Interplay of microtubule dynamics and sliding during bipolar spindle formation in mammalian cells.

ABSTRACT: Accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis relies on the organization of microtubules into a bipolar spindle. Kinesin-5 proteins play an evolutionarily conserved role in establishing spindle bipolarity [1, 2] and clinical trials are currently evaluating inhibitors of human kinesin-5 (i.e., Eg5) for chemotherapeutic potential. However, in mammalian somatic cells, Eg5 activity is dispensable for maintenance of bipolar spindles once they are formed [3, 4], suggesting distinct requirements for establishment versus maintenance of spindle bipolarity. By combining Eg5 inhibition with RNA interference of other spindle proteins, we show that mitotic cells deficient in MCAK fail to maintain spindle bipolarity in the absence of Eg5 activity. Collapse of bipolar spindles in MCAK-deficient cells is

SUBMITTER: Kollu S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2805786 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature