Microtubule competition and cell growth recenter the nucleus after anaphase in fission yeast.

Cells actively position their nucleus based on their activity. In fission yeast, microtubule-dependent nuclear centering is critical for symmetrical cell division. After spindle disassembly at the end of anaphase, the nucleus recenters over a ~90 min period, approximately half of the duration of the cell cycle. Live cell and simulation experiments support the cooperation of two distinct mechanisms in the slow recentering of the nucleus. First, a push-push mechanism acts from spindle disassembly to septation and involves the opposing actions of the mitotic Spindle Pole Body microtubules that push the nucleus away from the ends of the cell while post-anaphase array of microtubules basket the nucleus and limit its migration toward the division plane. Second, a slow-and-grow mechanism finalizes nuclear centering in the newborn cell. In this mechanism, microtubule competition stalls the nucleus while asymmetric cell growth slowly centers it. Our work underlines how intrinsic properties of microtubules differently impact nuclear positioning according to microtubule network organization and cell size.