An integrated mechanobiochemical feedback mechanism describes chromosome motility from prometaphase to anaphase in mitosis.

ABSTRACT: During mitosis, chromosomes undergo a series of movements while being end-on attached to the kinetochore microtubules (KMTs) from spindle poles. The mechanism underlying such movements and their physiological functions remains elusive. We describe a mechanobiochemical feedback model of chromosome motility. The key ingredient is a feedback mechanism between the local chemical reactions that control the dynamics of KMTs and the mechanical state of the chromosome via tension-sensitive proteins localized at the kinetochores. This model can recapitulate all of the essential and distinct features of chromosome motilities from prometaphase to anaphase in a coherent manner. We further show that this feedback mechanism provides robust and precise means of guiding the chromosome to the cell equator

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2544526 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature