An alpha tubulin mutation suppresses nuclear migration mutations in Aspergillus nidulans

Microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein, a microtubule-dependent motor, are required for nuclei to move along the hyphae of filamentous fungi. Nuclear migration in Aspergillus nidulans is blocked by heat-sensitive (hs-) mutations in the nudA gene, which encodes dynein heavy chain, and the nudF gene, which encodes a G protein beta-subunit-like protein. Hs- mutations in the nudC and nudG genes also prevent nuclear migration. We have isolated extragenic suppressor mutations that reverse the hs- phenotypes caused by these mutations. Here we show that one nudF suppressor also suppresses hs- mutations in nudA, nudC, and nudG and deletions in nudA and nudF. This suppressor mutation is in the tubA alpha tubulin gene, and its characteristics suggest that it destabilizes microtubules. The mutation alters microtubule staining and confers sensitivity to cold and benomyl, two treatments that destabilize microtubules. Treatment with low concentrations of benomyl also suppresses the hs- nudA, nudC, nudF, and nudG mutations and the nudA and nudF deletions. Suppression of the hs- nudA mutation and the nudA deletion is especially interesting because these strains lack active dynein heavy chain. Together, these results suggest that microtubule destabilization allows nuclei to migrate even in the absence of cytoplasmic dynein motor function.