EFHC1, a protein mutated in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, associates with the mitotic spindle through its N-terminus

Exp Cell Res. 2006 Sep 10;312(15):2872-9. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2006.05.011. Epub 2006 May 26.

Abstract

A novel gene, EFHC1, mutated in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) encodes a protein with three DM10 domains of unknown function and one putative EF-hand motif. To study the properties of EFHC1, we expressed EGFP-tagged protein in various cell lines. In interphase cells, the fusion protein was present in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus with specific accumulation at the centrosome. During mitosis EGFP-EFHC1 colocalized with the mitotic spindle, especially at spindle poles and with the midbody during cytokinesis. Using a specific antibody, we demonstrated the same distribution of the endogenous protein. Deletion analyses revealed that the N-terminal region of EFHC1 is crucial for the association with the mitotic spindle and the midbody. Our results suggest that EFHC1 could play an important role during cell division.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / chemistry*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Division*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Centrosome / metabolism
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / genetics
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • EFHC1 protein, human
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins