Figure 4.

Overview of megakaryocyte production of platelets. As megakaryocytes transition from immature cells (A) to released platelets (E), a systematic series of events occurs. (B) The cells first undergo nuclear endomitosis, organelle synthesis, and dramatic cytoplasmic maturation and expansion, while a microtubule array, emanating from centrosomes, is established. (C) Prior to the onset of proplatelet formation, centrosomes disassemble and microtubules translocate to the cell cortex. Proplatelet formation commences with the development of thick pseudopods. (D) Sliding of overlapping microtubules drives proplatelet elongation as organelles are tracked into proplatelet ends, where nascent platelets assemble. Proplatelet formation continues to expand throughout the cell while bending and branching amplify existing proplatelet ends. (E) The entire megakaryocyte cytoplasm is converted into a mass of proplatelets, which are released from the cell. The nucleus is eventually extruded from the mass of proplatelets, and individual platelets are released from proplatelet ends.