Skip to main content
. 2021 Apr 26;10:e61974. doi: 10.7554/eLife.61974

Figure 6. Working model of DIAPH3 function in aNPC.

Figure 6.

(A) During mitosis, diaphanous three (DIAPH3) maintains the dynamics of cytoskeleton. Polarity proteins nuclear mitotic apparatus (NUMA) and G-protein signaling modulator 2 (GPSM2) assemble underneath cortical F-actin and recruit the dynein/dynactin motor protein complex. Dynein and dynactin interact with SPAG5/KNSTRN/CLASP1 located at the microtubule plus-end and attach astral microtubule (MT) to cell cortex, thus providing the pulling force for chromosome bipolar segregation (Okumura et al., 2018; Dunsch et al., 2011; Kern et al., 2016). (B) The position of polarity proteins NUMA/GPSM2 directs the orientation of the mitotic spindle and determines the type of division (proliferative versus neurogenic) of apical neural progenitor cells (aNPCs). (C, D) Absence of DIAPH3 destabilizes actin and MT and disrupts the expression of SPAG5, KNSTRN, GPSM2, PAR3, and NUMB, therefore weakening astral MT-cell cortex and spindle MT-kinetochore interactions. This causes spindle abnormalities, chromosome mis-alignment, and mis-segregation, and alters the fate decision of aNPCs.