Maintenance of chromosomal stability by efficient chromosome alignment

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H04368
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cell biology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Kozo 東北大学, 加齢医学研究所, 教授 (00304452)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): IKEDA Masanori 東北大学, 加齢医学研究所, 教育研究支援者 (80645010) ; YASUI Akira 東北大学, 加齢医学研究所, 教授 (60191110) ; KANNO Shin-ichiro 東北大学, 加齢医学研究所, 講師 (10400417)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 癌 / 細胞・組織 / 染色体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the mechanisms of chromosome alignment on the spindle and faithful chromosome segregation. In the process of chromosome alignment, kinetochores on chromosomes first attach to the lateral surface of spindle microtubules (lateral attachment), and then attach to the end of microtubules (end-on attachment). We searched for molecules involved in lateral attachment, and found the involvement of the motor proteins, dynein and CENP-E. We also found that lateral attachment and end-on attachment cooperatively contribute to chromosome alignment and faithful chromosome segregation (Sci Rep, 2018). Furthermore, we revealed that a mitotic kinase Plk1 plays a role in the spindle assemble checkpoint, which is important for the maintenance of chromosomal stability (Sci Rep, 2017).

Free Research Field

細胞生物学・分子腫瘍学