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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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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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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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Anaphase A and B01:39

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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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Determining the Plane of Cell Division02:13

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Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function. 
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Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
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Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets

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Spindle scaling mechanisms.

Lara K Krüger1, Phong T Tran1,2

  • 1Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, Paris, France.

Essays in Biochemistry
|June 6, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The mitotic spindle scales with cell size across organisms to ensure accurate chromosome segregation. This review explores mechanisms regulating spindle length, shape, and assembly/elongation velocity in response to cell size.

Keywords:
cell sizeprinciple componentsscalingspindle size

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • The mitotic spindle is crucial for faithful chromosome segregation in eukaryotes.
  • Spindle size robustly scales with cell size across diverse organisms, including metazoans and yeast.
  • This scaling is essential during development and evolution for maintaining genomic stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the phenomenon of mitotic spindle scaling with cell size.
  • To discuss the underlying mechanisms responsible for this size-dependent regulation.
  • To highlight how spindle length, shape, and dynamics are adjusted to cell size.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing research on mitotic spindle scaling.
  • It examines various biological models, including metazoans and yeast.
  • Mechanisms discussed are based on published experimental data and theoretical models.

Main Results:

  • Mitotic spindle length, shape, and the velocity of its assembly and elongation scale with cell size.
  • Diverse mechanisms contribute to these scaling relationships, varying by organism and spindle structure.
  • Implicated regulatory factors include component availability, protein gradients, sequestration, and post-translational modifications.

Conclusions:

  • Mitotic spindle scaling with cell size is a conserved biological process.
  • Multiple, context-dependent mechanisms ensure accurate chromosome segregation across different cell sizes.
  • Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into cell growth regulation and genome integrity.