Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
Published on: March 3, 2016
Toward a molecular structure of the eukaryotic kinetochore
Julie P I Welburn1, Iain M Cheeseman
1Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nine Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA. welburn@wi.mit.edu
Abstract:
Chromosome segregation in eukaryotes requires a large molecular assembly termed the kinetochore to attach chromosomes to spindle microtubules. Recent work has made substantial progress in defining the composition and activities of the kinetochore, but much remains to be learned about its macromolecular structure. This commentary discusses recent insights into structural features of the kinetochore, how these inform our understanding of its biological function, and the key challenges for the future.
Related Concept Videos
Attachment of Sister Chromatids
Attachment of Sister Chromatids
Forces Acting on Chromosomes
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
Forces Acting on Chromosomes
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
Anaphase A and B
Plus-end depolymerization releases tubulin heterodimers from the terminal region of the microtubule. As tubulin subunits are lost, the Ndc80 complexes detach...
Spindle Assembly
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...

