Microtubule arrays direct intracellular organization and define cellular polarity. Here, we show a novel function of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in the organization of microtubule arrays through the interaction with Bicaudal-D (BICD). BICD is known to form a complex with dynein-dynactin and to function in the intracellular vesicle trafficking. Our data revealed that GSK-3β is required for the binding of BICD to dynein but not to dynactin. Knockdown of GSK-3β or BICD reduced centrosomally focused microtubules and induced the mislocalization of centrosomal proteins. The unfocused microtubules in GSK-3β knockdown cells were rescued by the expression of the dynein intermediate chain-BICD fusion protein. Microtubule regrowth assays showed that GSK-3β and BICD are required for the anchoring of microtubules to the centrosome. These results imply that GSK-3β may function in transporting centrosomal proteins to the centrosome by stabilizing the BICD1 and dynein complex, resulting in the regulation of a focused microtubule organization.

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doi.org/10.1038/sj.emboj.7601459, hdl.handle.net/1765/60882
EMBO Journal
Department of Neuroscience

Fumoto, K., Hoogenraad, C., & Kikuchi, A. (2006). GSK-3β-regulated interaction of BICD with dynein is involved in microtubule anchorage at centrosome. EMBO Journal, 25(24), 5670–5682. doi:10.1038/sj.emboj.7601459