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News From the Field

Finger-trap Tension Stabilizes Cells' Chromosome-separating Machinery


November 24, 2010

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Cells stabilize their machinery for forcing apart chromosomes in an amazingly simple way. Attachments between the microtubules that tug apart the chromosomes and the connector on the chromosomes become more stable when they are placed under tension. This tension occurs when the microtubles are properly aligned on either side of the paired chromosomes. If the alignment is incorrect, the tension is weak, and the attachment is released and fixed.Full Story

Source
University of Washington

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