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The spindle: a dynamic assembly of microtubules and motors

Nature Cell Biology volume 3, pages E28–E34 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

In all eukaryotes, a microtubule-based structure known as the spindle is responsible for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. Spindle assembly and function require localized regulation of microtubule dynamics and the activity of a variety of microtubule-based motor proteins. Recent work has begun to uncover the molecular mechanisms that underpin this process. Here we describe the structural and dynamic properties of the spindle, and introduce the current concepts regarding how a bipolar spindle is assembled and how it functions to segregate chromosomes.

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Figure 1: Spindle structure and dynamics.
Figure 2: Mechanisms that regulate microtubule dynamics during mitosis.
Figure 3: Mechanisms for the establishment and maintenance of bipolarity.
Figure 4: Self-organization of microtubules and motors as a model for spindle-pole formation.
Figure 5: A model for chromosome movement in Xenopus-extract spindles.

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Acknowledgements

We thank K. Oegema for critical comments on the manuscript. A.D. was supported by an EMBO Long Term Fellowship and by a fellowship from the American Cancer Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA

    Torsten Wittmann

  2. Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, Dresden, D-01307, Germany

    Anthony Hyman

  3. Department of Cell Biology, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Heidelberg, D-69117, Germany

    Arshad Desai

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Wittmann, T., Hyman, A. & Desai, A. The spindle: a dynamic assembly of microtubules and motors. Nat Cell Biol 3, E28–E34 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35050669

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