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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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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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Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
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Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
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The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which...
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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.
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Updated: Sep 27, 2025

Combining Mitotic Cell Synchronization and High Resolution Confocal Microscopy to Study the Role of Multifunctional Cell Cycle Proteins During Mitosis
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Mitotic WNT: aligning chromosomes through KIF2A.

Anja Bufe1, Sergio P Acebrón1

  • 1Centre for Organismal Studies, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.

Molecular & Cellular Oncology
|April 14, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Basal WNT signaling is crucial for cell division, ensuring chromosomes align correctly during mitosis. This pathway regulates kinesin family member 2A (KIF2A), preventing errors in cell cycle progression and potential tumor formation.

Keywords:
PLK1WNT signalingchromosome congressiondisheveledkinesin-13

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • WNT signaling, a key pathway involving β-catenin dependent transcription, regulates cell cycle and fate.
  • Misregulation of WNT signaling is frequently linked to tumorigenesis.
  • Basal WNT activity's role in mitosis was previously unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of basal WNT signaling in mitotic chromosome alignment.
  • To identify specific WNT targets involved in ensuring proper chromosome segregation.
  • To elucidate the connection between WNT pathway regulation and cancer development.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized molecular biology techniques to study WNT signaling pathways.
  • Investigated the regulation of kinesin family member 2A (KIF2A) by WNT.
  • Analyzed chromosome alignment during mitosis in response to WNT pathway modulation.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated that basal WNT activity is essential for correct chromosome alignment during mitosis.
  • Identified kinesin family member 2A (KIF2A) as a key regulator downstream of WNT signaling in mitosis.
  • Showcased the direct link between WNT-mediated KIF2A regulation and mitotic fidelity.

Conclusions:

  • Basal WNT signaling plays a critical, previously unrecognized role in mitotic accuracy.
  • Dysregulation of this WNT-KIF2A axis may contribute to chromosomal instability and tumorigenesis.
  • Targeting the WNT pathway offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancers with mitotic defects.