Prothymosin alpha is localized in mitotic spindle during mitosis

Biol Cell. 2004 Aug;96(6):421-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biolcel.2004.04.002.

Abstract

Prothymosin a is a small, acidic, ubiquitous protein, thought to play a role in cell proliferation, carcinogenesis and apoptosis. We have reported earlier that in the interphase nucleus prothymosin a exhibits a punctuated nuclear distribution associated with transcription sites. Moreover, the protein was found to localize in 1-6 subnuclear domains where PML and CstF64 proteins were also identified. In the present study we followed the subcellular distribution of prothymosin a during mitosis. Our data identify prothymosin a to colocalize with alpha-tubulin in the mitotic spindle throughout mitosis, and to decorate the midbody during cytokinesis. Moreover nocodazole treatment disrupted prothymosin alpha and alpha-tubulin colocalization at the centrosomes of the interphase cell. Prothymosin a was also found to decorate gamma-tubulin identified centrosomes, during mitosis. Taken together our colocalization study suggests involvement of prothymosin a, in the formation, maintenance, or functioning of the mitotic spindle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Centrosome / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mitosis / physiology*
  • Nocodazole / metabolism
  • Protein Precursors / metabolism*
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism*
  • Thymosin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thymosin / metabolism
  • Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Precursors
  • Tubulin
  • prothymosin alpha
  • Thymosin
  • Nocodazole