DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e04-09-0852. Hec1 and Nuf2 Are Core Components of the Kinetochore Outer Plate Essential for Organizing Microtubule Attachment Sites

Hec1 and Nuf2 Are Core Components of the Kinetochore Outer Plate Essential for Organizing Microtubule Attachment Sites

10.1091/mbc.e04-09-0852

Crossref journal-article

American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)

Molecular Biology of the Cell (1076)

Abstract

A major goal in the study of vertebrate mitosis is to identify proteins that create the kinetochore-microtubule attachment site. Attachment sites within the kinetochore outer plate generate microtubule dependent forces for chromosome movement and regulate spindle checkpoint protein assembly at the kinetochore. The Ndc80 complex, comprised of Ndc80 (Hec1), Nuf2, Spc24, and Spc25, is essential for metaphase chromosome alignment and anaphase chromosome segregation. It has also been suggested to have roles in kinetochore microtubule formation, production of kinetochore tension, and the spindle checkpoint. Here we show that Nuf2 and Hec1 localize throughout the outer plate, and not the corona, of the vertebrate kinetochore. They are part of a stable “core” region whose assembly dynamics are distinct from other outer domain spindle checkpoint and motor proteins. Furthermore, Nuf2 and Hec1 are required for formation and/or maintenance of the outer plate structure itself. Fluorescence light microscopy, live cell imaging, and electron microscopy provide quantitative data demonstrating that Nuf2 and Hec1 are essential for normal kinetochore microtubule attachment. Our results indicate that Nuf2 and Hec1 are required for organization of stable microtubule plus-end binding sites in the outer plate that are needed for the sustained poleward forces required for biorientation at kinetochores.

Bibliography

DeLuca, J. G., Dong, Y., Hergert, P., Strauss, J., Hickey, J. M., Salmon, E. D., & McEwen, B. F. (2005). Hec1 and Nuf2 Are Core Components of the Kinetochore Outer Plate Essential for Organizing Microtubule Attachment Sites. Molecular Biology of the Cell, 16(2), 519â531.

Authors 7

Jennifer G. DeLuca (first)
Yimin Dong (additional)
Polla Hergert (additional)
Joshua Strauss (additional)
Jennifer M. Hickey (additional)
E. D. Salmon (additional)
Bruce F. McEwen (additional)

References 42 Referenced 226

Dates

Type	When
Created	20 years, 9 months ago (Nov. 17, 2004, 8:25 p.m.)
Deposited	4 years, 1 month ago (June 28, 2021, 7:30 p.m.)
Indexed	3 days, 23 hours ago (Aug. 23, 2025, 1 a.m.)
Issued	20 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 1, 2005)
Published	20 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 1, 2005)
Published Print	20 years, 6 months ago (Feb. 1, 2005)

Funders 0

None

BibTeX

@article{DeLuca_2005, title={Hec1 and Nuf2 Are Core Components of the Kinetochore Outer Plate Essential for Organizing Microtubule Attachment Sites}, volume={16}, ISSN={1939-4586}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1091/mbc.e04-09-0852}, DOI={10.1091/mbc.e04-09-0852}, number={2}, journal={Molecular Biology of the Cell}, publisher={American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB)}, author={DeLuca, Jennifer G. and Dong, Yimin and Hergert, Polla and Strauss, Joshua and Hickey, Jennifer M. and Salmon, E. D. and McEwen, Bruce F.}, year={2005}, month=feb, pages={519–531} }

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  "abstract": "<jats:p>A major goal in the study of vertebrate mitosis is to identify proteins that create the kinetochore-microtubule attachment site. Attachment sites within the kinetochore outer plate generate microtubule dependent forces for chromosome movement and regulate spindle checkpoint protein assembly at the kinetochore. The Ndc80 complex, comprised of Ndc80 (Hec1), Nuf2, Spc24, and Spc25, is essential for metaphase chromosome alignment and anaphase chromosome segregation. It has also been suggested to have roles in kinetochore microtubule formation, production of kinetochore tension, and the spindle checkpoint. Here we show that Nuf2 and Hec1 localize throughout the outer plate, and not the corona, of the vertebrate kinetochore. They are part of a stable \u201ccore\u201d region whose assembly dynamics are distinct from other outer domain spindle checkpoint and motor proteins. Furthermore, Nuf2 and Hec1 are required for formation and/or maintenance of the outer plate structure itself. Fluorescence light microscopy, live cell imaging, and electron microscopy provide quantitative data demonstrating that Nuf2 and Hec1 are essential for normal kinetochore microtubule attachment. Our results indicate that Nuf2 and Hec1 are required for organization of stable microtubule plus-end binding sites in the outer plate that are needed for the sustained poleward forces required for biorientation at kinetochores.</jats:p>",
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