Microneedle manipulation of the mammalian spindle reveals specialized, short-lived reinforcement near chromosomes

Abstract

The spindle generates force to segregate chromosomes at cell division. In mammalian cells, kinetochore-fibers connect chromosomes to the spindle. The dynamic spindle anchors kinetochore-fibers in space and time to coordinate chromosome movement. Yet, how it does so remains poorly understood as we lack tools to directly challenge this anchorage. Here, we adapt microneedle manipulation to exert local forces on the spindle with spatiotemporal control. Pulling on kinetochore-fibers reveals that the spindle retains local architecture in its center on the seconds timescale. Upon pulling, sister, but not neighbor, kinetochore-fibers remain tightly coupled, restricting chromosome stretching. Further, pulled kinetochore-fibers freely pivot around poles but not around chromosomes, retaining their orientation within 3 {micro}m of chromosomes. This local reinforcement has a 20 s lifetime, and requires the microtubule crosslinker PRC1. Together, these observations indicate short-lived, specialized reinforcement of the kinetochore-fiber in the spindle center. This could help the spindle protect local structure near chromosomes from transient forces while allowing its remodeling over longer timescales, thereby supporting robust chromosome attachments and movements.