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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...

The Mitotic Spindle

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 Spindle

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...

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

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...

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 15, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

Mechanisms of spindle positioning.

Francis J McNally¹

¹Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA. fjmcnally@ucdavis.edu

The Journal of Cell Biology

|January 23, 2013

Summary

Accurate spindle positioning is vital for cell division in animals. New research explores the "cortical pulling" mechanism and alternative ways cells position spindles during development.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Molecular Motors

Background:

Spindle positioning is critical for asymmetric cell divisions during animal development and oocyte maturation.
The primary model involves cytoplasmic dynein motors attaching to the cell cortex to pull the spindle.
Recent research investigates the intricacies of this mechanism and explores alternative models.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the detailed mechanisms of spindle positioning in cell division.
To investigate the role of cytoplasmic dynein in the cortical pulling model.
To identify and characterize alternative mechanisms for spindle positioning.

Main Methods:

Utilized advanced microscopy techniques to visualize spindle dynamics.
Employed genetic and biochemical approaches to study motor protein function.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

Published on: August 13, 2016

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Analyzed cell division in various model organisms.

Main Results:

Confirmed the essential role of cytoplasmic dynein in the cortical pulling mechanism.
Identified key regulatory factors involved in spindle-microtubule-cortex interactions.
Provided evidence for alternative spindle positioning mechanisms independent of direct microtubule-cortex attachment.

Conclusions:

The cortical pulling model, mediated by cytoplasmic dynein, is a conserved mechanism for spindle positioning.
Alternative mechanisms exist, offering flexibility in spindle placement when direct microtubule connections are absent.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending animal development and reproductive biology.