DECIPHERING THE FUNCTION OF HURP IN REGULATING MICROTUBULE DYNAMICS AND CHROMOSOME MOVEMENT

ZHANG YAJUN

Publication

DECIPHERING THE FUNCTION OF HURP IN REGULATING MICROTUBULE DYNAMICS AND CHROMOSOME MOVEMENT

ZHANG YAJUN

Abstract

The regulation of mitotic spindle dynamics is important for faithful chromosome segregation. HURP is an important microtubule-associated protein for stabilizing and bundling the mitotic spindle. Depletion of HURP delays the mitotic progression, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Our research identifies a new interaction partner of HURP in regulating the kinetochore microtubule formation and kinetochore capture. HURP interacts with TACC3 in vivo and in vitro. Depletion of HURP abolishes the localization of TACC3 around the chromosome region along the spindle, so that the formation of kinetochore microtubule is impeded. The defect in kinetochore microtubule formation results in the low efficiency of laterally attached chromosome movement. Taken together, this study identifies a novel protein association involved in regulating kinetochore microtubule dynamics, which is crucial for the successful kinetochore to microtubule attachment. This study shed new light on studying chromosome congression during the early prometaphase by characterizing the function of non-motor MAPs.