Author Response: NuMA-Microtubule Interactions Are Critical for Spindle Orientation and the Morphogenesis of Diverse Epidermal Structures

This study examined the critical role of NuMA's microtubule-binding domain in spindle orientation and epidermal morphogenesis, particularly in hair follicle development. It demonstrated that NuMA-microtubule interactions were essential for proper spindle orientation, beyond merely recruiting dynein to the cortex. In mutant mice lacking this domain, defects in epidermal differentiation and spindle orientation were observed, indicating the importance of these interactions in organogenesis. The study also found that matrix-derived cells in these mutants lacked differentiation markers and were non-proliferative, suggesting a separation from pro-proliferative signals. While the research underscored the necessity of NuMA's microtubule binding for differentiation, it acknowledged limited mechanistic insights and the complexity of NuMA's interactions.