Open AccessContribution of cytoplasm viscoelastic properties to mitotic spindle positioning
Author(s) -
JingTian Xie,
Javad Najafi,
Rémi Le Borgne,
JeanMarc Verbavatz,
Catherine PiocheDurieu,
Jeremy Sallé,
Nicolas Minc
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2115593119
Subject(s) - cytoplasm , magnetic tweezers , mitosis , microbiology and biotechnology , organelle , cell division , cytoskeleton , spindle apparatus , microtubule , viscoelasticity , biology , biophysics , cell , physics , genetics , dna , thermodynamics
Significance The regulation of mitotic spindle positioning is a key process for tissue architecture, embryo development, and stem cells. To date, most models have assumed that spindles are positioned by forces exerted by polar cytoskeleton networks, like microtubule asters or actomyosin bundles. Here, using in situ magnetic tweezers to apply calibrated forces and torques to mitotic spindles in live dividing sea urchin cells, we found that the viscoelastic properties of the cytoplasm medium in which spindles are embedded can hold spindles in place and move them back if their original position is perturbed. These viscoelastic forces are large and may significantly participate in the force balance that position and orient mitotic spindles in many cell types.