Purification of a WD Repeat Protein, EMAP, That Promotes Microtubule Dynamics through an Inhibition of Rescue

The Human EMAP-Like Protein-70 is a Microtubule Destabilizer that Localizes to the Mitotic Apparatus

Gemin5, a novel WD repeat protein component of the SMN complex that binds Sm proteins.

The survival of motor neurons (SMN) protein is the product of the disease gene of spinal muscular atrophy and is found both in the cytoplasm and the nucleus, where it is concentrated in gems. SMN is part of a multi-protein complex that includes Gemin2, Gemin3, and Gemin4. The SMN complex plays an important role in the cytoplasmic assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and likely ...

Cloning and characterization of a novel WD-40 repeat protein that dramatically accelerates osteoblastic differentiation.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play a pivotal role in endochondral bone formation. Using differential display polymerase chain reaction, we have identified a novel gene, named BIG-3 (BMP-2-induced gene 3 kb), that is induced as a murine prechondroblastic cell line, MLB13MYC clone 17, acquires osteoblastic features in response to BMP-2 treatment. The 3-kilobase mRNA encodes a 34-kDa prot...

Localized Mechanical Stress Promotes Microtubule Rescue

Microtubule dynamics rely on the properties of tubulin and are regulated by microtubule-associated proteins. GTP-tubulin assembles into hollow polymers, which can depolymerize upon GTP hydrolysis. Depolymerizing microtubules may stop shrinking and resume growth. Such rescues are regulated by microtubule-associated proteins like CLIP-170 and the CLASPs [1, 2]. Microtubule domains prone to rescue...

The microtubule plus-end tracking protein ARMADILLO-REPEAT KINESIN1 promotes microtubule catastrophe in Arabidopsis.

Microtubule dynamics are critically important for plant cell development. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana ARMADILLO-REPEAT KINESIN1 (ARK1) plays a key role in root hair tip growth by promoting microtubule catastrophe events. This destabilizing activity appears to maintain adequate free tubulin concentrations in order to permit rapid microtubule growth, which in turn is correlated with u...