Article
Cell Biology
Hua-Feng Shou, Zhen Jin, Yan Yu, Yu-Cheng Lai, Qing Wu, Lei-Lei Gao
Summary: This study found that FIGNL1, a member of microtubule-severing proteins (MTSPs), plays an important role in female meiosis in mouse oocytes. FIGNL1 influences the meiosis process by affecting spindle formation, and its depletion leads to spindle defects and abnormal chromosome arrangement, oocyte maturation, and fertilization obstacles.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agata Gluszek-Kustusz, Benjamin Craske, Thibault Legal, Toni McHugh, Julie P. Welburn
Summary: During mitosis, the microtubule crosslinker protein PRC1 recruits motor proteins CENP-E and Kif4A to the central spindle to coordinate chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. This recruitment is mediated by a conserved hydrophobic motif and is spatially and temporally regulated by CENP-E. The interaction between PRC1 and microtubule motor proteins is essential for controlling chromosome partitioning, maintaining central spindle integrity, and ensuring cytokinesis during anaphase.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhenzhen Chu, Oliver J. Gruss
Summary: Centrosomes play a crucial role in animal cell division. In this study, the researchers investigated the roles of centriolar satellite proteins SSX2IP and WDR8, as well as centriolar protein CEP135, in centrosome assembly and function. They found that the loss of SSX2IP and WDR8 could be compensated for, but the loss of CEP135 resulted in compromised centrosome function.
Article
Cell Biology
Laurence Serre, Julie Delaroche, Angelique Vinit, Guy Schoehn, Eric Denarier, Anne Fourest-Lieuvin, Isabelle Arnal
Summary: Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a scaffold protein with tumor suppressor properties, plays important roles in mitosis and cytoskeleton regulation. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of APC-C, the C-terminal domain of APC, in microtubule regulation. It was found that APC-C promotes both microtubule growth and shrinkage and accumulates at shrinking microtubule extremities. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed that APC-C adopts an extended conformation along the protofilament crest and decorates microtubules with ring-like tubulin oligomers. Furthermore, APC-C's interaction with microtubules is essential for correct mitotic chromosome alignment. These findings suggest that the bilateral interaction of APC-C with tubulin and microtubules contributes to its mitotic functions.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Zhenguang Ying, Kaifang Wang, Junfeng Wu, Mingyu Wang, Jing Yang, Xia Wang, Guowei Zhou, Haibin Chen, Hongwu Xu, Stephen Cho Wing Sze, Feng Gao, Chunman Li, Ou Sha
Summary: This study found that HCR is localized and stabilized at the centrosome by directly binding to astrin. Both HCR and astrin play key roles in maintaining normal microtubule assembly and genomic stability.
Review
Cell Biology
Ralph Graef, Marianne Grafe, Irene Meyer, Kristina Mitic, Valentin Pitzen
Summary: The centrosome of Dictyostelium amoebae consists of a cylindrical layered core structure without centrioles, surrounded by a corona harboring microtubule-nucleating gamma-tubulin complexes. Proteomics, protein interaction studies, and superresolution microscopy methods have significantly advanced our understanding of the composition, structure, and function of this centrosome type. Comparisons of the components of the Dictyostelium centrosome with those of animals and yeasts have been discussed.
Review
Cell Biology
T. Ferreira Luisa, Helder Maiato
Summary: Accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis requires a complete restructuring of cellular organization, including the remodeling of microtubules and actin cytoskeleton. These cytoplasmic events must be coordinated with mitotic chromosome condensation and nuclear envelope permeabilization to ensure mitotic timing and fidelity. Recent progress has been made in understanding the regulatory biochemical and mechanical pathways involved in these processes.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
William Conway, Robert Kiewisz, Gunar Fabig, Colm P. Kelleher, Hai-Yin Wu, Maya Anjur-Dietrich, Thomas Mueller-Reichert, Daniel J. Needleman
Summary: During eukaryotic cell division, the distribution of kinetochore microtubules (KMTs) in the mitotic spindle is crucial for accurate chromosome segregation. This study investigates the processes that give rise to the observed distribution of KMTs in human cells. The results suggest that KMTs grow away from kinetochores along defined trajectories, with longer KMTs growing more slowly than shorter ones, leading to a mathematical model of kinetochore-fiber self-organization in human mitotic spindles.
Article
Cell Biology
Gil Henkin, Claudia Brito, Claire Thomas, Thomas Surrey
Summary: Researchers reconstitute a functional module in vitro, shedding light on previously poorly understood mechanisms of poleward microtubule flux during eukaryotic cell division. This mechanism relies on the newly discovered inherent microtubule minus-end depolymerase activity of KIF2A, the major microtubule nucleator gamma TuRC, and a microtubule severing enzyme.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John M. Ryniawec, Gregory C. Rogers
Summary: Centrosome instability is closely associated with diseases such as cancer, highlighting the importance of understanding the wide range of centrosome functions for inspiring new discoveries.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Parsa Zareiesfandabadi, Mary Williard Elting
Summary: The mitotic spindle plays a critical role in chromosome segregation during cell division. Through laser ablation experiments, the collapse of the spindle was found to require microtubule dynamics and specific motor proteins.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Fabiola Mascanzoni, Roberta Iannitti, Antonino Colanzi
Summary: The dynamic association between the Golgi complex and the centrosome plays a crucial role in cellular processes such as cell polarization and division.
Article
Oncology
Jose Thaiparambil, Chandra S. Amara, Subrata Sen, Nagireddy Putluri, Randa El-Zein
Summary: The exposure to cigarette smoke can induce centrosome amplification and clustering in lung epithelial cells, which may contribute to lung carcinogenesis. The cyclin D2-mediated centrosome clustering pathway is critical for mitosis and its inhibition can lead to cell death.
Article
Microbiology
Ramiro Tomasina, Fabiana C. Gonzalez, Erica S. Martins-Duarte, Philippe Bastin, Mathieu Gissot, Maria E. Francia
Summary: Centrosomes are crucial for cell division and formation of the mitotic spindle. This study reveals the important role of the inner core protein TgCep250L1 in Toxoplasma gondii cell division, as its absence leads to nuclear segregation defects and failure to assemble the mitotic spindle.
Article
Cell Biology
Sylvia Fenosoa Rasamizafy, Claude Delsert, Gabriel Rabeharivelo, Julien Cau, Nathalie Morin, Juliette van Dijk
Summary: Tubulin post-translational modifications play a crucial role in regulating microtubule properties and functions, with depletion of the acetyltransferase ATAT1 causing defects in mitotic progression. This study highlights the importance of tubulin acetylation in maintaining spindle bipolarity and proper recruitment of proteins essential for mitosis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jake Shechter, Noe Atzin, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Ye Zhou, Benjamin Strain, Linda M. Oster, Juan J. de Pablo, Jennifer L. Ross
Article
Biology
Monika E. Dolega, Sylvain Monnier, Benjamin Brunel, Jean-Francois Joanny, Pierre Recho, Giovanni Cappello
Summary: Research shows that global compressions have a significant impact on the growth and motion of cell aggregates, while selective compressions have almost no effect. By draining water out of the extracellular matrix, global compressions impose residual compressive mechanical stress on cells over a long timescale.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linda M. Oster, Jake Shechter, Benjamin Strain, Manisha Shivrayan, Sankaran Thai Thayumanavan, Jennifer L. Ross
Summary: This study demonstrates that a novel polymeric amphiphile can act as a molecular triggering agent for phase transitions of liquid crystal droplets in an aqueous background. The presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate reverses the hysteresis previously observed during the transitions. The phase and configuration changes of liquid crystals can be controlled by multiple exogenous chemical triggers.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guqi Yan, Sylvain Monnier, Maleke Mouelhi, Thomas Dehoux
Summary: Volume regulation is crucial for maintaining tissue functions, and it involves modulation of molecular crowding and water efflux. This study used Brillouin light scattering to investigate volume variations and proposed a model to explain the observed phenomena.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tess Homan, Sylvain Monnier, Cecile Jebane, Alice Nicolas, Helene Delanoe-Ayari
Summary: This paper presents an automated Fourier-based analysis technique for determining cell size and distribution in 3D biological tissues. The technique shows promising results in accurately measuring cell size with a reduced number of cells and depth images.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL E
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexis J. Chambost, Nabila Berabez, Olivier Cochet-Escartin, Francois Ducray, Mathieu Gabut, Caroline Isaac, Sylvie Martel, Ahmed Idbaih, David Rousseau, David Meyronet, Sylvain Monnier
Summary: This study utilized microfluidics to optimize a deep learning algorithm for the accurate and rapid monitoring of isolated cancer stem-like cells under non-adherent conditions. The results demonstrate that the algorithm outperforms classical computer vision and shallow learning-based algorithms in terms of accuracy, while also being faster than cutting-edge convolutional neural networks (CNNs).
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
K. Alice Lindsay, Nedine Abdelhamid, Shehani Kahawatte, Ruxandra I. Dima, Dan L. Sackett, Tara M. Finegan, Jennifer L. Ross
Summary: In cells, the regulation of microtubule location, length, and dynamics is controlled by microtubule-associated proteins and enzymes that bind and act based on the microtubule tubulin code. The removal and severing of microtubules is carried out by an enzyme called katanin, which binds to the tubulin carboxy-terminal tail (CTT). Short CTT peptides have been shown to inhibit katanin severing. This study examines the effects of different CTT sequences on this inhibition activity and finds that natural CTTs have varying abilities to inhibit katanin, with beta3 CTT being ineffective. Non-native CTT tail constructs also fail to inhibit, but poly-E and poly-D peptides are able to significantly inhibit katanin.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ryan J. McGorty, Christopher J. Currie, Jonathan Michel, Mehrzad Sasanpour, Christopher Gunter, K. Alice Lindsay, Michael J. Rust, Parag Katira, Moumita Das, Jennifer L. Ross, Rae M. Robertson-Anderson
Summary: The cellular cytoskeleton relies on diverse populations of motors, filaments, and binding proteins to enable nonequilibrium processes. In this study, actin-microtubule composites were engineered to restructure and flow at different speeds depending on the composite formulation and time. Differential dynamic microscopy analyses revealed the competition between kinesin and myosin motors and the role of passive crosslinking in the dynamics and structure of the composites. The findings demonstrate the versatility and potential applications of this platform in understanding active matter systems.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nimisha Krishnan, Niranjan Sarpangala, Maria Gamez, Ajay Gopinathan, Jennifer L. Ross
Summary: In this study, the impact of mesh size of cytoskeletal networks on the transport of cargoes in cells was investigated through experiments and simulations.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL E
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sumon Sahu, Prashali Chauhan, Ellie Lumen, Kelsey Moody, Karthik Peddireddy, Nandini Mani, Radhika Subramanian, Rae Robertson-Anderson, Aaron J. Wolfe, Jennifer L. Ross
Summary: The cytoskeleton is a major focus in understanding cellular organization. Protein condensation, another organizational strategy within cells, has been found to play a role in microtubule organization. This study shows that microtubule crosslinking proteins can form phase separated condensates and control the organization of microtubules.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Hunter Seyforth, Mauricio Gomez, W. Benjamin Rogers, Jennifer L. Ross, Wylie W. Ahmed
Summary: In this study, we investigated the dynamics of a passive colloidal probe in an active bath using an optical trap. The results revealed that the viscosity of the active bath exhibits shear thinning, shear thickening, and plateau effects depending on the value of the Peclet number. Additionally, we observed that the distribution of force fluctuations in the active bath is different from that in passive equilibrium baths. Moreover, the energy transfer rate from the active bath to the probe was measured.
PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lauren Melcher, Elisabeth Rennert, Jennifer Ross, Michael Rust, Rae Robertson-Anderson, Moumita Das
Summary: This study investigates a 2D model colloidal network that can transition between disordered and ordered states through rhythmic binding and unbinding of biomimetic crosslinkers. The simulations suggest that when the crosslinker kinetics and lifetimes depend on the oscillation period and this period is much larger than the colloidal diffusion time, distinct states with pronounced microstructural order and long residence times in the ordered state can be achieved.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Sumon Sahu, Lena Herbst, Ryan Quinn, Jennifer L. Ross
Summary: By altering the properties of crowders, such as type, size, and molecular weight, researchers found that it affects the organization of microtubules. Comparing simulations with experiments, a scaling law associated with fanlike patterns in the absence of crosslinkers was observed. Tactoids formed in the presence of crosslinkers show variable length, depending on the crowders.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Leila Farhadi, Shea N. Ricketts, Michael J. Rust, Moumita Das, Rae M. Robertson-Anderson, Jennifer L. Ross
Article
Biology
Rhiannon R. White, Congping Lin, Ian Leaves, Ines G. Castro, Jeremy Metz, Benji C. Bateman, Stanley W. Botchway, Andrew D. Ward, Peter Ashwin, Imogen Sparkes
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2020)