title: The Tubulin Code: A Navigation System for Chromosomes during Mitosis.
abstract: Before chromosomes segregate during mitosis in metazoans, they align at the cell equator by a process known as chromosome congression. This is in part mediated by the coordinated activities of kinetochore motors with opposite directional preferences that transport peripheral chromosomes along distinct spindle microtubule populations. Because spindle microtubules are all made from the same α/β-tubulin heterodimers, a critical longstanding question has been how chromosomes are guided to specific locations during mitosis. This implies the existence of spatial cues/signals on specific spindle microtubules that are read by kinetochore motors on chromosomes and ultimately indicate the way towards the equator. Here, we discuss the emerging concept that tubulin post-translational modifications (PTMs), as part of the so-called tubulin code, work as a navigation system for kinetochore-based chromosome motility during early mitosis.
authors.affiliation: Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Cell Division Laboratory, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: barisic@cancer.dk.
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barisic
authors.affiliation: Chromosome Instability and Dynamics Laboratory, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde - i3S, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Cell Division Unit, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: maiato@ibmc.up.pt.
authors.forename: Helder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maiato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018386:Kinetochores / Q000378:metabolism; D008938:Mitosis; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014404:Tubulin
keywords: CENP-E; Dynein; detyrosination; motors; post-translational modifications; tubulin code