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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...
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...
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration

A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker proteins that...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 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

How signaling between cells can orient a mitotic spindle.

Adam D Werts1, Bob Goldstein

  • 1Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|August 3, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Cell communication guides cell division orientation in animals. A key protein complex, TPR-GoLoco, acts as a conserved mediator, translating extracellular cues into spindle forces for accurate cell division.

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Assaying the Ability of Diffusible Signaling Molecules to Reorient Embryonic Spinal Commissural Axons
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Last Updated: May 30, 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

Assaying the Ability of Diffusible Signaling Molecules to Reorient Embryonic Spinal Commissural Axons
09:28

Assaying the Ability of Diffusible Signaling Molecules to Reorient Embryonic Spinal Commissural Axons

Published on: March 8, 2010

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cell division orientation is crucial for animal development and tissue structure.
  • Mechanisms linking external cues to cell division direction are poorly understood.
  • A conserved intracellular complex is involved in mitotic spindle forces across species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TPR-GoLoco proteins in mediating spindle orientation.
  • To explore how intercellular signaling specifies cell division direction.
  • To review evidence for conserved functions of this complex in diverse animal systems.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on spindle orientation and cell communication.
  • Analysis of protein localization data in various animal models.
  • Examination of the involvement of TPR-GoLoco proteins in mitotic spindle regulation.

Main Results:

  • TPR-GoLoco proteins localize to cell-cell contacts that align with extracellular cues.
  • This complex is essential for generating pulling forces on mitotic spindles.
  • Evidence suggests a conserved role in translating external signals into division orientation.

Conclusions:

  • TPR-GoLoco proteins are likely conserved, spatially regulated mediators of spindle orientation.
  • They interpret intercellular signals to control cell division direction.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is key to comprehending development and tissue maintenance.