Open AccessA quantitative and semiautomated method for determining misaligned and lagging chromosomes during mitosis
Author(s) -
Luciano Gama Braga,
Diogjena Katerina Prifti,
Chantal Garand,
Pawan Saini,
Sabine Elowe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
molecular biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.463
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1939-4586
pISSN - 1059-1524
DOI - 10.1091/mbc.e20-09-0585
Subject(s) - kinetochore , anaphase , biology , mitosis , lagging , metaphase , chromosome segregation , microbiology and biotechnology , chromosome , measure (data warehouse) , position (finance) , genetics , computer science , mathematics , statistics , finance , database , economics , gene
Accurate chromosome alignment at metaphase facilitates the equal segregation of sister chromatids to each of the nascent daughter cells. Lack of proper metaphase alignment is an indicator of defective chromosome congression and aberrant kinetochore-microtubule attachments which in turn promotes chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy, hallmarks of cancer. Tools to sensitively, accurately, and quantitatively measure chromosome alignment at metaphase will facilitate understanding of the contribution of chromosome segregation errors to the development of aneuploidy. In this work, we have developed and validated a method based on analytical geometry to measure several indicators of chromosome misalignment. We generated semiautomated and flexible ImageJ2/Fiji pipelines to quantify kinetochore misalignment at metaphase plates as well as lagging chromosomes at anaphase. These tools will ultimately allow sensitive and systematic quantitation of these chromosome segregation defects in cells undergoing mitosis.