In cell biology, the spindle apparatus is the cytoskeletal structure of eukaryotic cells that forms during cell division to separate sister chromatids between daughter cells. It is referred to as the mitotic spindle during mitosis, a process that produces genetically identical daughter cells, or the meiotic spindle during meiosis, a process that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
A kinetochore is a disc-shaped protein structure associated with duplicated chromatids in eukaryotic cells where the spindle fibers attach during cell division to pull sister chromatids apart. The kinetochore assembles on the centromere and links the chromosome to microtubule polymers from the mitotic spindle during mitosis and meiosis. The term kinetochore was first used in a footnote in a 1934 Cytology book by Lester W. Sharp and commonly accepted in 1936. Sharp's footnote reads: "The convenient term kinetochore has been suggested to the author by J. A. Moore", likely referring to John Alexander Moore who had joined Columbia University as a freshman in 1932.
KRP stands for kinesin related proteins. bimC is a subfamily of KRPs and its function is to separate the duplicated centrosomes during mitosis.
Aurora kinase B is a protein that functions in the attachment of the mitotic spindle to the centromere.
Mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine-protein kinase BUB1 also known as BUB1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the BUB1 gene.
Centromere protein A, also known as CENPA, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the CENPA gene. CENPA is a histone H3 variant which is the critical factor determining the kinetochore position(s) on each chromosome in most eukaryotes including humans.
Centromere protein F is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CENPF gene. It is involved in chromosome segregation during cell division. It also has a role in the orientation of microtubules to form cellular cilia.
Kinetochore protein NDC80 homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NDC80 gene.
Kinesin-like protein KIF23 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIF23 gene.
Centromere-associated protein E is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CENPE gene.
Cell division cycle protein 16 homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CDC16 gene.
Mitotic checkpoint protein BUB3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BUB3 gene.
Centromere/kinetochore protein zw10 homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZW10 gene. This gene encodes a protein that is one of many involved in mechanisms to ensure proper chromosome segregation during cell division. The encoded protein binds to centromeres during the prophase, metaphase, and early anaphase cell division stages and to kinetochore microtubules during metaphase.
Ensconsin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAP7 gene.
Protein Regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the PRC1 gene and is involved in cytokinesis.
Kinesin-like protein KIFC1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIFC1 gene.
Kinesin-like protein KIF2A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIF2A gene. In mice, KIF2A is essential for proper neurogenesis and deficiency of KIF2A in mature neurons results in the loss of those neurons.
Kinesin-like protein KIF11 is a molecular motor protein that is essential in mitosis. In humans it is coded for by the gene KIF11. Kinesin-like protein KIF11 is a member of the kinesin superfamily, which are nanomotors that move along microtubule tracks in the cell. Named from studies in the early days of discovery, it is also known as Kinesin-5, or as BimC, Eg5 or N-2, based on the founding members of this kinesin family.
Kinesin family member 15 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIF15 gene.
Kinesin family member 25 (KIF25), also known as kinesin-14, is a human protein encoded by the KIF25 gene. It is part of the kinesin family of motor proteins.
