Spindle-F-Actin, Molecular Gearshifts, and Cytoplasmic Softening
Must Read
Spindle-F-Actin Interactions in Mitotic Spindles in an Intact Vertebrate Epithelium
Kita et al. | Molecular Biology of the Cell A compelling subject for striking microscopy images, microtubules have long been considered the major mechanical component of the mitotic spindle. But a long-standing question has been whether a second cytoskeletal system lurks beneath the surface. In this study, the Bement lab develops improved methods for preserving F-actin in embryonic epithelia and successfully visualizes F-actin associated with the mitotic spindle. The authors demonstrate that, like spindle microtubules, multiple populations of spindle-F-actin exist and reorganize as a function of the cell cycle. By providing some of the first evidence that F-actin is a component of the mitotic spindle in animal cells, this study challenges the view that F-actin is restricted to the cell periphery during cell division.
Methods
In Vitro BioID: Mapping the CENP-A Microenvironment with High Temporal and Spatial Resolution
Enhancements to a proximity-based labeling approach allow mapping of cell-cycle-dependent structural proteins.
Remnant et al. | Molecular Biology of the Cell
Reviews and Perspectives
Spindle Assembly and Chromosome Dynamics During Oocyte Meiosis
A specialized form of cell division in the female egg provides insights into macromolecular assemblies and human health.
Mullen, Davis-Roca, and Wignall | Current Opinion in Cell Biology
Tools and Resources
The Allen Institute For Cell Science presents the Integrated Mitotic Stem Cell, a holistic view of the dividing cell assembled from a vast database of microscopy images.
Journal Club Picks
- Actin and myosin self-organize into active liquid droplets reminiscent of the mitotic spindle.
Weirich et al. | Gardel Lab | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - The microtubule seam is as strong as other regions of the lattice.
Szatkowski et al. | Dima Lab | The Journal of Physical Chemistry - A dynein mutant uncouples ATPase activity and directed movement.
Niekamp et al. | Bhabha Lab | The EMBO Journal - The kinesin-1 neck linker acts as a molecular gearshift, toggling between force and speed.
Budaitis et al. | Verhey Lab | eLife - The biased sidestepping of kinesin-3 KIF1A causes microtubule rotation in gliding assays.
Mitra et al. | Casademunt Lab | Biophysical Journal - Bacterial cells accumulate FtsZ to a fixed threshold to control cell-size homeostasis.
Si et al. | Jun Lab | Current Biology - Microtubules can organize into spindle-like arrays in the absence of motor proteins.
Edozie et al. | Ross Lab | Soft Matter - Actin filaments block the elongation of new microtubules at the centrosome.
Inoue et al. | Théry Lab | The EMBO Journal - Actin and keratin disassembly near the spindle midzone causes local cytoplasmic softening.
Field et al. | Mitchison Lab | Current Biology - The Ndc80 complex undergoes auto-inhibition by conformational folding.
Scarborough et al. | Davis and Asbury Labs | eLife - Cleared Xenopus extracts are active in peroxisome protein transport.
Romano et al. | Rapoport Lab | Journal of Cell Biology
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