Role of the Ndc80 Loop Domain and Cdt1 in Kinetochore Microtubule Attachments

Cells undergo mitosis to segregate its duplicated chromosomes equally between the two daughter cells. Kinetochores are multi-protein complexes that form on chromosomes during mitosis and serve as attachment sites for spindle microtubules. The kinetochore microtubule interface generates force that is required to align the chromosomes at the metaphase plate and segregate them during anaphase. Erroneous segregation of chromosomes in man can lead to cancer and birth defects resulting from chromosomal instability. The results of this study will provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism of kinetochore microtubule attachments, and may lead to identification of new targets for cancer therapeutics.