Measuring mitotic forces

• Published in: Methods in cell biology Vol. 144; pp. 165 - 184
• Main Authors: Ye, Anna A, Maresca, Thomas J
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Science & Technology 2018
• Subjects: Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Biosensing Techniques; Cytological Techniques - methods; Drosophila - cytology; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Mitosis; Photobleaching; Talin - metabolism; Vinculin - metabolism; Meiosis; Tension; Kinetochore; Force; Mitosis; Microtubules
• ISBN: 9780128141441; 0128141441
• ISSN: 0091-679X
• DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2018.03.007

Productive chromosome movements require that a large multiprotein complex called the kinetochore assemble on sister centromeres. The kinetochore fulfills two critical functions as (1) the physical linkage between chromosomes and spindle microtubules and (2) a mechanomolecular sensor that relays a spindle assembly checkpoint signal delaying anaphase onset until chromosomes are attached to spindle microtubules and bioriented. Given its central roles in such a vital process, the kinetochore is one of the most important force-transducing structures in cells; yet it has been technically challenging to measure kinetochore forces. Barriers to measuring cellular forces have begun to be broken by the development of fluorescence-based tension sensors. In this chapter, two methods will be described for measuring kinetochore forces in living cells and strategies for applying these sensors to other force-transducing processes and molecules will be discussed.