Ctf19p: A novel kinetochore protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a potential link between the kinetochore and mitotic spindle

J Cell Biol. 1999 Apr 5;145(1):15-28. doi: 10.1083/jcb.145.1.15.

Abstract

A genetic synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) screen using CTF13 encoding a known kinetochore protein as the overexpressed reference gene identified two chromosome transmission fidelity (ctf) mutants, YCTF58 and YCTF26. These mutant strains carry independent alleles of a novel gene, which we have designated CTF19. In light of its potential role in kinetochore function, we have cloned and characterized the CTF19 gene in detail. CTF19 encodes a nonessential 369-amino acid protein. ctf19 mutant strains display a severe chromosome missegregation phenotype, are hypersensitive to benomyl, and accumulate at G2/M in cycling cells. CTF19 genetically interacts with kinetochore structural mutants and mitotic checkpoint mutants. In addition, ctf19 mutants show a defect in the ability of centromeres on minichromosomes to bind microtubules in an in vitro assay. In vivo cross-linking and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrates that Ctf19p specifically interacts with CEN DNA. Furthermore, Ctf19-HAp localizes to the nuclear face of the spindle pole body and genetically interacts with a spindle-associated protein. We propose that Ctf19p is part of a macromolecular kinetochore complex, which may function as a link between the kinetochore and the mitotic spindle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anaphase
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Fungal / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Fungal Proteins / physiology*
  • Genes, Fungal*
  • Kinetochores / chemistry*
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / physiology*
  • Microtubules / chemistry
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Phenotype
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / cytology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Spindle Apparatus / chemistry*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins