TPX2 (Targeting Protein for Xklp2) is an evolutionary conserved microtubule-associated protein important for microtubule nucleation and mitotic spindle assembly. The protein was described as an activator of the mitotic kinase Aurora A in humans and the Arabidopsis AURORA1 (AUR1) kinase. In contrast to animal genomes that encode only one TPX2 gene, higher plant genomes encode a family with several TPX2-LIKE gene members (TPXL). TPXL genes of Arabidopsis can be divided into two groups. Group A proteins (TPXL2, 3, 4, and 8) contain Aurora binding and TPX2_importin domains, while group B proteins (TPXL1, 5, 6, and 7) harbor an Xklp2 domain. Canonical TPX2 contains all the above-mentioned domains. We confirmed using in vitro kinase assays that the group A proteins contain a functional Aurora kinase binding domain. Transient expression of Arabidopsis TPX2-like proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed preferential localization to microtubules and nuclei. Co-expression of AUR1 together with TPX2-like proteins changed the localization of AUR1, indicating that these proteins serve as targeting factors for Aurora kinases. Taken together, we visualize the various localizations of the TPX2-LIKE family in Arabidopsis as a proxy to their functional divergence and provide evidence of their role in the targeted regulation of AUR1 kinase activity.

Center for Plant Systems Biology VIB 9052 Ghent Belgium

Department of Botany Faculty of Science Palacký University Olomouc Šlechtitelů 27 CZ 78371 Olomouc Czech Republic

Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Ghent University 9052 Ghent Belgium

Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences Centre of the Region Hana for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research Šlechtitelů 31 CZ 77900 Olomouc Czech Republic

Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research Gatersleben Corrensstrasse 3 06466 Seeland Germany

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