Mitosis: towards a molecular understanding of chromosome behavior

The past year has seen important contributions made to resolving how chromosomes attach to and move on the mitotic spindle of animal cells. These include the findings that: kinetochore microtubules are derived from the asters (i.e. centrosomes); poleward chromosome motion need not be coupled to kinetochore microtubules disassembly; the motor for poleward chromosome motion is associated with the kinetochore; and immunological evidence that this motor is cytoplasmic dynein.