Mitotic kinases regulate chromosome dynamics during mitosis

Abstract

During mitosis, chromosomes show dynamic movements. The orchestration of chromosome dynamics mediated by various molecules is required for stable transmission of genetic information. The failure of chromosome separation directly induces aneuploidy with imbalance of genetic information. Because aneuploidy, an abnormal number of chromosomes, and chromosome instability is found in most solid tumors, the mechanisms of chromosome dynamics are well studied in animals, specifically as therapeutic target. However, it remains to be unclear the mechanisms of chromosome dynamics with mitotic kinases in plants. The authors identified and analyzed Aurora kinases as mitotic kinases, which regulate chromosome dynamics during mitosis, in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum. In this review, I summarize the recent finding of the regulatory mechanisms of chromosome dynamics in animals and in plants, and discuss future perspectives.