The evolutionary conserved NSL complex is a prominent epigenetic regulator controlling expression of thousands of genes. Here we uncover a novel function of the NSL complex members in mitosis. As the cell enters mitosis, KANSL1 and KANSL3 undergo a marked relocalisation from the chromatin to the mitotic spindle. By stabilizing microtubule minus ends in a RanGTP-dependent manner, they are essential for spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. Moreover, we identify KANSL3 as a microtubule minus-end-binding protein, revealing a new class of mitosis-specific microtubule minus-end regulators. By adopting distinct functions in interphase and mitosis, KANSL proteins provide a link to coordinate the tasks of faithful expression and inheritance of the genome during different phases of the cell cycle.
Meunier S, Shvedunova M, Van Nguyen N, Avila L, Vernos I, Akhtar A (2015) An epigenetic regulator emerges as microtubule minus-end binding and stabilizing factor in mitosis Nat Commun6: 7889
Meunier S, Shvedunova M, Van Nguyen N, Avila L, Vernos I, Akhtar A (2015) Nat Commun6: 7889