QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s):
Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents

First published online June 23, 2005
doi: 10.1242/10.1242/jcs.02413

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Riparbelli, M. G. Articles by Callaini, G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Riparbelli, M. G. Articles by Callaini, G.

The meiotic spindle of the Drosophila oocyte: the role of Centrosomin and the central aster

Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via A.Moro 4, I-53100 Siena, Italy

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: callaini{at}unisi.it)

Accepted 1 April 2005

We provide here the first evidence that a distinct midzone is present in the Drosophila melanogaster female meiosis I spindle. This region has the ability to bind the Pavarotti kinesin-like (PAV-KLP) and Abnormal spindle (Asp) proteins, indicating a correct organization of the central spindle microtubules. We also identified the core component centrosomal protein centrosomin (CNN) at an unexpected site within the anaphase I spindle, indicating a role for CNN during the biogenesis of the female meiotic apparatus. However, there are no apparent defects in the midzone organization of cnn oocytes, whereas defects occur later when the central aster forms. The primary mutant phenotype of cnn oocytes is the failure to form a developed central microtubule organizing center (MTOC), although twin meiosis II spindles usually do form. Thus the central MTOC may not be essential for the formation of the inner poles of twin meiosis II spindles, as generally proposed, but it might be involved in maintaining their proper spacing. We discuss the proposal that, in the presence of a central MTOC, a chromatin-driven mechanism of spindle assembly like that described during meiosis I may control the morphogenesis of the twin meiosis II spindles.

Key words: Drosophila, Female meiosis, Spindle midzone, centrosomin, pavarotti, abnormal spindle

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Vogt, I. Koch, H. Schwarz, F. Schnorrer, and C. Nusslein-Volhard The {gamma}TuRC components Grip75 and Grip128 have an essential microtubule-anchoring function in the Drosophila germline Development, October 15, 2006; 133(20): 3963 - 3972. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Cui and R. S. Hawley The HhH(2)/NDD Domain of the Drosophila Nod Chromokinesin-like Protein Is Required for Binding to Chromosomes in the Oocyte Nucleus Genetics, December 1, 2005; 171(4): 1823 - 1835. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Cui, L. R. Sproul, S. M. Gustafson, H. J.G. Matthies, S. P. Gilbert, and R. S. Hawley Drosophila Nod Protein Binds Preferentially to the Plus Ends of Microtubules and Promotes Microtubule Polymerization In Vitro Mol. Biol. Cell, November 1, 2005; 16(11): 5400 - 5409. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]