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Rbl2p, a yeast protein that binds to beta-tubulin and participates in microtubule function in vivo

J E Archer1, L R Vega, F Solomon

  • 1Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.

Cell
|August 11, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Excess beta-tubulin is toxic to yeast cells, causing microtubule breakdown. The gene RBL2 rescues this toxicity by interacting with beta-tubulin, suggesting a role in microtubule formation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • High ratios of beta-tubulin to alpha-tubulin are toxic in S. cerevisiae, leading to microtubule disassembly and cell death.
  • Understanding the cellular mechanisms that regulate tubulin stoichiometry and prevent toxicity is crucial for cell viability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify yeast genes that can rescue cells from the toxicity caused by excess beta-tubulin.
  • To investigate the role of the identified gene, RBL2, in microtubule dynamics and tubulin homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Yeast genetics and gene overexpression screens were employed to identify rescue genes.
  • In vivo binding assays were performed to assess the interaction between Rbl2p and beta-tubulin.
  • Microtubule-dependent functions were analyzed under conditions of altered Rbl2p or alpha-tubulin levels.

Main Results:

  • Three non-tubulin yeast genes were identified that rescue beta-tubulin toxicity upon overexpression.
  • RBL2 was found to rescue beta-tubulin lethality as effectively as alpha-tubulin.
  • Rbl2p binds to beta-tubulin in vivo, and its manipulation affects microtubule-dependent functions in parallel with alpha-tubulin.
  • Rbl2p exhibits functional homology to murine cofactor A, involved in beta-tubulin folding.

Conclusions:

  • Rbl2p plays a significant role in mitigating beta-tubulin toxicity in yeast.
  • The findings suggest Rbl2p is involved in microtubule morphogenesis, potentially in the folding or assembly of tubulin subunits, rather than the dynamics of assembled microtubules.

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