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Spindle Assembly

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 Assembly

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...

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

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 Checkpoint

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: May 20, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

Axonemal radial spokes: 3D structure, function and assembly.

Gaia Pigino, Takashi Ishikawa

Bioarchitecture

|July 4, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The radial spoke (RS) complex in cilia and flagella acts as a mechanochemical transducer. Understanding its 3D structure is crucial for deciphering how it regulates motor protein activity and motility.

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Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

Whole Mount Imaging to Visualize and Quantify Peripheral Lens Structure, Cell Morphology, and Organization

Whole Mount Imaging to Visualize and Quantify Peripheral Lens Structure, Cell Morphology, and Organization

Published on: January 19, 2024

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biophysics
Structural Biology

Background:

The radial spoke (RS) is a critical component of eukaryotic flagella and cilia, functioning as a mechanochemical transducer.
It connects the central-pair apparatus to microtubule doublets, regulating dynein motor activity and thus motility.
Despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of RS function remains elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

To review key findings on the structure of the radial spoke (RS) complex.
To elucidate the 3D structure of the RS protein complex for a deeper understanding of its function.
To highlight recent cryo-electron tomographic analyses of the RS.

Main Methods:

Review of existing biochemical, physiological, and structural studies on the radial spoke.
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) for high-resolution 3D structural analysis of the RS protein complex.

Main Results:

The radial spoke is a large, intricate assembly of at least 23 proteins.
Recent cryo-ET analysis provides detailed insights into the 3D architecture of the RS complex.
Structural data is essential for understanding the RS's role in regulating dynein motors.

Conclusions:

Elucidating the 3D structure of the radial spoke is paramount to understanding its mechanochemical role.
This knowledge is key to unraveling the regulation of flagellar and ciliary motility.
Further structural studies will advance our comprehension of these vital cellular machines.