Microtubules and nuclear pores position centromeres and genes in neural stem cells.

Microtubules from the apical centrosome position centromeres near the nuclear envelope in Drosophila neural stem cells, with 100% of centromeres clustered asymmetrically during interphase.

• Why it matters: Understanding how chromatin organization influences cell division and gene regulation is crucial, especially as centromere positioning changes during development and disease, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown.
• What they did: The study examined Drosophila neural stem cells using microscopy and molecular techniques to analyze centromere positioning, microtubule connections, and gene localization, focusing on 100% of cells during interphase.
• The result: Centromere clustering depends on microtubules, Dynein, Mushroom body defect, and lamin, revealing a mechanism translating cell polarity into chromatin organization that may impact cell fate and stem cell behavior.