APC and EB1 function together in mitosis to regulate spindle dynamics and chromosome alignment

Mol Biol Cell. 2005 Oct;16(10):4609-22. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e05-03-0259. Epub 2005 Jul 19.

Abstract

Recently, we have shown that a cancer causing truncation in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) (APC(1-1450)) dominantly interferes with mitotic spindle function, suggesting APC regulates microtubule dynamics during mitosis. Here, we examine the possibility that APC mutants interfere with the function of EB1, a plus-end microtubule-binding protein that interacts with APC and is required for normal microtubule dynamics. We show that siRNA-mediated inhibition of APC, EB1, or APC and EB1 together give rise to similar defects in mitotic spindles and chromosome alignment without arresting cells in mitosis; in contrast inhibition of CLIP170 or LIS1 cause distinct spindle defects and mitotic arrest. We show that APC(1-1450) acts as a dominant negative by forming a hetero-oligomer with the full-length APC and preventing it from interacting with EB1, which is consistent with a functional relationship between APC and EB1. Live-imaging of mitotic cells expressing EB1-GFP demonstrates that APC(1-1450) compromises the dynamics of EB1-comets, increasing the frequency of EB1-GFP pausing. Together these data provide novel insight into how APC may regulate mitotic spindle function and how errors in chromosome segregation are tolerated in tumor cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / genetics
  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / physiology*
  • Chromosome Positioning / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / physiology*
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Mitosis / physiology*
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Spindle Apparatus / physiology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein
  • MAPRE1 protein, human
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • cytoplasmic linker protein 170
  • 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase
  • PAFAH1B1 protein, human