Calcium signaling is involved in dynein-dependent microtubule organization

Mol Biol Cell. 2004 Apr;15(4):1969-80. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e03-09-0675. Epub 2004 Jan 23.

Abstract

The microtubule cytoskeleton supports cellular morphogenesis and polar growth, but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. In a screen for morphology mutants defective in microtubule organization in the fungus Ustilago maydis, we identified eca1 that encodes a sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic calcium ATPase. Eca1 resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and restores growth of a yeast mutant defective in calcium homeostasis. Deletion of eca1 resulted in elevated cytosolic calcium levels and a severe growth and morphology defect. While F-actin and myosin V distribution is unaffected, Deltaeca1 mutants contain longer and disorganized microtubules that show increased rescue and reduced catastrophe frequencies. Morphology can be restored by inhibition of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinases or destabilizing microtubules, indicating that calcium-dependent alterations in dynamic instability are a major cause of the growth defect. Interestingly, dynein mutants show virtually identical changes in microtubule dynamics and dynein-dependent ER motility was drastically decreased in Deltaeca1. This indicates a connection between calcium signaling, dynein, and microtubule organization in morphogenesis of U. maydis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / chemistry
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / metabolism
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / physiology*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Cytosol / metabolism
  • Dyneins / genetics
  • Dyneins / pharmacology*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Genotype
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Myosin Type V / metabolism
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Signal Transduction
  • Temperature
  • Ustilago / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Myosin Type V
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Dyneins
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Calcium