Disruption of mitotic spindle orientation in a yeast dynein mutant

Identification of and mutational studies conducted on the gene DHC1 reveal that it encodes a dynein heavy chain isoform within the Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sequence analysis of a 9-kb genomic fragment of the DHC1 gene yielded four polypeptides closely resembling the dynein sequences derived from the sea urchin, Dictyostelium, Drosophila and rat. The dynein microtubule motor protein has an unimportant role in spindle assembly in yeast. However, it has a vital role in regulating spindle orientation in the course of cell division.