Chapter 20 The Diatom Central Spindle as a Model System for Studying Antiparallel Microtubule Interactions during Spindle Elongation in Vitro

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the diatom central spindle as a model system for studying antiparallel microtubule interactions during spindle elongation in vitro . Mitotic spindle elongation is one of two primary motility events responsible for chromosome separation during anaphase in eukaryotes. The diatom spindle is an excellent choice for analysis of spindle elongation in vitro because of its unique and highly ordered spindle morphology. The microtubules (MTs) that participate in anaphase B (spindle elongation)—that is, the MTs of the central spindle, are spatially separated from the kinetochore MTs involved in anaphase A (chromosome-to-pole movement). C. fusiformis spindles represent the most reliable and readily interpretable model for assaying spindle elongation in vitro . These include ease of growing bulk quantities with respect to medium, cost, and space; high log phase cell densities; simple culture synchronization; and metaphase spindle collection scheme. Two types of central spindle models can be made from synchronized C. fusiformis cells—namely, (1) detergent-permeabilized cells and (2) isolated spindle preparations.