating with the sites at which it is required for the traffic of membrane proteins. Germline clones of sec5 possess defects in membrane addition and the posterior positioning of the oocyte. Additionally, the impaired membrane trafficking of Gurken, the secreted ligand for the EGF receptor, and Yolkless, the vitellogenin receptor, results in defects in dorsal patterning and egg size. However, we find the cytoskeleton to be correctly oriented. We conclude that Sec5 is required for directed membrane traffic, and consequently for the establishment of polarity within the developing oocyte.     

The vesicular SNARE Synaptobrevin is required for Semaphorin 3A axonal repulsion

Attractive and repulsive molecules such as Semaphorins (Sema) trigger rapid responses that control the navigation of axonal growth cones. The role of vesicular traffic in axonal guidance is still largely unknown. The exocytic vesicular soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein attachment protein receptor (SNARE) Synaptobrevin 2 (Syb2) is known for mediating neurotransmitter release in mature neurons, but its potential role in axonal guidance remains elusive. Here we show that Syb2 is required for Sema3A-dependent repulsion but not Sema3C-dependent attraction in cultured neurons and in the mouse brain. Syb2 associated with Neuropilin 1 and Plexin A1, two essential components of the Sema3A receptor, via its juxtatransmembrane domain. Sema3A receptor and Syb2 colocalize in endosomal membranes. Moreover, upon Sema3A treatment, Syb2-deficient neurons failed to collapse and transport Plexin A1 to cell bodies. Reconstitution of Sema3A receptor in nonneuronal cells revealed that Sema3A further inhibited the exocytosis of Syb2. Therefore, Sema3A-mediated signaling and axonal repulsion require Syb2-dependent vesicular traffic.     

Interaction of Skp1 with CENP-E at the midbody is essential for cytokinesis

Centromere-associated protein E (CENP-E) is a kinesin-related microtubule motor protein that is essential for chromosome congression during mitosis. Our previous studies show that microtubule motor CENP-E represents a link between attachment of spindle microtubules and the mitotic checkpoint signaling cascade. However, the molecular function of CENP-E at the midbody had remained elusive. Here we show that CENP-E interacts with Skp1 at the midbody and participates in cytokinesis. CENP-E interacts with Skp1 in vitro and in vivo via its coiled-coil domain. Our yeast two-hybrid assays mapped the binding interfaces to the central stalk region of CENP-E (955-1571 aa) and the C-terminal 33 amino acids of Skp1, respectively. Our immunocytochemical studies revealed that CENP-E targets to the midbody prior to Skp1 and the midbody localization of CENP-E becomes diminished as Skp1 arrives at the midbody. Suppression of Skp1 in mitotic HeLa cells by siRNA resulted in accumulation of telophase cells with elongated inter-cell bridges and with midbodies stretched 2-3 times longer than that of normal cells. These Skp1-eliminated or -suppressed cells accumulate higher level of CENP-E, suggesting that spatiotemporal regulation of CENP-E degradation at the midbody is essential for cytokinesis. Over-expression of Skp1 lacking the CENP-E-binding domain confirmed that Skp1-CENP-E interaction is essential for faithful cytokinesis. We hypothesize that CENP-E degradation is essential for faithful mitotic exit and the proteolysis of CENP-E is mediated by SCF via a direct Skp1 link.     

Distinct roles of septins in cytokinesis: SEPT9 mediates midbody abscission

Septins are a family of GTP-binding proteins implicated in mammalian cell division. Most studies examining the role of septins in this process have treated the family as a whole, thus neglecting the possibility that individual members may have diverse functions. To address this, we individually depleted each septin family member expressed in HeLa cells by siRNA and assayed for defects in cell division by immunofluorescence and time-lapse microscopy. Depletion of SEPT2, SEPT7, and SEPT11 causes defects in the early stages of cytokinesis, ultimately resulting in binucleation. In sharp contrast, SEPT9 is dispensable for the early stages of cell division, but is critical for the final separation of daughter cells. Rescue experiments indicate that SEPT9 isoforms containing the N-terminal region are sufficient to drive cytokinesis. We demonstrate that SEPT9 mediates the localization of the vesicle-tethering exocyst complex to the midbody, providing mechanistic insight into the role of SEPT9 during abscission.     

Kinesin-like protein CHO1 is required for the formation of midbody matrix and the completion of cytokinesis in mammalian cells

CHO1 is a mammalian kinesin-like motor protein of the MKLP1 subfamily. It associates with the spindle midzone during anaphase and concentrates to a midbody matrix during cytokinesis. CHO1 was originally implicated in karyokinesis, but the invertebrate homologues of CHO1 were shown to function in the midzone formation and cytokinesis. To analyze the role of the protein in mammalian cells, we mutated the ATP-binding site of CHO1 and expressed it in CHO cells. Mutant protein (CHO1F') was able to interact with microtubules via ATP-independent microtubule-binding site(s) but failed to accumulate at the midline of the central spindle and affected the localization of endogenous CHO1. Although the segregation of chromosomes, the bundling of midzone microtubules, and the initiation of cytokinesis proceeded normally in CHO1F'-expressing cells, the completion of cytokinesis was inhibited. Daughter cells were frequently entering interphase while connected by a microtubule-containing cytoplasmic bridge from which the dense midbody matrix was missing. Depletion of endogenous CHO1 via RNA-mediated interference also affected the formation of midbody matrix in dividing cells, caused the disorganization of midzone microtubules, and resulted in abortive cytokinesis. Thus, CHO1 may not be required for karyokinesis, but it is essential for the proper midzone/midbody formation and cytokinesis in mammalian cells.