ALPA — Schizosaccharomyces pombe 972h-

Summary

The fission yeast gene alp14 (SPCC895.07, chromosome 3) encodes a member of the XMAP215/TOG family of microtubule-associated proteins, possessing microtubule plus-end polymerase activity and microtubule destabilizing activity. Alp14 binds microtubule plus-ends and is localized to mitotic spindle poles, spindle microtubules, the outer kinetochore, and cytoplasmic microtubule plus-ends. The gene is associated with chromosome movement to spindle poles, chromosome separation, centromere localization, microtubule nucleation by the spindle pole body, mitotic spindle elongation, and the spindle checkpoint. Alp14 is linked to meiotic centromere clustering, cytoplasmic microtubule organization, and protein transport along microtubules to kinetochores. Phenotypic associations include abnormal cell cycle progression, premature metaphase-anaphase transition, delayed growth, decreased lifespan, and absent chromosome segregation. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to spindle pole body function and microtubule dynamics.