The spindle checkpoint: a quality control mechanism which ensures accurate chromosome segregation.
The centromere defines where on a chromosome the kinetochores assemble. Kinetochores, large protein structures, mediate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis by performing three key functions. Firstly, kinetochores attach chromosomes to the microtubule spindle apparatus. Secondly, kinetochores co-ordinate microtubule dynamics to allow chromosomes to move along the spindle. Lastly, kinetochores generate the 'wait' signal which prevents anaphase onset until all the chromosomes are correctly aligned on the spindle. This signal forms part of the spindle checkpoint mechanism, a highly conserved cell cycle checkpoint which maintains the accuracy of the chromosome segregation process. This article provides a brief historical overview before focusing on some of the outstanding issues and more recent developments in the field.
School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, The Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom. stephen.taylor@man.ac.uk
Stephen S
SS
Taylor
Maria I F
MI
Scott
Andrew J
AJ
Holland
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D006801:Humans; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000378:metabolism*; D064246:Mad2 Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C577697:MAD2L1 protein, human; D064246:Mad2 Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases; C090464:Bub1 spindle checkpoint protein; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases