Microtubule-dependent pushing forces contribute to long-distance aster movement and centration in<i>Xenopus laevis</i>egg extracts
Taylor Sulerud, Abdullah Bashar Sami, Guihe Li, April M. Kloxin, John Oakey, Jesse C. Gatlin
Abstract
egg extract to investigate the mechanics of aster movement and centration. We determined that asters were able to find the center of artificial channels and annular cylinders, even when cytoplasmic dynein-dependent pulling mechanisms were inhibited. Characterization of aster movement away from V-shaped hydrogel barriers provided additional evidence for a MT-based pushing mechanism. Importantly, the distance over which this mechanism seemed to operate was longer than that predicted by radial aster growth models, agreeing with recent models of a more complex MT network architecture within the aster.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyXenopusAdvanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection RadiometerMicrotubuleCell biologyAnatomySatelliteBiochemistryEngineeringAerospace engineeringGeneMicrotubule and mitosis dynamicsCellular Mechanics and InteractionsMicro and Nano Robotics