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Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Jun 2018Microtubules act as "railways" for motor-driven intracellular transport, interact with accessory proteins to assemble into larger structures such as the mitotic spindle,... (Review)
Review
Microtubules act as "railways" for motor-driven intracellular transport, interact with accessory proteins to assemble into larger structures such as the mitotic spindle, and provide an organizational framework to the rest of the cell. Key to these functions is the fact that microtubules are "dynamic." As with actin, the polymer dynamics are driven by nucleotide hydrolysis and influenced by a host of specialized regulatory proteins, including microtubule-associated proteins. However, microtubule turnover involves a surprising behavior-termed dynamic instability-in which individual polymers switch stochastically between growth and depolymerization. Dynamic instability allows microtubules to explore intracellular space and remodel in response to intracellular and extracellular cues. Here, we review how such instability is central to the assembly of many microtubule-based structures and to the robust functioning of the microtubule cytoskeleton.
Topics: Animals; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Microtubules; Mitosis; Models, Molecular; Protein Conformation
PubMed: 29858272
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a022608 -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Jan 2015Meiosis is the specialized cell division that generates gametes. In contrast to mitosis, molecular mechanisms and regulation of meiosis are much less understood. Meiosis... (Review)
Review
Meiosis is the specialized cell division that generates gametes. In contrast to mitosis, molecular mechanisms and regulation of meiosis are much less understood. Meiosis shares mechanisms and regulation with mitosis in many aspects, but also has critical differences from mitosis. This review highlights these differences between meiosis and mitosis. Recent studies using various model systems revealed differences in a surprisingly wide range of aspects, including cell-cycle regulation, recombination, postrecombination events, spindle assembly, chromosome-spindle interaction, and chromosome segregation. Although a great degree of diversity can be found among organisms, meiosis-specific processes, and regulation are generally conserved.
Topics: Chromosomes, Human; Humans; Meiosis; Mitosis; Recombination, Genetic; Spindle Apparatus
PubMed: 25605710
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015859 -
Cell Metabolism Jun 2015Acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a central metabolic intermediate. The abundance of acetyl-CoA in distinct subcellular compartments reflects the general energetic state... (Review)
Review
Acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a central metabolic intermediate. The abundance of acetyl-CoA in distinct subcellular compartments reflects the general energetic state of the cell. Moreover, acetyl-CoA concentrations influence the activity or specificity of multiple enzymes, either in an allosteric manner or by altering substrate availability. Finally, by influencing the acetylation profile of several proteins, including histones, acetyl-CoA controls key cellular processes, including energy metabolism, mitosis, and autophagy, both directly and via the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Thus, acetyl-CoA determines the balance between cellular catabolism and anabolism by simultaneously operating as a metabolic intermediate and as a second messenger.
Topics: Acetyl Coenzyme A; Allosteric Regulation; Animals; Autophagy; Energy Metabolism; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Mitosis; Second Messenger Systems
PubMed: 26039447
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.05.014 -
The Journal of Cell Biology May 2023Enduring chromosome segregation errors represent potential threats to genomic stability due to eventual chromosome copy number alterations (aneuploidy) and formation of... (Review)
Review
Enduring chromosome segregation errors represent potential threats to genomic stability due to eventual chromosome copy number alterations (aneuploidy) and formation of micronuclei-key intermediates of a rapid mutational process known as chromothripsis that is found in cancer and congenital disorders. The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) has been viewed as the sole surveillance mechanism that prevents chromosome segregation errors during mitosis and meiosis. However, different types of chromosome segregation errors stemming from incorrect kinetochore-microtubule attachments satisfy the SAC and are more frequent than previously anticipated. Remarkably, recent works have unveiled that most of these errors are corrected during anaphase and only rarely result in aneuploidy or formation of micronuclei. Here, we discuss recent progress in our understanding of the origin and fate of chromosome segregation errors that satisfy the SAC and shed light on the surveillance, correction, and clearance mechanisms that prevent their transmission, to preserve genomic stability.
Topics: Humans; Anaphase; Aneuploidy; Chromosome Segregation; Kinetochores; Microtubules; Mitosis; Spindle Apparatus; Genomic Instability
PubMed: 37017932
DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202301106 -
Journal of Cell Science Sep 2020Human retinal pigment epithelial-1 (RPE-1) cells are increasingly being used as a model to study mitosis because they represent a non-transformed alternative to cancer...
Human retinal pigment epithelial-1 (RPE-1) cells are increasingly being used as a model to study mitosis because they represent a non-transformed alternative to cancer cell lines, such as HeLa cervical adenocarcinoma cells. However, the lack of an efficient method to synchronize RPE-1 cells in mitosis precludes their application for large-scale biochemical and proteomics assays. Here, we report a protocol to synchronize RPE-1 cells based on sequential treatments with the Cdk4 and Cdk6 inhibitor PD 0332991 (palbociclib) and the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole. With this method, the vast majority (80-90%) of RPE-1 cells arrested at prometaphase and exited mitosis synchronously after release from nocodazole. Moreover, the cells fully recovered and re-entered the cell cycle after the palbociclib-nocodazole block. Finally, we show that this protocol could be successfully employed for the characterization of the protein-protein interaction network of the kinetochore protein Ndc80 by immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry. This synchronization method significantly expands the versatility and applicability of RPE-1 cells to the study of cell division and might be applied to other cell lines that do not respond to treatments with DNA synthesis inhibitors.
Topics: Humans; Kinetochores; Mitosis; Nocodazole; Prometaphase; Retinal Pigments
PubMed: 32878943
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.247940 -
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology Sep 2021Our understanding of the structure and function of mitotic chromosomes has come a long way since these iconic objects were first recognized more than 140 years ago,... (Review)
Review
Our understanding of the structure and function of mitotic chromosomes has come a long way since these iconic objects were first recognized more than 140 years ago, though many details remain to be elucidated. In this chapter, we start with the early history of chromosome studies and then describe the path that led to our current understanding of the formation and structure of mitotic chromosomes. We also discuss some of the remaining questions. It is now well established that each mitotic chromatid consists of a central organizing region containing a so-called "chromosome scaffold" from which loops of DNA project radially. Only a few key non-histone proteins and protein complexes are required to form the chromosome: topoisomerase IIα, cohesin, condensin I and condensin II, and the chromokinesin KIF4A. These proteins are concentrated along the axis of the chromatid. Condensins I and II are primarily responsible for shaping the chromosome and the scaffold, and they produce the loops of DNA by an ATP-dependent process known as loop extrusion. Modelling of Hi-C data suggests that condensin II adopts a spiral staircase arrangement with an extruded loop extending out from each step in a roughly helical pattern. Condensin I then forms loops nested within these larger condensin II loops, thereby giving rise to the final compaction of the mitotic chromosome in a process that requires Topo IIα.
Topics: Chromosomes; Humans; Mitosis
PubMed: 33836947
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.03.014 -
Hereditas Aug 2020Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a serine/threonine phosphatase that serves as a key regulator of cellular physiology in the context of apoptosis, mitosis, and DNA... (Review)
Review
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a serine/threonine phosphatase that serves as a key regulator of cellular physiology in the context of apoptosis, mitosis, and DNA damage responses. Canonically, PP2A functions as a tumor suppressor gene. However, recent evidence suggests that inhibiting PP2A activity in tumor cells may represent a viable approach to enhancing tumor sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy as such inhibition can cause cells to enter a disordered mitotic state that renders them more susceptible to cell death. Indeed, there is evidence that inhibiting PP2A can slow tumor growth following radiotherapy in a range of cancer types including ovarian cancer, liver cancer, malignant glioma, pancreatic cancer, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In the present review, we discuss current understanding of the role of PP2A in tumor radiotherapy and the potential mechanisms whereby it may influence this process.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Cycle Checkpoints; DNA Damage; Humans; Mitosis; Neoplasms; Protein Phosphatase 2; Radiation Tolerance; Radiotherapy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32847617
DOI: 10.1186/s41065-020-00149-7 -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Sep 2016SUMMARYAll eukaryotic cells prepare for cell division by forming a "mitotic spindle"-a bipolar machine made from microtubules (MTs) and many associated proteins. This... (Review)
Review
SUMMARYAll eukaryotic cells prepare for cell division by forming a "mitotic spindle"-a bipolar machine made from microtubules (MTs) and many associated proteins. This device organizes the already duplicated DNA so one copy of each chromosome attaches to each end of the spindle. Both formation and function of the spindle require controlled MT dynamics, as well as the actions of multiple motor enzymes. Spindle-driven motions separate the duplicated chromosomes into two distinct sets that are then moved toward opposite ends of the cell. The two cells that subsequently form by cytokinesis, therefore, contain all the genes needed to grow and divide again.
Topics: Animals; Chromosomes, Human; Humans; Mitosis; Spindle Apparatus
PubMed: 27587616
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023218 -
Molecular Cell May 2023Cell cycle and metabolism are intimately intertwined, but how metabolites directly regulate cell-cycle machinery remains elusive. Liu et al. reveal that glycolysis...
Cell cycle and metabolism are intimately intertwined, but how metabolites directly regulate cell-cycle machinery remains elusive. Liu et al. reveal that glycolysis end-product lactate directly binds and inhibits the SUMO protease SENP1 to govern the E3 ligase activity of the anaphase-promoting complex, leading to efficient mitotic exit in proliferative cells.
Topics: Anaphase; Lactic Acid; Mitosis; Anaphase-Promoting Complex-Cyclosome; Cell Cycle Proteins
PubMed: 37207623
DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.04.013 -
Biomolecules Feb 2019Mitosis requires extensive rearrangement of cellular architecture and of subcellular structures so that replicated chromosomes can bind correctly to spindle microtubules... (Review)
Review
Mitosis requires extensive rearrangement of cellular architecture and of subcellular structures so that replicated chromosomes can bind correctly to spindle microtubules and segregate towards opposite poles. This process originates two new daughter nuclei with equal genetic content and relies on highly-dynamic and tightly regulated phosphorylation of numerous cell cycle proteins. A burst in protein phosphorylation orchestrated by several conserved kinases occurs as cells go into and progress through mitosis. The opposing dephosphorylation events are catalyzed by a small set of protein phosphatases, whose importance for the accuracy of mitosis is becoming increasingly appreciated. This review will focus on the established and emerging roles of mitotic phosphatases, describe their structural and biochemical properties, and discuss recent advances in understanding the regulation of phosphatase activity and function.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mitosis; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; Phosphorylation
PubMed: 30736436
DOI: 10.3390/biom9020055