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Related Concept Videos

Spindle Assembly02:50

Spindle Assembly

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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...
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The Mitotic Spindle02:27

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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.
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Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

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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. 
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Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

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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...
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The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

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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.
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Anaphase A and B01:39

Anaphase A and B

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Microtubules form through the end-to-end polymerization of tubulin heterodimers. Kinetochore microtubules originate from the spindle poles, and their plus-ends connect with the kinetochores on sister-chromatids. Ndc80 protein complexes, present on the kinetochore, form low-affinity links with the plus end of these kinetochore microtubules.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
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Spindle orientation: a question of complex positioning.

Dan T Bergstralh1, Nicole S Dawney2, Daniel St Johnston3

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA dan.bergstralh@rochester.edu.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|March 30, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Cell division orientation relies on the mitotic spindle. A conserved pulling mechanism controls spindle orientation, but how its location is restricted varies across species.

Keywords:
Asymmetric cell divisionMitotic spindleSpindle orientation

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Last Updated: Mar 5, 2026

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Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations
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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cell division orientation is crucial for development and tissue maintenance.
  • A conserved pulling mechanism involving astral microtubules controls spindle orientation.
  • Localization of this mechanism to specific cortical regions dictates spindle positioning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the mechanisms controlling mitotic spindle orientation.
  • To highlight the diversity of mechanisms that restrict the localization of the spindle-orienting machinery.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature.
  • Comparative analysis of findings across different model organisms (tunicates, worms, flies, vertebrates).

Main Results:

  • Spindle orientation is controlled by a conserved pulling force on astral microtubules.
  • Mechanisms restricting the localization of this force-generating machinery are diverse across different cell types and species.
  • Studies in tunicates, worms, flies, and vertebrates reveal varied strategies for cortical localization.

Conclusions:

  • The precise control of cell division orientation is essential for development.
  • While the core machinery is conserved, the spatial regulation of spindle orientation exhibits significant evolutionary diversity.