Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Efficient Sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a 96 Multiwell Format
08:54

Efficient Sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a 96 Multiwell Format

Published on: September 17, 2016

Interaction with calmodulin is required for the function of Spc110p, an essential component of the yeast spindle pole

D A Stirling1, K A Welch, M J Stark

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, The University, Dundee, UK.

The EMBO Journal
|September 15, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Yeast calmodulin binds the nuclear filament protein Spc110p, crucial for spindle pole body function. This interaction is essential for Spc110p stability and cellular function, highlighting calmodulin's direct role.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The spindle pole body (SPB) is essential for cell division in yeast.
  • Calmodulin is a versatile calcium-binding protein involved in numerous cellular processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize targets of yeast calmodulin.
  • To investigate the functional significance of calmodulin binding to the nuclear filament protein NUF1/SPC110.

Main Methods:

  • Genetic screening to identify calmodulin targets.
  • Biochemical assays to confirm protein interactions and map binding sites.
  • Site-directed mutagenesis to analyze protein function in vivo and in vitro.
  • Analysis of protein stability and cellular localization.

Main Results:

  • NUF1/SPC110 was identified as a calmodulin target, with the binding site localized to its C-terminus.
  • Mutations abolishing calmodulin binding in vitro rendered Spc110p non-functional in vivo.
  • Calmodulin was shown to localize to the yeast SPB.
  • Mutant Spc110 proteins lacking calmodulin binding exhibited reduced stability, which was partially rescued by increased gene dosage or calmodulin overexpression.

Conclusions:

  • Calmodulin binding is critical for the stability and function of Spc110p.
  • Calmodulin plays a direct role in regulating Spc110p function and localization at the SPB.
  • These findings elucidate a novel regulatory mechanism involving calmodulin in yeast cell division.

More Related Videos

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

Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast08:13

Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast

Published on: September 26, 2025

Related Concept Videos

The Mitotic Spindle02:27

The Mitotic Spindle

The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures bipolar mitotic...
Spindle Assembly02:50

Spindle Assembly

Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a microtubule array...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling01:16

Calmodulin-dependent Signaling

Calmodulin (CaM) is a calcium-binding protein in eukaryotes that controls various calcium-regulated cellular processes. It has four calcium-binding sites that bind calcium to form the calcium-calmodulin ( Ca2+-CaM) complex. GPCR stimulation increases the calcium levels in the cells that bind to CaM and induces a conformational change.
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...