# Patterning acentrosomal microtubule arrays

> **NIH NIH R35** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $134,900

## Abstract

Summary
The microtubule cytoskeleton supports cell-division, cellular morphology and intracellular cargo transport.
While the centrosome is a major site of microtubule nucleation in dividing cells, many differentiated cells harbor
acentrosomal microtubule arrays. Prominent examples include germline cells, plant epidermis, epithelia and
neurons. To understand cellular differentiation, it is crucial to learn how acentrosomal array architecture is set
up to achieve a specific pattern of polymer numbers, length and dynamics that would support specialized
cellular functions, often throughout the life of an organism. My laboratory studies the patterning of
acentrosomal microtubules and its effect on cargo transport in C. elegans. We developed imaging tools and
algorithms that allow an unprecedented level of analysis of microtubule organization in vivo and are compatible
with live-imaging of cargo transport. We conducted unbiased screens to uncover novel microtubule regulators
and are using genetics, imaging, and biochemical methods to understand their mechanisms. In parallel, we are
investigating the biological significance of microtubule array patterns by examining the effects of these
regulators on long-range intracellular transport. This proposal details the establishment of our experimental
system, design and implementation of the screen, and preliminary characterization of select regulators. It then
outlines our main goals for the next five years: completing the screen and elucidating the mechanisms that
establish acentrosomal array architecture. These studies will determine how steady-state array architecture
emerges from the control of single polymer nucleation and dynamics and how it is adapted to the function of
specialized cells. Microtubules support fundamental biological processes such as cell migration, polarization
and cargo transport. Hence, our work will have a significant impact: It will identify novel regulators that arrange
the building blocks of acentrosomal arrays and it will determine the mechanisms by which they pattern the
cytoskeleton and regulate transport. The involvement of cytoskeletal defects in numerous disorders suggests
that in the long-range, our studies will help to shed light on mechanisms of cellular dysfunction that occurs
during disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10797074
- **Project number:** 3R35GM133573-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Shaul Yogev
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $134,900
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-08-12 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10797074

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10797074, Patterning acentrosomal microtubule arrays (3R35GM133573-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10797074. Licensed CC0.

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