Microtubule feedback and LET-99-dependent control of pulling forces ensure robust spindle position. (Biophysical Journal)

During asymmetric division of Caenorhabditis elegans zygote, to properly distribute cell fate determinants, the mitotic spindle is asymmetrically localized by a combination of centering and cortical pulling microtubule-mediated forces, the dynamics of the latter being regulated by mitotic progression. Here we show a novel and additional regulation of these forces by spindle position itself. For that, we observed the onset of transverse spindle oscillations which reflects the burst of anaphase pulling forces.