Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Mitotic forces control a cell-cycle checkpoint

X Li¹, R B Nicklas

¹Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708-1000.

|February 16, 1995

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Checkpoint signals in grasshopper meiosis are sensitive to microtubule attachment, but tension is still essential.

Journal of cell science·2001

Same author

Dynein is a transient kinetochore component whose binding is regulated by microtubule attachment, not tension.

The Journal of cell biology·2000

Same author

Tension on chromosomes increases the number of kinetochore microtubules but only within limits.

Journal of cell science·2000

Same author

The reduction of chromosome number in meiosis is determined by properties built into the chromosomes.

The Journal of cell biology·2000

Same author

Kinetochore "memory" of spindle checkpoint signaling in lysed mitotic cells.

Cell motility and the cytoskeleton·2000

Same author

Mad2 binding by phosphorylated kinetochores links error detection and checkpoint action in mitosis.

Current biology : CB·1999

Same journal

Daily briefing: 'Cyborg' cockroaches breathe underwater with printed suit.

Nature·2026

Same journal

China boosts prestigious grants for young scientists - will it ease competition?

Nature·2026

Same journal

Incoming US science academy chief vows to 'double down' on research.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Author Correction: Synthesis of enantioenriched atropisomers by biocatalytic deracemization.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Electrodeposited self-assembled molecules for perovskite photovoltaics.

Nature·2026

Same journal

Neutrino's nursery found: the 'Shadow Blaster'.

Nature·2026

See all related articles

Cell division requires accurate chromosome distribution. A cell-cycle checkpoint detects improper chromosome attachment by sensing a lack of tension, ensuring correct cell division and preventing errors.

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Genetics

Background:

Accurate chromosome segregation is crucial during cell division.
Errors in chromosome attachment to the mitotic spindle trigger cell-cycle checkpoints.
The mechanism by which improper attachment is detected remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate whether absence of tension is the primary signal for detecting improperly attached chromosomes.
To determine if applying tension can override the checkpoint-induced delay in cell division.

Main Methods:

Utilized micromanipulation to apply tension to improperly attached chromosomes in dividing cells.
Monitored the timing of anaphase entry and mitotic completion under varying tension conditions.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

In the absence of tension, cells showed a significant delay (5-6 hours) in anaphase entry and mitotic completion.
Applying tension to the misattached chromosome accelerated anaphase entry to an average of 56 minutes.
Tension, whether from mitotic forces or external manipulation, effectively signaled to the cell-cycle checkpoint.

Conclusions:

Absence of tension is a key signal for the cell-cycle checkpoint to detect improper chromosome attachment.
Mechanical tension serves as a critical cue for the checkpoint to permit the progression of cell division.
This finding elucidates a fundamental mechanism of mitotic error correction.