Megakaryocytes are highly specialized precursor cells that differentiate to produce blood
platelets via intermediate cytoplasmic extensions known as proplatelets. Recent advances
in the understanding of megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet formation rely on a
combination of genetic and cell biological studies with detailed structural analysis of cultured
cells. Visualization of sequential steps in endomitosis has expanded our views on how
megakaryocytes acquire polyploid DNA content, whereas studies in mouse models of …