EU-LIFE Postdoc Exchange Seminar: 'Assembling Microtubules: mechanisms of γTuRC activation'

In the upcoming Postdoc Exchange Seminar of November 21, Cláudia Brito will present her work in the research group of Renata Basto at Institut Curie, Paris. Cláudia, a postdoctoral researcher at the CRG in Barcelona, is supported by the EU-LIFE Postdoctoral Exchange Programme.   

The title of his seminar is: 'Assembling Microtubules: mechanisms of γTuRC activation'

Abstract

The γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) is the principal microtubule nucleator in cells, yet its native conformation deviates from the ideal 13-fold microtubule symmetry, limiting nucleation efficiency. Activation of γTuRC in cells requires adaptor proteins such as CDK5RAP2, which interacts with γTuRC through its Centrosomin Motif 1 (CM1). Although CM1 binding is known to induce conformational rearrangements within γTuRC, the mechanism by which it promotes activation remains unclear. In this presentation, I will discuss how we combined in vitro reconstitution using TIRF microscopy with cryo-EM to dissect γTuRC ring closure during microtubule nucleation and to explore the interplay between CM1 binding, tubulin addition, and structural activation of the complex.

In-person only.