Kinetochore microtubules in crane-fly spermatocytes: untreated, 2 degrees C-treated, and 6 degrees C-grown spindles

Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton
L A ScarcelloJ R LaFountain

Abstract

We investigated the involvement of kinetochore microtubules (kMTs) in mediating chromosome-to-pole connections in crane-fly (Nephrotoma suturalis and Nephrotoma ferruginea) spermatocytes. Two experimental treatments were used to yield spindles with reduced numbers of nonkinetochore microtubules (nkMTs). Short-term (10-15 min) exposure of spermatocytes to 2 degrees C caused depolymerization of the majority of nkMTs, resulting in a kMT:(kMT + nkMT) ratio of 0.76. Long-term (24h) exposure to 2 degrees C followed by recovery at 6 degrees C resulted in a kMT:(kMT + nkMT) ratio of 0.55, the spindle having more nkMTs than a 2 degrees C-treated spindle but fewer than an untreated spindle, in which the kMT:(kMT + nkMT) ratio was 0.27. The numbers and lengths of kMTs in 6 degrees C-grown spindles were similar to those in untreated cells, suggesting that the overall inhibition of MT assembly at 6 degrees C apparently did not affect the mechanism by which kMTs are formed. We observed most kMTs of early anaphase spindles to be long (greater than 3 microns), and many extended to the polar regions of the spindle. Thus, the crane-fly spindle appears not to be as atypical as it was previously suggested to be.

References

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Citations

Jan 26, 2002·Cell Motility and the Cytoskeleton·James R LaFountainConly L Rieder
Dec 1, 1992·Cell and Tissue Research·G Callaini, M G Riparbelli
Jul 1, 1992·The Journal of Cell Biology·K L McDonaldJ R McIntosh
Oct 8, 2004·Molecular Biology of the Cell·James R LaFountainDouglas J LaFountain
Feb 23, 2007·Molecular Biology of the Cell·Marie A JanickeJames R LaFountain
Jun 29, 2012·Molecular Biology of the Cell·James R LaFountainRudolf Oldenbourg
Oct 1, 1989·Experimental Cell Research·G Callaini, D Marchini

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