The Microtubule Cytoskeleton in Chromosome Segregation and Beyond

Dear Colleagues,

Faithful chromosome segregation during cell division is accomplished by a highly sophisticated molecular machine termed the mitotic (or meiotic) spindle. The spindle is composed of microtubules, polar, dynamic filaments formed by polymerization of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers. New microtubules are generated and organized at centrosomes and other structures collectively called microtubule-organizing centers. Defects in spindle assembly and positioning may lead to cell death or genomic abnormalities—the underlying causes of diseases, such as developmental disorders and cancer.

In interphase and postmitotic cells, the microtubule-nucleating capacity of centrosomes is usually attenuated and reassigned to other sites, as a means to achieve the microtubule cytoskeleton architecture best suited for the needs of each particular cell type. Microtubules form an intracellular scaffold that helps to maintain cell shape and act as tracks along which motor proteins transport a variety of cargo to different cellular compartments. Emerging evidence suggests that microtubule assembly in quiescent and differentiated cells involves certain spindle assembly proteins (or their paralogs) and may require the activity of mitotic protein kinases.

Owing to its indispensable role in cell division and in various cellular processes, the microtubule cytoskeleton is an attractive therapeutic target. Indeed, the microtubule-targeting agents are among the most effective drugs used in cancer chemotherapy and also show great promise for treating neurodegenerative disorders. By contrast, clinical application of antimitotic drugs, such as inhibitors of mitotic kinases, has been less successful, for reasons yet unknown. Comprehensive knowledge of how the microtubule cytoskeleton is formed and functions in dividing and quiescent cells may substantially advance our understanding of disease pathogenesis and help develop new effective treatments. We hope this Special Issue of Cells will be a step towards achieving this goal. We invite your contributions, either in the form of original research articles, short communications, or reviews, related to the following topics:

• Mitotic and meiotic spindle assembly in various eukaryotes;
• Chromosome segregation;
• Centrosomal and noncentrosomal microtubule-organizing centers;
• Microtubule nucleation, dynamics, and organization;
• Spindle positioning and cell polarity;
• The interplay between the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons;
• Microtubule cytoskeleton remodeling during cell differentiation;
• Mitotic surveillance mechanisms;
• Regulation of microtubule cytoskeleton by disease-related proteins;
• Mechanisms of action of microtubule-targeting and antimitotic agents.

Dr. Vladimir Joukov
Prof. Masamitsu Sato
Guest Editors

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