CGC Bibliography Paper 5041

Aurora-A kinase is required for centrosome maturation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Hannak E, Kirkham M, Hyman AA, Oegema K

Medline:

11748251

Citation:

Journal of Cell Biology 155: 1109-1115 2001

Type:

ARTICLE

Genes:

air-1 zyg-9

Abstract:

Centrosomes mature as cells enter mitosis, accumulating gamma -tubulin and other pericentriolar material (PCM) components. This occurs concomitant with an increase in the number of centrosomally organized microtubules (MTs). Here, we use RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to examine the role of the aurora-A kinase, AlR-1, during centrosome maturation in Caenorhabditis elegans. In air-1(RNAi) embryos, centrosomes separate normally, an event that occurs before maturation in C. elegans. After nuclear envelope breakdown, the separated centrosomes collapse together, and spindle assembly fails. In mitotic air-1(RNAi) embryos, centrosomal alpha -tubulin fluorescence intensity accumulates to only 40% of wild-type levels, suggesting a defect in the maturation process. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that AIR-1 is required for the increase in centrosomal gamma -tubulin and two other PCM components, ZYG-9 and CeGrip, as embryos enter mitosis. Furthermore, the AIR-1-dependent increase in centrosomal gamma -tubulin does not require MTs. These results suggest that aurora-A kinases are required to execute a MT-independent pathway for the recruitment of PCNA during centrosome maturation.