Asymmetric division Text and image sources are included using the notes function of this file

All centrosomes are not equivalent! DNA Microtubules IoDPP mRNA

Yeast spindle orientation GFP-tubulin Dyn1:His3 Video

MTOC reorientation to the immunological synapse in single positive mature T-cells

Ash1 mRNA (encoding a transcriptional repressor of MAT switching) is transported into the daughter in budding yeast Locasome transport requires formin-initiated microfilament cables and a myosin V family member (Myo4p)

3’UTR structure is important Ash1 mRNA ash1 mutants don’t switch

Proteins are segregated to the bud too Both the Ist2p protein and mRNA are localized to the bud

Caenorhabditis elegans Video

Caenorhabditis elegans development GFP::histone fusion Female Male Pronuclei Video

P-granule partitioning

P-granules fill at the NE

Cytochalasin Wild-type partitioning Nocodazole GFP::P granules at the movies 3 Videos

Localization of Par-2::GFP Video

Par2::GFP is increasingly restricted to the P lineage Video

Par mutant phenotypes

Setting it all up Mex-5 Mex-6 Par3/6/aPKC Pie-1 Par-1 Par-2 P-granules

Pop goes the weasel!

Xenopus development

The first cleavages split the embryo on its three axes and continue to generate a mass of cells Video

Veg1 binds to VERA on ER Gel shift assayDensity gradient centrifugation

METRO organizes traffic

Localization of mRNAs in Drosophila oskarbicoid

Drosophila disconnects mitosis from cytokinesis GFP-tau marks microtubules Video

Pole cells get polar granules

Microinjection rescues the day!

Anterior-Posterior Gradients

Cascades of gene activity set up the Drosophila body plan

Loss of Bicoid results in no head! Wt larval head bicoid null

Mislocalization of Nanos gives two tails

Cellularization traps nuclei with different RNA populations that are translated to make create different microenvironments Bicoid, even-skipped and caudal

Partitioning of Cdx2 in the mouse embryo Deb K, Sivaguru M, Yong HY, Roberts RM. Cdx2 gene expression and trophectoderm lineage specification in mouse embryos. Science Feb 17;311(5763):992-6.

Another Drosophila example: neurogenesis Muscle precursors Postmitotic Neurons Sensory precursors Apical surface Notch GMC

Cell division in Drosophila epidermoblasts Basal Apical Video

Neuroblast spindle rotation in metaphase Basal Apical Video

Asymmetric neuroblast division Basal Apical Video

Numb partitioning DNA and Numb protein and centrosomes Anaphase Telophase Neuroblast GMC Apical Basal

GFP-PON (partner of Numb) basal apical Video

PON localization precedes spindle rotation Cell expressing both GFP::PON and GFP::tubulin Video

Asymmetric components Inscuteable + Partner of Inscuteable (PINS) Baz(Par3)/Par6/aPKC and Galphai (G-protein) Numb Partner of Numb (PON) Neuroblast (Apical) (Basal) GMC MyoVI Miranda Stauffen (RNA binding) + Prospero ( homeodomain transcr. factor) +-+-

Inscuteable RNAi disrupts rotation Note cell still appears to divide asymmetrically Basal Apical Video

Mutations in the tumor suppressor Discs Large cause loss of polarioty Wild type Mutant basal apical