Lis1/dynactin regulates metaphase spindle orientation in Drosophila neuroblasts.

ABSTRACT: Mitotic spindle orientation in polarized cells determines whether they divide symmetrically or asymmetrically. Moreover, regulated spindle orientation may be important for embryonic development, stem cell biology, and tumor growth. Drosophila neuroblasts align their spindle along an apical/basal cortical polarity axis to self-renew an apical neuroblast and generate a basal differentiating cell. It is unknown whether spindle alignment requires both apical and basal cues, nor have molecular motors been identified that regulate spindle movement. Using live imaging of neuroblasts within intact larval brains, we detect independent movement of both apical and basal spindle poles, suggesting that forces act on both poles. We show that reducing astral microtubules decreases the frequency of spindl

SUBMITTER: Siller KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2668259 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature