Structural implications of kinetochore function in sucrose-treated PtK1 cells

Treatment of PtK1 cells during metaphase with solutions containing hyperosmotic concentrations of sucrose resulted in an alteration of kinetochore structure and function in a concentration-dependent manner. This alteration in kinetochore morphology was shown to be rapidly reversible upon removal of the sucrose-containing tissue culture medium. A 10-min treatment with both 0.2 M and 0.4 M sucrose resulted in a concentration-dependent aggregation of spindle fibers into bundles, loss of trilaminar kinetochore morphology as judged by electron microscopy, and induction of anaphase B-like spindle elongation as previously described. Electron microscopy showed that a 10-min treatment of metaphase cells with hyperosmotic concentrations of sucrose changed the trilaminar kinetochore structure to one of a single lamina, with an amorphous, lightly staining material distally associated with it. Sucrose-induced bundles of microtubules could usually be seen embedded or tangentially associated with this material. Rate and extent of spindle elongation in sucrose-treated metaphase cells were greater in the higher concentrations of sucrose employed. The degree of microtubule bundling was also concentration dependent, with reduced bundling occurring at lower sucrose concentrations. Within 2 min after sucrose removal kinetochores returned to a bi- or trilaminar morphology with reduction in the amount of amorphous material. Reformation of the kinetochore trilaminar structure resembled that of the normal maturation process which occurs from prophase through anaphase. These rapid changes in kinetochore morphology following release from sucrose treatment were temporally associated with restoration of spindle function and suggested that kinetochore integrity was necessary for the expression of spindle forces responsible for spindle shortening. These forces are probably generated or transduced by the continuum formed between the two spindle poles, the kinetochore microtubules, and the sister chromatids.     

Immunofluorescence analysis of sucrose-induced changes in spindle morphology

Metaphase and anaphase PtK1 cells show spindle elongation without concomitant chromosome motion when treated with culture medium containing 0.5 M sucrose. Electron microscopy has shown sucrose-induced changes in microtubule (MT) organization, changes in trilaminar kinetochore structure, and specific kinetochore-MT associations which may account for these results. In this paper we employ double-label immunofluorescence techniques using antibodies against tubulin and the kinetochore to analyze changes in spindle microtubule and kinetochore distribution produced by sucrose treatment. Cells treated from prometaphase through anaphase with 0.5 M sucrose from 10 min to 2 h showed spindle elongation and a distinct rearrangement of spindle microtubules into bundles, with a pronounced increase in length of interpolar microtubule bundles. In sucrose-treated mitotic cells kinetochores remained as antigenically distinct structures, similar to those found in untreated interphase cells. Kinetochore determinants remained positioned within a diffuse chromatin mass, but the orientation of sister kinetochores to opposite spindle poles was lost. Instead, kinetochore pairs were found in lateral association with microtubule bundles, with several pairs of determinants associated with a single bundle in many instances. Cells released from 0.5 M sucrose treatment showed a return of the spindle to a pretreatment arrangement for both the microtubules and kinetochore determinants.     

Asynchronous entry into anaphase induced by okadaic acid: spindle microtubule organization and microtubule/kinetochore attachments

Summary We have found that a brief treatment of either PtK₂ cells or stamen hair cells ofTradescantia virginiana during metaphase with okadaic acid, a potent protein phosphatase inhibitor, results in asynchronous entry into anaphase. After this treatment, the interval for the separation of sister chromatids can be expanded from a few seconds to approximately 5 min. We have performed a series of immunolocalizations of cells with anti-tubulin antibodies and CREST serum, asking whether okadaic acid induces asynchronous entry into anaphase through changes in the organization of the spindle microtubules or through a loss in the attachment of spindle microtubules to the kinetochores. Our experiments clearly indicate that asynchronous entry into anaphase after phosphatase inhibitor treatment is not the result of either altered spindle microtubule organization or the long-term loss of microtubule attachment to kinetochores. The kinetochore fiber bundles for all of the separating chromosomes are normally of uniform length throughout anaphase, but after asynchronous entry into anaphase, different groups of kinetochore fiber bundles have distinctly different lengths. The reason for this difference in length is that once split apart, the daughter chromosomes begin their movement toward the spindle poles, with normal shortening of the kinetochore fiber bundle microtubules. Thus, okadaic acid treatment during metaphase does not affect anaphase chromosome movement once it has begun. Our results suggest that one or more protein phosphatases appear to play an important role during metaphase in the regulatory cascade that culminates in synchronous sister chromatid separation.     

Selective reduction of anaphase B in quinacrine-treated PtK1 cells

Quinacrine, an acridine derivative which competitively binds to ATP binding sites, has previously been shown to cause the reorganization of metaphase spindle microtubules (MTs) due to changes in interactions of non-kinetochore microtubules (nkMTs) of opposite polarity (Armstrong and Snyder: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 7:10-19, 1987). In the study presented here, mitotic PtK1 cells were treated in early anaphase with concentrations of quinacrine ranging from 2 to 12 microM to determine energy requirements for chromosome motion. The rate and extent of chromosome-to-pole movements (anaphase A) were not affected by these quinacrine treatments. The extent of anaphase B (kinetochore-kinetochore separation) was reduced with increasing concentrations of quinacrine. Five micromolar quinacrine reduced the extent of kinetochore-kinetochore separation by 20%, and addition of 12 microM quinacrine reduced the kinetochore-kinetochore separation by 40%. To determine the role of nkMTs in anaphase spindle elongation, quinacrine-treated metaphase cells were treated with hyperosmotic sucrose concentrations, and spindle elongation was measured (Snyder et al.: Eur J. Cell Biol. 39:373-379, 1985). Metaphase cells treated with 2-10 microM concentrations of quinacrine for 2-5 min reduced spindle lengths by 10-50% prior to 0.5 M sucrose treatment for 5 min. This treatment showed a significant reduction in the ability of sucrose to induce spindle elongation in cells pretreated with quinacrine. As spindle length and birefringence was reduced by quinacrine treatment, sucrose-induced elongation was concomitantly diminished. These data suggest that quinacrine-sensitive linkages are necessary for anaphase B motions. Reduction in these linkages and/or MT length in the nkMT continuum may reduce the ability of the nkMTs to hold compression at metaphase. This form of energy is thought to drive a significant proportion of normal anaphase B in PtK1 cells and sucrose-induced metaphase spindle elongation.     

Comparison of hyperosmotic shock-induced changes in kinetochore structure with chromosome motion in PtK1 cells

Summary Treatment of metaphase PtK₁ cells with 0.2 M to 0.5 M sucrose and anaphase cells with 0.5 M sucrose has previously been shown to stop chromosome motion probably due to a significant alteration in the functional attachment of kinetochore microtubules (kMTs) with the kinetochore lamina. The work presented here examines the effects of 0.15 M to 0.25 M sucrose on PtK₁ metaphase and anaphase cells with a focus on the ultrastructural changes in the kinetochore and rates of chromosome motion. Metaphase PtK₁ cells treated with 0.15 M and 0.20 M sucrose from 5 to 15 min showed spindle elongation with sister chromatids remaining at the metaphase plate; these cells failed to enter anaphase. Ultrastructural analysis revealed MTs did not insert directly into the kinetochore lamina but rather associated tangentially with an amorphous material proximal to the kinetochore region much like that described previously with higher concentrations of osmotica. Treatment of metaphase cells with 0.25 M sucrose arrested the cell in metaphase and ultrastructural analysis revealed novel osmiophilic spherical structures approximately 0.50 m in diameter located proximal to kinetochores. MTs appeared to stop just short of. or associate laterally with, these spherical structures. Anaphase PtK₁ cells treated with 0.15 M and 0.20 M sucrose showed reduced rates of chromosome segregation during 5 min treatments, suggesting they retained functional kinetochore/kMT interactions. However, treatment of anaphase cells with 0.25 M sucrose blocked anaphase A chromosome motion and produced electron dense spherical structures approximately 0.50 m in diameter, identical to those observed in similarly treated metaphase cells. Removal of 0.25 M sucrose in treated anaphase cells resulted in normal chromosome segregation within 1 min. Cells released from sucrose treatment showed the absence of spherical structures and reformation of normal kinetochore/MT interactions which was temporally correlated with the resumption of chromosome motion.Abbreviations DIC differential interference contrast - kMT(s) kinetochore microtubule(s) - MT(s) microtubule(s) - nkMT(s) non-kinetochore microtubule(s)     

Control of spindle form and function in grasshopper spermatocytes

The influence of the mitotic organizing centers, the kinetochores and the polar organizers, in controlling the dynamic spindle form and function has been investigated in the primary spermatocytes of two grasshoppers, Arphia xanthoptera and Melanoplus differentialis. A new measure of the total birefringent material in the spindle is introduced—volume-birefringence. This measure avoids many of the problems associated with the traditional retardation measurements of spindle organization.—The number of chromosomes (and their kinetochores) in a spindle can be altered with a piezoelectric micromanipulator in three ways: 1) chromosomes can be removed permanently from the cell, 2) chromosomes can be detached from the spindle and allowed to reenter the spindle at a later time, and 3) chromosomes can be transferred from one spindle to another in cells containing two spindles. Such operations show the volume-birefringence of the spindle is proportional to the number of chromosomes in the spindle. A residual volume-birefringence is seen and attributed to the contribution of the polar organizers to spindle structure. The relative polar contribution differs in the two species. Chromosome motion and spindle elongation in anaphase are unaffected by the number of chromosomes in the spindle. The proportion of volume-birefringence associated with a kinetochore is used to estimate the number of microtubules one might expect to see if the birefringence of the spindle is of microtubular origin. These calculations predict about twice the number of microtubules per kinetochore than seen with the electron microscope. Reasons are suggested to explain this discrepancy.— It is argued that chromosome detachment releases spindle component subunits into the total subunit pool, but that these excess subunits do not influence the metaphase form nor the anaphase function of the spindle; therefore, spindle dynamics are under the direct control of the kinetochores and the polar organizing centers.     

Anaphase onset in vertebrate somatic cells is controlled by a checkpoint that monitors sister kinetochore attachment to the spindle

To test the popular but unproven assumption that the metaphase-anaphase transition in vertebrate somatic cells is subject to a checkpoint that monitors chromosome (i.e., kinetochore) attachment to the spindle, we filmed mitosis in 126 PtK1 cells. We found that the time from nuclear envelope breakdown to anaphase onset is linearly related (r2 = 0.85) to the duration the cell has unattached kinetochores, and that even a single unattached kinetochore delays anaphase onset. We also found that anaphase is initiated at a relatively constant 23-min average interval after the last kinetochore attaches, regardless of how long the cell possessed unattached kinetochores. From these results we conclude that vertebrate somatic cells possess a metaphase-anaphase checkpoint control that monitors sister kinetochore attachment to the spindle. We also found that some cells treated with 0.3-0.75 nM Taxol, after the last kinetochore attached to the spindle, entered anaphase and completed normal poleward chromosome motion (anaphase A) up to 3 h after the treatment--well beyond the 9-48-min range exhibited by untreated cells. The fact that spindle bipolarity and the metaphase alignment of kinetochores are maintained in these cells, and that the chromosomes move poleward during anaphase, suggests that the checkpoint monitors more than just the attachment of microtubules at sister kinetochores or the metaphase alignment of chromosomes. Our data are most consistent with the hypothesis that the checkpoint monitors an increase in tension between kinetochores and their associated microtubules as biorientation occurs.     

Effect of metabolic inhibitors on sucrose-induced metaphase spindle elongation and spindle recovery

Hyperosmotic sucrose treatment of metaphase PtK-1 cells has been shown to produce a reversible concentration-dependent effect on spindle elongation linked to a functional alteration in the connection of the chromosome to the spindle (Pover et al.: European Journal of Cell Biology 39:366-372, 1985). Spindle elongation, similar to that which occurs at anaphase B, is thought to be driven by the compression stored in the form of microtubule curvature in the nonkinetochore (nkMT) population of microtubules at metaphase (Snyder et al.: European Journal of Cell Biology 35:62-69, 1984 and 39:373-379, 1985). Addition of metabolic inhibitors to Ham's F-12 salts with deoxyglucose (D/F-12 medium) containing 0.4 M sucrose and 1 mM DNP does not within statistical error affect the rate and extent of sucrose-induced spindle elongation; rates and extents are 60-75% of normal anaphase B motions. Electron microscopic analysis of metaphase cells treated with D/F-12 medium and 0.4 M sucrose with 1 mM DNP demonstrates that spindle microtubules lose curvature and become straight in appearance, typical of microtubule organization in untreated anaphase cells. Sucrose-treated cells released into D/F-12 medium show a rapid reduction in spindle length; however, cells treated with either 0.4 M sucrose or 0.4 M sucrose and 1 mM DNP-containing D/F-12 medium and released into DNP-containing D/F-12 medium do not exhibit a significant reduction in spindle length. Electron microscopic analysis links changes in spindle length with microtubule/kinetochore associations. These data suggest that energy required for the initial phases of spindle elongation during anaphase is preloaded into the mitotic spindle by metaphase and does not require additional energy to be expressed as examined by sucrose-induced spindle elongation in the presence of metabolic inhibitors. Second, energy is required to make or maintain (or both) functional chromosome associations with the spindle as measured by reduction in spindle length following sucrose removal.     

Characterization of the mitotic traction system,and evidence that birefringent spindle fibers neither produce nor transmit force for chromosome movement

Living crane fly spermatocytes were irradiated in various areas, and changes in chromosome movement and changes in spindle fiber birefringence were measured.The traction system was localized in the chromosomal spindle fibers; an undamaged traction fiber extending at least 1/2 the fiber length (from the chromosome) is necessary for normal movement. The results suggest, however, that the birefringent fiber is separate from the traction fiber, and therefore that the chromosomal spindle fiber is composed of at least 2 components. Otherwise, the following results characterize the traction fiber: birefringence is not necessary for movement, birefringence and movement are affected independently, the birefringent fiber moves poleward when the associated chromosome does not move, and the birefringent fiber moves poleward at a rate not related to that of the associated chromosome. These and other results are more easily explained under the assumptions: (1) during anaphase, the birefringent fiber is independent of the traction fiber, and (2) prior to anaphase, the birefringent fiber is not independent of the traction fiber.The traction system was further characterized as follows: the anaphase movements of sister dyads are interdependent; in a cell, different sister dyad pairs are independent during anaphase but are not independent prior to anaphase; the initial separation of dyads is autonomous; the spindle organization changes markedly between metaphase and anaphase; and, something in the interzonal region is necessary for the subsequent division.It was suggested that the interdependent movement of sister dyads is mediated via functioning kinetochores. It was further suggested that this interdependence is mediated via kinetochore-interzonal region interactions, and that the interzonal region is involved with regulating the amount of force on the chromosome.Portions of this paper were presented to Dartmouth College in partial fullfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.     

Merotelic kinetochores in mammalian tissue cells

Merotelic kinetochore attachment is a major source of aneuploidy in mammalian tissue cells in culture. Mammalian kinetochores typically have binding sites for about 20-25 kinetochore microtubules. In prometaphase, kinetochores become merotelic if they attach to microtubules from opposite poles rather than to just one pole as normally occurs. Merotelic attachments support chromosome bi-orientation and alignment near the metaphase plate and they are not detected by the mitotic spindle checkpoint. At anaphase onset, sister chromatids separate, but a chromatid with a merotelic kinetochore may not be segregated correctly, and may lag near the spindle equator because of pulling forces toward opposite poles, or move in the direction of the wrong pole. Correction mechanisms are important for preventing segregation errors. There are probably more than 100 times as many PtK1 tissue cells with merotelic kinetochores in early mitosis, and about 16 times as many entering anaphase as the 1% of cells with lagging chromosomes seen in late anaphase. The role of spindle mechanics and potential functions of the Ndc80/Nuf2 protein complex at the kinetochore/microtubule interface is discussed for two correction mechanisms: one that functions before anaphase to reduce the number of kinetochore microtubules to the wrong pole, and one that functions after anaphase onset to move merotelic kinetochores based on the ratio of kinetochore microtubules to the correct versus incorrect pole.     

Mad2 and BubR1 function in a single checkpoint pathway that responds to a loss of tension

The spindle checkpoint monitors microtubule attachment and tension at kinetochores to ensure proper chromosome segregation. Previously, PtK1 cells in hypothermic conditions (23 degrees C) were shown to have a pronounced mitotic delay, despite having normal numbers of kinetochore microtubules. At 23 degrees C, we found that PtK1 cells remained in metaphase for an average of 101 min, compared with 21 min for cells at 37 degrees C. The metaphase delay at 23 degrees C was abrogated by injection of Mad2 inhibitors, showing that Mad2 and the spindle checkpoint were responsible for the prolonged metaphase. Live cell imaging showed that kinetochore Mad2 became undetectable soon after chromosome congression. Measurements of the stretch between sister kinetochores at metaphase found a 24% decrease in tension at 23 degrees C, and metaphase kinetochores at 23 degrees C exhibited higher levels of 3F3/2, Bub1, and BubR1 compared with 37 degrees C. Microinjection of anti-BubR1 antibody abolished the metaphase delay at 23 degrees C, indicating that the higher kinetochore levels of BubR1 may contribute to the delay. Disrupting both Mad2 and BubR1 function induced anaphase with the same timing as single inhibitions, suggesting that these checkpoint genes function in the same pathway. We conclude that reduced tension at kinetochores with a full complement of kinetochore microtubules induces a checkpoint dependent metaphase delay associated with elevated amounts of kinetochore 3F3/2, Bub1, and BubR1 labeling.     

The Dynamics of Micronuclear Mitosis in the Living Ciliate Spirostomum teres as Revealed by Polarization Microscopy1

ABSTRACT. Micronuclear mitosis in living Spirostomum teres has been studied by sensitive polarization microscopy, and the dynamic aspects of micronuclear division are described. The small, spherical, interphase micronuclei lie in form-fitting depressions in the macronuclear surface. Nuclear division begins with the rounding and slight swelling of the macronucleus and, coincidentally, the micronuclei move out of the depressions and away from the macronucleus, increase in size, and become weakly birefringent. As mitosis proceeds, the micronuclei increase in uniaxial birefringence and elongate to form irregular ovoids that convert to angular structures displaying principal axes of positive birefringence so divergent as to appear oriented at a right angle to one another. Micronuclei maintain this appearance for as long as 60 min and then abruptly change to rectangular-shaped structures, increase in uniaxial birefringence, and begin anaphase elongation. The somewhat dumbbell-shaped micronuclei lengthen at the constant rate of 2.0 μm/min to reach lengths >70 μm. It appears that little half-spindle shortening occurs during spindle elongation. Accompanying the changes in micronuclear spindle length are changes in birefringence. Just before elongation begins, presumably metaphase, the micronucleus is uniformly and intensely birefringent. At the magnifications employed, a chromosome plate is not clearly visible as a region of reduced birefringence. As elongation begins, the putative half-spindles are more birefringent than is the interzone, a condition that is maintained until the spindles have achieved ～30% elongation, at which time a region of increased birefringence develops at the center of the interzone. This pattern persists for a very short time, then gives way to a uniform birefringence of the entire separation spindle that is maintained until elongation is completed. The rate of micronuclear spindle elongation, changes in micronuclear dimensions, and corresponding changes in birefringence are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms of mitosis.     

How do kinetochores CLASP dynamic microtubules?

Maintenance of genetic stability during cell division requires binding of chromosomes to the mitotic spindle, a process that involves attachment of spindle microtubules to kinetochores. This enables chromosomes to move to the metaphase plate, to satisfy the spindle checkpoint and finally to segregate during anaphase. Recent studies on the function MAST in Drosophila and its human homologue CLASP1, have revealed that these microtubule-associated proteins play an essential role for the kinetochore-microtubule interaction. CLASP1 localizes to the plus ends of growing microtubules and to the most external kinetochore domain. Depletion of CLASP1 causes abnormal chromosome congression, collapse of the mitotic spindle and attachment of kinetochores to very short microtubules that do not show dynamic behavior. These results suggest that CLASP1 is required at kinetochores to regulate the dynamic behavior of attached microtubules.     

How Do Kinetochores CLASP Dynamic Microtubules?

Maintenance of genetic stability during cell division requires binding of chromosomes to the mitotic spindle, a process that involves attachment of spindle microtubules to kinetochores. This enables chromosomes to move to the metaphase plate, to satisfy the spindle checkpoint and finally to segregate during anaphase. Recent studies on the function MAST in Drosophila and its human homologue CLASP1, have revealed that these microtubule-associated proteins play an essential role for the kinetochore-microtubule interaction. CLASP1 localizesto the plus ends of growing microtubules and to the most external kinetochore domain. Depletion of CLASP1 causes abnormal chromosome congression, collapse of the mitotic spindle and attachment of kinetochores to very short microtubules that do not show dynamic behavior. These results suggest that CLASP1 is required at kinetochores to regulate the dynamic behavior of attached microtubules.     

Septin2 is modified by SUMOylation and required for chromosome congression in mouse oocytes

In mitosis, centrosomes nucleate microtubules that capture the sister kinetochores of each chromosome to facilitate chromosome congression. In contrast, during meiosis chromosome congression on the acentrosomal spindle is driven primarily by movement of chromosomes along laterally associated microtubule bundles. Previous studies have indicated that septin2 is required for chromosome congression and cytokinesis in mitosis, we therefore asked whether perturbation of septin2 would impair chromosome congression and cytokinesis in meiosis. We have investigated its expression, localization and function during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation. Septin2 was modified by SUMO-1 and its levels remained constant from GVBD to metaphase II stages. Septin2 was localized along the entire spindle at metaphase and at the midbody in cytokinesis. Disruption of septins function with an inhibitor and siRNA caused failure of the metaphase I /anaphase I transition and chromosome misalignment but inhibition of septins after the metaphase I stage did not affect cytokinesis. BubR1, a core component of the spindle checkpoint, was labeled on misaligned chromosomes and on chromosomes aligned at the metaphase plate in inhibitor-treated oocytes that were arrested in prometaphase I/metaphase I, suggesting activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint. Taken together, our results demonstrate that septin2 plays an important role in chromosome congression and meiotic cell cycle progression but not cytokinesis in mouse oocytes.     

Anaphase spindle mechanics prevent mis-segregation of merotelically oriented chromosomes

Merotelic kinetochore orientation is a kinetochore misattachment in which a single kinetochore is attached to microtubules from both spindle poles instead of just one. It can be favored in specific circumstances, is not detected by the mitotic checkpoint, and induces lagging chromosomes in anaphase. In mammalian cells, it occurs at high frequency in early mitosis, but few anaphase cells show lagging chromosomes. We developed live-cell imaging methods to determine whether and how the mitotic spindle prevents merotelic kinetochores from producing lagging chromosomes. We found that merotelic kinetochores entering anaphase never lost attachment to the spindle poles; they remained attached to both microtubule bundles, but this did not prevent them from segregating correctly. The two microtubule bundles usually showed different fluorescence intensities, the brighter bundle connecting the merotelic kinetochore to the correct pole. During anaphase, the dimmer bundle lengthened much more than the brighter bundle as spindle elongation occurred. This resulted in correct segregation of the merotelically oriented chromosome. We propose a model based on the ratios of microtubules to the correct versus incorrect pole for how anaphase spindle dynamics and microtubule polymerization at kinetochores prevent potential segregation errors deriving from merotelic kinetochore orientation.     

Cytoplasmic dynein is required for poleward chromosome movement during mitosis in Drosophila embryos

The movement of chromosomes during mitosis occurs on a bipolar, microtubule-based protein machine, the mitotic spindle. It has long been proposed that poleward chromosome movements that occur during prometaphase and anaphase A are driven by the microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein, which binds to kinetochores and transports them toward the minus ends of spindle microtubules. Here we evaluate this hypothesis using time-lapse confocal microscopy to visualize, in real time, kinetochore and chromatid movements in living Drosophila embryos in the presence and absence of specific inhibitors of cytoplasmic dynein. Our results show that dynein inhibitors disrupt the alignment of kinetochores on the metaphase spindle equator and also interfere with kinetochore- and chromatid-to-pole movements during anaphase A. Thus, dynein is essential for poleward chromosome motility throughout mitosis in Drosophila embryos.     

Kinetochore Fiber Maturation in PtK1 Cells and Its Implications for the Mechanisms of Chromosome Congression and Anaphase Onset

Kinetochore microtubules (kMts) are a subset of spindle microtubules that bind directly to the kinetochore to form the kinetochore fiber (K-fiber). The K-fiber in turn interacts with the kinetochore to produce chromosome motion toward the attached spindle pole. We have examined K-fiber maturation in PtK₁ cells using same-cell video light microscopy/serial section EM. During congression, the kinetochore moving away from its spindle pole (i.e., the trailing kinetochore) and its leading, poleward moving sister both have variable numbers of kMts, but the trailing kinetochore always has at least twice as many kMts as the leading kinetochore. A comparison of Mt numbers on sister kinetochores of congressing chromosomes with their direction of motion, as well as distance from their associated spindle poles, reveals that the direction of motion is not determined by kMt number or total kMt length. The same result was observed for oscillating metaphase chromosomes. These data demonstrate that the tendency of a kinetochore to move poleward is not positively correlated with the kMt number. At late prometaphase, the average number of Mts on fully congressed kinetochores is 19.7 ± 6.7 (n = 94), at late metaphase 24.3 ± 4.9 (n = 62), and at early anaphase 27.8 ± 6.3 (n = 65). Differences between these distributions are statistically significant. The increased kMt number during early anaphase, relative to late metaphase, reflects the increased kMt stability at anaphase onset. Treatment of late metaphase cells with 1 μM taxol inhibits anaphase onset, but produces the same kMt distribution as in early anaphase: 28.7 ± 7.4 (n = 54). Thus, a full complement of kMts is not sufficient to induce anaphase onset. We also measured the time course for kMt acquisition and determined an initial rate of 1.9 kMts/min. This rate accelerates up to 10-fold during the course of K-fiber maturation, suggesting an increased concentration of Mt plus ends in the vicinity of the kinetochore at late metaphase and/or cooperativity for kMt acquisition.     

Microtubule dynamics in the spindle. Theoretical aspects of assembly/disassembly reactions in vivo

The mitotic spindle contains several classes of microtubules (MTs) whose lengths change independently during mitosis. Precise control over MT polymerization and depolymerization during spindle formation, anaphase chromosome movements, and spindle breakdown is necessary for successful cell division. This model proposes the site of addition and removal of MT subunits in each of four classes of spindle MTs at different stages of mitosis, and suggests how this addition and removal is controlled. We propose that spindle poles and kinetochores significantly alter the assembly-disassembly kinetics of associated MT ends. Control of MT length is further modulated by localized forces affecting assembly and disassembly kinetics of individual sets of MTs.     

Visualization of Mad2 dynamics at kinetochores, along spindle fibers, and at spindle poles in living cells

The spindle checkpoint prevents errors in chromosome segregation by inhibiting anaphase onset until all chromosomes have aligned at the spindle equator through attachment of their sister kinetochores to microtubules from opposite spindle poles. A key checkpoint component is the mitotic arrest-deficient protein 2 (Mad2), which localizes to unattached kinetochores and inhibits activation of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) through an interaction with Cdc20. Recent studies have suggested a catalytic model for kinetochore function where unattached kinetochores provide sites for assembling and releasing Mad2-Cdc20 complexes, which sequester Cdc20 and prevent it from activating the APC. To test this model, we examined Mad2 dynamics in living PtK1 cells that were either injected with fluorescently labeled Alexa 488-XMad2 or transfected with GFP-hMAD2. Real-time, digital imaging revealed fluorescent Mad2 localized to unattached kinetochores, spindle poles, and spindle fibers depending on the stage of mitosis. FRAP measurements showed that Mad2 is a transient component of unattached kinetochores, as predicted by the catalytic model, with a t(1/2) of approximately 24-28 s. Cells entered anaphase approximately 10 min after Mad2 was no longer detectable on the kinetochores of the last chromosome to congress to the metaphase plate. Several observations indicate that Mad2 binding sites are translocated from kinetochores to spindle poles along microtubules. First, Mad2 that bound to sites on a kinetochore was dynamically stretched in both directions upon microtubule interactions, and Mad2 particles moved from kinetochores toward the poles. Second, spindle fiber and pole fluorescence disappeared upon Mad2 disappearance at the kinetochores. Third, ATP depletion resulted in microtubule-dependent depletion of Mad2 fluorescence at kinetochores and increased fluorescence at spindle poles. Finally, in normal cells, the half-life of Mad2 turnover at poles, 23 s, was similar to kinetochores. Thus, kinetochore-derived sites along spindle fibers and at spindle poles may also catalyze Mad2 inhibitory complex formation.