Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The mitotic spindle: a self-made machine.

E Karsenti1, I Vernos

  • 1Cell Biology and Biophysics Program, EMBL, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany. karsenti@embl-heidelberg.de

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 20, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Chromosomes are key to mitotic spindle assembly, guiding microtubule organization and genome distribution during cell division. This process involves molecular motors and modular principles, varying across cell types.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The chaperonin CCT controls T cell receptor-driven 3D configuration of centrioles.

Science advances·2020
Same author

Tara Oceans. Tara Oceans studies plankton at planetary scale. Introduction.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2015
Same author

Chromosome motors on the move. From motion to spindle checkpoint activity.

EMBO reports·2001
Same author

Analysis of heterodimer formation by Xklp3A/B, a newly cloned kinesin-II from Xenopus laevis.

The EMBO journal·2001
Same author

Physical properties determining self-organization of motors and microtubules.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2001
Same author

Ran-GTP coordinates regulation of microtubule nucleation and dynamics during mitotic-spindle assembly.

Nature cell biology·2001

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • The mitotic spindle is crucial for accurate genome distribution during cell division.
  • Its assembly is a complex process involving numerous proteins, including tubulin and molecular motors.
  • The precise biochemical and physical mechanisms governing spindle assembly remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the fundamental principles governing mitotic spindle assembly.
  • To investigate the role of chromosomes in initiating and organizing spindle formation.
  • To understand how molecular motors contribute to spindle pole formation and bipolarity.

Main Methods:

  • This study synthesines existing biochemical and biophysical data on spindle assembly.
  • It analyzes the interactions between chromosomes, microtubules, and molecular motors.
  • Comparative analysis across different cell types and organisms is discussed.

Main Results:

  • Chromosomes play a critical role by establishing a local cytoplasmic environment conducive to microtubule nucleation and growth.
  • Molecular motors, both soluble and chromosome-associated, are essential for organizing microtubules into a bipolar structure.
  • Spindle assembly appears to be regulated by a combination of modular principles.

Conclusions:

  • Mitotic spindle assembly is a highly regulated process initiated and guided by chromosomes.
  • Molecular motors are key players in achieving the bipolar organization of the spindle.
  • The principles governing spindle assembly are likely modular and adaptable to different cellular contexts.

Related Experiment Videos