Cortical dynein is critical for proper spindle positioning in human cells.

ABSTRACT: Correct spindle positioning is fundamental for proper cell division during development and in stem cell lineages. Dynein and an evolutionarily conserved ternary complex (nuclear mitotic apparatus protein [NuMA]-LGN-Gα in human cells and LIN-5-GPR-1/2-Gα in Caenorhabditis elegans) are required for correct spindle positioning, but their relationship remains incompletely understood. By analyzing fixed specimens and conducting live-imaging experiments, we uncovered that appropriate levels of ternary complex components are critical for dynein-dependent spindle positioning in HeLa cells and C. elegans embryos. Moreover, using mutant versions of Gα in both systems, we established that dynein acts at the membrane to direct spindle positioning. Importantly, we identified a region within NuMA that m

SUBMITTER: Kotak S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3461507 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature