A gene required for nuclear migration in Neurospora crassa codes for a protein with cysteine-rich, LIM/RING-like domains

The ro mutants of Neurospora crassa are defective in nuclear migration and hyphal morphogenesis. Several of the ro loci have recently been shown to encode components of the dynein/dynactin motor complex. Here we report on the cloning and characterization of the ro-2 gene which codes for a novel 80 kDa protein that has two Cys-rich motifs which resemble zinc-binding LIM or RING domains thought to mediate protein-protein interactions. RO2 also contains several potential binding sites for Src homology 3 (SH3) domains. The ro-2(B20) allele has a frameshift mutation within one of the Cys-rich domains which eliminates the C-terminal half of the open reading frame (ORF). Disruption of the ro-2 locus by repeat-induced point (RIP) mutation gave rise to progeny which have a nuclear migration defect, but which are also blocked in conidiation. The ability to assemble cytoplasmic microtubules and actin is maintained in ro-2 mutants, although subapical actin patches are more prominent. Based on these observations, the RO2 gene product is proposed to play a role in mediating interactions between components of the dynein/dynactin motor complex or in linking this complex to the nucleus or cytoskeleton.