Mitotic kinesin CENP-E cooperates with microtubule-bundling protein PRC1 in temporal control of central spindle assembly (801.2)

Chromosome movements during mitosis are orchestrated primarily by the interaction of spindle microtubules with the kinetochore, the site for attachment of spindle microtubules to the centromere. Kinetochore-associated mitotic kinesin CENP-E plays key roles in chromosome congression and spindle checkpoint satisfaction. We have recently identified and characterized syntelin, a novel selective CENP-E inhibitor (Ding et al., 2010. Cell Res. 20, 1386-1390). Cells treated with syntelin progress through interphase, enter mitosis normally with a bipolar spindle and lagging chromosomes around the poles. Syntelin is an allosteric inhibitor which tightens CENP-E-microtubule interaction by slowing inorganic phosphate release. To delineate the role of CENP-E in reorganization of interpolar microtubules into an organized central spindle, metaphase synchronized cells were exposed to syntelin and other mitotic motor inhibitors. Syntelin does not perturb interpolar microtubule assembly but abrogates the anti-parallel micr...