A functionally specialized alpha-tubulin is required for oocyte meiosis and cleavage mitoses in Drosophila

摘要: Three alpha-tubulin proteins contribute to microtubules during oogenesis and early embryogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster: alpha TUB84B, TUB84D, TUB67C. TUB67C is unique two respects. It a structurally divergent alpha-tubulin, sharing only 67% amino acid identity with the generic isotypes TUB84B its expression exclusively maternal. The genetic analysis of Tub67C gene described here demonstrates that required for nuclear division oocyte embryo. Both meiosis cleavage-stage mitoses are severely affected by mutations result substantial decrease ratio TUB67C/alpha TUB84B+alpha TUB84D. A large increase this ratio, achieved increasing dosage Tub67C, has little or no effect on meiosis, but disrupts mitotic spindle function. Thus, both classes isotype present mature oocyte, TUB84B/84D, essential normal function development. These alpha-tubulins provide first example tubulin known be coexpressed wild-type animals whose encoded variation microtubule array.