A specific interaction between the telomeric protein Pin2/TRF1 and the mitotic spindle

Curr Biol. 2001 Oct 2;11(19):1512-6. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(01)00456-0.

Abstract

Pin2/TRF1 was independently identified as a telomeric DNA binding protein (TRF1) [1] and as a protein (Pin2) that can bind the mitotic kinase NIMA and suppress its ability to induce mitotic catastrophe [2, 3]. Pin2/TRF1 has been shown to bind telomeric DNA as a dimer [3-7] and to negatively regulate telomere length [8-11]. Interestingly, Pin2/TRF1 levels are regulated during the cell cycle, being increased in late G2 and mitosis and degraded as cells exit from mitosis [3]. Furthermore, overexpression of Pin2/TRF1 induces mitotic entry and then apoptosis [12]. This Pin2/TRF1 activity can be significantly potentiated by the microtubule-disrupting agent nocodazole [12] but is suppressed by phosphorylation of Pin2/TRF1 by ATM; this negative regulation is important for preventing apoptosis upon DNA damage [13]. These results suggest a role for Pin2/TRF1 in mitosis. However, nothing is known about how Pin2/TRF1 is involved in mitotic progression. Here, we describe a surprising physical interaction between Pin2/TRF1 and microtubules in a cell cycle-specific manner. Both expressed and endogenous Pin2/TRF1 proteins were localized to the mitotic spindle during mitosis. Furthermore, Pin2/TRF1 directly bound microtubules via its C-terminal domain. Moreover, Pin2/TRF1 also promoted microtubule polymerization in vitro. These results demonstrate for the first time a specific interaction between Pin2/TRF1 and microtubules in a mitosis-specific manner, and they suggest a new role for Pin2/TRF1 in modulating the function of microtubules during mitosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Polymers
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Spindle Apparatus / metabolism*
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Polymers
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Telomeric Repeat Binding Protein 1