Rapid kinetochore movements in Mesostoma ehrenbergii spermatocytes: Action of antagonistic chromosome fibres

Abstract

AbstractChromosome movements in Mesostoma ehrenbergii spermatocytes were studied using conventional video light microscopy. Kinetochore regions of the three bipolarly oriented bivalents displayed periodic back and forth movements directed to both poles at metaphase I, leading to periodic lenght changes of the bivalents. Velocity was 8–10 μm/min (maximum 17 μ/min), about one order of magnitude higher than the normal meiotic or mitotic chromosome movements of other species. One cycle of movement lasted for about 100 seconds. The movement of kinetochore regions implies that the antagonistic chromosome fibres periodically grow (assemble) and shorten (disassemble) at comparable rates. Poleward movements must be caused by forces generated in disassembling fibres, whereas movements away from the poles, accompanied by fibre growth, are probably brought about by the internal elastic force of the chromosomes. Antagonistic fibres of a bivalent can operate in or out of phase. The movements of the three kinetochore regions are coordinated insofar as growing and shortening fibres coexist in a half‐spindle at almost any time [Fuge, H. (1987): European Journal of Cell Biology 44:294–298]. These observations are discussed in terms of microtubule dynamics.