The Golgi-associated protein GRASP65 regulates spindle dynamics and is essential for cell division

At the onset of mitosis, the pericentriolar Golgi apparatus of mammalian cells is converted into small fragments, which are dispersed throughout the cytosol. The Golgi-associated protein GRASP65 is involved in this process. To address the role of GRASP65 in mitotic Golgi fragmentation, we depleted the protein from HeLa cells by RNAi. In the absence of GRASP65, the number of cisternae per Golgi stack is reduced without affecting the overall organization of Golgi membranes and protein transport. GRASP65-depleted cells entered mitosis, but accumulated in metaphase with condensed chromatin and multiple aberrant spindles and eventually died. Although Centrin2 and g-tubulin were detected in two of the spindle poles, the other spindle poles contained g-tubulin, but not Centrin2. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the expression of the C-terminus of GRASP65 interferes with entry of cells into mitosis. Our results suggest the requirement for GRASP65 in the regulation of spindle dynamics rather than a direct role in the stacking of Golgi cisternae. This novel function is in addition to the previously established negative role of GRASP65 at the G2/M transition, which is mediated by its C-terminus.