AncientLeishmaniacoronin (CRN12) is involved in microtubule remodeling during cytokinesis

Abstract

In general, coronins play an important role in actin-based processes, and are expressed in a variety of eukaryotic cells, including Leishmania. Here, we show that Leishmania coronin preferentially distributes to the distal tip during cytokinesis, and interacts with microtubules through a microtubule-based motor, kinesin K39. We further show that reduction in coronin levels by 40-50% in heterozygous coronin mutants results in generation of bipolar cells (25-30%), specifically in the log phase, owing to unregulated growth of the corset microtubules. Further analysis of bipolar cells revealed that the main cause of generation of bipolar cell morphology is the intrusion of the persistently growing corset microtubules into the other daughter cell corset from the opposite direction. This defect in cytokinesis, however, disappears upon episomal gene complementation. Additionally, our attempts to prepare homozygous mutants were unsuccessful, as only the aneuploid cells survive the selection process. These results indicate that coronin regulates microtubule remodeling during Leishmania cytokinesis and is essentially required for survival of these parasites in culture.

A twinfilin‐like protein coordinates karyokinesis by influencing mitotic spindle elongation and DNA replication in Leishmania

“…S2A). In the basal body region, TWF co‐localizes in both mature as well as pro‐basal body labeled with centrin antibodies (Selvapendiyan et al, ), while some fluorescence was also detectable on the flagellar fibrils (Sahasrabuddhe et al ., ). Association of TWF with the mature and probasal body was consistent in the dividing cells as well (Supporting Information Fig.…”

“…For example, polymerization of Leishmania actin is induced by ATP instead of salt or MgCl 2 , it intends to form bundles rather than single filaments and it is insensitive towards classical anti‐actin drugs such as cytochalasinD and latrunculinB (Sahasrabuddhe et al ., ; Kapoor et al ., ). Similarly, myosinXXI that localizes mainly at the proximal region of the flagellum and regulates its length; coronin that regulates microtubule dynamics at the positive ends of subpelicular microtubules during daughter cell separation (Sahasrabuddhe et al ., ); and ADF/cofilin that depolymerises actin filaments in a pH independent manner, regulates flagellum elongation and affects early stages of the Leishmania cell division (Tammana et al ., ). Thus the studies on Leishmania actin‐network proteins have led to discover new roles of actin‐binding proteins in these parasites.…”

ADF/cofilin-driven actin dynamics in early events ofLeishmaniacell division

“…However, in the case of trypanosomatid parasites, cytokinesis is primarily a microtubule-mediated process, and despite the presence of actin and several actin-binding proteins (Sahasrabuddhe et al, 2004;Nayak et al, 2005;Kapoor et al, 2008;Tammana et al, 2008;Katta et al, 2009), their role in these parasites was largely unknown. Our recent studies (Tammana et al, 2008;Sahasrabuddhe et al, 2009) show that the actin-binding proteins Cof and CRN12 have essential roles in flagellar assembly and microtubule remodeling, respectively.…”

An actin‐like protein is involved in regulation of mitochondrial and flagellar functions as well as in intramacrophage survival of Leishmania donovani

“…B). In addition to the basal bodies, ARP1 antibodies also labelled an uncharacterized region near the flagellar fibrils (Sahasrabuddhe et al ., ) (Fig. B).…”