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XB-ART-10847
Nat Cell Biol 2000 Jun 01;26:358-64. doi: 10.1038/35014051.
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A new function for the gamma-tubulin ring complex as a microtubule minus-end cap.

Wiese C , Zheng Y .


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Microtubule nucleation from centrosomes involves a lockwasher-shaped protein complex containing gamma-tubulin, named the gamma-tubulin ring complex (gammaTuRC). Here we investigate the mechanism by which the gammaTuRC nucleates microtubules, using a direct labelling method to visualize the behaviour of individual gammaTuRCs. A fluorescently-labelled version of the gammaTuRC binds to the minus ends of microtubules nucleated in vitro. Both gammaTuRC-mediated nucleation and binding of the gammaTuRC to preformed microtubules block further minus-end growth and prevent microtubule depolymerization. The gammaTuRC therefore acts as a minus-end-capping protein, as confirmed by electron-microscopic examination of gold-labelled gammaTuRCs. These data support a nucleation model for gammaTuRC function that involves capping of microtubules.

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Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: tubg1

References :
Erickson, Gamma-tubulin nucleation: template or protofilament? 2000, Pubmed