Microdissection studies on the polarity of unequal division in grasshopper neuroblasts: I. Subsequent divisions in neuroblast-type cells produced against the polarity by micromanipulation

Abstract

Equal or unequal division against the polarity of normal division was induced in grasshopper neuroblasts by means of a microdissection technique. The subsequent cell divisions were traced in order to analyse the factors that determine the polarity. Daughter cells of two types (neuroblast-type and ganglion cell type) were produced by operations in which the mitotic apparatus was rotated or shifted. Cell types were classified by such characteristics as nuclear shape, mitotic activity, and inequality or equality of the subsequent cytokinesis. It became evident that the fate of daughter cells was determined simply by the cytoplasmic volume. In 27 cases out of 40 microdissecting operations, both sister cells were recognized as of neuroblast type. Mitosis of these neuroblast-type sister cells proceeded asynchronously. The time required for neuroblast-type cells to reach metaphase of the second division depended on their volume. It is considered that the polarity of unequal division in grasshopper neuroblasts may be maintained by a joint action of the cap cells attaching to one of the polar regions of the cell and the cortex differentiated in the previous cell division.