Molecular Chaperones and the Centrosome

Abstract

Molecular chaperones play an important role in facilitating the proper maturation of many newly synthesized proteins. Here we provide evidence that molecular chaperones also participate in regulating the assembly of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Via indirect immunofluorescence analysis, both hsp 73 and TCP-1 localized within the centrosome in interphase and mitotic cells. These proteins, along with the centrosome-specific protein, pericentrin, were also present within an enriched preparation of centrosomes. Because the centrosome serves as an initiation site for microtubule growth, we examined the ability of cells to regrow their microtubule network in the presence of hsp 73 or TCP-1 specific antibodies. Purified tubulin and GTP were added to cells following the depolymerization and extraction of cellular microtubules. Microtubules were observed to nucleate off the centrosome using this system, even in the presence of anti-hsp 73 antibodies. Incubation with anti-TCP-1 antibodies, however, blocked microtubule regrowth off the centrosome. Similarly, anti-TCP-1 antibodies microinjected into living cells first treated with nocodazole also inhibited the regrowth of the microtubule network following removal of the microtubule poison. Our results complement earlier genetic studies in yeast implicating a role for TCP-1 in microtubule mediated processes, and may help to explain the previously reported mitotic and meiotic abnormalities associated with TCP-1 mutations.