An alpha tubulin mutation suppresses nuclear migration mutations in Aspergillus nidulans. 1995

D A Willins, and X Xiang, and N R Morris
Department of Pharmacology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway 08854-5635, USA.

Microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein, a microtubule-dependent motor, are required for nuclei to move along the hyphae of filamentous fungi. Nuclear migration in Aspergillus nidulans is blocked by heat-sensitive (hs-) mutations in the nudA gene, which encodes dynein heavy chain, and the nudF gene, which encodes a G protein beta-subunit-like protein. Hs- mutations in the nudC and nudG genes also prevent nuclear migration. We have isolated extragenic suppressor mutations that reverse the hs- phenotypes caused by these mutations. Here we show that one nudF suppressor also suppresses hs- mutations in nudA, nudC, and nudG and deletions in nudA and nudF. This suppressor mutation is in the tubA alpha tubulin gene, and its characteristics suggest that it destabilizes microtubules. The mutation alters microtubule staining and confers sensitivity to cold and benomyl, two treatments that destabilize microtubules. Treatment with low concentrations of benomyl also suppresses the hs- nudA, nudC, nudF, and nudG mutations and the nudA and nudF deletions. Suppression of the hs- nudA mutation and the nudA deletion is especially interesting because these strains lack active dynein heavy chain. Together, these results suggest that microtubule destabilization allows nuclei to migrate even in the absence of cytoplasmic dynein motor function.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009154 Mutation Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations. Mutations
D002467 Cell Nucleus Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (CELL NUCLEOLUS). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) Cell Nuclei,Nuclei, Cell,Nucleus, Cell
D003080 Cold Temperature An absence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably below an accustomed norm. Cold,Cold Temperatures,Temperature, Cold,Temperatures, Cold
D004352 Drug Resistance, Microbial The ability of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to resist or to become tolerant to chemotherapeutic agents, antimicrobial agents, or antibiotics. This resistance may be acquired through gene mutation or foreign DNA in transmissible plasmids (R FACTORS). Antibiotic Resistance,Antibiotic Resistance, Microbial,Antimicrobial Resistance, Drug,Antimicrobial Drug Resistance,Antimicrobial Drug Resistances,Antimicrobial Resistances, Drug,Drug Antimicrobial Resistance,Drug Antimicrobial Resistances,Drug Resistances, Microbial,Resistance, Antibiotic,Resistance, Drug Antimicrobial,Resistances, Drug Antimicrobial
D001233 Aspergillus nidulans A species of imperfect fungi from which the antibiotic nidulin is obtained. Its teleomorph is Emericella nidulans. Aspergillus nidulellus,Emericella nidulans
D001542 Benomyl A systemic agricultural fungicide used for control of certain fungal diseases of stone fruit. Benlate,Fundasol,Fundazol
D014404 Tubulin A microtubule subunit protein found in large quantities in mammalian brain. It has also been isolated from SPERM FLAGELLUM; CILIA; and other sources. Structurally, the protein is a dimer with a molecular weight of approximately 120,000 and a sedimentation coefficient of 5.8S. It binds to COLCHICINE; VINCRISTINE; and VINBLASTINE. alpha-Tubulin,beta-Tubulin,delta-Tubulin,epsilon-Tubulin,gamma-Tubulin,alpha Tubulin,beta Tubulin,delta Tubulin,epsilon Tubulin,gamma Tubulin
D016153 Genes, Suppressor Genes that have a suppressor allele or suppressor mutation (SUPPRESSION, GENETIC) which cancels the effect of a previous mutation, enabling the wild-type phenotype to be maintained or partially restored. For example, amber suppressors cancel the effect of an AMBER NONSENSE MUTATION. Amber Suppressor Genes,Frameshift Suppressor Genes,Genes, Amber Suppressor,Genes, Frameshift Suppressor,Genes, Nonsense Mutation Suppressor,Genes, Ochre Suppressor,Genes, Second-Site Suppressor,Nonsense Mutation Suppressor Genes,Ochre Suppressor Genes,Second-Site Suppressor Genes,Genes, Opal Suppressor,Suppressor Genes,Amber Suppressor Gene,Frameshift Suppressor Gene,Gene, Amber Suppressor,Gene, Frameshift Suppressor,Gene, Ochre Suppressor,Gene, Opal Suppressor,Gene, Second-Site Suppressor,Gene, Suppressor,Genes, Second Site Suppressor,Ochre Suppressor Gene,Opal Suppressor Gene,Opal Suppressor Genes,Second Site Suppressor Genes,Second-Site Suppressor Gene,Suppressor Gene,Suppressor Gene, Amber,Suppressor Gene, Frameshift,Suppressor Gene, Ochre,Suppressor Gene, Opal,Suppressor Gene, Second-Site,Suppressor Genes, Amber,Suppressor Genes, Frameshift,Suppressor Genes, Ochre,Suppressor Genes, Opal,Suppressor Genes, Second-Site

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