title: Interdependence of filamentous actin and microtubules for asymmetric cell division.
abstract: Asymmetric cell divisions are crucial to the generation of cell fate diversity. They contribute to unequal distribution of cellular factors to the daughter cells. Asymmetric divisions are characterized by a 90 degrees rotation of the mitotic spindle. There is increasing evidence that a tight cooperation between cortical, filamentous actin and astral microtubules is indispensable for successful spindle rotation. Over the past years, the dynactin complex has emerged as a key candidate to mediate actin/microtubule interaction at the cortex. This review discusses our current understanding of how spindle rotation is accomplished by the interplay of filamentous actin and microtubules in a variety of experimental systems.
authors.affiliation: Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schaerer-Brodbeck
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riezman
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000502:physiology*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins