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Related Concept Videos

Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

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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...
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Forces Acting on Chromosomes02:11

Forces Acting on Chromosomes

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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. 
Microtubules and motor proteins exert two types of forces on...
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Separation of Sister Chromatids02:17

Separation of Sister Chromatids

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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...
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Cohesins02:20

Cohesins

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Cohesin protein complexes are a molecular glue that holds two sister chromatids together. They play an important role both in mitosis and meiosis. In mitosis, all cohesin complexes present on the chromosomes are removed before the start of the anaphase stage.
Cohesin complexes in Meiotic Division
Meiosis involves two distinct rounds of chromosomal segregation and cell divisions— Meiosis I followed by Meiosis II – producing four daughter cells. Meiosis I includes the separation of...
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The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

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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...
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Condensins02:15

Condensins

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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Live Cell Imaging of Chromosome Segregation During Mitosis
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Live Cell Imaging of Chromosome Segregation During Mitosis

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Chromosome Segregation: Reconstituting the Kinetochore.

Frederick G Westhorpe1, Aaron F Straight1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Stanford Medical School, Stanford, CA, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|December 7, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Scientists reconstituted a 21-subunit human centromere-kinetochore complex from purified components. This breakthrough recreates the crucial DNA-microtubule connection essential for chromosome segregation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Faithful chromosome segregation is vital for cell division.
  • The kinetochore complex mediates chromosome attachment to spindle microtubules.
  • Understanding kinetochore structure and function is crucial for cell cycle regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconstitute the complete human centromere-kinetochore complex in vitro.
  • To elucidate the structural and functional basis of chromosome-microtubule attachment.
  • To provide a platform for studying kinetochore dynamics and regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Reconstitution of a 21-subunit complex using purified human proteins.
  • Biochemical and biophysical assays to confirm complex integrity and function.

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Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
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Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 10, 2026

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Use of Time-Lapse Microscopy and Stage-Specific Nuclear Depletion of Proteins to Study Meiosis in S. cerevisiae
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Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
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  • In vitro assays to demonstrate microtubule binding capability.

    • Main Results:

    • Successfully reconstituted a large, multi-subunit human centromere-kinetochore complex.
    • The reconstituted complex accurately links centromeric DNA to spindle microtubules.
    • Demonstrated the functional relevance of the reconstituted complex in vitro.

    Conclusions:

    • The 21-subunit complex represents a key functional unit of the human kinetochore.
    • This reconstitution provides unprecedented insights into chromosome segregation mechanisms.
    • Opens new avenues for investigating kinetochore-associated disorders.