ASPM and Citron Kinase Co-Localize to the Midbody Ring during Cytokinesis

Mutations in ASPM (abnormal spindle-like microcephaly associated) and Citron Kinase (CITK) cause primary microcephaly in humans and rodents, respectively. Both proteins are expressed during neurogenesis and play important roles in neuronal progenitor cell division. ASPM is localized to the spindle pole, and is essential for maintaining proliferative cell division. CITK is present at the cytokinesis furrow and midbody ring, and it is essential for cellular abscission. We report here that ASPM also localizes to the midbody ring in mammalian cells. ASPM co-localizes with CITK at the midbody ring and co-immunoprecipitates with CITK in lysates prepared from HeLa cells and embryonic neuroepithelium. Furthermore, a GFP-tagged fragment of the N-terminus of ASPM localizes to centrosomes and spindle poles, while a GFP-tagged fragment of the C-terminus localizes to midbodies. All reported ASPM mutations that cause microcephaly involve a truncation or mutation of the C-terminus. In addition, at least two other microcephaly-related proteins, CENPJ and CDK5RAP2, previously localized to spindle poles, also localize to midbodies. Together our observations support a model of neurogenesis in which spindle dynamics and cellular abscission are coordinated.