Mapping the driving forces of chromosome structure and segregation in Escherichia coli

Nathan J Kuwada1, Keith C Cheveralls, Beth Traxler

  • 1Department of Physics and Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA, Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA and Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

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Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

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During mitosis, chromosome movements occur through the interplay of multiple piconewton level forces. In prometaphase, these forces help in chromosome assembly or congression at the equatorial plane, eventually leading to their alignment at the metaphase plate. The forces acting on the chromosomes are space and time-dependent; therefore, they vary with the position of the chromosomes as the cell progresses through mitosis. 
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