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The outer kinetochore protein KNL-1 contains a defined oligomerization domain in nematodes

The kinetochore is a large, macromolecular assembly that is essential for connecting chromosomes to microtubules during mitosis. Despite the recent identification of multiple kinetochore components, the nature and organization of the higher-order kinetochore structure remain unknown. The outer kinet...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Kern, David M., Kim, Taekyung, Rigney, Mike, Hattersley, Neil, Desai, Arshad, Cheeseman, Iain M.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The American Society for Cell Biology 2015
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4294671/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25411336
http://dx.doi.org/10.1091/mbc.E14-06-1125
Descripción
Sumario:The kinetochore is a large, macromolecular assembly that is essential for connecting chromosomes to microtubules during mitosis. Despite the recent identification of multiple kinetochore components, the nature and organization of the higher-order kinetochore structure remain unknown. The outer kinetochore KNL-1/Mis12 complex/Ndc80 complex (KMN) network plays a key role in generating and sensing microtubule attachments. Here we demonstrate that Caenorhabditis elegans KNL-1 exists as an oligomer, and we identify a specific domain in KNL-1 responsible for this activity. An N-terminal KNL-1 domain from both C. elegans and the related nematode Caenorhabditis remanei oligomerizes into a decameric assembly that appears roughly circular when visualized by electron microscopy. On the basis of sequence and mutational analysis, we identify a small hydrophobic region as responsible for this oligomerization activity. However, mutants that precisely disrupt KNL-1 oligomerization did not alter KNL-1 localization or result in the loss of embryonic viability based on gene replacements in C. elegans. In C. elegans, KNL-1 oligomerization may coordinate with other kinetochore activities to ensure the proper organization, function, and sensory capabilities of the kinetochore–microtubule attachment.