Dynein is a minus-end directed microtubule motor complex that is required for a diverse range of biological processes, from intracellular-cargo transport to cell migration. Dynein is regulated at multiple levels and its functions are dictated by its affinity for microtubules, motor action, associations with specific cargos, and subcellular localization.
During Drosophila spermatogenesis, dynein localizes to the nuclear surface at entry into meiotic prophase where it plays an essential role in mediating nucleus-centrosome coupling. Dynein also localizes to the nuclear surface of early postmeiotic spermatids, where it maintains associations between the nucleus and basal body and controls the position of the nucleus during elongation. I have identified the conserved gene asunder (asun) as a novel regulator of dynein’s localization to the nuclear surface during Drosophila spermatogenesis. In addition, I have found that the dynein regulatory factor, Lis-1, also plays an essential role in promoting the localization of dynein to the nuclear surface, and that it may cooperate with asun in this process.