A sensitised RNAi screen reveals a ch-TOG genetic interaction network required for spindle assembly

Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 3:5:10564. doi: 10.1038/srep10564.

Abstract

How multiple spindle assembly pathways are integrated to drive bipolar spindle assembly is poorly understood. We performed an image-based double RNAi screen to identify genes encoding Microtubule-Associated Proteins (MAPs) that interact with the highly conserved ch-TOG gene to regulate bipolar spindle assembly in human cells. We identified a ch-TOG centred network of genetic interactions which promotes centrosome-mediated microtubule polymerisation, leading to the incorporation of microtubules polymerised by all pathways into a bipolar structure [corrected]. Our genetic screen also reveals that ch-TOG maintains a dynamic microtubule population, in part, through modulating HSET activity. ch-TOG ensures that spindle assembly is robust to perturbation but sufficiently dynamic such that spindles can explore a diverse shape space in search of structures that can align chromosomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Dyneins / metabolism
  • Epistasis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / genetics
  • Kinesins / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Mitosis
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism*
  • Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

  • CKAP5 protein, human
  • Chromatin
  • KIF11 protein, human
  • KIFC1 protein, human
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Tubulin
  • Dyneins
  • Kinesins