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F-Actin nucleated on chromosomes coordinates their capture by microtubules in oocyte meiosis.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Burdyniuk, Mariia 
Callegari, Andrea 
Nédélec, François  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8141-5288

Abstract

Capture of each and every chromosome by spindle microtubules is essential to prevent chromosome loss and aneuploidy. In somatic cells, astral microtubules search and capture chromosomes forming lateral attachments to kinetochores. However, this mechanism alone is insufficient in large oocytes. We have previously shown that a contractile F-actin network is additionally required to collect chromosomes scattered in the 70-µm starfish oocyte nucleus. How this F-actin-driven mechanism is coordinated with microtubule capture remained unknown. Here, we show that after nuclear envelope breakdown Arp2/3-nucleated F-actin "patches" form around chromosomes in a Ran-GTP-dependent manner, and we propose that these structures sterically block kinetochore-microtubule attachments. Once F-actin-driven chromosome transport is complete, coordinated disassembly of F-actin patches allows synchronous capture by microtubules. Our observations indicate that this coordination is necessary because early capture of chromosomes by microtubules would interfere with F-actin-driven transport leading to chromosome loss and formation of aneuploid eggs.

Description

Keywords

Actins, Animals, Chromosomes, Kinetochores, Meiosis, Microtubules, Oocytes, Spindle Apparatus, Starfish

Journal Title

J Cell Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0021-9525
1540-8140

Volume Title

217

Publisher

Rockefeller University Press