cinetócoro

The kinetochore is a complex protein structure that assembles on the centromere of a chromosome during cell division. Its primary function is to serve as the attachment site for spindle microtubules, the filaments that pull chromosomes apart during mitosis and meiosis. This attachment is crucial for ensuring that each daughter cell receives a complete set of chromosomes.

The kinetochore is a dynamic structure, forming and disassembling in coordination with the cell cycle. It is composed of numerous proteins that interact with both the DNA of the centromere and the microtubules of the spindle. This intricate assembly is essential for proper chromosome segregation, preventing aneuploidy, a condition where cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes.

The formation of kinetochores is a tightly regulated process. The centromeric DNA is recognized, and specific proteins are recruited to form the inner kinetochore, which is tightly bound to the centromere. Subsequently, the outer kinetochore is assembled, which then interacts with the spindle microtubules. This interaction is mediated by motor proteins that allow for the movement of chromosomes along the spindle. The proper functioning of the kinetochore is vital for cell viability and is a focus of research in cancer biology and developmental disorders.