The equatorial position of the metaphase plate ensures symmetric cell divisions

eLife

Damian Dudka¹  Ivana Gasic¹  Helder Maiato²  Chia Huei Tan²  Sabina P Huber-Reggi²  Marin Barisic³  Patrick Meraldi⁴ 

[1] Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland;Department of Physiology and Metabolism, Medical Faculty, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland;Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland;Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal;

关键词: cell division;    spindle assembly checkpoint;    mitosis;    kinetochore;    centrosome;    spindle;   

DOI  :  10.7554/eLife.05124

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Chromosome alignment in the middle of the bipolar spindle is a hallmark of metazoan cell divisions. When we offset the metaphase plate position by creating an asymmetric centriole distribution on each pole, we find that metaphase plates relocate to the middle of the spindle before anaphase. The spindle assembly checkpoint enables this centering mechanism by providing cells enough time to correct metaphase plate position. The checkpoint responds to unstable kinetochore–microtubule attachments resulting from an imbalance in microtubule stability between the two half-spindles in cells with an asymmetric centriole distribution. Inactivation of the checkpoint prior to metaphase plate centering leads to asymmetric cell divisions and daughter cells of unequal size; in contrast, if the checkpoint is inactivated after the metaphase plate has centered its position, symmetric cell divisions ensue. This indicates that the equatorial position of the metaphase plate is essential for symmetric cell divisions.

【 授权许可】

Unknown