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Cytoskeleton

A stabilizing influence for K-fibres

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 13, page 3 (2012)Cite this article

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Acentrosomal formation of spindle microtubules makes an important contribution to spindle formation and requires the activation of spindle assembly factors (SAFs) on chromatin, which depends on a local RAN·GTP gradient. It is thought that nucleation of these microtubules in the vicinity of chromatin facilitates their capture by kinetochores, aiding efficient chromosome orientation. The minus ends are then focused at the spindle poles, and the K-fibres form.

From a search of the published literature, Meunier and Vernos identified microspherule 1 (MCRS1) as a potential RAN·GTP-dependent SAF. They showed that this protein localized specifically to chromosome-dependent microtubules and not to centrosomal asters. In metaphase, MCRS1 localized to the minus ends of K-fibre microtubules, which led them to investigate possible roles for MCRS1 in K-fibre assembly.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER

  1. Meunier, S. & Vernos, I. K-fibre minus ends are stabilized by a RanGTP-dependent mechanism essential for functional spindle assembly. Nature Cell Biol. 13 Nov 2011 (doi:10.1038/ncb2372)

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  1. Antony F. Bickenson
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Bickenson, A. A stabilizing influence for K-fibres. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 13, 3 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3256

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