Fission yeast MOZART1/Mzt1 is an essential γ-tubulin complex component required for complex recruitment to the microtubule organizing center, but not its assembly

• DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e13-05-0235
• Publication Date: 2013-07-25T13:24:40Z
• Authors: Hirohisa Masuda; Risa Mori; Masashi Yukawa; Takashi Toda
• Keywords: Microtubule organizing center; Spindle pole body; Microtubule nucleation; Basal body; Schizosaccharomyces; Interphase

γ-Tubulin plays a universal role in microtubule nucleation from organizing centers (MTOCs) such as the animal centrosome and fungal spindle pole body (SPB). functions multiprotein complex called γ-tubulin (γ-TuC), consisting of GCP1–6 (GCP1 is γ-tubulin). In fungi flies, it has been shown that GCP1–3 are core components, they indispensable for γ-TuC assembly cell division, whereas other three GCPs not. Recently novel conserved component, MOZART1, was identified humans plants, but its precise remain to be determined. this paper, we characterize fission yeast homologue Mzt1, showing essential viability. Mzt1 present approximately equal stoichiometry with Alp4/GCP2 localizes all MTOCs, including SPB interphase equatorial MTOCs. Temperature-sensitive mzt1 mutants display varying degrees compromised organization, exhibiting multiple defects during both mitosis. required recruitment, not sufficient localize SPB, which depends on integrity. Intriguingly, assembles absence Mzt1. therefore unique within components attachment major MTOC site.