Arl2- and Msps-dependent microtubule growth governs asymmetric division.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Asymmetric division of neural stem cells is a fundamental strategy to balance their self-renewal and differentiation. It is long thought that microtubules are not essential for cell polarity in asymmetrically dividing Drosophila melanogaster neuroblasts (NBs; neural stem cells). Here, we show that Drosophila ADP ribosylation factor like-2 (Arl2) and Msps, a known microtubule-binding protein, control cell polarity and spindle orientation of NBs. Upon arl2 RNA intereference, Arl2-GDP expression, or arl2 deletions, microtubule abnormalities and asymmetric division defects were observed. Conversely, overactivation of Arl2 leads to microtubule overgrowth and depletion of NBs. Arl2 regulates microtubule growth and asymmetric division through localizing Msps to the centrosomes in NBs. Moreover, Arl2 regulates dynein function and in turn centrosomal localization of D-TACC and Msps. Arl2 physically associates with tubulin cofactors C, D, and E. Arl2 functions together with tubulin-binding cofactor D to control microtubule growth, Msps localization, and NB self-renewal. Therefore, Arl2- and Msps-dependent microtubule growth is a new paradigm regulating asymmetric division of neural stem cells.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Chen, K; Koe, CT; Xing, ZB; Tian, X; Rossi, F; Wang, C; Tang, Q; Zong, W; Hong, WJ; Taneja, R; Yu, F; Gonzalez, C; Wu, C; Endow, S; Wang, H

Published Date

  • March 14, 2016

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 212 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 661 - 676

PubMed ID

  • 26953351

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4792071

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1540-8140

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1083/jcb.201503047

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States