Herein, we describe a novel method that addresses the above-mentioned problems, namely, a semi-intact cell assay coupled with green fluorescence protein (GFP)-visualization techniques. By using the semi-intact cell system, we can observe the morphological changes that occur in “preexisting” organelles during mitosis more easily, and, at the same time, can investigate the effects of exogenously added antibodies, drugs, and recombinant proteins on the process. By reconstituting cell cycle-dependent morphological changes in organelles using interphase or mitotic phase cytosol, we can dissect processes that occur in an orchestrated manner in the cells, morphologically and biochemically, into elementary reactions, and investigate the biochemical requirements for each reaction
