Identification of novel factors that promote spindle positioning in the C. elegans embryo

Abstract

LIN-5, GPR-1/2, and the Ga proteins GOA-1 and GPA-16, have previously been identified as key regulators of spindle positioning. In this thesis we identified other components that contribute to the different spindle and nuclear positioning events in the early embryo, either acting together, or independently of the LIN-5 complex. The link to mitochondria and the ER in these processes was surprising. The combined results in this thesis emphasize that in addition to cortical microtubule interactions, different cellular organelles could provide localized cues that contribute to spindle and nuclear positioning