Forer, ArthurBerns, MichaelSheykhani, Rozhan2021-02-222021-02-222017-02Cytoskeleton (Hoboken). 2017 Feb;74(2):91-103.1949-3584https://doi.org/10.1002/cm.21347http://hdl.handle.net/10315/38109Separating anaphase chromosomes in crane-fly spermatocytes are connected by elastic tethers, as originally described by [LaFountain et al., 2002]: telomere-containing arm fragments severed from the arms move backwards to the partner telomeres. We have tested whether the tethers coordinate the movements of separating partner chromosomes. In other cell types anaphase chromosomes move faster, temporarily, when their kinetochore microtubules are severed. However, in crane-fly spermatocytes the chromosomes move at their usual speed when their kinetochore microtubules are severed. To test whether the absence of increased velocity is because tethers link the separating chromosomes and coordinate their movements, we cut tethers with a laser microbeam and then cut the kinetochore microtubules. After this procedure, the associated chromosome sped up, as in other cells. These results indicate that the movements of partner anaphase chromosomes in crane-fly spermatocytes are coordinated by elastic tethers connecting the two chromosomes and confirm that chromosomes speed up in anaphase when their kinetochore microtubules are severed.enWiley This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Cytoskeleton (Hoboken). 2017 Feb;74(2):91-103.], which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1002/cm.21347]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalanaphase chromosomesspindle functiontethersArticlehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27935262/