Mechanical coordination between anaphase A and B drives asymmetric chromosome segregation.

ABSTRACT: Chromosome segregation during anaphase occurs through two mechanistically distinct processes: anaphase A, in which chromosomes move toward spindle poles, and anaphase B, in which the anaphase spindle elongates through cortical astral microtubule pulling forces. Caenorhabditis elegans embryos have been thought to rely primarily on anaphase B, with little to no contribution from anaphase A. Here, we uncover a novel anaphase A mechanism in C. elegans embryos, driven by the kinesin-13 KLP-7^MCAK and opposed by the kinesin-12 KLP-18. We found that the extent of chromosome segregation during anaphase A is asymmetrically regulated by cell polarity cues and modulated by mechanical tension within the spindle, generated by opposing forces acting on chromosomes and spindle pol

SUBMITTER: Dias Maia Henriques AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12621997 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature