The Ndc80 complex is required to both segregate chromsomes and generate the spindle checkpoint
Kinetochores
The movie shows a Xenopus S3 cell injected in prometaphase with anti-Nuf2 antibodies in collaboration with Kallio and Gorbsky. This was the first demonstration of the central importance of the Ndc80 complex in vertebrates
The Ndc80 complex and "end-on" microtubule attachment
How chromosomes move on the mitotic spindle is a question that has fascinated biologists for over 100 years. Current models suggest that kinetochores use the energy stored in the microtubule polymer to perform the work of moving chromosomes. To understand how they do this the Stukenberg lab studies how kinetochores bind microtubules of the spindle, concentrating on the Ndc80 Complex and the kinetochore proteins that mediate its attachment to microtubules. Our recent data suggests that numerous Ndc80 complexes self-oligomerize to form a sleeve around microtubules to move chromosomes.
Our logo shows the Spc25 subunit of the Ndc80 complex (Red) bound to kinetcohores of a metaphase spindle
Changes to kinetochore structure after they bind microtubules
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The kinetochore is a huge (~100 protein) dynamic structure that performs different functions before and after it binds microtubules of the spindle. The Stukenberg lab studies the changes to kinetochore structure and function that happen during mitosis to understand how they facilitate faithful chromosome segregation. We concentrate on the mechanisms that connect the attachment of spindle microtubules to silencing the spindle checkpoint. In addition, we are interested in how kinetochores correct improper kinetochore microtubule attachments.