Mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation: refocusing on microtubule dynamics

Abstract

The quest to find the underlying mechanisms of mitosis has taken many turns, which have largely been directed by the development of sensitive microscopes, enhanced microtubule-labeling techniques, advances in tubulin biochemistry, and genome-wide surveys to find the molecular "missing pieces" to the puzzle. Much of the work over the past decade has focused on the role of molecular motors in producing the necessary forces for spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. Recently, there has been a resurgence in research directed at understanding the intricate regulation of microtubule dynamics and organization during mitosis. This comes in part from the identification of new proteins involved in microtubule regulation as well as advances in fluorescence imaging that allow visualization of mitotic processes that previously have never been observed.