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Cytoplasmic dynein in fungi: insights from nuclear migration

Ayumu Yamamoto1, Yasushi Hiraoka

  • 1CREST Research Project, Kansai Advanced Research Center, Communications Research Laboratory, 588-2 Iwaoka, Iwaoka-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2492, Japan. ayumu@crl.go.jp

Journal of Cell Science
|October 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Cytoplasmic dynein, a motor protein, is essential for cell functions like nuclear migration. Studies suggest dynein is recruited to microtubules, delivered to the cell cortex, and activated there for these processes.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Motors

Background:

  • Cytoplasmic dynein is a microtubule motor protein essential for various cellular processes.
  • Dynein's association with cellular structures and motility activation are critical but poorly understood.
  • In fungi, dynein is vital for nuclear migration, particularly in budding yeast.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of dynein recruitment, delivery, and activation in cellular processes.
  • To investigate the role of dynein in nuclear migration in fungi.
  • To explore potential common mechanisms for dynein activation across eukaryotic processes.

Main Methods:

  • The study likely involved observing dynein behavior in budding yeast using advanced microscopy techniques.
  • Investigating the interaction between astral microtubules, the cell cortex, and dynein.
  • Analyzing the sequence of dynein recruitment and activation events.

Main Results:

  • Budding yeast dynein is recruited to microtubules.
  • Microtubules deliver dynein to the cell cortex.
  • Dynein motility is activated upon association with the cell cortex.

Conclusions:

  • A model is proposed where dynein is recruited to microtubules, transported to the cortex, and activated there.
  • This mechanism is likely conserved in nuclear migration in other fungi.
  • Dynein recruitment and activation at cellular structures may be a common mechanism in eukaryotic organelle transport.

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