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CLIP-170 facilitates the formation of kinetochore-microtubule attachments

Marvin E Tanenbaum1, Niels Galjart, Marcel A T M van Vugt

  • 1Division of Molecular Biology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The EMBO Journal
|December 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

CLIP-170 protein aids in forming kinetochore-microtubule attachments during mitosis. Depleting CLIP-170 impairs chromosome alignment and attachment, highlighting its role in cell division.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • CLIP-170 is a microtubule plus-end tracking protein crucial for interphase microtubule dynamics.
  • Its role during mitosis, particularly at kinetochores, remains unclear despite RNAi studies suggesting importance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular function of CLIP-170 during mitosis.
  • To investigate CLIP-170's localization and role in kinetochore-microtubule interactions.

Main Methods:

  • High-resolution live-cell microscopy.
  • RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated depletion of CLIP-170.
  • Analysis of chromosome congression and kinetochore-microtubule attachments.

Main Results:

  • CLIP-170 dynamically localizes to unattached kinetochores and growing microtubule plus ends.
  • Evidence suggests CLIP-170 is transported along kinetochore microtubules by the dynein/dynactin complex.
  • CLIP-170 depletion causes defective chromosome congression and reduced kinetochore-microtubule attachments.

Conclusions:

  • CLIP-170 is essential for establishing proper kinetochore-microtubule attachments during mitosis.
  • CLIP-170 may facilitate microtubule capture at kinetochores, crucial for accurate chromosome segregation.

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