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- Title
A new function for the gamma-tubulin ring complex as a microtubule minus-end cap.
- Authors
Wiese, C; Zheng, Y
- Abstract
Microtubule nucleation from centrosomes involves a lockwasher-shaped protein complex containing gamma-tubulin, named the gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC). Here we investigate the mechanism by which the gammaTuRC nucleates microtubules, using a direct labelling method to visualize the behaviour of individual gammaTuRCs. A fluorescently-labelled version of the gammaTuRC binds to the minus ends of microtubules nucleated in vitro. Both gammaTuRC-mediated nucleation and binding of the gammaTuRC to preformed microtubules block further minus-end growth and prevent microtubule depolymerization. The gammaTuRC therefore acts as a minus-end-capping protein, as confirmed by electron-microscopic examination of gold-labelled gammaTuRCs. These data support a nucleation model for gammaTuRC function that involves capping of microtubules.
- Publication
Nature cell biology, 2000, Vol 2, Issue 6, p358
- ISSN
1465-7392
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/35014051