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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...
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...
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 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 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

Mitosis: spindle evolution and the matrix model.

Jeremy Pickett-Heaps1, Art Forer

  • 1School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. jeremyph@unimelb.edu.au

Protoplasma
|March 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Current models of chromosome movement during anaphase A are incomplete. This study proposes that actin and myosin, alongside microtubules, contribute to spindle motility, enhancing reliability and explaining complex chromosome dynamics.

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Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 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

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Existing models of anaphase A (chromosome-pole movement) rely solely on microtubules (MTs).
  • These models propose a motility system unique to mitosis, which is questioned from an evolutionary standpoint.
  • The evolution of the spindle likely involved incorporating existing cellular motility systems, such as actin and myosin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the current microtubule-centric view of anaphase A.
  • To propose an alternative model involving the spindle matrix, potentially containing actin and myosin, in chromosome movement.
  • To explore the evolutionary origins of spindle motility systems.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis and evolutionary perspective.
  • Examination of existing literature on spindle function and cellular motility.
  • Use of the diatom spindle as an illustrative example.

Main Results:

  • Current models of anaphase A are considered unlikely to be solely microtubule-based.
  • The spindle matrix is proposed to participate in anaphase A, possibly containing actin and myosin.
  • Functional redundancy through multiple motility systems likely enhances the reliability of chromosome segregation.

Conclusions:

  • Anaphase A likely involves a combination of microtubule and other cytoplasmic motility systems, including actin and myosin.
  • The spindle matrix may play a motile role, working in conjunction with the microtubule cytoskeleton.
  • The kinetochore fiber's role might be to regulate, rather than solely drive, poleward chromosome movement.