Regional variation of microtubule flux reveals microtubule organization in the metaphase meiotic spindle

Ge Yang, Lisa A. Cameron, Paul S. Maddox, Edward D. Salmon, Gaudenz Danuser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Continuous poleward movement of tubulin is a hallmark of metaphase spindle dynamics in higher eukaryotic cells and is essential for stable spindle architecture and reliable chromosome segregation. We use quantitative fluorescent speckle microscopy to map with high resolution the spatial organization of microtubule flux in Xenopus laevis egg extract meiotic spindles. We find that the flux velocity decreases near spindle poles by ∼20%. The regional variation is independent of functional kinetochores and centrosomes and is suppressed by inhibition of dynein/dynactin, kinesin-5, or both. Statistical analysis reveals that tubulin flows in two distinct velocity modes. We propose an association of these modes with two architecturally distinct yet spatially overlapping and dynamically cross-linked arrays of microtubules: focused polar microtubule arrays of a uniform polarity and slower flux velocities are interconnected by a dense barrel-like microtubule array of antiparallel polarities and faster flux velocities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)631-639
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Cell Biology
Volume182
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 25 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Regional variation of microtubule flux reveals microtubule organization in the metaphase meiotic spindle'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this