The chirality of the mitotic spindle provides a mechanical response to forces and depends on microtubule motors and augmin.

ABSTRACT: Forces produced by motor proteins and microtubule dynamics within the mitotic spindle are crucial for proper chromosome segregation. In addition to linear forces, rotational forces or torques are present in the spindle, which are reflected in the left-handed twisted shapes of microtubule bundles that make the spindle chiral. However, the biological role and molecular origins of spindle chirality are unknown. By developing methods for measuring the spindle twist, we show that spindles are most chiral near the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. To assess the role of chirality in spindle mechanics, we compressed the spindles along their axis. This resulted in a stronger left-handed twist, suggesting that the twisted shape allows for a mechanical response to forces. Inhibition or depletion of m

SUBMITTER: Trupinic M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9235856 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature