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Selected Works of Maura McGrail
Article
Regulation of cytoplasmic dynein function in vivo by the Drosophila Glued complex
The Journal of Cell Biology (1995)
  • Maura McGrail, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Janice Gepner, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Andre Silvanovich, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Susan Ludmann, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Madeline Serr, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Thomas Hays, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
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Abstract
The Drosophila Glued gene product shares sequence homology with the p150 component of vertebrate dynactin. Dynactin is a multiprotein complex that stimulates cytoplasmic dynein-mediated vesicle motility in vitro. In this report, we present biochemical, cytological, and genetic evidence that demonstrates a functional similarity between the Drosophila Glued complex and vertebrate dynactin. We show that, similar to the vertebrate homologues in dynactin, the Glued polypeptides are components of a 20S complex. Our biochemical studies further reveal differential expression of the Glued polypeptides, all of which copurify as microtubule-associated proteins. In our analysis of the Glued polypeptides encoded by the dominant mutation, Glued, we identify a truncated polypeptide that fails to assemble into the wild-type 20S complex, but retains the ability to copurify with microtubules. The spatial and temporal distribution of the Glued complex during oogenesis is shown by immunocytochemistry methods to be identical to the pattern previously described for cytoplasmic dynein. Significantly, the pattern of Glued distribution in oogenesis is dependent on dynein function, as well as several other gene products known to be required for proper dynein localization. In genetic complementation studies, we find that certain mutations in the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain gene Dhc64C act as dominant suppressors or enhancers of the rough eye phenotype of the dominant Glued mutation. Furthermore, we show that a mutation that was previously isolated as a suppressor of the Glued mutation is an allele of Dhc64C. Together with the observed dependency of Glued localization on dynein function, these genetic interactions demonstrate a functional association between the Drosophila dynein motor and Glued complexes.
Disciplines
Publication Date
October, 1995
Publisher Statement
© The Rockefeller University Press 1995
Citation Information
Maura McGrail, Janice Gepner, Andre Silvanovich, Susan Ludmann, et al.. "Regulation of cytoplasmic dynein function in vivo by the Drosophila Glued complex" The Journal of Cell Biology Vol. 131 Iss. 2 (1995) p. 411 - 425
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/maura-mcgrail/6/