Regensburg 2022 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 3: Cell Mechanics 1

BP 3.6: Vortrag

Montag, 5. September 2022, 11:15–11:30, H15

Theoretical model reveals significance of microtubules poleward flux in chromosome congression — •Ivan Sigmund, Domagoj Božan, and Nenad Pavin — University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science

At the onset of mitosis, a living cell forms mitotic spindle to ensure proper division of duplicated chromosomes between two daughter cells, whereas malfunctioning spindles can lead to chromosome missegregation. During prometaphase chromosomes are initially randomly distributed and in interaction with microtubules experience forces that congress them in spindle equator. Here we investigate what are the dominant forces that drive chromosome congression. By introducing a theoretical model, we show that length dependent poleward flux generates a net force towards the spindle equator. This poleward flux is generated by motor proteins which accumulate along the region of antiparallel microtubule overlaps. On the other hand, forces exerted by passive crosslinkers, that accumulate within the region of parallel microtubule overlaps, are off-centering, and can impair chromosome congression. Thus, our model reveals the significance of microtubule poleward flux in chromosome congression.