Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay
12:26

Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

Published on: May 3, 2018

19.5K

The nucleoporin Mlp2 is involved in chromosomal distribution during mitosis in trypanosomatids

Christelle Morelle1, Yvon Sterkers1, Lucien Crobu2

  • 1Laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, University Montpellier 1, Montpellier F34090, France CNRS 5290-IRD 224-University Montpellier 1&2 (UMR 'MiVEGEC'), Montpellier F34090, France Department of Parasitology-Mycology, University Hospital Centre (CHU), Montpellier F34090, France.

Nucleic Acids Research
|February 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Nucleoporins like Mlp2 play a key role in chromosome distribution during mitosis in trypanosomatids. Knockdown of Mlp2 caused aneuploidy, but diploidy was restored by expressing its Leishmania counterpart.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Nucleoporins are essential for nuclear pore structure and transport, but also influence chromatin dynamics and mitosis.
  • The specific roles of nucleoporins in the cell division of divergent eukaryotes like trypanosomatids remain largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cellular localization and function of the nucleoporin Mlp2 in Leishmania major and Trypanosoma brucei.
  • To elucidate Mlp2's role in mitosis and chromosome segregation in these protozoa.

Main Methods:

  • Determined the cellular localization of Mlp2 using microscopy in Leishmania major and Trypanosoma brucei.
  • Utilized RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down TbMlp2 expression in Trypanosoma brucei.
  • Performed complementation assays by expressing Leishmania major Mlp2 in Trypanosoma brucei.

Main Results:

  • Mlp2 exhibited an atypical intranuclear localization, near the nucleolus during interphase and at mitotic spindle poles during mitosis.
  • In Trypanosoma brucei, TbMlp2 localized adjacent to centromeric sequences and kinetochore proteins.
  • RNAi-mediated knockdown of TbMlp2 led to disrupted chromosome distribution and aneuploidy, which was surprisingly well-tolerated.
  • Complementation with LmMlp2 restored diploidy in TbMlp2-knockdown parasites.

Conclusions:

  • Mlp2 is involved in the accurate distribution of chromosomes during mitosis in trypanosomatids.
  • Mlp2 plays a conserved role in chromosome segregation in these divergent eukaryotes.
  • The findings highlight Mlp2 as a potential target for understanding and manipulating cell division in trypanosomatids.

More Related Videos

Examination of Mitotic and Meiotic Fission Yeast Nuclear Dynamics by Fluorescence Live-cell Microscopy12:04

Examination of Mitotic and Meiotic Fission Yeast Nuclear Dynamics by Fluorescence Live-cell Microscopy

Published on: June 24, 2019

10.9K
Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae07:48

Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae

Published on: October 11, 2022

2.4K

Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Protein Sorting01:34

Nuclear Protein Sorting

Nuclear protein sorting is the selective trafficking of histones, polymerases, gene regulatory proteins into the nucleus and exporting RNAs and ribosomes to the cytosol. It is a tightly controlled process that regulates gene expression within a cell.
Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry nuclear localization signals or NLS recognized by import receptors in the cytosol. Similarly, proteins with nuclear export signals are recognized by export receptors. Import and export receptors are...
6.7K
The Nucleolus02:55

The Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
10.8K
Nuclear Export01:42

Nuclear Export

The nucleus restricts several proteins within and allows others to pass. The restricted proteins possess a nuclear retention sequence or NRS, anchoring them to the nuclear lamins and preventing their transport to the cytosol. The non-restricted proteins, after their synthesis, are transported to their site of action, such as the cytosol or other organelles, with the help of nuclear export signals or NES.
NES are of three types- the canonical 10-residue long leucine-rich signal and other...
5.3K
Nuclear Localization Signals and Import01:46

Nuclear Localization Signals and Import

Proteins targeted to the nucleus carry short stretches of amino acid sequences called the nuclear localization signal or NLS. Classical nuclear localization signals are of two types: monopartite and bipartite NLS. Monopartite classical NLS (cNLS) consists of a single cluster of 4-8 amino acids. Bipartite cNLS consists of two clusters of  2-3 amino acids and a 9-12 residue long proline-rich linker bridging the two clusters. Signal clusters are rich in positively charged amino acids such as...
8.4K
Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules.  Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall...
4.2K
Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also...
11.4K