Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Genetically encoded live-cell sensor for tyrosinated microtubules.

Publication Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

October 5, 2020

Journal

The Journal of cell biology

Volume/Issue

219/10

ISSN

1540-8140

Microtubule cytoskeleton exists in various biochemical forms in different cells due to tubulin posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Tubulin PTMs are known to affect microtubule stability, dynamics, and interaction with MAPs and motors in a specific manner, widely known as tubulin code hypothesis. At present, there exists no tool that can specifically mark tubulin PTMs in living cells, thus severely limiting our understanding of their dynamics and cellular functions. Using a yeast display library, we identified a binder against terminal tyrosine of α-tubulin, a unique PTM site. Extensive characterization validates the robustness and nonperturbing nature of our binder as tyrosination sensor, a live-cell tubulin nanobody specific towards tyrosinated microtubules. Using this sensor, we followed nocodazole-, colchicine-, and vincristine-induced depolymerization events of tyrosinated microtubules in real time and found each distinctly perturbs the microtubule polymer. Together, our work describes a novel tyrosination sensor and its potential applications to study the dynamics of microtubule and their PTM processes in living cells.

Alternate Journal

J Cell Biol

PubMed ID

32886100

PubMed Central ID

PMC7659708

Authors

Shubham Kesarwani
Prakash Lama
Anchal Chandra
P Purushotam Reddy
A S Jijumon
Satish Bodakuntla
Balaji M Rao
Carsten Janke
Ranabir Das
Minhajuddin Sirajuddin

Keywords

Tyrosine
Colchicine
Cytoskeleton
Microtubule-Associated Proteins
Nocodazole
Humans
Vincristine
HEK293 Cells
Tubulin
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
Microtubules