Mitotic Spindle Assembly Checkpoint and Cell Cycle Regulation

The mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint is a key regulator during metaphase of mitosis, ensuring chromosomes are correctly attached before anaphase. This mechanism, along with proteins like cohesin, securin, and the APC/C complex, is crucial for genomic integrity and cancer prevention. Hereditary mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase cancer risk by affecting cell cycle control.

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The Mitotic Spindle Assembly Checkpoint and Transition to Anaphase

The mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint is a crucial control mechanism during metaphase of mitosis, ensuring that all chromosomes are correctly attached to the spindle apparatus with proper tension before the cell can proceed to anaphase. This checkpoint prevents the premature separation of sister chromatids by inhibiting the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) until all kinetochores are properly attached to spindle microtubules. The APC/C, once activated, targets cyclin B and securin for proteasomal degradation. Cyclin B degradation leads to the inactivation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), while the destruction of securin unleashes separase to cleave cohesin complexes, thereby allowing sister chromatids to separate and ensuring accurate chromosome segregation.
Cell in mitotic metaphase with chromosomes aligned to the equatorial plane, clear centromeres and spindle fibers emanating from green centrosomes.

Proteins Governing Chromatid Cohesion and Separation

The fidelity of sister chromatid separation is governed by a suite of proteins that orchestrate the timing and distribution of genetic material during cell division. Cohesin complexes encircle sister chromatids, maintaining their cohesion until anaphase onset. The APC/C, a multisubunit E3 ubiquitin ligase, marks proteins such as securin and specific cyclins for ubiquitination and subsequent degradation, thus controlling cell cycle progression. The targeted degradation of securin by the APC/C liberates separase, which then cleaves the cohesin rings, permitting the physical separation of sister chromatids. This highly regulated sequence of events is critical for the preservation of genomic integrity during mitosis.

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1

Consequence of premature sister chromatid separation

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Leads to incorrect chromosome segregation, potential aneuploidy, and genomic instability.

2

Role of APC/C in cell cycle progression

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Targets cyclin B and securin for degradation, allowing mitosis to proceed from metaphase to anaphase.

3

Function of separase in anaphase

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Cleaves cohesin complexes post-securin degradation, enabling sister chromatids to separate for chromosome segregation.

4

The accuracy of ______ ______ during cell division is managed by proteins that control genetic material timing and distribution.

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sister chromatid separation

5

The /, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, tags proteins like securin for degradation, influencing the cell cycle.

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APC/C multisubunit

6

Securin destruction by the / releases separase, enabling the cleavage of cohesin and chromatid separation.

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APC/C multisubunit

7

The sequence of events that ends with the cleavage of cohesin rings is essential for maintaining ______ ______ during mitosis.

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genomic integrity

8

Role of mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint

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Ensures correct chromosome segregation; prevents aneuploidy and genomic instability.

9

Consequence of ATM gene mutations

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Leads to lymphomas; impairs DNA damage response; increases genomic instability.

10

Impact of Chk1 gene defects

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Causes cell cycle regulation failure; results in DNA damage accumulation; heightens cancer risk.

11

The ______ gene is essential for repairing double-strand DNA breaks and for the cell cycle transition from ______ to ______.

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BRCA1 S phase G2/M phase

12

______ is crucial for homologous recombination repair and managing the ______ checkpoint.

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BRCA2 S-phase

13

Genomic stability may be compromised due to mutations in ______ and ______, leading to an increased likelihood of cancer.

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BRCA1 BRCA2

14

The proteins encoded by ______ and ______ are significant for controlling the cell cycle and maintaining the genome.

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BRCA1 BRCA2

15

Function of mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint

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Ensures cells don't proceed in cell cycle until chromosomes are correctly attached to spindle, preventing aneuploidy.

16

Role of cohesins in cell division

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Cohesins hold sister chromatids together until anaphase, ensuring accurate chromosome segregation.

17

APC/C complex significance

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Ubiquitinates cell cycle proteins for degradation, controlling transition from metaphase to anaphase.

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