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.
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.
Mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine-protein kinase BUB1 beta is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the BUB1B gene. Also known as BubR1, this protein is recognized for its mitotic roles in the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and kinetochore-microtubule interactions that facilitate chromosome migration and alignment. BubR1 promotes mitotic fidelity and protects against aneuploidy by ensuring proper chromosome segregation between daughter cells. BubR1 is proposed to prevent tumorigenesis.
Mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint protein MAD2A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MAD2L1 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.
Cell division cycle protein 16 homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CDC16 gene.
Kinesin-like protein KIF2C is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KIF2C gene.
Mitotic checkpoint protein BUB3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BUB3 gene.
Centromere protein C 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CENPC1 gene.
Kinetochore protein Nuf2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NUF2 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.
Centromere protein H is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CENPH gene. It is involved in the assembly of kinetochore proteins, mitotic progression and chromosome segregation.
Centromere protein I is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CENPI gene.
Protein MIS12 homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MIS12 gene.
MIS18 binding protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the MIS18BP1 gene. The gene is also known as LKNL2, M18BP1, C14orf106, and HSA242977.
Tim J. Yen is an American molecular biologist and cancer biologist. Yen held the rank of Professor and in 2023, became Emeritus at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yen is known for pioneering work in the field of mitosis.
