BRCA1 regulates γ-tubulin binding to centrosomes

Centrosomes are the cellular organelles that nucleate microtubules (MTs) via the activity of gamma-tubulin ring complex(s) (gamma TuRC) bound to the pericentriolar material of the centrosomes. BRCA1, the breast and ovarian cancer specific tumor suppressor, inhibits centrosomal MT nucleation via its ubiquitin ligase activity, and one of the known BRCA1 substrates is the key gamma TuRC component, gamma-tubulin. We analyzed the mechanism by which BRCA1 regulates centrosome function using an in vitro reconstitution assay, which includes separately staged steps. Our results are most consistent with a model by which the BRCA1 ubiquitin ligase modifies both gamma-tubulin plus a second centrosomal protein that controls localization of gamma TuRC to the centrosome. We suggest that this second protein is an adapter protein or protein complex that docks gamma TuRC to the centrosome. By controlling gamma-TuRC localization, BRCA1 appropriately inhibits centrosome function, and loss of BRCA1 would result in centrosome hyperactivity, supernumerary centrosomes and, possibly, aneuploidy.