PLK4 is a microtubule-associated protein that self-assembles promoting de novo MTOC formation

• DOI: 10.1242/jcs.219501
• Publication Date: 2018-09-20T13:48:11Z
• Authors: Susana Montenegro...; Sihem Zitouni; Dong Kong; Paulo Duarte; Beatriz Ferreira ...; Ana Laura Sousa; Erin M. Tranfield; Anthony Hyman; Jadranka Loncarek; Monica Bettencour...
• Keywords: Microtubule organizing center

ABSTRACT The centrosome is an important microtubule-organising centre (MTOC) in animal cells. It consists of two barrel-shaped structures, the centrioles, surrounded by pericentriolar material (PCM), which nucleates microtubules. Centrosomes can form close to existing structure (canonical duplication) or de novo. How centrosomes novo not known. master driver biogenesis, PLK4, critical for recruitment several centriole components. Here, we investigate beginning taking advantage Xenopus egg extracts, where PLK4 induce MTOC formation (Eckerdt et al., 2011; Zitouni 2016). Surprisingly, observe that vitro, self-assemble into condensates recruit α- and β-tubulins. In assemblies additionally STIL, a substrate microtubule nucleator γ-tubulin, forming acentriolar MTOCs assembly these robust asters independent dynein, similar what found centrosomes. We suggest new mechanism action it forms self-organising catalytic scaffold recruits components, PCM factors β-tubulins, leading formation. This article has associated First Person interview with first author paper.