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Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix

Several recent models for spindle length regulation propose an elastic pole to pole spindle matrix that is sufficiently strong to bear or antagonize forces generated by microtubules and microtubule motors. We tested this hypothesis using microneedles to skewer metaphase spindles in Xenopus laevis eg...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Gatlin, Jesse C., Matov, Alexandre, Danuser, Gaudenz, Mitchison, Timothy J., Salmon, Edward D.
Formato: Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Rockefeller University Press 2010
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828919/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20176922
http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200907110
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author Gatlin, Jesse C.
Matov, Alexandre
Danuser, Gaudenz
Mitchison, Timothy J.
Salmon, Edward D.
author_facet Gatlin, Jesse C.
Matov, Alexandre
Danuser, Gaudenz
Mitchison, Timothy J.
Salmon, Edward D.
author_sort Gatlin, Jesse C.
collection PubMed
description Several recent models for spindle length regulation propose an elastic pole to pole spindle matrix that is sufficiently strong to bear or antagonize forces generated by microtubules and microtubule motors. We tested this hypothesis using microneedles to skewer metaphase spindles in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. Microneedle tips inserted into a spindle just outside the metaphase plate resulted in spindle movement along the interpolar axis at a velocity slightly slower than microtubule poleward flux, bringing the nearest pole toward the needle. Spindle velocity decreased near the pole, which often split apart slowly, eventually letting the spindle move completely off the needle. When two needles were inserted on either side of the metaphase plate and rapidly moved apart, there was minimal spindle deformation until they reached the poles. In contrast, needle separation in the equatorial direction rapidly increased spindle width as constant length spindle fibers pulled the poles together. These observations indicate that an isotropic spindle matrix does not make a significant mechanical contribution to metaphase spindle length determination.
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spelling pubmed-28289192010-08-22 Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix Gatlin, Jesse C. Matov, Alexandre Danuser, Gaudenz Mitchison, Timothy J. Salmon, Edward D. J Cell Biol Research Articles Several recent models for spindle length regulation propose an elastic pole to pole spindle matrix that is sufficiently strong to bear or antagonize forces generated by microtubules and microtubule motors. We tested this hypothesis using microneedles to skewer metaphase spindles in Xenopus laevis egg extracts. Microneedle tips inserted into a spindle just outside the metaphase plate resulted in spindle movement along the interpolar axis at a velocity slightly slower than microtubule poleward flux, bringing the nearest pole toward the needle. Spindle velocity decreased near the pole, which often split apart slowly, eventually letting the spindle move completely off the needle. When two needles were inserted on either side of the metaphase plate and rapidly moved apart, there was minimal spindle deformation until they reached the poles. In contrast, needle separation in the equatorial direction rapidly increased spindle width as constant length spindle fibers pulled the poles together. These observations indicate that an isotropic spindle matrix does not make a significant mechanical contribution to metaphase spindle length determination. The Rockefeller University Press 2010-02-22 /pmc/articles/PMC2828919/ /pubmed/20176922 http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200907110 Text en © 2010 Gatlin et al. This article is distributed under the terms of an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike–No Mirror Sites license for the first six months after the publication date (see http://www.rupress.org/terms). After six months it is available under a Creative Commons License (Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, as described at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
spellingShingle Research Articles
Gatlin, Jesse C.
Matov, Alexandre
Danuser, Gaudenz
Mitchison, Timothy J.
Salmon, Edward D.
Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix
title Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix
title_full Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix
title_fullStr Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix
title_full_unstemmed Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix
title_short Directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix
title_sort directly probing the mechanical properties of the spindle and its matrix
topic Research Articles
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828919/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20176922
http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200907110
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