Scientists Decode Cell Division's Mysterious Spindle Matrix (IMAGE)

Carnegie Institution for Science

Scientists Decode Cell Division's Mysterious Spindle Matrix

Caption

Concentrated cell lysates can be made by spinning the mature Xenopus eggs in a centrifuge without buffer, which crushes and stratifies the cell contents. The stratified golden layer above the needle in panel A is an undiluted cell lysate that supports many reactions found in cells including the assembly of the spindle apparatus in a test tube. This system has allowed the investigators to discover a spindle matrix protein called BuGZ that uses its self-association droplet-forming property shown in panel B to support the assembly of spindle and its matrix as depicted in panel C. Images provided courtesy of Yixian Zheng and Hao Jiang.

Credit

Yixian Zheng and Hao Jiang

Usage Restrictions

With credit

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.