Yes, cells can progress through certain phases of cell division, including from anaphase to a subsequent mitosis, even with significantly diminished or altered microtubules. However, the process is often aberrant.
Here's a breakdown:
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Microtubules' Role in Cell Division: Microtubules are crucial components of the mitotic spindle, which is responsible for separating chromosomes during cell division. They ensure each daughter cell receives the correct number of chromosomes.
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Division Without Functional Microtubules: The provided information indicates that cells can move from anaphase (the stage where chromosomes separate) to the next mitotic stage even when microtubules are disrupted by substances like nocodazole (which inhibits microtubule formation) or stabilized by Taxol.
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Aberrant Division: Although cells might progress through these phases kinetically (in terms of timing), the quality of the division is compromised. Complete and accurate chromosome segregation is unlikely to occur normally without a functional mitotic spindle. The daughter cells may end up with an abnormal number of chromosomes (aneuploidy), which can lead to cell death or genetic instability.
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Implications: These findings suggest that while some cell cycle checkpoints might allow cells to proceed even with microtubule dysfunction, the resulting divisions are often flawed. Therefore, while the timing of the division might be "normal," the fidelity of chromosome separation is not.
In summary, while the cell cycle can proceed despite compromised microtubules, leading to a progression from anaphase to subsequent mitosis, the resultant divisions are often aberrant, producing genetically unstable daughter cells.
