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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

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 Checkpoint02:19

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 8, 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

Interplay between spindle architecture and function.

Kara J Helmke1, Rebecca Heald, Jeremy D Wilbur

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.

International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology
|September 11, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores how the mitotic spindle, built from microtubule polymers, optimizes chromosome segregation. It examines spindle architecture, dynamics, and variations across cell types for robust cell division.

Keywords:
Cytoskeletal architectureMeiosisMicrotubulesMitosisMitotic spindleMotor proteins

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 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

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids
08:49

Self-Assembly of Microtubule Tactoids

Published on: June 23, 2022

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
07:47

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The mitotic spindle is essential for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.
  • Spindle structure is composed of microtubule polymers and associated factors, forming a dynamic steady-state.
  • Understanding spindle architecture is key to comprehending cell division and its dysregulation in disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms optimizing spindle architecture for robust chromosome segregation in diverse cell types.
  • To explore the role of microtubule dynamics, stabilization, and transport in forming the functional spindle structure.
  • To investigate the basis of spindle variation and its implications for cellular function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on mitotic spindle structure and function.
  • Analysis of microtubule (MT) dynamics, stabilization, and transport mechanisms.
  • Comparative analysis of spindle architectures across different cell types and organisms.

Main Results:

  • Spindle architecture is optimized through MT dynamics, stabilization, and transport for efficient chromosome segregation.
  • Spindle assembly involves common pathways utilized differently across species, leading to diverse architectures.
  • Variations in spindle form correlate with differences in molecular regulation within the spindle.

Conclusions:

  • Spindle architecture is finely tuned to the cellular environment, ensuring robust chromosome segregation.
  • Comparative genomic data aids in understanding spindle assembly, steady-state formation, and disease-related disruptions.
  • Elucidating spindle architectural features provides mechanistic insights into cell division and disease pathogenesis.