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Eleni Petsalaki, Speaker at Oncology Conferences
University of Crete, Greece

Abstract:

During cell division, the mitotic spindle consists mainly of microtubules (MTs) and is essential for accurate distribution of the genetic material to the two daughter cells. Errors in spindle formation can lead to incorrect separation of chromosomes that is associated with tumorigenesis or developmental disorders; however, the molecular mechanisms of mitotic spindle assembly are incompletely understood.
In the present study, we show that Chk1, a kinase involved in the cellular response to DNA damage, is essential for optimal density and effective polymerization of spindle MTs in human cells. Chk1 localizes to the centrosomes (the main centers of MT-organization in animal cells) in mitosis by confocal microscopy. Chk1 phosphorylates purified β-tubulin in kinase reactions in vitro at several conserved residues which were identified by mass ,spectrometry. Furthermore, reduced microtubule density in Chk1-deficient cells associates with formation of disorganized spindles. We propose that Chk1 phosphorylates β-tubulin to promote optimal spindle MT polymerization and spindle assembly.
In conclusion, these findings describe a novel mechanism that could protect against tumorigenesis, through regulating mitotic spindle formation.

Biography:

Dr Eleni Petsalaki is a Post Docroral Research Scientist in Dr George Zachos’ lab at University of Crete, Greece.  She completed her PhD in 2014 in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine at the Department of Biology.  Her main interest is mitotic cell division and mechanisms that monitor mitotic progression called the mitotic spindle checkpoint and the abscission checkpoint.  She is an author of 16 publications including Journal of Cell Biology, Nature Communications, Journal of Cell Science and others. Her publications have received 305 citations so far. She is currently a member of FEBS, AACR, and Royal Society of Biology.

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