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

The study investigated the role of NuMA's microtubule-binding domain in spindle orientation and its impact on epidermal structures, including hair follicles. It demonstrated that NuMA's microtubule binding was crucial for proper spindle orientation, as mutants lacking this domain showed defects in epidermal differentiation and hair follicle development, likely due to spindle randomization. The research highlighted that while cortical dynein could induce spindle oscillations, it was insufficient for robust spindle positioning without NuMA-microtubule interactions. Although the study provided insights into the separation of spindle orientation from assembly issues, the exact mechanism by which spindle orientation changes led to observed phenotypes remained unclear, and further experiments were needed to clarify the direct effects on epidermal differentiation and hair follicle development.