1. The Mitotic Apparatus and Kinetochores in Microcephaly and Neurodevelopmental Diseases.
- Author
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Degrassi F, Damizia M, and Lavia P
- Subjects
- Cell Proliferation genetics, Chromosome Segregation genetics, Chromosome Segregation physiology, Humans, Kinetochores physiology, Microcephaly metabolism, Mitosis physiology, Neurodevelopmental Disorders genetics, Neurodevelopmental Disorders metabolism, Spindle Apparatus genetics, Kinetochores metabolism, Microcephaly genetics, Spindle Apparatus metabolism
- Abstract
Regulators of mitotic division, when dysfunctional or expressed in a deregulated manner (over- or underexpressed) in somatic cells, cause chromosome instability, which is a predisposing condition to cancer that is associated with unrestricted proliferation. Genes encoding mitotic regulators are growingly implicated in neurodevelopmental diseases. Here, we briefly summarize existing knowledge on how microcephaly-related mitotic genes operate in the control of chromosome segregation during mitosis in somatic cells, with a special focus on the role of kinetochore factors. Then, we review evidence implicating mitotic apparatus- and kinetochore-resident factors in the origin of congenital microcephaly. We discuss data emerging from these works, which suggest a critical role of correct mitotic division in controlling neuronal cell proliferation and shaping the architecture of the central nervous system.
- Published
- 2019
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