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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 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...
Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules.  Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall of a...
Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules.  Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall of a...
Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 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

Mitotic spindle organization by the preprophase band.

J Christian Ambrose1, Richard Cyr

  • 1The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Biology, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

Molecular Plant
|October 15, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Microtubules bridging the preprophase band and nucleus guide plant cell division spindle formation. This microtubule (MT) bridge is crucial for establishing spindle bipolarity and orientation during early mitosis.

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Plant cell biology
  • Cytoskeleton dynamics
  • Mitosis

Background:

  • The preprophase band (PPB) of microtubules (MTs) predicts the plant cell division site before mitosis.
  • The PPB's role in establishing a bipolar prophase spindle is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MTs bridging the PPB and the nucleus in organizing the prophase spindle.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of PPB-dependent spindle bipolarity establishment.

Main Methods:

  • Live cell imaging in higher plants.
  • Drug treatments (e.g., taxol) to modulate MT dynamics.
  • Genetic analysis using null kinesin mutants.

Main Results:

  • MTs bridging the PPB and nucleus are essential for spindle bipolarity, orientation, and position.
  • Absence of bridge MTs leads to lack of bipolarity.
  • Non-uniform bridge MT distribution causes spindle migration and deformation, favoring regions with higher MT density.
  • These effects are independent of actomyosin forces and enhanced by MT stabilization.

Conclusions:

  • A hypothetical mechanism for bridge MT-dependent prophase spindle organization is proposed.
  • Bridging MTs play a critical role in ensuring proper spindle formation and positioning during plant mitosis.