Microtubules discovered to play an active role in correctly distributing chromosomes during cell division

Key Points:

• A new study published in Science Advances reveals that microtubules actively regulate enzymatic reactions during cell division by reshaping substrate proteins and controlling key events, rather than serving only as structural supports.
• Microtubules guide the enzyme Aurora B kinase to dismantle incorrect chromosome attachments while stabilizing correct ones, ensuring accurate chromosome segregation and preventing errors linked to cancer.
• The research shows that microtubules cluster the Ndc80 complex to block Aurora B access and stabilize proper attachments, while allowing Aurora B to modify MCAK to dismantle faulty connections, acting as a molecular switch.
• Experiments confirmed that disrupting Ndc80 clustering impairs chromosome attachment stability and proper cell division, highlighting microtubules’ active role in controlling biochemical reactions during mitosis.
• These findings provide new insight into the cellular quality-control system that prevents chromosomal instability, offering a molecular framework to understand how failures in this process contribute to cancer development.