Dynein recruitment to nuclear pores activates apical nuclear migration and mitotic entry in brain progenitor cells.

Radial glial progenitors (RGPs) are elongated epithelial cells that give rise to neurons, glia, and adult stem cells during brain development. RGP nuclei migrate basally during G1, apically using cytoplasmic dynein during G2, and undergo mitosis at the ventricular surface. By live imaging of in utero electroporated rat brain, we find that two distinct G2-specific mechanisms for dynein nuclear pore recruitment are essential for apical nuclear migration.