Pericentric chromatin is an elastic component of the mitotic spindle.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prior to chromosome segregation, the mitotic spindle bi-orients and aligns sister chromatids along the metaphase plate. During metaphase, spindle length remains constant, which suggests that spindle forces (inward and outward) are balanced. The contribution of microtubule motors, regulators of microtubule dynamics, and cohesin to spindle stability has been previously studied. In this study, we examine the contribution of chromatin structure on kinetochore positioning and spindle-length control. After nucleosome depletion, by either histone H3 or H4 repression, spindle organization was examined by live-cell fluorescence microscopy.

Results

Histone repression led to a 2-fold increase in sister-centromere separation and an equal increase in metaphase spindle length.

SUBMITTER: Bouck DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1937037 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature