On evolutionary conservation of mitotic checkpoint signaling

Abstract

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.