Open AccessTheoretical problems related to the attachment of microtubules to kinetochores.
Author(s) -
Terrell L. Hill
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.82.13.4404
Subject(s) - kinetochore , microtubule , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , chemistry , gtp' , biology , physics , biochemistry , chromosome , gene , enzyme
A possible model is analyzed for the maintenance of attachment of a shortening microtubule (MT) to a kinetochore. In this model it is assumed that a MT is inserted and held in a sleeve or channel of the outer layer of a kinetochore while subunits are lost from the MT tip through the central layer of the kinetochore. A second problem considered is the elementary bioenergetics of MT growth and shortening, as associated with the presence or absence of a GTP cap on the MT ends. The free-energy source is the hydrolysis of GTP in solution. The third problem discussed is the kinetics of capture of a centrosomal MT by a target (e.g., a kinetochore).