Searching for the middle ground: mechanisms of chromosome alignment during mitosis - PubMed (original) (raw)

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Searching for the middle ground: mechanisms of chromosome alignment during mitosis

Tarun M Kapoor et al. J Cell Biol. 2002.

Abstract

The contributions of key molecules predicted to align chromosomes at the center of the mitotic spindle have been recently examined. New results dictate that models for how chromosomes align during the early stages of mitosis must be revised to integrate properties of microtubule-based motor proteins as well as microtubule dynamics.

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Figures

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Chromosome positioning on the mitotic spindle. Schematic representation of a cell in prophase (a), prometaphase (b–d), and metaphase (e) of mitosis indicating the microtubules (black), chromosomes (blue), and kinetochores (red). Thin black lines represent individual microtubules and thick black lines represent bundles of 10–40 microtubules within kinetochore fibers. Arrows indicate the direction of chromosome movement.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

Postional cues for chromosome congression may be derived by integrating two force gradients in the spindle, the polar ejection force and the traction fiber mechanism. A chromosome (blue) moving from left to right is shown. Red arrows indicate translocation of the traction fiber with the number of arrows proportional to the length and therefore the forces acting along the kinetochore fiber. The blue arrows correspond to the polar ejection force. This force is predicted to decrease as the distance from the pole increases. The kinetochores (red) are under tension and stretched (pulled apart) due to forces acting on chromosomes. The magnitude of tension at kinetochores can regulate the movement of a chromosome.

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References

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