title: Stochastic modelling of chromosomal segregation: errors can introduce correction.
abstract: Cell division is a complex process requiring the cell to have many internal checks so that division may proceed and be completed correctly. Failure to divide correctly can have serious consequences, including progression to cancer. During mitosis, chromosomal segregation is one such process that is crucial for successful progression. Accurate segregation of chromosomes during mitosis requires regulation of the interactions between chromosomes and spindle microtubules. If left uncorrected, chromosome attachment errors can cause chromosome segregation defects which have serious effects on cell fates. In early prometaphase, where kinetochores are exposed to multiple microtubules originating from the two poles, there are frequent errors in kinetochore-microtubule attachment. Erroneous attachments are classified into two categories, syntelic and merotelic. In this paper, we consider a stochastic model for a possible function of syntelic and merotelic kinetochores, and we provide theoretical evidence that merotely can contribute to lessening the stochastic noise in the time for completion of the mitotic process in eukaryotic cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Applied Mathematics, Brown University, 182 George Street, Providence, RI , 02912, USA, matzavinos@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matzavinos
authors.forename: Blerta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shtylla
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Voller
authors.forename: Sijia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Mark A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chaplain
mesh_terms: D020090:Chromosome Segregation / Q000235:genetics*; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D018386:Kinetochores; D008870:Microtubules / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D013269:Stochastic Processes