EB1 is required for primary cilia assembly in fibroblasts

Curr Biol. 2007 Jul 3;17(13):1134-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.05.055.

Abstract

EB1 is a small microtubule (MT)-binding protein that associates preferentially with MT plus ends and plays a role in regulating MT dynamics. EB1 also targets other MT-associated proteins to the plus end and thereby regulates interactions of MTs with the cell cortex, mitotic kinetochores, and different cellular organelles [1, 2]. EB1 also localizes to centrosomes and is required for centrosomal MT anchoring and organization of the MT network [3, 4]. We previously showed that EB1 localizes to the flagellar tip and proximal region of the basal body in Chlamydomonas[5], but the function of EB1 in the cilium/flagellum is unknown. We depleted EB1 from NIH3T3 fibroblasts by using siRNA and found that EB1 depletion causes a approximately 50% reduction in the efficiency of primary cilia assembly in serum-starved cells. Expression of dominant-negative EB1 also inhibited cilia formation, and expression of mutant dominant-negative EB1 constructs suggested that binding of EB1 to p150(Glued) is important for cilia assembly. Finally, expression of a C-terminal fragment of the centrosomal protein CAP350, which removes EB1 from the centrosome but not MT plus ends [6], also inhibited ciliogenesis. We conclude that localization of EB1 at the centriole/basal body is required for primary cilia assembly in fibroblasts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Centrioles / metabolism
  • Cilia / metabolism*
  • Dynactin Complex
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / physiology
  • Gene Expression
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • RNA, Small Interfering

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Dctn1 protein, mouse
  • Dynactin Complex
  • EB1 microtubule binding proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • pericentrin
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins