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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...
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...
Determining the Plane of Cell Division02:13

Determining the Plane of Cell Division

Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function. 
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
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...
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...

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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

LGN regulates mitotic spindle orientation during epithelial morphogenesis.

Zhen Zheng1, Huabin Zhu, Qingwen Wan

  • 1Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.

The Journal of Cell Biology
|April 14, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The protein LGN is essential for correct mitotic spindle orientation during epithelial development. Disrupting LGN function leads to abnormal cell division and defects in epithelial cyst formation.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Epithelial Biology

Background:

  • Coordinated cell polarization and mitotic spindle orientation are crucial for epithelial morphogenesis.
  • The molecular mechanisms controlling spindle orientation in epithelial development remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the LGN protein in directing mitotic spindle orientation during epithelial cystogenesis.
  • To elucidate the molecular regulation of LGN localization and its impact on epithelial morphogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells for cystogenesis studies.
  • Employed techniques such as LGN depletion, disruption of protein interactions (NuMA, Galpha), and artificial mistargeting of LGN.
  • Investigated the role of atypical Protein Kinase C (aPKC) in regulating LGN apical exclusion.

Main Results:

  • LGN protein is required for proper spindle orientation during MDCK cell cystogenesis.
  • LGN localizes to the lateral but not apical cell cortex in dividing cells.
  • Depletion or mislocalization of LGN causes spindle misorientation and defective cystogenesis.
  • Artificial apical mistargeting of LGN induces significant spindle rotation and severe cystogenesis defects.
  • Atypical PKC mediates the apical exclusion of LGN during mitosis.

Conclusions:

  • Cell polarization-driven spatial restriction of spindle orientation factors, like LGN, is critical for epithelial morphogenesis.
  • LGN acts as a key regulator linking cell polarity to mitotic spindle positioning in epithelial development.