Elucidating the spatiotemporal activation of microtubule nucleation at mitotic centrosomes

Research Project

Project/Area Number	24K09461
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Section	一般
Review Section	Basic Section 44010:Cell biology-related
Research Institution	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
Principal Investigator	太田緑沖縄科学技術大学院大学, サイエンステクノロジーグループ, サイエンス・テクノロジーアソシエイト (30746623)
Project Period (FY)	2024-04-01 – 2027-03-31
Project Status	Granted (Fiscal Year 2024)
Budget Amount *help	¥4,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,080,000) Fiscal Year 2026: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000) Fiscal Year 2025: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000) Fiscal Year 2024: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
Keywords	Centrosome / γ-tubulin complex / Microtubules / Pericentriolar material / Cell division
Outline of Research at the Start	Centrosomes recruit γ-tubulin containing complexes (γTuCs) that nucleate microtubules. Most γTuCs are present in the cytosol where their microtubule nucleation activity is inhibited. How γTuCs are activated at centrosomes is an unsolved question. Here I will investigate how phosphorylation converts a centrosomal protein SPD-5 in C. elegans into mitotically active γTuC docking sites. I will employ biochemical assays in combination with advanced imaging technology to link the structural remodeling of SPD-5 to the functional mechanisms in mitotic spindle assembly.