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Mitotic mechanism based on intrinsic microtubule behaviour

Nature volume 272, pages 450–452 (1978)Cite this article

Abstract

THE molecular mechanism of mitosis in higher eukaryotic cells is largely unknown. Here, we state briefly some aspects of the mitotic mechanism that are well characterised, add information derived from our recent investigations, and offer a new model of mitotic movement based on intrinsic microtubule behaviour. We propose that two events, poleward-sliding of anti-parallel microtubules and an opposite end assembly/disassembly of all microtubules, occur constantly throughout mitosis and act coordinately to produce mitotic movement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California, 93106

    ROBERT L. MARGOLIS & LESLIE WILSON

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06457

    BARRY I. KIEFER

Authors
  1. ROBERT L. MARGOLIS
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  2. LESLIE WILSON
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  3. BARRY I. KIEFER
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MARGOLIS, R., WILSON, L. & KIEFER, B. Mitotic mechanism based on intrinsic microtubule behaviour. Nature 272, 450–452 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/272450a0

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