Forced apart: a microtubule-based mechanism for equidistant positioning of multiple nuclei in single cells

Abstract Cells can position multiple copies of components like carboxysomes, nucleoids, and nuclei at regular intervals. By controlling positions, cells, for example, ensure equal partitioning organelles over daughter cells and, in the case nuclei, control cell sizes during cellularization. Mechanisms that generate patterns are as yet poorly understood. We used fission yeast cycle mutants to investigate dispersion by microtubule-generated forces single cells. After removing internuclear attractive microtubule-based molecular motors, we observed establishment nuclei. Based on live-cell imaging, hypothesized microtubule growth within spaces pushes neighbouring apart. In proposed mechanism, which was validated stochastic simulations, repulsive force weakens with increasing separation because shortening events limit extent microtubules forces. Our results, therefore, demonstrate how exploit dynamics equidistant positioning organelles.