Ninein is released from the centrosome and moves bi-directionally along microtubules

David K. Moss, Gemma Bellett, Jane M. Carter, Mirjana Liovic, Jennifer Keynton, Alan R. Prescott, E. Birgitte Lane, Mette M. Mogensen

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    63 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Cell-to-cell contact and polarisation of epithelial cells involve a major reorganisation of the microtubules and centrosomal components. The radial microtubule organisation is lost and an apico-basal array develops that is no longer anchored at the centrosome. This involves not only the relocation of microtubules but also of centrosomal anchoring proteins to apical non-centrosomal sites. The relocation of microtubule minus-end-anchoring proteins such as ninein to the apical sites is likely to be essential for the assembly and stabilisation of the apico-basal arrays in polarised epithelial cells. In this study, we establish that ninein is highly dynamic and that, in epithelial cells, it is present not only at the centrosome but also in the cytoplasm as distinct speckles. Live-cell imaging reveals that GFF-ninein speckles are released from the centrosome and move in a microtubule-dependent manner within the cytoplasm and thus establishes that epithelial cells possess the mechanical means for relocation of ninein to non-centrosomal anchoring sites. We also provide evidence for the deployment of ninein speckles to apical anchoring sites during epithelial differentiation in both an in situ tissue and an in vitro culture system. In addition, the findings suggest that the non-centrosomal microtubule anchoring sites associate with adherens junctions in polaxised epithelial cells.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3064-3074
    Number of pages11
    JournalJournal of Cell Science
    Volume120
    Issue number17
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2007

    Keywords

    • Apico-basal microtubule arrays
    • Centrosome
    • Cochlea
    • Ninein
    • Polarised epithelial cells

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Cell Biology

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