The polarized orientation of the mitotic spindle in budding yeast arises from spindle pole structural and functional asymmetry subject to cell cycle control.
Biochemical and genetic approaches show that the XMAP215 homolog Stu2 directly interacts with the small gamma-tubulin complex and its recruitment factor Spc72 to instigate functions in cytoplasmic microtubule organization.
Visualization of yeast spindle pole proteins using a new microscopy method shows that assembly into the nuclear membrane occurs at the same time as duplication.
Preventing premature interactions between microtubules and protein-based structures called kinetochores ensures that chromosomes are segregated by meiosis rather than mitosis in reproductive cells.
Alms1a is a centrosomal protein that exhibits asymmetric localization between mother and daughter centrosomes in asymmetrically dividing stem cells in Drosophila testis, controlling centriole duplication.
The somatic Golgi acts as an asymmetric MTOC within Drosophila neurons, and this, together with the action Kinesin-2, helps maintain minus-end-out microtubule polarity with proximal dendrites.
Primary cilia on endothelial cells are required for VEGF-A/ VEGFR2-dependent signaling, islet vascularization and, consequently, nutrient delivery and insulin disposal.
