Cited by 136Microtubule and mitosis dynamicsGenomics and Chromatin DynamicsGenetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases

Asymmetric Molecular Architecture of the Human γ-Tubulin Ring Complex

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Wieczorek, Michal, Urnavicius, Linas, Ti, Shih-Chieh, Molloy, Kelly R., Chait, Brian T., Kapoor, Tarun M.·2020·Cell

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

The γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is an essential regulator of centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubule formation, yet its structure is not known. Here, we present a cryo-EM reconstruction of the native human γ-TuRC at ∼3.8 Å resolution, revealing an asymmetric, cone-shaped structure. Pseudo-atomic models indicate that GCP4, GCP5, and GCP6 form distinct Y-shaped assemblies that structurally mimic GCP2/GCP3 subcomplexes distal to the γ-TuRC "seam." We also identify an unanticipated structural bridge that includes an actin-like protein and spans the γ-TuRC lumen. Despite its asymmetric architecture, the γ-TuRC arranges γ-tubulins into a helical geometry poised to nucleate microtubules. Diversity in the γ-TuRC subunits introduces large (>100,000 Å 2) surfaces in the complex that allow for interactions with different regulatory factors. The observed compositional complexity of the γ-TuRC could self-regulate its assembly into a cone-shaped structure to control microtubule formation across diverse contexts, e.g., within biological condensates or alongside existing filaments.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cell.2019.12.007

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  • This mechanism is structurally reminiscent of gamma-TuSC which acts as template for microtubule nucleation.

    “Such a mechanism is structurally reminiscent of the helical Gamma-Tubulin Small Complex (gamma-TuSC) which acts as a template for microtubule nucleation during cell division [47].”

    From Budding of a Retrovirus: Some Assemblies Required (2020) · cites this paper as [47]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) describes a γ-TuSC core with helical parameters and reports that γ-TuSC oligomers can nucleate microtubules in vitro. It does not establish that γ-TuSC acts as a template specifically during cell division; it also cautions that a helical ring matching the microtubule lattice may not be required for nucleation. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Knop M, Pereira G, Geissler S, Grein K, and Schiebel E (1997b). The spindle pole body component Spc97p interacts with the γ-tubulin of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and functions in microtubule organization and spindle pole body duplication. EMBO J. 16, 1550– 1564. 9130700 PMC1169759

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Authors
Wieczorek, M., Urnavicius, L., Ti, S.-C., Molloy, K. R., Chait, B. T., & Kapoor, T. M.
Affiliations
Rockefeller University (US)
Corresponding author
Kapoor, Tarun M.
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-01
Volume
180
Issue
1
Pages
165-175.e16
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2995545804
Cited by
136
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 1
FWCI
9.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Human Frontier Science Program
  • National Institutes of Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases
Keywords
γ-tubulin ring complex, microtubule nucleation, protein complex formation
MeSH terms
Actins, HeLa Cells, Humans, Microtubule-Associated Proteins, Microtubules, Tubulin, Cryoelectron Microscopy, Microtubule-Organizing Center

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