Author: ["Michelle Moritz","Michael B. Braunfeld","Vincent Guénebaut","John Heuser","David A. Agard"]
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Abstract
The γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) is a protein complex of relative molecular mass ~2.2 × 106 that nucleates microtubules at the centrosome. Here we use electron-microscopic tomography and metal shadowing to examine the structure of isolated Drosophila γTuRCs and the ends of microtubules nucleated by γTuRCs and by centrosomes. We show that the γTuRC is a lockwasher-like structure made up of repeating subunits, topped asymmetrically with a cap. A similar capped ring is also visible at one end of microtubules grown from isolated γTuRCs and from centrosomes. Antibodies against γ-tubulin label microtubule ends, but not walls, in centrosomes. These data are consistent with a template-mediated mechanism for microtubule nucleation by the γTuRC.Cite this article
Moritz, M., Braunfeld, M., Guénebaut, V. et al. Structure of the γ-tubulin ring complex: a template for microtubule nucleation. Nat Cell Biol 2, 365–370 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/35014058 