Mitosis Flashcards
Describe prophase
- cdk triggers entry
- nuclear envelope is intact
- mitotic spindle is forming, radiating from the centrosome
- sister chromatids, attached the kinetochore, are condensing
Describe pro-metaphase
- nuclear membrane is breaking down into fragments
- centrosomes are migrating
- kinetochores and associated proteins assemble at and form on the constricted centromeres
- checking mechanisms ensure attachments remain type IV
Describe kinetochore assembly in pro-metaphase
- organised layer
- capture bundles of condensed microtubules via ndc80 long tethered proteins
- leave a physical separation between kinetochore and microtubules
- plus end is left free for subunit exchange
- correct attachment of the microtubules to the chromosomes allow for stability
Describe type III attachment
- if both kinetochores are attached to one microtubule, the attachment is unstable
- syntelic
Describe type II attachement
- unstable structure
- attachment of one kinetochore to two microtubules
- merotelic
Describe type IV attachment
- stable
- amphitelic attachment structure
- both centromeres are attached to different microtubules
Describe type I attachement
Unattached
Describe type V attachment
laterally attached
Describe the type IV checking mechanisms of the cell
- rely upon tension forces that only occur to the correct degree on type IV attachment
- help of the Aurora-B kinase protein that is attached to inner kinetochore
Describe the congression to metaphase
- relies upon both plus- and minus- end motors stabilising the microtubules
- driven by plus end motors
- minus-end motors are essential in causing tension that pulls the microtubules towards the poles
- chromokinesins are necessary on the chromosome arms to generate polar ejection forces
Describe metaphase
- sister chromatids align along the metaphase spindle and ultimately metaphase plate
- kinetochores under tension
- plus end motors on the chromosome arms generate a polar ejection force
- tubulin subunits (during their poleward flux towards the periphery through the spindle) are added to the plus end of the kinetochore microtubules
- creates a dynamic system of microtubule flux underlain by continuous dynamic catastrophe and rescue
List some plus end motors
- centromere protein E
- kinesin-7
- kinesin-10
- kinesin-1
- kinesin-5
List some minus ends motors
- dyenins
- kinesin 14 (previously termed non-claret disjunction)
List some chromokinesins
- XKLP1
- kinesin-4
Describe dynamic instability in metaphase
- facilitated by motor attachment to the kinetochore microtubules
- tubulin subunits are added at the kinetochore and lost at the centrosome constricted region
- visualised using caged-fluorescein staining on the tubulin and blue-stained chromosomes under photoactivation
Describe the tension between kinetochores and kinesins
- tension created by pulling kinetochores counteracted by a multiplicity of plus-end directed motor proteins such as pushing interpolar microtubules away from the kinetochore
- creates a stable chromosomal state on the metaphase plate between the two poles
- proven under laser ablation of a kinetochore from a spindle arm, resulting in arm movement away from the pole, and kinetochore-connected arms moving towards the pole
Interpolar microtubules
astral microtubules
Describe the metaphase-anaphase transition
- must be achieved synchronously
- chromosome separation triggered by destruction of cohesin between sister chromatids
Describe the destruction of cohesin between sister chromatids
- by separase
- allows detachment
- mediated by securin
Describe securin
- usually binds separase
- destroyed by ubiquitination
Describe the ubiquitination of securin
- mediated by the APC
- degraded by the 26S proteasome
APC
- multi-subunit anaphase promoting complex
- protein targeting for degradation
- synchronisation of mitotic exit
- checkpoint in the mitotic cycle
- activated by cdk, amongst other kinases
- manages a binary system: sensitive to signals from chromosomes indicating incorrect attachments via incorrect tension levels
What happens if there are any unattached kinetochores at the metaphase-anaphase transition
- APC ubiquitination of securin is prevented by Mad2p by remaining bound
- mitotic checkpoint to prevent mature activation
Mad
mitosis arrest deficient
Describe the APC in meiosis
- ubiquitylates cyclin B, separating it from Cdc2 for proteasomic degradation
- irreversible step that contributes to mitotic exit