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Related Concept Videos

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
Separation of Sister Chromatids02:17

Separation of Sister Chromatids

At the transition from prophase to metaphase, there is a reduction in cohesion along the chromosomal arms, resulting in the resolution of sister chromatids. However, residual cohesin connections remain to hold the sister chromatids together until the transition from metaphase to anaphase. The residual connection prevents any premature separation of sister chromatids, blocking the risks of aneuploidy within the daughter cells.
At the onset of anaphase, separase, a proteolytic enzyme, is...
Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules.  Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall of a...
Spindle Assembly02:50

Spindle Assembly

Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a microtubule array...
Condensins02:15

Condensins

Condensins are large protein complexes that use ATP to fuel the assembly of chromosomes during mitosis. They transform the tangled, shapeless mass of post-interphase DNA into individualized chromosomes by compacting, organizing, and segregating chromosomal DNA.
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Evaluation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Integrity in Mouse Oocytes
10:09

Evaluation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Integrity in Mouse Oocytes

Published on: September 13, 2022

MAD contortions: conformational dimerization boosts spindle checkpoint signaling.

Marina Mapelli1, Andrea Musacchio

  • 1Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, Via Adamello 16, I-20139 Milan, Italy.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology
|October 9, 2007
PubMed
Summary

The mitotic checkpoint protein Mad2

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The mitotic checkpoint ensures accurate chromosome segregation.
  • Mad2 is a key protein in the mitotic checkpoint machinery.
  • Mad2's function is linked to its ability to adopt two distinct structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural mechanisms underlying Mad2 activation.
  • To understand the role of Mad2's topological transition in checkpoint signaling.
  • To provide a molecular basis for kinetochore-catalyzed checkpoint activation.

Main Methods:

  • Structural biology techniques (e.g., X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy).
  • Biochemical assays to study protein-protein interactions.
  • In vitro reconstitution of checkpoint components.

More Related Videos

Studying Mitotic Checkpoint by Illustrating Dynamic Kinetochore Protein Behavior and Chromosome Motion in Living Drosophila Syncytial Embryos
13:59

Studying Mitotic Checkpoint by Illustrating Dynamic Kinetochore Protein Behavior and Chromosome Motion in Living Drosophila Syncytial Embryos

Published on: June 14, 2012

Combining Mitotic Cell Synchronization and High Resolution Confocal Microscopy to Study the Role of Multifunctional Cell Cycle Proteins During Mitosis
08:33

Combining Mitotic Cell Synchronization and High Resolution Confocal Microscopy to Study the Role of Multifunctional Cell Cycle Proteins During Mitosis

Published on: December 5, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Evaluation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Integrity in Mouse Oocytes
10:09

Evaluation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Integrity in Mouse Oocytes

Published on: September 13, 2022

Studying Mitotic Checkpoint by Illustrating Dynamic Kinetochore Protein Behavior and Chromosome Motion in Living Drosophila Syncytial Embryos
13:59

Studying Mitotic Checkpoint by Illustrating Dynamic Kinetochore Protein Behavior and Chromosome Motion in Living Drosophila Syncytial Embryos

Published on: June 14, 2012

Combining Mitotic Cell Synchronization and High Resolution Confocal Microscopy to Study the Role of Multifunctional Cell Cycle Proteins During Mitosis
08:33

Combining Mitotic Cell Synchronization and High Resolution Confocal Microscopy to Study the Role of Multifunctional Cell Cycle Proteins During Mitosis

Published on: December 5, 2017

Main Results:

  • Mad2 exists in two distinct conformational states.
  • The transition between these states is a critical, rate-limiting step in checkpoint activation.
  • Direct interaction between Mad2 conformers accelerates this transition.

Conclusions:

  • Mad2's dual topology is central to mitotic checkpoint function.
  • A self-activation mechanism involving Mad2 conformers drives checkpoint signaling.
  • This provides a molecular framework for kinetochores acting as catalysts for checkpoint activation.