A mechanobiochemical mechanism for monooriented chromosome oscillation in mitosis

Jian Liu, Arshad Desai, José N. Onuchic, Terence Hwa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

During mitosis, the condensed chromosomes undergo a series of spectacular oscillations after they are captured in an end-on manner by kinetochore microtubules (KMT) emanating from the spindle poles. Such oscillations are commonly attributed to tug-of-war-like mechanisms, where the mechanical force imbalance alone drives the chromosome movement. However, a large portion of the force imbalance upon the chromosome is absorbed by the kinetochore and may not drive chromosome movement directly. Mounting evidence suggests that such resistance by the kinetochores regulates the chemical reactions of KMT plus-end growth and shrinkage, which have been shown as the determinant of the chromosome antipoleward (AP) and poleward movements. Here we incorporate this important regulatory feature, propose a mechanobiochemical feedback mechanism, and apply it to the monooriented chromosome oscillation, the early stage of the series of observed chromosome oscillations. In this model, the mechanical movement of the chromosome and the local biochemical reactions at the attached kinetochore region form a feedback loop that drives the oscillation. The force imbalance exerted on the chromosomes provides a bias (via mechanically sensitive proteins) on the local biochemical reactions controlling the KMT plus-end dynamics, and the movement of the chromosome in turn changes the forces exerted on it through the experimentally supported gradient in AP force. The proposed feedback mechanism can generate oscillatory behavior that depends on the topology of the feedback loop but is largely independent of the detailed molecular mechanism. We suggest potential molecular players, whose perturbation may allow direct experimental tests of the model.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)16104-16109
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume104
Issue number41
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 9 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cell cycle
  • Chromosome movement
  • Kinetochore microtubule

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A mechanobiochemical mechanism for monooriented chromosome oscillation in mitosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this