NEW ARRAYS OF CYTOPLASMIC MICROTUBULES IN THE FISSION YEAST SCHIZOSACCHAROMYCES-POMBE

New arrays of microtubules in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which distribute in the cell in a cell cycle-dependent manner. were characterized using conventional and confocal laser scanning immunofluorescence microscopy. During the interphase and prophase, we observed abundant cytoplasmic microtubules between cell poles, a peripheral network of randomly and helically distributed cortical microtubules, and perinuclear microtubules surrounding the nucleus. At the anaphase and telophase, an equatorial ring containing tubulin was visualized. This ring colocalized with an actin contractile ring, suggesting that they may control the plane of cell division cooperatively.