biostudies-literatureAlushin GHoward Hughes Medical InstituteNIGMS NIH HHS661-9https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3189262biostudies-literatureUnknown21(5)Kinetochores are large macromolecular assemblies that link chromosomes to spindle microtubules (MTs) during mitosis. Here we review recent advances in the study of core MT-binding kinetochore complexes using electron microcopy methods in vitro and nanometer-accuracy fluorescence microscopy in vivo. We synthesize these findings in novel three-dimensional models of both the budding yeast and vertebrate kinetochore in different stages of mitosis. There is a growing consensus that kinetochores are highly dynamic, supra-molecular machines that undergo dramatic structural rearrangements in response to MT capture and spindle forces during mitosis.Current opinion in structural biologyVisualizing kinetochore architecture.PMC3189262P01 GM051487P01 GM051487-17Nogales EAlushin GfalseVisualizing kinetochore architecture.Kinetochores are large macromolecular assemblies that link chromosomes to spindle microtubules (MTs) during mitosis. Here we review recent advances in the study of core MT-binding kinetochore complexes using electron microcopy methods in vitro and nanometer-accuracy fluorescence microscopy in vivo. We synthesize these findings in novel three-dimensional models of both the budding yeast and vertebrate kinetochore in different stages of mitosis. There is a growing consensus that kinetochores are highly dynamic, supra-molecular machines that undergo dramatic structural rearrangements in response to MT capture and spindle forces during mitosis.2011-01-01T00:00:00Z2011 Oct2024-11-21T00:12:56.961Z2019-06-05T16:47:48ZS-EPMC31892622186232010.1016/j.sbi.2011.07.009