Developmentally regulated GTP binding protein 1 (DRG1) controls microtubule dynamics

The mitotic spindle, essential for segregating the sister chromatids into the two evolving daughter cells, is composed of highly dynamic cytoskeletal filaments, the microtubules. The dynamics of microtubules are regulated by numerous microtubule associated proteins. We identify here Developmentally regulated GTP binding protein 1 (DRG1) as a microtubule binding protein with diverse microtubule-associated functions. In vitro, DRG1 can diffuse on microtubules, promote their polymerization, drive microtubule formation into bundles, and stabilize microtubules. HeLa cells with reduced DRG1 levels show delayed progression from prophase to anaphase because spindle formation is slowed down. To perform its microtubule-associated functions, DRG1, although being a GTPase, does not require GTP hydrolysis. However, all domains are required as truncated versions show none of the mentioned activities besides microtubule binding

Do Managerial Motives Impact Dividend Decisions in REITs?

Conflict of interest between shareholders (principal) and managers (agent) is a potential weakness of the modern corporate form. Various monitoring mechanisms—pay for performance compensation schemes, mix of cash compensation and long term compensation, the independence of the board of directors, the market for takeovers, and capital structure—have been developed to discipline management and motivate them to maximize shareholder wealth. We test the hypothesis that dividend payout levels reflect the quality of and motivation for managerial decision making and are a function of performance and monitoring effectiveness. Consistent with this hypothesis, our analyses indicate that dividend payout, and dividend yield are functions of corporate performance, board structure, CEO tenure, and CEO ownership of company shares. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2006Dividend policy, Performance, Corporate governance, Managerial entrenchment,

Focusing on volatility information instead of portfolio weights as an aid to investor decisions

When faced with the challenge of forming a portfolio containing a risky and a risk-free asset, investors tend to apply the same portfolio weights independently of the volatility of the risky asset. This “percentage heuristic” can lead to different levels of portfolio risk when the same investor is presented with a more or a less risky asset. Using four experiments, we show that asking investors to choose the return distribution for their portfolio while keeping the exact portfolio weights unknown leads to greater similarity in levels of portfolio volatility (across different levels of risk of the risky asset) than asking investors to choose this distribution while additionally facing the portfolio weights. Higher consistency in risk taking is obtained both between and within test subjects