Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-3-2003

Publication Title

The Journal of Cell Biology

Department

Geisel School of Medicine

Abstract

Near-simultaneous three-dimensional fluorescence/differential interference contrast microscopy was used to follow the behavior of microtubules and chromosomes in living alpha-tubulin/GFP-expressing cells after inhibition of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 with monastrol. Kinetochore fibers (K-fibers) were frequently observed forming in association with chromosomes both during monastrol treatment and after monastrol removal. Surprisingly, these K-fibers were oriented away from, and not directly connected to, centrosomes and incorporated into the spindle by the sliding of their distal ends toward centrosomes via a NuMA-dependent mechanism. Similar preformed K-fibers were also observed during spindle formation in untreated cells. In addition, upon monastrol removal, centrosomes established a transient chromosome-free bipolar array whose orientation specified the axis along which chromosomes segregated. We propose that the capture and incorporation of preformed K-fibers complements the microtubule plus-end capture mechanism and contributes to spindle formation in vertebrates.

DOI

10.1083/jcb.200208143

Original Citation

Khodjakov A, Copenagle L, Gordon MB, Compton DA, Kapoor TM. Minus-end capture of preformed kinetochore fibers contributes to spindle morphogenesis. J Cell Biol. 2003;160(5):671-683. doi:10.1083/jcb.200208143

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