InterPro domain: IPR007573

The plant augmin complex is involved in assembly of microtubules (MT) arrays during mitosis and contains eight subunits (AUG1 -AUG8). Among them, AUG1 to AUG6 share similarity with their animal counterparts, but AUG7 and AUG8 share homology only with proteins of plant origin [ 1 ]. AUG8 belongs to the plant QWRF motif-containing protein family, which also includes microtubule-associated protein ENDOSPERM DEFECTIVE 1 [ 2 , 3 ] and SNOWY COTYLEDON 3 [ 4 ]. AUG8 binds the microtubule plus-end and participates in the reorientation of microtubules in hypocotyls (the stem of a germinating seedling) [ 5 , 6 ].

1. Characterization of the Arabidopsis augmin complex uncovers its critical function in the assembly of the acentrosomal spindle and phragmoplast microtubule arrays. Plant Cell 24, 1494-509
2. ENDOSPERM DEFECTIVE1 Is a Novel Microtubule-Associated Protein Essential for Seed Development in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 21, 90-105
3. Endosperm cellularization defines an important developmental transition for embryo development. Development 139, 2031-9
4. The cytoskeleton and the peroxisomal-targeted snowy cotyledon3 protein are required for chloroplast development in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 22, 3423-38
5. Arabidopsis AUGMIN subunit8 is a microtubule plus-end binding protein that promotes microtubule reorientation in hypocotyls. Plant Cell 25, 2187-201
6. AUGMIN subunit8 participates in microtubule reorientation in Arabidopsis hypocotyls. Plant Cell 25, 1913