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Characterization of the mitotic traction system, and evidence that birefringent spindle fibers neither produce nor transmit force for chromosome movement

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Abstract

Living crane fly spermatocytes were irradiated in various areas, and changes in chromosome movement and changes in spindle fiber birefringence were measured.

The traction system was localized in the chromosomal spindle fibers; an undamaged traction fiber extending at least 1/2 the fiber length (from the chromosome) is necessary for normal movement. The results suggest, however, that the birefringent fiber is separate from the traction fiber, and therefore that the chromosomal spindle fiber is composed of at least 2 components. Otherwise, the following results characterize the traction fiber: birefringence is not necessary for movement, birefringence and movement are affected independently, the birefringent fiber moves poleward when the associated chromosome does not move, and the birefringent fiber moves poleward at a rate not related to that of the associated chromosome. These and other results are more easily explained under the assumptions: (1) during anaphase, the birefringent fiber is independent of the traction fiber, and (2) prior to anaphase, the birefringent fiber is not independent of the traction fiber.

The traction system was further characterized as follows: the anaphase movements of sister dyads are interdependent; in a cell, different sister dyad pairs are independent during anaphase but are not independent prior to anaphase; the initial separation of dyads is autonomous; the spindle organization changes markedly between metaphase and anaphase; and, something in the interzonal region is necessary for the subsequent division.

It was suggested that the interdependent movement of sister dyads is mediated via functioning kinetochores. It was further suggested that this interdependence is mediated via kinetochore-interzonal region interactions, and that the interzonal region is involved with regulating the amount of force on the chromosome.

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  1. Cytology Department, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, N.H., USA

    Arthur Forer

  2. Biological Institute of the Carlsberg Foundation, Tagensvej 16, Copenhagen N, Denmark

    Arthur Forer

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Portions of this paper were presented to Dartmouth College in partial fullfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

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Forer, A. Characterization of the mitotic traction system, and evidence that birefringent spindle fibers neither produce nor transmit force for chromosome movement. Chromosoma 19, 44–98 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00332793

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