The endoplasmic reticulum cation P-type ATPase Cta4p is required for control of cell shape and microtubule dynamics

Here we describe the phenotypic characterization of the cta4⁺ gene, encoding a novel member of the P4 family of P-type ATPases of fission yeast. The cta4Δ mutant is temperature sensitive and cold sensitive lethal and displays several morphological defects in cell polarity and cytokinesis. Microtubules are generally destabilized in cells lacking Cta4p. The microtubule length is decreased, and the number of microtubules per cell is increased. This is concomitant with an increase in the number of microtubule catastrophe events in the midzone of the cell. These defects are likely due to a general imbalance in cation homeostasis. Immunofluorescence microscopy and membrane fractionation experiments revealed that green fluorescent protein–tagged Cta4 localizes to the ER. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments in living cells using the yellow cameleon indicator for Ca²⁺ indicated that Cta4p regulates the cellular Ca²⁺ concentration. Thus, our results reveal a link between cation homeostasis and the control of cell shape, microtubule dynamics, and cytokinesis, and appoint Ca²⁺ as a key ion in controlling these processes.