S. pombe Mto1:Mto2 stabilizes γ-tubulin positions within the γ-TuRC

Mto1 and Mto2 stabilize γ-tubulin positions in the γ-TuRC, whereas the simplified γ-TuSC:Mzt1 complex forms rings but positions are less well defined.

• Why it matters: γ-TuRCs nucleate microtubules by matching γ-tubulin positions to the microtubule lattice, yet how variable non-γ-TuSC components tune ring structure is unclear.
• What they did: Using recombinant purified proteins and negative-stain electron microscopy, the authors compared a nucleation-incompetent γ-TuSC:Mzt1 complex with a nucleation-competent MGM complex, then used comparative modeling with crosslinking mass spectrometry.
• The result: Modeling suggests Mto1 and Mto2 form a multimeric outer mantle around γ-TuSC:Mzt1, which may stabilize γ-tubulin positioning in MGM and help explain MGM’s nucleating ability.

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