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Assembling the spindle midzone in the right place at the right time
Anton Khmelinskii1, Elmar Schiebel
1Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|February 1, 2008
Summary
The phosphatase Cdc14 regulates spindle midzone assembly during anaphase by dephosphorylating Ase1. This coordination is essential for proper chromosome segregation and cell division.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The mitotic spindle elongates during anaphase for chromosome segregation.
- Spindle midzone assembly is crucial for anaphase spindle extension.
- The link between cell cycle progression and spindle midzone assembly is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the conserved phosphatase Cdc14 in regulating spindle midzone formation in budding yeast.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Cdc14 controls midzone assembly.
- To understand how spindle midzone assembly is coordinated with the cell cycle.
Main Methods:
- Utilized budding yeast as a model organism.
- Investigated the activity of the phosphatase Cdc14 in early anaphase.
- Analyzed the dephosphorylation of Ase1 by Cdc14.
- Examined the localization of the separase-Slk19 complex.
Main Results:
- Cdc14, activated in early anaphase, regulates spindle midzone formation.
- Cdc14 dephosphorylates Ase1, a core midzone component, reversing cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation.
- Cdc14 activation indirectly promotes midzone localization of the separase-Slk19 complex.
- This dual regulation by Cdc14 is essential for a focused and centered spindle midzone.
Conclusions:
- Cdc14 plays a critical role in coordinating spindle midzone assembly with the metaphase to anaphase transition.
- Ase1 is a key substrate of Cdc14, linking cell cycle progression to midzone formation.
- Proper spindle midzone assembly, controlled by Cdc14, is necessary for full anaphase spindle elongation and accurate chromosome segregation.
Related Concept Videos
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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...
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...
02:50Spindle 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...
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...
02:19The 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...
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02:19The 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...
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02:27The 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...
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures bipolar mitotic...
02:27The 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...
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures bipolar mitotic...