title: Novel insights into mammalian embryonic neural stem cell division: focus on microtubules.
abstract: During stem cell divisions, mitotic microtubules do more than just segregate the chromosomes. They also determine whether a cell divides virtually symmetrically or asymmetrically by establishing spindle orientation and the plane of cell division. This can be decisive for the fate of the stem cell progeny. Spindle defects have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, yet the role of spindle orientation for mammalian neurogenesis has remained controversial. Here we explore recent advances in understanding how the microtubule cytoskeleton influences mammalian neural stem cell division. Our focus is primarily on the role of spindle microtubules in the development of the cerebral cortex. We also highlight unique characteristics in the architecture and dynamics of cortical stem cells that are tightly linked to their mode of division. These features contribute to setting these cells apart as mitotic "rule breakers," control how asymmetric a division is, and, we argue, are sufficient to determine the fate of the neural stem cell progeny in mammals.
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany mora@mpi-cbg.de huttner@mpi-cbg.de.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mora-Bermúdez
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany mora@mpi-cbg.de huttner@mpi-cbg.de.
authors.forename: Wieland B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Huttner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060049:Asymmetric Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008870:Microtubules / Q000502:physiology*; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000502:physiology