Antoine Guichet (Institute Jacques Monod Paris)

Coordination of different microtubule networks to position a nucleus asymmetrically

Host: Stefan Luschnig

The nucleus is traditionally depicted as a simple container of the cell's genome and as a spheroid in the cell center. However, nuclei are frequently positioned asymmetrically depending on the cell type, cell cycle stage, migratory state and differentiation status. The importance of this positioning is highlighted by the association of misplaced nuclei with brain and muscle pathologies. Important efforts have been made to decipher the mechanisms involved in the positioning and shaping of the nucleus in different biological systems. In all cases a common requirement is the transfer of active cytoskeleton-mediated forces to the nuclear envelope. However, in many instances both actin and MTs are involved at the same time making it difficult to fully understand the specific role of each of them. The Drosophila oocyte provides an ideal system in which only the MTs control positioning of the nucleus. In addition, it represents an excellent model to study the integration of different MT networks involved in one biological process.

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