SPD-5 unfolds when activated to kickstart spindle formation (IMAGE)

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University

SPD-5 unfolds when activated to kickstart spindle formation

Caption

SPD-5’s structure keeps the protein in a built-in “off” state, binding to itself rather than a γ tubulin complex (pink circle). At the centrosome, phosphate is added by the protein kinase, PLK1, (yellow stars) causing SPD-5 to unfold in a step-by-step process. As SPD-5 unfolds, it binds to and activates a γ tubulin complex, which then acts as a docking site for the microtubules that form spindle fibers.

Credit

Midori Ohta (OIST)

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