An SMC-domain protein in fission yeast links telomeres to the meiotic centrosome.

Abstract

Abnormal centrosomal structures similar to those occurring in human cancers are induced in fission yeast by overexpression of the pericentrin homolog Pcp1p. Analysis of abnormal Pcp1p-containing structures with quantitative mass spectrometry and isotope-coded affinity tags identified a coiled-coil, structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) domain protein. This protein, termed Ccq1p (coiled-coil protein quantitatively enriched), localizes with Taz1p to telomeres in normal vegetative cells. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements indicate that Ccq1p also interacts with centrosomal Pcp1p in mating pheromone-stimulated cells containing centrosomally clustered telomeres. We provide evidence that the Ccq1p-Pcp1p interaction, while essential for meiosis, is deleterious when forced to occur during vegetative growth. Cells lacking one ccq1 allele exhibit a loss-of-function phenotype including abnormally long cell length, chromosome segregation failure, telomeric shortening, and defective telomeric clustering during meiotic prophase. Our data indicate a mechanism underlying meiotic chromosomal bouquet formation and suggest a recruitment model for supernumerary centrosome toxicity.

• Authors: Mark R Flory, Andrew R Carson, Eric G Muller, Ruedi Aebersold
• Journal: Molecular cell (Mol Cell) Vol. 16 Issue 4 Pg. 619-30 (Nov 19 2004) ISSN: 1097-2765 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15546621 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• RNA, Messenger
• Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
• Telomere-Binding Proteins
• taz1 protein, S pombe

Topics

• Alleles
• Cell Nucleus (metabolism)
• Centrosome (metabolism)
• Chromosomes, Fungal
• Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
• Mass Spectrometry
• Meiosis
• Microscopy, Fluorescence
• Models, Biological
• Models, Molecular
• Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
• Open Reading Frames
• Peptide Mapping
• Plasmids
• Protein Structure, Tertiary
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Schizosaccharomyces (cytology, genetics, metabolism)
• Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins (chemistry, genetics, metabolism)
• Telomere (metabolism)
• Telomere-Binding Proteins (metabolism)