Chromator is required for proper microtubule spindle formation and mitosis in Drosophila

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Ding, Y (Author) Other; Yao, CF (Author) Other; Lince Faria, M (Author) Other; Rath, U (Author) Other; Cai, WL (Author) Other; Helder Maiato (Author) FMUP; Girton, J (Author) Other; Johansen, KM (Author) Other; Johansen, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Developmental Biology

Vol. 334

Pages: 253-263

ISSN: 0012-1606

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 23 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-F7J

DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2009.07.027

Abstract (EN): The chromodomain protein, Chromator, has been shown to have multiple functions that include regulation of chromatin structure as well as coordination of muscle remodeling during metamorphosis depending on the developmental context. In this study we show that mitotic neuroblasts from brain squash preparations from larvae heteroallelic for the two Chromator loss-of-function alleles Chro71 and Chro612 have severe microtubule spindle and chromosome segregation defects that were associated with a reduction in brain size. The microtubule spindles formed were incomplete, unfocused, and/or without clear spindle poles and at anaphase chromosomes were lagging and scattered. Time-lapse analysis of mitosis in S2 cells depleted of Chromator by RNAi treatment suggested that the lagging and scattered chromosome phenotypes were caused by incomplete alignment of chromosomes at the metaphase plate, possibly due to a defective spindle-assembly checkpoint, as well as of frayed and unstable microtubule spindles during anaphase. Expression of full-length Chromator transgenes under endogenous promoter control restored both microtubule spindle morphology as well as brain size strongly indicating that the observed mutant defects were directly attributable to lack of Chromator function.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11