Molecular stop signal identified: The surveillance system of cell division
Originally published by Birte Vierjahn, University of Duisburg-Essen, on June 4, 2024 Credit: Current Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.062 Several million cells divide every second in our bodies. During nuclear division ( mitosis ), the genetic material must be distributed correctly and completely between the daughter cells— errors in this process can lead to defective developments or genetic disorders , and many cancer cells are also characterized by unequal numbers of chromosomes . Therefore, if errors in the division process become apparent , the cell can stop it . Biologists at the University of Duisburg-Essen have been able to elucidate this process at a molecular level . Their findings are published in Current Biology . During cell division , mitotic spindles are formed —tiny fibers that originate at opposite poles of the cell and bind to the chromosomes to pull one representative of each sister chromatid into one of the two resulting ce