@article{BatsiosGraefKoonceetal.2019, author = {Batsios, Petros and Gr{\"a}f, Ralph and Koonce, Michael P. and Larochelle, Denis A. and Meyer, Irene}, title = {Nuclear envelope organization in Dictyostelium discoideum}, series = {The international journal of developmental biology}, volume = {63}, journal = {The international journal of developmental biology}, number = {8-10}, publisher = {UBC Pr}, address = {Bilbao}, issn = {0214-6282}, doi = {10.1387/ijdb.190184rg}, pages = {509 -- 519}, year = {2019}, abstract = {The nuclear envelope consists of the outer and the inner nuclear membrane, the nuclear lamina and the nuclear pore complexes, which regulate nuclear import and export.The major constituent of the nuclear lamina of Dictyostelium is the lamin NE81. It can form filaments like B-type lamins and it interacts with Sun 1, as well as with the LEM/HeH-family protein Src1. Sun 1 and Src1 are nuclear envelope transmembrane proteins involved in the centrosome-nucleus connection and nuclear envelope stability at the nucleolar regions, respectively. In conjunction with a KASH-domain protein, Sun 1 usually forms a so-called LINC complex.Two proteins with functions reminiscent of KASH-domain proteins at the outer nuclear membrane of Dictyostelium are known; interaptin which serves as an actin connector and the kinesin Kif9 which plays a role in the microtubule-centrosome connector. However, both of these lack the conserved KASH-domain. The link of the centrosome to the nuclear envelope is essential for the insertion of the centrosome into the nuclear envelope and the appropriate spindle formation. Moreover, centrosome insertion is involved in perm eabilization of the mitotic nucleus, which ensures access of tubulin dimers and spindle assembly factors. Our recent progress in identifying key molecular players at the nuclear envelope of Dictyostelium promises further insights into the mechanisms of nuclear envelope dynamics.}, language = {en} } @article{BatsiosPeterBaumannetal.2012, author = {Batsios, Petros and Peter, Tatjana and Baumann, Otto and Stick, Reimer and Meyer, Irene and Gr{\"a}f, Ralph}, title = {A lamin in lower eukaryotes?}, series = {Nucleus}, volume = {3}, journal = {Nucleus}, number = {3}, publisher = {Landes Bioscience}, address = {Austin}, issn = {1949-1034}, doi = {10.4161/nucl.20149}, pages = {237 -- 243}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Lamins are the major components of the nuclear lamina and serve not only as a mechanical support, but are also involved in chromatin organization, epigenetic regulation, transcription and mitotic events. Despite these universal tasks, lamins have so far been found only in metazoans. Yet, recently we have identified Dictyostelium NE81 as the first lamin-like protein in a lower eukaryote. Based on the current knowledge, we draw a model for nuclear envelope organization in Dictyostelium in this Extra View and we review the experimental data that justified this classification. Furthermore we provide unpublished data underscoring the requirement of posttranslational CaaX-box processing for proper protein localization at the nuclear envelope. Sequence comparison of NE81 sequences from four Dictyostelia with bona fide lamins illustrates the evolutional relationship between these proteins. Under certain conditions these usually unicellular social amoebae congregate to form a multicellular body. We propose that the evolution of the lamin-like NE81 went along with the invention of multicellularity.}, language = {en} } @misc{Graef2018, author = {Gr{\"a}f, Ralph}, title = {Comparative Biology of Centrosomal Structures in Eukaryotes}, series = {Cells}, volume = {7}, journal = {Cells}, number = {11}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells7110202}, pages = {9}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The centrosome is not only the largest and most sophisticated protein complex within a eukaryotic cell, in the light of evolution, it is also one of its most ancient organelles. This special issue of "Cells" features representatives of three main, structurally divergent centrosome types, i.e., centriole-containing centrosomes, yeast spindle pole bodies (SPBs), and amoebozoan nucleus-associated bodies (NABs). Here, I discuss their evolution and their key-functions in microtubule organization, mitosis, and cytokinesis. Furthermore, I provide a brief history of centrosome research and highlight recently emerged topics, such as the role of centrioles in ciliogenesis, the relationship of centrosomes and centriolar satellites, the integration of centrosomal structures into the nuclear envelope and the involvement of centrosomal components in non-centrosomal microtubule organization.}, language = {en} } @misc{Graef2018, author = {Gr{\"a}f, Ralph}, title = {Comparative biology of centrosomal structures in eukaryotes}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1063}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47229}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-472294}, pages = {11}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The centrosome is not only the largest and most sophisticated protein complex within a eukaryotic cell, in the light of evolution, it is also one of its most ancient organelles. This special issue of "Cells" features representatives of three main, structurally divergent centrosome types, i.e., centriole-containing centrosomes, yeast spindle pole bodies (SPBs), and amoebozoan nucleus-associated bodies (NABs). Here, I discuss their evolution and their key-functions in microtubule organization, mitosis, and cytokinesis. Furthermore, I provide a brief history of centrosome research and highlight recently emerged topics, such as the role of centrioles in ciliogenesis, the relationship of centrosomes and centriolar satellites, the integration of centrosomal structures into the nuclear envelope and the involvement of centrosomal components in non-centrosomal microtubule organization.}, language = {en} } @article{GraefGrafeMeyeretal.2021, author = {Gr{\"a}f, Ralph and Grafe, Marianne and Meyer, Irene and Mitic, Kristina and Pitzen, Valentin}, title = {The dictyostelium centrosome}, series = {Cells : open access journal}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cells : open access journal}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells10102657}, pages = {26}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The centrosome of Dictyostelium amoebae contains no centrioles and consists of a cylindrical layered core structure surrounded by a corona harboring microtubule-nucleating gamma-tubulin complexes. It is the major centrosomal model beyond animals and yeasts. Proteomics, protein interaction studies by BioID and superresolution microscopy methods led to considerable progress in our understanding of the composition, structure and function of this centrosome type. We discuss all currently known components of the Dictyostelium centrosome in comparison to other centrosomes of animals and yeasts.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Krueger2011, author = {Kr{\"u}ger, Anne}, title = {Molekulare Charakterisierung von NE81 und CP75, zwei kernh{\"u}llen- und centrosomassoziierten Proteinen in Dictyostelium discoideum}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-53915}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Lamine bilden zusammen mit laminassoziierten Proteinen die nukle{\"a}re Lamina. Diese ist notwendig f{\"u}r die mechanische Stabilit{\"a}t von Zellen, die Organisation des Chromatins, der Genexpression, dem Fortgang des Zellzyklus und der Zellmigration. Die vielf{\"a}ltigen Funktionen der Lamine werden durch die Pathogenese von Laminopathien belegt. Zu diesen Erkrankungen, welche ihre Ursache in Mutationen innerhalb der laminkodierenden Gene, oder der Gene laminassoziierter bzw. laminprozessierender Proteine haben, z{\"a}hlen unter anderem das „Hutchinson-Gilford Progerie Syndrom", die „Emery-Dreifuss" Muskeldystrophie und die dilatierte Kardiomyopathie. Trotz der fundamentalen Bedeutung der Lamine, wurden diese bisher nur in Metazoen und nicht in einzelligen Organismen detektiert. Der am{\"o}bide Organismus Dictyostelium discoideum ist ein haploider Eukaryot, der h{\"a}ufig als Modellorganismus in den verschiedensten Bereichen der Zellbiologie eingesetzt wird. Mit der Entdeckung von NE81, einem Protein das mit der inneren Kernh{\"u}lle von Dictyostelium discoideum assoziiert ist, wurde erstmals ein Protein identifiziert, dass man aufgrund seiner Eigenschaften als lamin{\"a}hnliches Protein in einem niederen Eukaryoten bezeichnen kann. Diese Merkmale umfassen die Existenz lamintypischer Sequenzen, wie die CDK1-Phosphorylierungsstelle, direkt gefolgt von einer zentralen „Rod"-Dom{\"a}ne, sowie eine typische NLS und die hoch konservierte CaaX-Box. F{\"u}r die Etablierung des NE81 als „primitives" Lamin, wurden im Rahmen dieser Arbeit verschiedene Experimente durchgef{\"u}hrt, die strukturelle und funktionelle Gemeinsamkeiten zu den Laminen in anderen Organismen aufzeigen konnten. Die Herstellung eines polyklonalen Antik{\"o}rpers erm{\"o}glichte die Verifizierung der subzellul{\"a}ren Lokalisation des NE81 durch Elektronenmikroskopie und gab Einblicke in das Verhalten des endogenen Proteins innerhalb des Zellzyklus. Mit der Generierung von NE81-Nullmutanten konnte demonstriert werden, dass NE81 eine wichtige Rolle bei der nukle{\"a}ren Integrit{\"a}t und der Chromatinorganisation von Zellen spielt. Des Weiteren f{\"u}hrte die Expression von zwei CaaX-Box deletierten NE81 - Varianten dazu, den Einfluss des Proteins auf die mechanische Stabilit{\"a}t der Zellen nachweisen zu k{\"o}nnen. Auch die Bedeutung der hochkonservierten CaaX-Box f{\"u}r die Lokalisation des Proteins wurde durch die erhaltenen Ergebnisse deutlich. Mit der Durchf{\"u}hrung von FRAP-Experimente konnte außerdem die strukturgebende Funktion von NE81 innerhalb des Zellkerns bekr{\"a}ftigt werden. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit damit begonnen, den Einfluss der Isoprenylcysteincarboxylmethyltransferase auf die Lokalisation des Proteins aufzukl{\"a}ren. Die Entdeckung eines lamin{\"a}hnlichen Proteins in einem einzelligen Organismus, der an der Schwelle zu den Metazoen steht, ist f{\"u}r die evolution{\"a}re Betrachtung der Entwicklung der sozialen Am{\"o}be und f{\"u}r die Erforschung der molekularen Basis von Laminopathien in einem einfachen Modellorganismus sehr interessant. Die Arbeit mit Dictyostelium discoideum k{\"o}nnte daher Wege aufzeigen, dass Studium der Laminopathien am Tiermodell drastisch zu reduzieren. In den letzten Jahren hat die Erforschung unbekannter Bestandteile des Centrosoms in Dictyostelium discoideum große Fortschritte gemacht. Eine zu diesem Zwecke von unserer Arbeitsgruppe durchgef{\"u}hrte Proteomstudie, f{\"u}hrte zur Identifizierung weiterer, potentiell centrosomaler Kandidatenproteine. Der zweite Teil dieser Arbeit besch{\"a}ftigt sich mit der Charakterisierung eines solchen Kandidatenproteins, dem CP75. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass CP75 einen echten, centrosomalen Bestandteil darstellt, der mikrotubuli-unabh{\"a}ngig mit der Core Struktur des Zellorganells assoziiert ist. Weiterhin wurde deutlich, dass die Lokalisation am Centrosom in Abh{\"a}ngigkeit vom Zellzyklus erfolgt und CP75 vermutlich mit CP39, einem weiteren centrosomalen Core Protein, interagiert.}, language = {de} } @article{MiticGrafeBatsiosetal.2022, author = {Mitic, Kristina and Grafe, Marianne and Batsios, Petros and Meyer, Irene}, title = {Partial Disassembly of the Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins during Semi-Closed Mitosis in Dictyostelium discoideum}, series = {Cells}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cells}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells11030407}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Dictyostelium cells undergo a semi-closed mitosis, during which the nuclear envelope (NE) persists; however, free diffusion between the cytoplasm and the nucleus takes place. To permit the formation of the mitotic spindle, the nuclear envelope must be permeabilized in order to allow diffusion of tubulin dimers and spindle assembly factors into the nucleus. In Aspergillus, free diffusion of proteins between the cytoplasm and the nucleus is achieved by a partial disassembly of the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) prior to spindle assembly. In order to determine whether this is also the case in Dictyostelium, we analysed components of the NPC by immunofluorescence microscopy and live cell imaging and studied their behaviour during interphase and mitosis. We observed that the NPCs are absent from the contact area of the nucleoli and that some nucleoporins also localize to the centrosome and the spindle poles. In addition, we could show that, during mitosis, the central FG protein NUP62, two inner ring components and Gle1 depart from the NPCs, while all other tested NUPs remained at the NE. This leads to the conclusion that indeed a partial disassembly of the NPCs takes place, which contributes to permeabilisation of the NE during semi-closed mitosis.}, language = {en} } @misc{MiticGrafeBatsiosetal.2022, author = {Mitic, Kristina and Grafe, Marianne and Batsios, Petros and Meyer, Irene}, title = {Partial Disassembly of the Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins during Semi-Closed Mitosis in Dictyostelium discoideum}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {3}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-54534}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-545341}, pages = {16}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Dictyostelium cells undergo a semi-closed mitosis, during which the nuclear envelope (NE) persists; however, free diffusion between the cytoplasm and the nucleus takes place. To permit the formation of the mitotic spindle, the nuclear envelope must be permeabilized in order to allow diffusion of tubulin dimers and spindle assembly factors into the nucleus. In Aspergillus, free diffusion of proteins between the cytoplasm and the nucleus is achieved by a partial disassembly of the nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) prior to spindle assembly. In order to determine whether this is also the case in Dictyostelium, we analysed components of the NPC by immunofluorescence microscopy and live cell imaging and studied their behaviour during interphase and mitosis. We observed that the NPCs are absent from the contact area of the nucleoli and that some nucleoporins also localize to the centrosome and the spindle poles. In addition, we could show that, during mitosis, the central FG protein NUP62, two inner ring components and Gle1 depart from the NPCs, while all other tested NUPs remained at the NE. This leads to the conclusion that indeed a partial disassembly of the NPCs takes place, which contributes to permeabilisation of the NE during semi-closed mitosis.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Peter2016, author = {Peter, Tatjana}, title = {Molekulare Charakterisierung von CP75, einem neuen centrosomalen Protein in Dictyostelium discoideum}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-96472}, school = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam}, pages = {III, 93}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Das Centrosom ist ein Zellkern-assoziiertes Organell, das nicht von einer Membran umschlossen ist. Es spielt eine wichtige Rolle in vielen Mikrotubuli- abhängigen Prozessen wie Organellenpositionierung, Zellpolarität oder die Organisation der mitotischen Spindel. Das Centrosom von Dictyostelium besteht aus einer dreischichtigen Core-Struktur umgeben von einer Corona, die Mikrotubuli-nukleierende Komplexe enthält. Die Verdoppelung des Centrosoms in Dictyostelium findet zu Beginn der Mitose statt. In der Prophase vergrößert sich die geschichtete Core-Struktur und die Corona löst sich auf. Anschließend trennen sich die beiden äußeren Lagen der Core-Struktur und bilden in der Metaphase die beiden Spindelpole, die in der Telophase zu zwei vollständigen Centrosomen heranreifen. Das durch eine Proteom-Analyse identifizierte Protein CP75 lokalisiert am Centrosom abhängig von den Mitosephasen. Es dissoziiert von der Core-Struktur in der Prometaphase und erscheint an den Spindelpolen in der Telophase wieder. Dieses Verhalten korreliert mit dem Verhalten der mittleren Lage der Core-Struktur in der Mitose, was darauf hinweist, dass CP75 eine Komponente dieser Schicht sein könnte. Die FRAP-Experimente am Interphase- Centrosom zeigen, dass GFP-CP75 dort nicht mobil ist. Das deutet darauf hin, dass das Protein wichtige Funktionen im Strukturerhalt der centrosomalen Core- Struktur {\"u}bernehmen könnte. Sowohl die C- als auch die N-terminale Domäne von CP75 enthalten centrosomale Targeting-Domäne. Als GFP-Fusionsproteine (GFP-CP75-N und -C) lokalisieren die beiden Fragmente am Centrosom in der Interphase. Während GFP-CP75-C in der Mitose am Centrosom verbleibt, verschwindet GFP-CP75-N in der Metaphase und kehrt erst in der späten Telophase zur{\"u}ck. GFP-CP75-C und GFP-CP75O/E kolokalisieren mit F-Aktin am Zellcortex, zeigen aber keine Interaktion mit Aktin mit der BioID-Methode. Die N-terminale Domäne von CP75 enthält eine potentielle Plk1- Phosphorylierungssequenz. Die Überexpression der nichtphosphorylierbaren Punktmutante (GFP-CP75-Plk-S143A) ruft verschiedene Phänotypen wie verlängerte oder {\"u}berzählige Centrosomen, vergrößerte Zellkerne und Anreicherung von detyrosinierten Mikrotubuli hervor. Die ähnlichen Phänotypen konnten auch bei GFP-CP75-N und CP75-RNAi beobachtet werden. Der Phänotyp der detyrosinierten Mikrotubuli bringt erstmals den Beweis daf{\"u}r, dass I in Dictyostelium posttranslationale Modifikation an Tubulinen stattfindet. Außerdem zeigten CP75-RNAi-Zellen Defekte in der Organisation der mitotischen Spindel. Mittels BioID-Methode konnten drei potentielle Interaktionspartner von CP75 identifiziert werden. Diese drei Proteine CP39, CP91 und Cep192 sind ebenfalls Bestandteile des Centrosoms.}, language = {de} } @article{PitzenAskarzadaGraefetal.2018, author = {Pitzen, Valentin and Askarzada, Sophie and Gr{\"a}f, Ralph and Meyer, Irene}, title = {CDK5RAP2 Is an Essential Scaffolding Protein of the Corona of the Dictyostelium Centrosome}, series = {Cells}, volume = {7}, journal = {Cells}, number = {4}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells7040032}, pages = {17}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Dictyostelium centrosomes consist of a nucleus-associated cylindrical, three-layered core structure surrounded by a corona consisting of microtubule-nucleation complexes embedded in a scaffold of large coiled-coil proteins. One of them is the conserved CDK5RAP2 protein. Here we focus on the role of Dictyostelium CDK5RAP2 for maintenance of centrosome integrity, its interaction partners and its dynamic behavior during interphase and mitosis. GFP-CDK5RAP2 is present at the centrosome during the entire cell cycle except from a short period during prophase, correlating with the normal dissociation of the corona at this stage. RNAi depletion of CDK5RAP2 results in complete disorganization of centrosomes and microtubules suggesting that CDK5RAP2 is required for organization of the corona and its association to the core structure. This is in line with the observation that overexpressed GFP-CDK5RAP2 elicited supernumerary cytosolic MTOCs. The phenotype of CDK5RAP2 depletion was very reminiscent of that observed upon depletion of CP148, another scaffolding protein of the corona. BioID interaction assays revealed an interaction of CDK5RAP2 not only with the corona markers CP148, gamma-tubulin, and CP248, but also with the core components Cep192, CP75, and CP91. Furthermore, protein localization studies in both depletion strains revealed that CP148 and CDK5RAP2 cooperate in corona organization.}, language = {en} }