{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Microtubule organizing centers regulate spindle positioning in mouse oocytes.
{Author}: Londoño-Vásquez D;Rodriguez-Lukey K;Behura SK;Balboula AZ;
{Journal}: Dev Cell
{Volume}: 57
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: 01 2022 24
{Factor}: 13.417
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.12.011
{Abstract}: During female meiosis I (MI), spindle positioning must be tightly regulated to ensure the fidelity of the first asymmetric division and faithful chromosome segregation. Although the role of F-actin in regulating these critical processes has been studied extensively, little is known about whether microtubules (MTs) participate in regulating these processes. Using mouse oocytes as a model system, we characterize a subset of MT organizing centers that do not contribute directly to spindle assembly, termed mcMTOCs. Using laser ablation, STED super-resolution microscopy, and chemical manipulation, we show that mcMTOCs are required to regulate spindle positioning and faithful chromosome segregation during MI. We discuss how forces exerted by F-actin on the spindle are balanced by mcMTOC-nucleated MTs to anchor the spindle centrally and to regulate its timely migration. Our findings provide a model for asymmetric cell division, complementing the current F-actin-based models, and implicate mcMTOCs as a major player in regulating spindle positioning.