Summary: L E T T E R S
Tension applied through the Dam1 complex promotes
microtubule elongation providing a direct mechanism
for length control in mitosis
Andrew D. Franck1,3
, Andrew F. Powers1,3
, Daniel R. Gestaut2
, Tamir Gonen2
, Trisha N. Davis2
and Charles L. Asbury1,4
In dividing cells, kinetochores couple chromosomes to the tips
of growing and shortening microtubule fibres1,2
and tension
at the kinetochore­microtubule interface promotes fibre
elongation3­6
. Tension-dependent microtubule fibre elongation
is thought to be essential for coordinating chromosome
alignment and separation1,3,7­10
, but the mechanism underlying
this effect is unknown. Using optical tweezers, we applied

Source: Asbury, Chip - Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington at Seattle

Collections: Biology and Medicine