Cortical capture of microtubules and spindle polarity in budding yeast – wheres the catch?
In asymmetric divisions, the mitotic spindle must align according to the cell polarity axis. This is achieved through targeting astral microtubules emanating from each spindle pole to opposite cell cortex compartments. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful genetic model for dissection of this complex process. Intense research in this yeast has rendered detailed models for a program linking actin organization and spindle orientation along the mother-bud axis. This program requires the separate contributions of Kar9p, a protein guiding microtubules along polarized actin cables, and the polarity determinant Bud6p/Aip3 that marks sites for cortical capture at the bud tip and bud neck. In an added layer of complexity, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) differentially regulates spindle pole function to dictate asymmetric spindle pole fate. Asymmetric contacts established by the spindle poles impart a further layer of extrinsic asymmetry restricting recruitment of Kar9p to the pole destined for t
