Molecular composition and function of the kinetochore-microtubule interface in chromosome segregation.

Abstract

Stable kinetochore-microtubule attachments are essential for equal division of chromosomes among daughter cells. To correctly separate chromosomes in mitosis, kinetochores must capture and bind spindle microtubules, stably attach to these dynamic structures, and release a microtubule when wrongly attached. In the past ten years, elaborate research has been done to explore and examine the key players that form the direct coupling between chromosomes and spindle microtubules. The KMN network, Dam1 complex in yeast, and Ska complex in mammalian cells are three main kinetochore complexes that compose the kinetochore-microtubule interface, and are required for proper chromosome segregation. Function and interplay of these complexes will be discussed in this review to gain more insight into how the dynamic process of chromosome segregation is regulated and to find gaps that need to be filled to fully understand the process.