The Ndc80-Cdt1-Ska1 complex is a central processive kinetochore–microtubule coupling unit

Amit Rahi, Manas Chakraborty, Shivangi Agarwal, Kristen M. Vosberg, Shivani Agarwal, Annie Y. Wang, Richard J. McKenney, Dileep Varma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is known that microtubule-binding proteins including the Ska1 complex and the DNA replication licensing factor, Cdt1, enable the kinetochore-localized Ndc80 complex to form robust kinetochore-microtubule attachments. However, it is not clear how the Ndc80 complex is stably coupled to dynamic spindle microtubule plus-ends. Here, we have developed a conditional auxin-inducible degron approach to reveal a function for Cdt1 in chromosome segregation and kinetochore–microtubule interactions that is separable from its role in DNA replication licensing. Further, we demonstrate that a direct interaction between Cdt1 and Ska1 is required for recruiting Cdt1 to kinetochores and spindle microtubules. Cdt1 phosphorylation by Cdk1 kinase is critical for Ska1 binding, kinetochore–microtubule attachments, and mitotic progression. Furthermore, we show that Cdt1 synergizes with Ndc80 and Ska1 for microtubule binding, including forming a diffusive, tripartite Ndc80-Cdt1Ska1 complex that can processively track dynamic microtubule plus-ends in vitro. Taken together, our data identify the Ndc80-Cdt1-Ska1 complex as a central molecular unit that can promote processive bidirectional tip-tracking of microtubules by kinetochores.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere202208018
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume222
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 7 2023

Funding

This work was supported by National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) grant R01GM135391 to D. Varma; and NIGMS grant R35GM124889 to R.J. McKenney.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Ndc80-Cdt1-Ska1 complex is a central processive kinetochore–microtubule coupling unit'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this