Anaphase B Separates Poles by the Combined Action of Kinesins and Dynein

The second part of anaphase involves separation of the spindle poles in a process known as anaphase B. A major contributor to this movement is the involvement of the bipolar kinesin-5 proteins (Figure 18-43, B1). These motors associate with the overlapping polar microtubules, and since they are (+) end–directed motors, they push the poles apart. While this is happening, the polar microtubules have to grow to accommodate the increased distance between the spindle poles. Another motor—the microtubule (−) end–directed cytoplasmic dynein, localized and anchored on the cell cortex—pulls on the astral microtubules and thus helps separate the spindle poles (Figure 18-43, B2).