Biomaterial Database

Microtubule-based motor function in mitosis. 1999

R Heald, and C E Walczak

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, 311 LSA University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA. heald@socrates.berkeley.edu

Microtubule-based motors are essential both for the proper assembly of the mitotic spindle and for chromosome segregation. Mitotic motors in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibit either overlapping or opposing activities in order to achieve proper spindle function, whereas the analysis of motors using vertebrate cytoplasmic extracts has revealed less functional redundancy. In several systems, biochemical, genetic and two-hybrid approaches have been used both to identify associated nonmotor proteins and to address the molecular mechanisms behind kinetochore movements during chromosome alignment and segregation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008870	Microtubules	Slender, cylindrical filaments found in the cytoskeleton of plant and animal cells. They are composed of the protein TUBULIN and are influenced by TUBULIN MODULATORS.	Microtubule
D008938	Mitosis	A type of CELL NUCLEUS division by means of which the two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of CHROMOSOMES of the somatic cells of the species.	M Phase, Mitotic,Mitotic M Phase,M Phases, Mitotic,Mitoses,Mitotic M Phases,Phase, Mitotic M,Phases, Mitotic M
D008941	Spindle Apparatus	A microtubule structure that forms during CELL DIVISION. It consists of two SPINDLE POLES, and sets of MICROTUBULES that may include the astral microtubules, the polar microtubules, and the kinetochore microtubules.	Mitotic Apparatus,Mitotic Spindle Apparatus,Spindle Apparatus, Mitotic,Meiotic Spindle,Meiotic Spindle Apparatus,Mitotic Spindle,Apparatus, Meiotic Spindle,Apparatus, Mitotic,Apparatus, Mitotic Spindle,Apparatus, Spindle,Meiotic Spindles,Mitotic Spindles,Spindle Apparatus, Meiotic,Spindle, Meiotic,Spindle, Mitotic,Spindles, Meiotic,Spindles, Mitotic
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D002875	Chromosomes	In a prokaryotic cell or in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, a structure consisting of or containing DNA which carries the genetic information essential to the cell. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Chromosome
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012441	Saccharomyces cerevisiae	A species of the genus SACCHAROMYCES, family Saccharomycetaceae, order Saccharomycetales, known as "baker's" or "brewer's" yeast. The dried form is used as a dietary supplement.	Baker's Yeast,Brewer's Yeast,Candida robusta,S. cerevisiae,Saccharomyces capensis,Saccharomyces italicus,Saccharomyces oviformis,Saccharomyces uvarum var. melibiosus,Yeast, Baker's,Yeast, Brewer's,Baker Yeast,S cerevisiae,Baker's Yeasts,Yeast, Baker
D018386	Kinetochores	Large multiprotein complexes that bind the centromeres of the chromosomes to the microtubules of the mitotic spindle during metaphase in the cell cycle.	Kinetochore
D020409	Molecular Motor Proteins	Proteins that are involved in or cause CELL MOVEMENT such as the rotary structures (flagellar motor) or the structures whose movement is directed along cytoskeletal filaments (MYOSIN; KINESIN; and DYNEIN motor families).	Motility Proteins,Motor Proteins, Molecular,Proteins, Molecular Motor,Proteins, Motility