Fig. 4. NudC downregulation induces mitotic and cytokinetic phenotypes. HeLa cells
prepared as in Fig. 3 were
analysed for mitotic phenotypes. (A-D) Control siRNA-treated cells in
different M phases. (A) Cell in prometaphase. (B) Cell in metaphase. (C)
Cleavage-furrow (arrowhead) and midzone microtubules forming during
anaphase/telophase. (D) Cell undergoing cytokinesis. (E-K)
NudC-siRNA-treated cells. (E) Mitotic spindles appear to be less
focused during prometaphase in NudC-siRNA-treated cells. (F) Cells
exhibit misaligned chromosome (arrow; see inset) in metaphase. (G) Midzone
microtubules are missing (arrowhead) in NudC-siRNA-treated cells in
anaphase/telophase. (H,I) Midzone microtubules are missing or disorganized
(arrowhead) in cytokinesis. (J,K) Midbody structure is unusually thick or very
elongated (arrowhead) between divided cells, suggesting problems in cell
separation in NudC-siRNA-treated cells. A much reduced though still
detectable level of NudC was observed in NudC-siRNA-treated cells
undergoing mitosis. NudC, red; ß-tubulin, green; DNA, blue. Bar, 10 µm
in all panels. Scale is the same in A-I.