BACKGROUND: G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting proteins (GITs) function as GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for small GTPases of the ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) family. While GIT proteins (GIT1 and GIT2) regulate both cell migration and microtubule organization, their corresponding regulatory mechanisms in glioblastoma cells remain largely unknown. To further investigate their role in microtubule modulation, we examined the function of GITs in microtubule nucleation and the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in this process. METHODS: Glioblastoma cell lines with depleted GIT protein levels were generated using shRNA lentiviral vectors. The cellular localization of GITs was visualized by immunofluorescence microscopy, microtubule nucleation was analyzed using time-lapse imaging, and cell migration was assessed through a wound healing assay. Phosphomimetic and non-phosphorylatable variants of GIT2 were prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. Immunoprecipitation, pull-down experiments, and kinase assays in the presence of PKC inhibitors were used to study protein interactions. RESULTS: Both GIT1 and GIT2 associate with proteins of the γ-tubulin ring complexes (γTuRCs), the primary microtubule nucleators, and localize to centrosomes. Depletion of GIT2 enhances centrosomal microtubule nucleation and has a more pronounced, yet opposite, effect on this process compared to GIT1. In contrast, the depletion of both GIT1 and GIT2 similarly affects cell migration. The N-terminal ArfGAP domain of GIT2 associates with centrosomes, regulates microtubule nucleation, and is phosphorylated by PKC, which modulates this process. We identified serine 46 (S46) on the ArfGAP domain as a PKC phosphorylation site and demonstrated that phosphorylation of GIT2 at S46 promotes microtubule nucleation. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that GIT2 phosphorylation provides a novel regulatory mechanism for microtubule nucleation in glioblastoma cells, contributing to their invasive properties.

• Keywords
• Centrosomes, G protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting proteins (GITs), Glioblastoma cells, Microtubule nucleation, Protein kinase C (PKC),
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Microtubules composed of αβ-tubulin dimers are dynamic cytoskeletal polymers that play key roles in essential cellular processes such as cell division, organelle positioning, intracellular transport, and cell migration. γ-Tubulin is a highly conserved member of the tubulin family that is required for microtubule nucleation. γ-Tubulin, together with its associated proteins, forms the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC), that templates microtubules. Here we review recent advances in the structure of γ-TuRC, its activation, and centrosomal recruitment. This provides new mechanistic insights into the molecular mechanism of microtubule nucleation. Accumulating data suggest that γ-tubulin also has other, less well understood functions. We discuss emerging evidence that γ-tubulin can form oligomers and filaments, has specific nuclear functions, and might be involved in centrosomal cross-talk between microtubules and microfilaments.

• Keywords
• microtubule nucleation, αβ-tubulin dimer, γ-tubulin functions, γ-tubulin isotypes, γ-tubulin ring complexes (γ-TuRC),
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

ER distribution depends on microtubules, and ER homeostasis disturbance activates the unfolded protein response resulting in ER remodeling. CDK5RAP3 (C53) implicated in various signaling pathways interacts with UFM1-protein ligase 1 (UFL1), which mediates the ufmylation of proteins in response to ER stress. Here we find that UFL1 and C53 associate with γ-tubulin ring complex proteins. Knockout of UFL1 or C53 in human osteosarcoma cells induces ER stress and boosts centrosomal microtubule nucleation accompanied by γ-tubulin accumulation, microtubule formation, and ER expansion. C53, which is stabilized by UFL1, associates with the centrosome and rescues microtubule nucleation in cells lacking UFL1. Pharmacological induction of ER stress by tunicamycin also leads to increased microtubule nucleation and ER expansion. Furthermore, tunicamycin suppresses the association of C53 with the centrosome. These findings point to a novel mechanism for the relief of ER stress by stimulation of centrosomal microtubule nucleation.

• Keywords
• CDK5RAP3, ER stress, UFL1, microtubule nucleation, γ-tubulin,
• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microtubules metabolism   MeSH
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Cycle Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• CDK5RAP3 protein, human MeSH Browser
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins MeSH
• Cell Cycle Proteins MeSH

In cells, microtubules typically nucleate from microtubule organizing centers, such as centrosomes. γ-Tubulin, which forms multiprotein complexes, is essential for nucleation. The γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is an efficient microtubule nucleator that requires additional centrosomal proteins for its activation and targeting. Evidence suggests that there is a dysfunction of centrosomal microtubule nucleation in cancer cells. Despite decades of molecular analysis of γ-TuRC and its interacting factors, the mechanisms of microtubule nucleation in normal and cancer cells remains obscure. Here, we review recent work on the high-resolution structure of γ-TuRC, which brings new insight into the mechanism of microtubule nucleation. We discuss the effects of γ-TuRC protein dysregulation on cancer cell behavior and new compounds targeting γ-tubulin. Drugs inhibiting γ-TuRC functions could represent an alternative to microtubule targeting agents in cancer chemotherapy.

• Keywords
• cancers, microtubule nucleation, γ-tubulin complexes,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Highly conserved α- and β-tubulin heterodimers assemble into dynamic microtubules and perform multiple important cellular functions such as structural support, pathway for transport and force generation in cell division. Tubulin exists in different forms of isotypes expressed by specific genes with spatially- and temporally-regulated expression levels. Some tubulin isotypes are differentially expressed in normal and neoplastic cells, providing a basis for cancer chemotherapy drug development. Moreover, specific tubulin isotypes are overexpressed and localized in the nuclei of cancer cells and/or show bioenergetic functions through the regulation of the permeability of mitochondrial ion channels. It has also become clear that tubulin isotypes are involved in multiple cellular functions without being incorporated into microtubule structures. Understanding the mutations of tubulin isotypes specifically expressed in tumors and their post-translational modifications might help to identify precise molecular targets for the design of novel anti-microtubular drugs. Knowledge of tubulin mutations present in tubulinopathies brings into focus cellular functions of tubulin in brain pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease. Uncovering signaling pathways which affect tubulin functions during antigen-mediated activation of mast cells presents a major challenge in developing new strategies for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases. γ-tubulin, a conserved member of the eukaryotic tubulin superfamily specialized for microtubule nucleation is a target of cell cycle and stress signaling. Besides its microtubule nucleation role, γ-tubulin functions in nuclear and cell cycle related processes. This special issue "Tubulin: Structure, Functions and Roles in Disease" contains eight articles, five of which are original research papers and three are review papers that cover diverse areas of tubulin biology and functions under normal and pathological conditions.

• Keywords
• cancer regulation, chemotherapy drugs, isoforms, microtubules, tubulin,
• MeSH
• Alzheimer Disease genetics   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microtubules genetics   metabolism   pathology   MeSH
• Mutation MeSH
• Neoplasm Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Neoplasms genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Isoforms MeSH
• Tubulin genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Introductory Journal Article MeSH
• Editorial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Neoplasm Proteins MeSH
• Protein Isoforms MeSH
• Tubulin MeSH

The antigen-mediated activation of mast cells initiates signaling events leading to their degranulation, to the release of inflammatory mediators, and to the synthesis of cytokines and chemokines. Although rapid and transient microtubule reorganization during activation has been described, the molecular mechanisms that control their rearrangement are largely unknown. Microtubule nucleation is mediated by γ-tubulin complexes. In this study, we report on the regulation of microtubule nucleation in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) by Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1; Ptpn6). Reciprocal immunoprecipitation experiments and pull-down assays revealed that SHP-1 is present in complexes containing γ-tubulin complex proteins and protein tyrosine kinase Syk. Microtubule regrowth experiments in cells with deleted SHP-1 showed a stimulation of microtubule nucleation, and phenotypic rescue experiments confirmed that SHP-1 represents a negative regulator of microtubule nucleation in BMMCs. Moreover, the inhibition of the SHP-1 activity by inhibitors TPI-1 and NSC87877 also augmented microtubule nucleation. The regulation was due to changes in γ-tubulin accumulation. Further experiments with antigen-activated cells showed that the deletion of SHP-1 stimulated the generation of microtubule protrusions, the activity of Syk kinase, and degranulation. Our data suggest a novel mechanism for the suppression of microtubule formation in the later stages of mast cell activation.

• Keywords
• SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase, bone marrow-derived mast cells, cell activation, microtubule nucleation, γ-tubulin complexes,
• MeSH
• Cell Degranulation MeSH
• HEK293 Cells MeSH
• Syk Kinase metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mast Cells cytology   metabolism   MeSH
• MCF-7 Cells MeSH
• Microtubules metabolism   MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Tubulin metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6 antagonists & inhibitors   physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Syk Kinase MeSH
• Ptpn6 protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Syk protein, mouse MeSH Browser
• Tubulin MeSH
• Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 6 MeSH

γ-Tubulin is a conserved member of the tubulin superfamily with a function in microtubule nucleation. Proteins of γ-tubulin complexes serve as nucleation templates as well as a majority of other proteins contributing to centrosomal and non-centrosomal nucleation, conserved across eukaryotes. There is a growing amount of evidence of γ-tubulin functions besides microtubule nucleation in transcription, DNA damage response, chromatin remodeling, and on its interactions with tumor suppressors. However, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Furthermore, interactions with lamin and SUN proteins of the LINC complex suggest the role of γ-tubulin in the coupling of nuclear organization with cytoskeletons. γ-Tubulin that belongs to the clade of eukaryotic tubulins shows characteristics of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic tubulins. Both human and plant γ-tubulins preserve the ability of prokaryotic tubulins to assemble filaments and higher-order fibrillar networks. γ-Tubulin filaments, with bundling and aggregating capacity, are suggested to perform complex scaffolding and sequestration functions. In this review, we discuss a plethora of γ-tubulin molecular interactions and cellular functions, as well as recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms behind them.

• Keywords
• SUN proteins, filaments, gamma-tubulin, lamins, mechanosensing, nuclear functions, nucleation,
• MeSH
• Cell Nucleus metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Cycle MeSH
• Nuclear Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Nuclear Envelope metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microtubules metabolism   MeSH
• Tubulin metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Nuclear Proteins MeSH
• Tubulin MeSH

The microtubule cytoskeleton is critically important for spatio-temporal organization of eukaryotic cells. The nucleation of new microtubules is typically restricted to microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) and requires γ-tubulin that assembles into multisubunit complexes of various sizes. γ-Tubulin ring complexes (TuRCs) are efficient microtubule nucleators and are associated with large number of targeting, activating and modulating proteins. γ-Tubulin-dependent nucleation of microtubules occurs both from canonical MTOCs, such as spindle pole bodies and centrosomes, and additional sites such as Golgi apparatus, nuclear envelope, plasma membrane-associated sites, chromatin and surface of pre-existing microtubules. Despite many advances in structure of γ-tubulin complexes and characterization of γTuRC interacting factors, regulatory mechanisms of microtubule nucleation are not fully understood. Here, we review recent work on the factors and regulatory mechanisms that are involved in centrosomal and non-centrosomal microtubule nucleation.

• Keywords
• Centrosomes, Microtubule nucleation, Microtubule-organizing centers, Non-centrosomal nucleation sites, Spindle pole bodies, γ-Tubulin complexes,
• MeSH
• Centrosome metabolism   MeSH
• Golgi Apparatus metabolism   MeSH
• Nuclear Envelope metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microtubules metabolism   MeSH
• Multiprotein Complexes metabolism   MeSH
• Spindle Pole Bodies metabolism   MeSH
• Microtubule-Associated Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Tubulin metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Multiprotein Complexes MeSH
• Microtubule-Associated Proteins MeSH
• Tubulin MeSH

Processing bodies (P-bodies) are dynamic cytoplasmic structures involved in mRNA degradation, but the mechanism that governs their formation is poorly understood. In this paper, we address a role of Like-Sm (LSm) proteins in formation of P-bodies and provide evidence that depletion of nuclear LSm8 increases the number of P-bodies, while LSm8 overexpression leads to P-body loss. We show that LSm8 knockdown causes relocalization of LSm4 and LSm6 proteins to the cytoplasm and suggest that LSm8 controls nuclear accumulation of all LSm2-7 proteins. We propose a model in which redistribution of LSm2-7 to the cytoplasm creates new binding sites for other P-body components and nucleates new, microscopically visible structures. The model is supported by prolonged residence of two P-body proteins, DDX6 and Ago2, in P-bodies after LSm8 depletion, which indicates stronger interactions between these proteins and P-bodies. Finally, an increased number of P-bodies has negligible effects on microRNA-mediated translation repression and nonsense mediated decay, further supporting the view that the function of proteins localized in P-bodies is independent of visible P-bodies.

• MeSH
• Autoantigens metabolism   MeSH
• Cell Nucleus metabolism   MeSH
• Cytoplasmic Granules metabolism   MeSH
• DEAD-box RNA Helicases metabolism   MeSH
• Microscopy, Fluorescence MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• N-Terminal Acetyltransferase C metabolism   physiology   MeSH
• RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional * MeSH
• RNA-Binding Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Transport MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Autoantigens MeSH
• DDX6 protein, human MeSH Browser
• DEAD-box RNA Helicases MeSH
• Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear MeSH
• N-Terminal Acetyltransferase C MeSH
• NAA38 protein, human MeSH Browser
• RNA-Binding Proteins MeSH
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins MeSH
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins MeSH
• Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear MeSH
• TNRC6A protein, human MeSH Browser

γ-Tubulin is the key protein for microtubule nucleation. Duplication of the γ-tubulin gene occurred several times during evolution, and in mammals γ-tubulin genes encode proteins which share ∼97% sequence identity. Previous analysis of Tubg1 and Tubg2 knock-out mice has suggested that γ-tubulins are not functionally equivalent. Tubg1 knock-out mice died at the blastocyst stage, whereas Tubg2 knock-out mice developed normally and were fertile. It was proposed that γ-tubulin 1 represents ubiquitous γ-tubulin, while γ-tubulin 2 may have some specific functions and cannot substitute for γ-tubulin 1 deficiency in blastocysts. The molecular basis of the suggested functional difference between γ-tubulins remains unknown. Here we show that exogenous γ-tubulin 2 is targeted to centrosomes and interacts with γ-tubulin complex proteins 2 and 4. Depletion of γ-tubulin 1 by RNAi in U2OS cells causes impaired microtubule nucleation and metaphase arrest. Wild-type phenotype in γ-tubulin 1-depleted cells is restored by expression of exogenous mouse or human γ-tubulin 2. Further, we show at both mRNA and protein levels using RT-qPCR and 2D-PAGE, respectively, that in contrast to Tubg1, the Tubg2 expression is dramatically reduced in mouse blastocysts. This indicates that γ-tubulin 2 cannot rescue γ-tubulin 1 deficiency in knock-out blastocysts, owing to its very low amount. The combined data suggest that γ-tubulin 2 is able to nucleate microtubules and substitute for γ-tubulin 1. We propose that mammalian γ-tubulins are functionally redundant with respect to the nucleation activity.

• MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Down-Regulation * MeSH
• Embryonic Development genetics   MeSH
• Embryo Implantation MeSH
• Intracellular Space metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microtubules metabolism   MeSH
• Mitosis genetics   MeSH
• Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• Protein Isoforms deficiency   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Protein Transport MeSH
• Tubulin deficiency   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Protein Isoforms MeSH
• Tubulin MeSH