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Centrosome maturation and mitotic spindle assembly in C. elegans require SPD-5, a protein with multiple coiled-coil
Danielle R Hamill1, Aaron F Severson, J Clayton Carter
1Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
Abstract:
The maternally expressed C. elegans gene spd-5 encodes a centrosomal protein with multiple coiled-coil domains. During mitosis in mutants with reduced levels of SPD-5, microtubules assemble but radiate from condensed chromosomes without forming a spindle, and mitosis fails. SPD-5 is required for the centrosomal localization of gamma-tubulin, XMAP-215, and Aurora A kinase family members, but SPD-5 accumulates at centrosomes in mutants lacking these proteins. Furthermore, SPD-5 interacts genetically with a dynein heavy chain. We propose that SPD-5, along with dynein, is required for centrosome maturation and mitotic spindle assembly.