The mitotic spindle protein CKAP2 potently increases formation and stability of microtubules.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 35029146.
- Also identified by DOI 10.7554/eLife.72202 and PMC identifier 8798059.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Cells increase microtubule dynamics to make large rearrangements to their microtubule cytoskeleton during cell division. Changes in microtubule dynamics are essential for the formation and function of the mitotic spindle, and misregulation can lead to aneuploidy and cancer. Using in vitro reconstitution assays we show that the mitotic spindle protein Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein 2 (CKAP2) has a strong effect on nucleation of microtubules by lowering the critical tubulin concentration 100-fold. CKAP2 increases the apparent rate constant <i>k<sub>a</sub></i> of microtubule growth by 50-fold and increases microtubule growth rates. In addition, CKAP2 strongly suppresses catastrophes. Our results identify CKAP2 as the most potent microtubule growth factor to date. These finding help explain CKAP2's role as an important spindle protein, proliferation marker, and oncogene.
Medical subject headings
- Cytoskeletal Proteins
- Microtubules
- Spindle Apparatus