Article
- The EMBO Journal (2004) 23, 1289 - 1300
- doi:10.1038/sj.emboj.7600156
Published online: 11 March 2004
Subject Categories:
Mechanism controlling perpendicular alignment of the spindle to the axis of cell division in fission yeast
Yannick Gachet1,3, Sylvie Tournier2,3, Jonathan BA Millar2 and Jeremy S Hyams1,4
- Department of Biology, University College London, London, UK
- Division of Yeast Genetics, National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK
- These authors contributed equally to this work
- Present address: LBCMCP-CNRS UMR5088, Institut d'Exploration Fonctionelle des Génomes (IFR109), Université Paul Sabatier, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
Correspondence to:
Jonathan BA Millar, Division of Yeast Genetics, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK. Tel.: +44 208 816 2367; Fax: +44 208 816 2523; E-mail: jmillar@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
Jeremy S Hyams, Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. E-mail: hyams@cict.fr
Received 29 July 2003; Accepted 17 November 2003
Abstract
In animal cells, the mitotic spindle is aligned perpendicular to the axis of cell division. This ensures that sister chromatids are separated to opposite sides of the cytokinetic actomyosin ring (CAR). We show that, in fission yeast, spindle rotation is dependent on the interaction of astral microtubules with the cortical actin cytoskeleton. Interaction initially occurs with a region surrounding the nucleus, which we term the astral microtubule interaction zone (AMIZ). Simultaneous contact of astral microtubules from both poles with the AMIZ directs spindle rotation and this requires both actin and two type V myosins, Myo51 and Myo52. Astral microtubules from one pole only then contact the CAR, which is located at the centre of the AMIZ. We demonstrate that the anillin homologue Mid1, which dictates correct placement of the CAR, is necessary to stabilise the mitotic spindle perpendicular to the axis of cell division. Finally, we show that the position of the mitotic spindle is monitored by a checkpoint that regulates the timing of sister chromatid separation.
Keywords:
- actin,
- astral microtubules,
- fission yeast,
- latrunculin,
- spindle orientation
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