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Related Concept Videos

The Mitotic Spindle02:27

The Mitotic Spindle

The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures bipolar mitotic...
Spindle Assembly02:50

Spindle Assembly

Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a microtubule array...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
The Mitotic Spindle02:27

The Mitotic Spindle

The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures bipolar mitotic...
Spindle Assembly02:50

Spindle Assembly

Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a microtubule array...
Centrioles and Centrosomes01:13

Centrioles and Centrosomes

Most animal cells comprise a pair of centrioles together called a centrosome. The cell duplicates its centrosome and contains two centrosomes side-by-side, which begin to move apart during the prophase. As the centrosomes migrate to two different sides of the cell, microtubules start extending from each centrosome toward the other end. The mitotic spindle is composed of the centrosomes and their emerging microtubules.
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...

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Accurate infrared transmittance measurements on optical filters using an FT-IR spectrometer.

Applied optics·2010
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Analysis of mitotic microtubule-associated proteins using mass spectrometry identifies astrin, a spindle-associated protein.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2001
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The chromokinesin Kid is necessary for chromosome arm orientation and oscillation, but not congression, on mitotic spindles.

The Journal of cell biology·2001
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In vitro approaches for the study of molecular motors in aster formation.

Methods in cell biology·2001
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Chromosome movement in mitosis requires microtubule anchorage at spindle poles.

The Journal of cell biology·2001
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ch-TOGp is required for microtubule aster formation in a mammalian mitotic extract.

The Journal of biological chemistry·2000

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
10:52

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

Spindle assembly in animal cells.

D A Compton1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA. duane.a.compton@dartmouth.edu

Annual Review of Biochemistry
|August 31, 2000
PubMed
Summary

This review details spindle structure and microtubule dynamics essential for chromosome segregation during cell division. It covers mechanisms organizing microtubules and moving chromosomes for accurate cell replication.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chromosome segregation is crucial for cell division, relying on the spindle apparatus.
  • Microtubules form the structural basis of the spindle, with their dynamics governing assembly and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review spindle structure and microtubule organization mechanisms.
  • To discuss recent findings on molecules involved in spindle assembly.
  • To explore chromosome movement and segregation processes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of spindle assembly and function.
  • Analysis of microtubule dynamics in mitosis and meiosis.
  • Synthesis of recent research on molecular mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations
07:14

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations

Published on: September 20, 2019

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
10:52

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations
07:14

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations

Published on: September 20, 2019

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Main Results:

  • Spindle assembly is a complex process driven by microtubule dynamics.
  • Specific molecules and mechanisms organize microtubules into functional spindles.
  • Understanding these processes is key to comprehending chromosome segregation.

Conclusions:

  • The spindle apparatus, built from dynamic microtubules, is central to accurate chromosome segregation.
  • Ongoing research continues to elucidate the intricate molecular mechanisms governing spindle organization and function.