Mammalian spindle orientation and position respond to changes in cell shape in a dynein-dependent fashion.

ABSTRACT: In animal cells, positioning of the mitotic spindle is crucial for defining the plane of cytokinesis and the size ratio of daughter cells. We have characterized this phenomenon in a rat epithelial cell line using microscopy, micromanipulation, and microinjection. Unmanipulated cells position the mitotic spindle near their geometric center, with the spindle axis lying roughly parallel to the long axis of the cell. Spindles that were initially misoriented underwent directed rotation and caused a delay in anaphase onset. To gain further insight into this process, we gently deformed cells with a blunted glass needle to change the spatial relationship between the cortex and spindle. This manipulation induced spindle movement or rotation in metaphase and/or anaphase, until the spindle reached a

SUBMITTER: O'Connell CB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC14882 | biostudies-literature | 2000 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature