Spindle-localized F-actin regulates polar MTOC organization and the fidelity of meiotic spindle formation
Mammalian oocytes are notoriously prone to chromosome segregation errors leading to aneuploidy. The spindle provides the machinery for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. Mammalian oocytes lack centrioles and, therefore, the meiotic spindle relies on the organization of numerous acentriolar microtubule organizing centers into two poles (polar MTOCs, pMTOCs). The traditional view is that, in mammalian oocytes, microtubules are the sole cytoskeletal component responsible for regulating pMTOC organization and spindle assembly. We identified a novel F-actin pool that surrounds pMTOCs, forming F-actin cage-like structure. We demonstrated that F-actin localization on the spindle depends on unconventional myosins X and VIIb. Selective disruption of spindle-localized F-actin, using myosin X/VIIb knockdown oocytes or photoswitchable Optojasp-1, perturbed pMTOC organization, leading to unfocused spindle poles and chromosome missegregation. Here, we unveil an important function of F-actin in regulating pMTOC organization, a critical process for ensuring the fidelity of meiotic spindle formation and proper chromosome segregation.