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Unraveling cell division mechanisms with small-molecule inhibitors

Nature Chemical Biology volume 2, pages 19–27 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Cell division is the process by which a cell creates two genetically identical daughter cells. To maintain genomic integrity, a complex and highly regulated sequence of events ensures that the replicated chromosomes are equally partitioned between the daughter cells. For more than 50 years, strategies designed around small-molecule inhibitors have been critical in advancing our understanding of this essential process. Here we introduce a series of questions on the biology of cell division and illustrate how small molecules have been used to design experiments to address these questions. Because of the highly dynamic nature of cell division, the temporal control over protein function that is possible with small molecules has been particularly valuable in dissecting biological mechanisms.

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Figure 1: Overview of mitosis.
Figure 2: Screening strategy used to identify genes required for feedback control of anaphase onset in budding yeast21.
Figure 3: Manipulation of chromosome-microtubule attachments with small molecules.
Figure 4: Correction of improper chromosome attachments by activation of Aurora kinase45.
Figure 5: Force production by the contractile ring in cytokinesis.
Figure 6: Assay to examine cytokinesis in the presence of a monopolar spindle25.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge support from US National Institutes of Health grant GM71772 (T.M.K.) M.A.L. is a Francis Goulet fellow.

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  1. Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, Rockefeller University, New York, 10021, New York, USA

    Michael A Lampson & Tarun M Kapoor

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Correspondence to Tarun M Kapoor.

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Lampson, M., Kapoor, T. Unraveling cell division mechanisms with small-molecule inhibitors. Nat Chem Biol 2, 19–27 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio757

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