Dynactin Subunit p150Glued Is a Neuron-Specific Anti-Catastrophe Factor
Open Access
- 16 July 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Public Library of Science (PLoS) in PLoS Biology
- Vol. 11 (7), e1001611
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001611
Abstract
Regulation of microtubule dynamics in neurons is critical, as defects in the microtubule-based transport of axonal organelles lead to neurodegenerative disease. The microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein and its partner complex dynactin drive retrograde transport from the distal axon. We have recently shown that the p150Glued subunit of dynactin promotes the initiation of dynein-driven cargo motility from the microtubule plus-end. Because plus end-localized microtubule-associated proteins like p150Glued may also modulate the dynamics of microtubules, we hypothesized that p150Glued might promote cargo initiation by stabilizing the microtubule track. Here, we demonstrate in vitro using assembly assays and TIRF microscopy, and in primary neurons using live-cell imaging, that p150Glued is a potent anti-catastrophe factor for microtubules. p150Glued alters microtubule dynamics by binding both to microtubules and to tubulin dimers; both the N-terminal CAP-Gly and basic domains of p150Glued are required in tandem for this activity. p150Glued is alternatively spliced in vivo, with the full-length isoform including these two domains expressed primarily in neurons. Accordingly, we find that RNAi of p150Glued in nonpolarized cells does not alter microtubule dynamics, while depletion of p150Glued in neurons leads to a dramatic increase in microtubule catastrophe. Strikingly, a mutation in p150Glued causal for the lethal neurodegenerative disorder Perry syndrome abrogates this anti-catastrophe activity. Thus, we find that dynactin has multiple functions in neurons, both activating dynein-mediated retrograde axonal transport and enhancing microtubule stability through a novel anti-catastrophe mechanism regulated by tissue-specific isoform expression; disruption of either or both of these functions may contribute to neurodegenerative disease. Microtubules are polymers of tubulin that undergo successive cycles of growth and shrinkage so that the cell can maintain a stable yet adaptable cytoskeleton. In neurons, the microtubule motor protein dynein and its partner complex dynactin drive retrograde transport along microtubules from the distal axon towards the cell body. In addition to binding to dynein, the p150Glued subunit of dynactin independently binds directly to microtubules. We hypothesized that by binding to microtubules, p150Glued might also alter microtubule dynamics. We demonstrate using biochemistry and microscopy in vitro and in cells that p150Glued stabilizes microtubules by inhibiting the transition from growth to shrinkage. We show that specific domains of p150Glued encoded by neuronally enriched splice-forms are necessary for this activity. Although depletion of p150Glued in nonpolarized cells does not alter microtubule dynamics, depletion of endogenous p150Glued in neurons leads to dramatic microtubule instability. Strikingly, a mutation in p150Glued known to cause the neurodegenerative disorder Perry syndrome abolishes this activity. In summary, we identified a previously unappreciated function of dynactin in direct regulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton. This activity may enhance generic microtubule stability in the cell, but could be especially important in specific areas of the cell where dynactin and dynein are loaded onto microtubules.Keywords
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