What generates flux of tubulin in kinetochore microtubules?

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Date

2008-04

Authors

Forer, Arthur
Pickett-Heaps, Jeremy
Spurck, Tim

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer Link

Abstract

We discuss models for production of tubulin flux in kinetochore microtubules. Current models concentrate solely on microtubules and their associated motors and enzymes. For example, in some models the driving force for flux is enzymes at the poles and the kinetochores; in others the driving force is motor molecules that are associated with a stationary spindle matrix. We present a different viewpoint, that microtubules are propelled poleward by forces arising from the spindle matrix, that the forces on the microtubules "activate" polymerising and depolymerising enzymes at kinetochores and poles, that matrix forces utilise actin, myosin, and microtubule motors, and that the matrix itself may not necessarily be static.

Description

Keywords

mitotic spindle, spindle matrix, microtubule dynamics, actin, myosin

Citation

Protoplasma. 2008;232(3-4):137-41.