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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 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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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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Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated...
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At the transition from prophase to metaphase, there is a reduction in cohesion along the chromosomal arms, resulting in the resolution of sister chromatids. However, residual cohesin connections remain to hold the sister chromatids together until the transition from metaphase to anaphase. The residual connection prevents any premature separation of sister chromatids, blocking the risks of aneuploidy within the daughter cells.
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

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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NuMA regulates mitotic spindle assembly, structural dynamics and function via phase separation.

Mengjie Sun1, Mingkang Jia1, He Ren1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China.

Nature Communications
|December 10, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nuclear Mitotic Apparatus protein (NuMA) orchestrates cell division spindle assembly through liquid-liquid phase separation. This process, regulated by Aurora A kinase, is crucial for accurate chromosome segregation during cell proliferation.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 10, 2025

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • A functional mitotic spindle is critical for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.
  • The precise mechanisms governing mitotic spindle assembly are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of Nuclear Mitotic Apparatus protein (NuMA) in mitotic spindle assembly.
  • To investigate the regulation of NuMA's function by Aurora A kinase and phase separation.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated NuMA's liquid-liquid phase separation during mitosis.
  • Utilized KifC1 to facilitate NuMA condensate concentration at spindle poles.
  • Examined the role of NuMA's C-terminus and dynein-dynactin binding motif in phase separation.

Main Results:

  • NuMA undergoes regulated liquid-liquid phase separation upon mitotic entry.
  • KifC1 promotes the concentration of NuMA condensates at spindle poles.
  • Phase-separated NuMA recruits tubulins and microtubules, enriching spindle pole regulators like Kif2A.
  • This process drives microtubule depolymerization and poleward flux, essential for spindle assembly and dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • NuMA orchestrates mitotic spindle assembly, structural dynamics, and function through Aurora A-regulated liquid-liquid phase separation.
  • Phase separation is a key mechanism controlling NuMA's role in establishing spindle architecture and ensuring proper chromosome segregation.