On evolutionary conservation of mitotic checkpoint signaling
Summary
The mitotic checkpoint is a control mechanism that ensures proper microtubule-kinetochore attachment and
correct chromosome segregation during mitosis. A defective checkpoint signal can lead to chromosome
missegregation and aneuploidy, which can lead to cancer. In this report I will summarize the different mitotic
checkpoint proteins and their function in inhibiting metaphase to anaphase transition when defective
kinetochore-microtubule attachment occurs. As research has been done in many different model organisms I will
mainly focus on the evolutionary conservation of the mitotic checkpoint and its proteins. I conclude that the
mitotic checkpoint complex is a well conserved mechanism from yeast to human. Although it seems that every
organisms has some specific small differences and that higher eukaryotes need extra mechanisms to regulate the
checkpoint, the core idea remains the same. Comparing the results obtained in different organisms also gives new
insides in what features of the mitotic checkpoint are not yet well established and need more research.