9EOK

Minus end of the vertebrate gamma-tubulin ring complex-capped microtubule

This is a non-PDB format compatible entry.

Summary for 9EOK

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb9eok/pdb
• Related: 9EOJ
• EMDB information: 19862
• Descriptor: Tubulin alpha chain, Tubulin beta-4 chain, GUANOSINE-5'-TRIPHOSPHATE, ... (6 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: cytoskeleton, microtubule, microtubule nucleation, complex, template, cap, gamma-tubulin, gamma-tubulin ring complex, cell cycle
• Biological source: Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 42
• Total formula weight: 2137396.65

Authors

Vermeulen, B.J.A.,Pfeffer, S. (deposition date: 2024-03-15, release date: 2024-11-06, Last modification date: 2024-11-27)

Primary citation

Vermeulen, B.J.,Bohler, A.,Gao, Q.,Neuner, A.,Zupa, E.,Chu, Z.,Wurtz, M.,Jakle, U.,Gruss, O.J.,Pfeffer, S.,Schiebel, E.
gamma-TuRC asymmetry induces local protofilament mismatch at the RanGTP-stimulated microtubule minus end.
Embo J., 43:2062-2085, 2024

PubMed Abstract: The γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is a structural template for de novo microtubule assembly from α/β-tubulin units. The isolated vertebrate γ-TuRC assumes an asymmetric, open structure deviating from microtubule geometry, suggesting that γ-TuRC closure may underlie regulation of microtubule nucleation. Here, we isolate native γ-TuRC-capped microtubules from Xenopus laevis egg extract nucleated through the RanGTP-induced pathway for spindle assembly and determine their cryo-EM structure. Intriguingly, the microtubule minus end-bound γ-TuRC is only partially closed and consequently, the emanating microtubule is locally misaligned with the γ-TuRC and asymmetric. In the partially closed conformation of the γ-TuRC, the actin-containing lumenal bridge is locally destabilised, suggesting lumenal bridge modulation in microtubule nucleation. The microtubule-binding protein CAMSAP2 specifically binds the minus end of γ-TuRC-capped microtubules, indicating that the asymmetric minus end structure may underlie recruitment of microtubule-modulating factors for γ-TuRC release. Collectively, we reveal a surprisingly asymmetric microtubule minus end protofilament organisation diverging from the regular microtubule structure, with direct implications for the kinetics and regulation of nucleation and subsequent modulation of microtubules during spindle assembly.

PubMed: 38600243
DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00087-4

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (23 Å)