Overlap microtubules link sister k-fibres and balance the forces on bi-oriented kinetochores

Janko Kajtez, Anastasia Solomatina, Maja Novak, Bruno Polak, Kruno Vukušić, Jonas Rüdiger, Gheorghe Cojoc, Ana Milas, Ivana Šumanovac Šestak, Patrik Risteski, Federica Tavano, Anna H. Klemm, Emanuele Roscioli, Julie Welburn, Daniela Cimini, Matko Glunčić, Nenad Pavin () and Iva M. Tolić ()
Additional contact information
Janko Kajtez: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Anastasia Solomatina: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Maja Novak: Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
Bruno Polak: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Kruno Vukušić: Ruđer Bošković Institute
Jonas Rüdiger: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Gheorghe Cojoc: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Ana Milas: Ruđer Bošković Institute
Ivana Šumanovac Šestak: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Patrik Risteski: Ruđer Bošković Institute
Federica Tavano: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Anna H. Klemm: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Emanuele Roscioli: Virginia Tech
Julie Welburn: Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Michael Swann Building, Max Born Crescent
Daniela Cimini: Virginia Tech
Matko Glunčić: Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
Nenad Pavin: Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
Iva M. Tolić: Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract During metaphase, forces on kinetochores are exerted by k-fibres, bundles of microtubules that end at the kinetochore. Interestingly, non-kinetochore microtubules have been observed between sister kinetochores, but their function is unknown. Here we show by laser-cutting of a k-fibre in HeLa and PtK1 cells that a bundle of non-kinetochore microtubules, which we term ‘bridging fibre’, bridges sister k-fibres and balances the interkinetochore tension. We found PRC1 and EB3 in the bridging fibre, suggesting that it consists of antiparallel dynamic microtubules. By using a theoretical model that includes a bridging fibre, we show that the forces at the pole and at the kinetochore depend on the bridging fibre thickness. Moreover, our theory and experiments show larger relaxation of the interkinetochore distance for cuts closer to kinetochores. We conclude that the bridging fibre, by linking sister k-fibres, withstands the tension between sister kinetochores and enables the spindle to obtain a curved shape.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10298

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