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A contractile nuclear actin network drives chromosome congression in oocytes

Author

Listed:
  • Péter Lénárt

    (European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
    Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP))

  • Christian P. Bacher

    (German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ))

  • Nathalie Daigle

    (European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL))

  • Arthur R. Hand

    (Departments of Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pediatric Dentistry and Advanced General Dentistry)

  • Roland Eils

    (German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ))

  • Mark Terasaki

    (University of Connecticut Health Center
    Marine Biological Laboratory)

  • Jan Ellenberg

    (European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL))

Abstract

Chromosome capture by microtubules is widely accepted as the universal mechanism of spindle assembly in dividing cells. However, the observed length of spindle microtubules and computer simulations of spindle assembly predict that chromosome capture is efficient in small cells, but may fail in cells with large nuclear volumes such as animal oocytes. Here we investigate chromosome congression during the first meiotic division in starfish oocytes. We show that microtubules are not sufficient for capturing chromosomes. Instead, chromosome congression requires actin polymerization. After nuclear envelope breakdown, we observe the formation of a filamentous actin mesh in the nuclear region, and find that contraction of this network delivers chromosomes to the microtubule spindle. We show that this mechanism is essential for preventing chromosome loss and aneuploidy of the egg—a leading cause of pregnancy loss and birth defects in humans.

Suggested Citation

  • Péter Lénárt & Christian P. Bacher & Nathalie Daigle & Arthur R. Hand & Roland Eils & Mark Terasaki & Jan Ellenberg, 2005. "A contractile nuclear actin network drives chromosome congression in oocytes," Nature, Nature, vol. 436(7052), pages 812-818, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:436:y:2005:i:7052:d:10.1038_nature03810
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03810
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