title: Spindle assembly in animal cells.
abstract: Chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis is driven by a complex superstructure called the spindle. Microtubules are the primary structural component of spindles, and spindle assembly and function are intimately linked to the intrinsic dynamics of microtubules. This review summarizes spindle structure and highlights recent findings regarding the mechanisms and molecules involved in organizing microtubules into spindles. In addition, mechanisms for chromosome movement and segregation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA. duane.a.compton@dartmouth.edu
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Compton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018385:Centrosome / Q000502:physiology; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology; D008870:Microtubules / Q000502:physiology; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins