title: Insights from an erroneous kinetochore-microtubule attachment state.
abstract: Faithful distribution of the genome requires that sister kinetochores, which assemble on each chromatid during cell division, interact with dynamic microtubules from opposite spindle poles in a configuration called chromosome biorientation. Biorientation produces tension that increases the affinity of kinetochores for microtubules via ill-defined mechanisms. Non-bioriented kinetochore-microtubule (kt-MT) interactions are prevalent but short-lived due to an error correction pathway that reduces the affinity of kinetochores for microtubules. Interestingly, incorrect kt-MT interactions can be stabilized by experimentally applying force to misoriented chromosomes. Here, a live-cell force assay is utilized to characterize the molecular composition of a common type of improper kt-MT attachment. Our force-related studies are also discussed in the context of current models for tension-dependent stabilization of kt-MT interactions.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cane
authors.forename: Philip T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: McGilvray
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Maresca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020090:Chromosome Segregation / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016547:Kinesins / Q000378:metabolism; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000378:metabolism*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D008938:Mitosis / Q000502:physiology*; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C080298:Nod protein, Drosophila; D016547:Kinesins
keywords: BubR1; Mad1; aurora B kinase; cell division; error correction; kinetochore; microtubule; spindle assembly checkpoint; syntelic attachment