The doublecortin-family kinase ZYG-8DCLK1 regulates microtubule dynamics and motor-driven forces to promote the stability of C. elegans acentrosomal spindles.

Although centrosomes help organize spindles in most cell types, oocytes of most species lack these structures. During acentrosomal spindle assembly in C. elegans oocytes, microtubule minus ends are sorted outwards away from the chromosomes where they form poles, but then these outward forces must be balanced to form a stable bipolar structure.

Polo-like kinase 1 prevents excess microtubule polymerization in oocytes to ensure faithful meiosis.

Sexual reproduction relies on meiosis, a specialized cell division program that produces haploid gametes. Oocytes of most organisms lack centrosomes, and therefore chromosome segregation is mediated by acentrosomal spindles. Here, we explore the role of Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK-1) in oocytes, revealing mechanisms that ensure the fidelity of this unique form of cell division.

The doublecortin-family kinase ZYG-8 regulates motor activity to achieve proper force balance in acentrosomal spindles.

Although centrosomes help organize spindles in most cell types, oocytes of most species lack these structures. During acentrosomal spindle assembly in oocytes, microtubule minus ends are sorted outwards away from the chromosomes where they form poles, but then these outward forces must be balanced to form a stable bipolar structure. How proper force balance is achieved in these spindles is not known.