Cell Synchronization Techniques for Studying Mitosis

Joanne D Hadfield; Sargun Sokhi; Gordon K Chan

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-2736-5_6

Cell Synchronization Techniques for Studying Mitosis

Methods Mol Biol. 2022:2579:73-86. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2736-5_6.

Authors

Joanne D Hadfield^{1

2

3}, Sargun Sokhi^{1

3}, Gordon K Chan^{4

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
² Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
³ Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
⁴ Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. gkc@ualberta.ca.
⁵ Experimental Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada. gkc@ualberta.ca.
⁶ Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. gkc@ualberta.ca.

PMID: 36045199
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2736-5_6

Abstract

Cell synchronization allows the examination of cell cycle progression. Nocodazole and other microtubule poisons have been used extensively to interfere with microtubule function and arrest cells in mitosis. Since microtubules are important for many cellular functions, alternative cell cycle synchronization techniques independent of microtubule inhibition are also used for synchronizing cells in mitosis. Here we describe using nocodazole, STLC, and combining thymidine block with MG132 to synchronize cells in mitosis. These inhibitors are reversible and mitotic cells can be released into the G1 phase synchronously. These techniques can be applied to both Western blot and timelapse imaging to study mitotic progression.

Keywords: Cell cycle synchronization; Double thymidine block; MG132; Mitotic arrest; Nocodazole; STLC; Timelapse imaging.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cell Cycle
G1 Phase
Microtubules*
Mitosis*
Nocodazole / pharmacology

Substances

Nocodazole

Grants and funding

PJT-159585/CIHR/Canada