Kinetochores articles from across Nature Portfolio

Metaphase chromosomes oscillate while attached to growing and shrinking microtubules. Here, the authors show that an α-tubulin detyrosination gradient on kinetochore microtubules fine-tunes load-bearing attachments during chromosome oscillations.

Novel layer of regulation on BubR1-Plk1 interaction via Plk1 self-priming ensures proper mitotic progression.

The spindle assembly factor HURP and the kinesin motor Kif18A are known to regulate mitotic spindle dynamics. Here, the authors show that HURP concentration on kinetochore-fibers modulates the landing and motility of Kif18A, providing a mechanism for microtubule length control.

Mitotic chromosomes recruit multiple microtubule-directed activities to ensure their faithful segregation. Using an approach where only one major activity is present, the authors reveal sufficiency of kinetochore dynein for chromosome biorientation.

Helsen et al. use experimental evolution and chromosome engineering to probe the link between karyotype changes and the cell division machinery. They conclude that spindle organization dictates the available trajectories for karyotype evolution.

Here, the authors determine the structure of the human outer kinetochore KMN network complex, showing that it forms an extended and rigid rod-like structure and that it exists in an auto-inhibited state which can be relieved by phosphorylation.

Susana Godinho discusses a 1996 paper by Heald et al. on the organization of microtubules into bipolar spindles.

During mitosis, the kinetochore connects chromosomes to spindle microtubules and enables chromosome segregation. A genetic study in vertebrate cells demonstrates phosphorylation-regulated plasticity of kinetochore assembly and highlights the role of the centromere protein T in load-bearing kinetochore–microtubule attachment.

Whole-proteome analysis of vertebrate mitotic chromosomes provides insight into the complex network of kinetochore protein interactions.