TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-organization of a radial microtubule array by dynein-dependent nucleation of microtubules
AU - Vorobjev, Ivan
AU - Malikov, Viacheslav
AU - Rodionov, Vladimir
PY - 2001/8/28
Y1 - 2001/8/28
N2 - Polarized radial arrays of cytoplasmic microtubules (MTs) with minus ends clustered at the cell center define the organization of the cytoplasm through interaction with microtubule motors bound to membrane organelles or chromosomes. It is generally assumed that the radial organization results from nucleation of MTs at the centrosome. However, radial MT array can also be attained through self-organization that requires the activity of a minus-end-directed MT motor, cytoplasmic dynein. In this study we examine the role of cytoplasmic dynein in the self-organization of a radial MT array in cytoplasmic fragments of fish melanophores lacking the centrosome. After activation of dynein motors bound to membrane-bound organelles, pigment granules, the fragments rapidly form polarized radial arrays of MTs and position pigment aggregates at their centers. We show that rearrangement of MTs in the cytoplasm is achieved through dynein-dependent MT nucleation. The radial pattern is generated by continuous disassembly and reassembly of MTs and concurrent minus-end-directed transport of pigment granules bearing the nucleation sites.
AB - Polarized radial arrays of cytoplasmic microtubules (MTs) with minus ends clustered at the cell center define the organization of the cytoplasm through interaction with microtubule motors bound to membrane organelles or chromosomes. It is generally assumed that the radial organization results from nucleation of MTs at the centrosome. However, radial MT array can also be attained through self-organization that requires the activity of a minus-end-directed MT motor, cytoplasmic dynein. In this study we examine the role of cytoplasmic dynein in the self-organization of a radial MT array in cytoplasmic fragments of fish melanophores lacking the centrosome. After activation of dynein motors bound to membrane-bound organelles, pigment granules, the fragments rapidly form polarized radial arrays of MTs and position pigment aggregates at their centers. We show that rearrangement of MTs in the cytoplasm is achieved through dynein-dependent MT nucleation. The radial pattern is generated by continuous disassembly and reassembly of MTs and concurrent minus-end-directed transport of pigment granules bearing the nucleation sites.
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U2 - 10.1073/pnas.181354198
DO - 10.1073/pnas.181354198
M3 - Article
C2 - 11504928
AN - SCOPUS:0035964366
VL - 98
SP - 10160
EP - 10165
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
JF - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
SN - 0027-8424
IS - 18
ER -