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Structural insights into the interplay between microtubule polymerases, γ-tubulin complexes and their receptors

Author

Listed:
  • Anjun Zheng

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH))

  • Bram J. A. Vermeulen

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH))

  • Martin Würtz

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH)
    Heidelberg Meyerhofstraße 1)

  • Annett Neuner

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH))

  • Nicole Lübbehusen

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH))

  • Matthias P. Mayer

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH))

  • Elmar Schiebel

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH))

  • Stefan Pfeffer

    (Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH))

Abstract

The γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is a structural template for controlled nucleation of microtubules from α/β-tubulin heterodimers. At the cytoplasmic side of the yeast spindle pole body, the CM1-containing receptor protein Spc72 promotes γ-TuRC assembly from seven γ-tubulin small complexes (γ-TuSCs) and recruits the microtubule polymerase Stu2, yet their molecular interplay remains unclear. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of the Candida albicans cytoplasmic nucleation unit at 3.6 Å resolution, revealing how the γ-TuRC is assembled and conformationally primed for microtubule nucleation by the dimerised Spc72 CM1 motif. Two coiled-coil regions of Spc72 interact with the conserved C-terminal α-helix of Stu2 and thereby position the α/β-tubulin-binding TOG domains of Stu2 in the vicinity of the microtubule assembly site. Collectively, we reveal the function of CM1 motifs in γ-TuSC oligomerisation and the recruitment of microtubule polymerases to the γ-TuRC.

Suggested Citation

  • Anjun Zheng & Bram J. A. Vermeulen & Martin Würtz & Annett Neuner & Nicole Lübbehusen & Matthias P. Mayer & Elmar Schiebel & Stefan Pfeffer, 2025. "Structural insights into the interplay between microtubule polymerases, γ-tubulin complexes and their receptors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55778-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55778-7
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