Abstract
Accurate segregation of chromosomes in mitosis requires that spindle microtubules attach sister kinetochores to opposite poles of the mitotic spindle (biorientation). To achieve biorientation of all chromosomes, incorrect attachments are selectively destabilized, providing a fresh opportunity to biorient, whereas correct attachments are stabilized. Tension across the centromere may be the signal that distinguishes different attachment states, as spindle microtubules pull bioriented sister kinetochores in the opposite direction. Destabilization of incorrect attachments requires the Ipl1/Aurora B kinase, which phosphorylates kinetochore substrates that directly interact with microtubules. The present review focuses on how Aurora B regulates attachments in response to centromere tension.
- Aurora B kinase
- biorientation
- chromosome
- kinetochore–microtubule attachment
- mitosis
- phosphatase
Footnotes
The Dynamic Cell: Joint Biochemical Society and British Society for Cell Biology Focused Meeting held at Appleton Tower, University of Edinburgh, U.K., 1–4 April 2009. Organized and Edited by Ian Dransfield (Edinburgh, U.K.), Margarete Heck (Edinburgh, U.K.), Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke (Cancer Research UK, London, U.K.), Robert Insall (Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, U.K.), Andrew McAinsh (Marie Curie Research Institute, Oxted, U.K.) and Barbara Reaves (Bath, U.K.).
Abbreviations: CENP-B, centromere protein B; FRET, fluorescence resonance energy transfer; INCENP, inner centromere protein; MCAK, mitotic centromere-associated kinesin; PP1, protein phosphatase 1
- © The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
October 2009
Volume: 37 Issue: 5
Actions
Open in Utopia Docs