We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Three-dimensional architecture of chromosome fibres in the crane fly: co-oriented autosomal bivalents and amphitelic sex univalents during prometaphase

  • Published:
Chromosoma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A technique for the fixation of cells during live observation (Nicklas et al. 1979) was used to investigate chromosomes which were moving at the time of fixation. Chromosome fibres were reconstructed by tracking their microtubules in longitudinal serial sections. A considerable proportion of non-kinetochoric microtubules (free microtubules, fMTs) is skewed with respect to the fibre axis. These skew fMTs contribute to the degree of disorder. It was found that the difference in the relative proportion of skew fMTs between “active” fibres (oriented in the direction of movement) and “passive” fibres (oriented backwards) is significantly correlated with the chromosome velocity (correlation coefficient r=0.796, P=0.01). It can be concluded that the pulling force generated in the chromosome fibre is a function of skew fMTs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bajer AS, Mole-Bajer J (1969) Formation of spindle fibres, kinetochore orientation and behavior of the nuclear envelope during mitosis in endosperm. Chromosoma 27:448–484

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajer AS (1973) Interaction of microtubules and the mechanism of chromosome movement (zipping hypothesis). 1. General principle. Cytobios 8:139–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajer AS, Molè-Bajer J, Lambert AM (1975) Lateral interaction of microtubules and chromosome movements. In: Borges M, de Brabander M (eds) Microtubules and microtubules inhibitors. North-Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam, pp 393–423

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajer AS, Molè-Bajer J (1981) Mitosis: Studies of living cellsa revision of basic concepts. In: Mitosis/Cytokinesis. Academic Press, New York, pp 277–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer H, Dietz R, Roebbelen C (1961) Die Spermatocytenteilung der Tupuliden. III. Das Bewegungsverhalten der Chromosomen in Translokationszygoten von Tipula oleracea. Chromosoma 12:112–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Begg DA, Ellis GW (1979) Micromanipulation studies of chromosome movement: I. Chromosome-spindle attachment and the mechanical properties of chromosomal spindle fibres. J Cell Biol 82:528–541

    Google Scholar 

  • Church K, Lin HPP (1985) Kinetochore microtubules and chromosome movement during prometaphase in Drosophila melanogaster spermatocytes studied in life and with electron microscope. Chromosoma 92:273–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich J (1979) Reconstructions tridimensionnelles de l'appareil mitotique a partir de coupes seriees longitudinales de meiocytes polliniques. Biol Cell 34:77–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz R (1956) Die Spermatocytenteilung der Tipuliden. II. Graphische Analyse der Chromosomenbewegung während der Prometaphase. Chromosoma 8:183–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz R (1969) Bau und Funktion des Spindelapparates. Naturwissenschaften 56:237–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuge H (1975) Anaphase transport of akinetochoric fragments in tipulid spermatocytes. Chromosoma 52:149–158

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuge H (1980) Microtubule disorientation in anaphase half-spindle during autosome segregation in crane fly spermatocytes. Chromosoma 76:309–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuge H (1982) Mitosespindel — Evolution verschiedener Systeme. BIUZ 12:161–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuge H (1984) The three-dimensional architecture of chromosome fibres in the crane fly: I. Syntelic autosomes in meiotic metaphase and anaphase I. Chromosoma 90:323–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuge H (1985) The three-dimensional architecture of chromosome fibre in the crane fly: II. Amphitelic sex univalents in meiotic anaphase I. Chromosoma 91:322–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuge H, Bastmeyer M, Steffen W (1985) A model for chromosome movement based on lateral interaction of spindle microtubules. J Theor Biol 115:391–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Heath IB (1981) Mitosis through the electron microscope. In: Mitosis/Cytokinesis, Academic Press, pp 245–273

  • Hiramoto Y, Shôji Y (1982) Location of the motive force for chromosome movement in sand dollar eggs. J Cell Diff 11:349–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Inouè S, Sato H (1967) Cell motility by labile association of molecules. J Gen Physiol 50:259–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen CG (1982) Dynamics of spindle microtubule organization: Kinetochore fibre microtubules of plant endosperm. J Cell Biol 92:540–558

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert AM, Bajer A (1975) Fine structure of the prometaphase spindle. J Microscop Biol 23:181–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert AM, Bajer A (1977) Microtubule distribution and reversible arrest of chromosome movement induced by low temperature. Cytobiologie 15:1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchison TJ, Kirschner MW (1985) Properties of the kinetochore in vitro. II. Microtubule capture and ATP-dependent translocation. J Cell Biol 101:766–777

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas RB (1961) Recurrent pole-to-pole movement of the sex chromosome during prometaphase I in Melanoplus differentiales spermatocytes. Chromosoma 12:97–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas RB, Staehley CA (1967) Chromosome micromanipulation. I. The mechanics of chromosome attachment to the spindle. Chromosoma 21:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas RB (1971) Mitosis. Adv Cell Biol 2:225–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas RB, Brinkley BR, Pepper DA, Kubai DF, Rickards GK (1979) Electron microscopy of spermatocytes previously studied in life: Methods and some observations on micromanipulated chromosomes. J Cell Sci 35:87–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas RB, Kubai DF, Hays TS (1982) Spindle microtubules and their mechanical association after micromanipulation in anaphase. J Cell Biol 95:91–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicklas RB (1983) Measurements of the force produced by the mitotic spindle in anaphase. J Cell Biol 97:542–548

    Google Scholar 

  • Roos UP (1973) Light and electron microscopy of rat kangaroo cells in mitosis. I. Formation and breakdown of mitotic apparatus. Chromosoma 40:43–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan K (1983) Chromosome movement in pollen mother cells: Techniques for living cell cine-microscopy and electron microscopy. Mikroskopie 40:67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Steffen W, Fuge H (1982) Dynamic changes in autosomal spindle fibres during prometaphase in crane fly spermatocytes. Chromosoma 87:363–371

    Google Scholar 

  • Steffen W, Fuge H (1985) Three-dimensional architecture of chromosome fibres in crane fly: amphitelic autosomal univalents in late prometaphase. Cytobios 43:199–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Steffen W, Fuge H, Dietz R, Bastmeyer M, Müller G (1986) Asterfree spindle pole in insect spermatocytes: Evidence for chromosome induced spindle formation? J Cell Biol 102:1679–1688

    Google Scholar 

  • Tippit DH, Fields CT, O'Donnell KL, Pickett-Heaps JD, McLaughlin DJ (1984) The organization of microtubules during anaphase and telophase spindle elongation in the rust fungus Puccinia. Eur J Cell Biol 34:34–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Wise D (1978) On the mechanism of prometaphase congression: Chromosome velocity as a function of position in the spindle. Chromosoma 69:231–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt PL, Ris H, Borisy GG (1980) Orgin of kinetochore microtubules in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Chromosoma 81:483–505

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Walter Steffen

    Present address: Department of Anatomy, University of Minnesota, 4-121 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. S.E., 55455, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Kaiserslautern, D-6750, Kaiserslautern, Federal Republic of Germany

    Walter Steffen

Authors
  1. Walter Steffen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Steffen, W. Three-dimensional architecture of chromosome fibres in the crane fly: co-oriented autosomal bivalents and amphitelic sex univalents during prometaphase. Chromosoma 94, 107–114 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286988

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00286988

Keywords

Search

Navigation