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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.
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures...
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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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Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration01:32

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A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker...
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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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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 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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Meru co-ordinates spindle orientation with cell polarity and cell cycle progression.

Melissa M McLellan1, Birgit L Aerne1, Jennifer J Banerjee Dhoul1

  • 1Apoptosis and Proliferation Control Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.

The EMBO Journal
|April 1, 2025
PubMed
Summary

The scaffold protein Meru links cell polarity to mitotic spindle orientation by recruiting Mud. This mechanism, regulated by Cyclin A/Cdk1, ensures correct spindle attachment during asymmetric cell division.

Keywords:
Asymmetric Cell DivisionCell PolarityDevelopmentDrosophilaSpindle Orientation

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Correct mitotic spindle alignment is crucial for tissue development and cell fate.
  • Spindle tethering factors like Drosophila Mud (NuMA) orient the spindle at the cell cortex.
  • Mechanisms linking cell polarity to spindle attachment and cell cycle progression are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate how spindle tethering complexes interpret cell polarity.
  • Elucidate the coupling of spindle attachment to mitotic progression.
  • Explore these processes in Drosophila sensory organ precursors (SOPs).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Drosophila sensory organ precursors (SOPs) for asymmetric cell division studies.
  • Investigated the role of the scaffold protein Meru in linking polarity and spindle tethering.
  • Examined the interaction of Cyclin A/Cdk1 with the Meru/Mud/Dsh complex.

Main Results:

  • Meru, enriched at the posterior cortex by the Frizzled/Dishevelled planar cell polarity complex, recruits Mud.
  • This recruitment links the spindle tethering and cell polarity machinery.
  • Cyclin A/Cdk1 associates with Meru, promoting Mud/Meru/Dsh complex formation through phosphorylation.

Conclusions:

  • Meru acts as a crucial link between spindle orientation and cell polarity.
  • Meru provides a cell cycle-dependent cue for spindle tethering.
  • This study clarifies a key mechanism in asymmetric cell division and tissue organization.