Balanced regulation of microtubule dynamics during the cell cycle: a contemporary view

Assembly of mitotic and meiotic spindles into an elliptical bipolar shape is an example of morphogenetic processes that involve local chromosomal regulation of microtubule dynamics for proper spatial microtubule assembly. Global microtubule dynamics during the cell cycle and local microtubule dynamics during spindle assembly are regulated by a balance between microtubule stabilizing and destabilizing factors. How a chromosome-induced phosphorylation gradient may be generated and modulate spindle microtubule assembly through balanced regulation of the activity of microtubule-associated proteins and Stathmin/Op 18 is analyzed.