Open AccessMicrotubule nucleation during central spindle assembly requires NEDD1 phosphorylation on Serine 405 by Aurora A
Author(s) -
Thibault Courthéoux,
David Reboutier,
Thibaut Vazeille,
Jean-Yves Crémet,
Christelle Benaud,
Isabelle Vernos,
Claude Prigent
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cell science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.384
H-Index - 278
eISSN - 1477-9137
pISSN - 0021-9533
DOI - 10.1242/jcs.231118
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , biology , spindle apparatus , microtubule , microtubule nucleation , aurora b kinase , mitosis , spindle pole body , kinetochore , context (archaeology) , centrosome , cell cycle , cell division , cell , genetics , gene , chromosome , paleontology
During mitosis, the cell sequentially constructs two microtubule-based spindles to ensure faithful segregation of chromosomes. A bipolar spindle first pulls apart the sister chromatids, then a central spindle further separates them away. Although the assembly of the first spindle is well described, the assembly of the second remains poorly understood. We report here that the inhibition of Aurora A leads to an absence of the central spindle due to a lack of nucleation of microtubules in the midzone. In the absence of Aurora A, the HURP and NEDD1 proteins that are involved in nucleation of microtubules fail to concentrate in the midzone. HURP is an effector of RanGTP and NEDD1 serves as an anchor for the γTURC. Interestingly, Aurora A already phosphorylates them during assembly of the bipolar spindle. We show here that the expression of a NEDD1 isoform mimicking Aurora A phosphorylation is sufficient to restore microtubule nucleation in the midzone in a context of Aurora A inhibition. These results reveal a new control mechanism of nucleation of microtubules by Aurora A during assembly of the central spindle.