EB1 and EB3 regulate microtubule minus end organization and Golgi morphology.

1. J Cell Biol. 2017 Oct 2;216(10):3179-3198. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201701024. Epub 2017 Aug 16.

EB1 and EB3 regulate microtubule minus end organization and Golgi morphology.

Yang C(1), Wu J(1), de Heus C(2), Grigoriev I(1), Liv N(2), Yao Y(3)(4), Smal I(3)(4), Meijering E(3)(4), Klumperman J(2), Qi RZ(5), Akhmanova A(6).

Author information: (1)Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands. (2)Department of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands. (3)Department of Medical Informatics, Biomedical Imaging Group Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands. (4)Department of Radiology, Biomedical Imaging Group Rotterdam, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands. (5)Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. (6)Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands a.akhmanova@uu.nl.

End-binding proteins (EBs) are the core components of microtubule plus end tracking protein complexes, but it is currently unknown whether they are essential for mammalian microtubule organization. Here, by using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout technology, we generated stable cell lines lacking EB2 and EB3 and the C-terminal partner-binding half of EB1. These cell lines show only mild defects in cell division and microtubule polymerization. However, the length of CAMSAP2-decorated stretches at noncentrosomal microtubule minus ends in these cells is reduced, microtubules are detached from Golgi membranes, and the Golgi complex is more compact. Coorganization of microtubules and Golgi membranes depends on the EB1/EB3-myomegalin complex, which acts as membrane-microtubule tether and counteracts tight clustering of individual Golgi stacks. Disruption of EB1 and EB3 also perturbs cell migration, polarity, and the distribution of focal adhesions. EB1 and EB3 thus affect multiple interphase processes and have a major impact on microtubule minus end organization.

© 2017 Yang et al.

DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201701024 PMCID: PMC5626540 PMID: 28814570 [Indexed for MEDLINE]