School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Cells. 2021 Feb 22;10(2):465. doi: 10.3390/cells10020465.
Chromosome segregation-the partitioning of genetic material into two daughter cells-is one of the most crucial processes in cell division. In all Eukaryotes, chromosome segregation is driven by the spindle, a microtubule-based, self-organizing subcellular structure. Extensive research performed over the past 150 years has identified numerous commonalities and contrasts between spindles in different systems. In this review, we use simple coarse-grained models to organize and integrate previous studies of chromosome segregation. We discuss sites of force generation in spindles and fundamental mechanical principles that any understanding of chromosome segregation must be based upon. We argue that conserved sites of force generation may interact differently in different spindles, leading to distinct mechanical mechanisms of chromosome segregation. We suggest experiments to determine which mechanical mechanism is operative in a particular spindle under study. Finally, we propose that combining biophysical experiments, coarse-grained theories, and evolutionary genetics will be a productive approach to enhance our understanding of chromosome segregation in the future.
染色体分离——将遗传物质分配到两个子细胞中——是细胞分裂过程中最重要的过程之一。在所有真核生物中，染色体分离是由纺锤体驱动的，纺锤体是一种基于微管的自组织亚细胞结构。在过去的 150 年中，大量的研究已经确定了不同系统中纺锤体之间的许多共同之处和对比。在这篇综述中，我们使用简单的粗粒模型来组织和整合以前关于染色体分离的研究。我们讨论了纺锤体中力的产生部位和任何对染色体分离的理解都必须基于的基本机械原理。我们认为，保守的力产生部位在不同的纺锤体中可能会以不同的方式相互作用，从而导致染色体分离的机械机制不同。我们建议进行实验，以确定在特定研究的纺锤体中哪种机械机制是有效的。最后，我们提出，将生物物理实验、粗粒理论和进化遗传学结合起来，将是未来增强我们对染色体分离理解的一种富有成效的方法。
