The spindle-assembly checkpoint in space and time.
In eukaryotes, the spindle-assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a ubiquitous safety device that ensures the fidelity of chromosome segregation in mitosis. The SAC prevents chromosome mis-segregation and aneuploidy, and its dysfunction is implicated in tumorigenesis. Recent molecular analyses have begun to shed light on the complex interaction of the checkpoint proteins with kinetochores--structures that mediate the binding of spindle microtubules to chromosomes in mitosis. These studies are finally starting to reveal the mechanisms of checkpoint activation and silencing during mitotic progression.
Musacchio
Andrea
A
Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy. andrea.musacchio@ifom-leo-campus.it
Salmon
Edward D
ED
D000782:Aneuploidy; D000818:Animals; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018816:Genes, cdc / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000502:physiology; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D010770:Phosphotransferases