Electrostatic Considerations in Mitosis

Identifying the motive force is central to explaining chromosome motions during mitosis. Presently, there is no consensus on what it is. The author has proposed a minimal assumptions model for the dynamics of post-attachment chromosome motions based on nanoscale electrostatics. Given the electrical properties of tubulin and the dynamic instability of microtubules, it is possible to account for prometaphase post-attachment, metaphase, and anaphase chromosome motions within a comprehensive model. The model addresses all of the following in a unified manner: Efficiency of aster and spindle assembly and the motive force for the motion of asters and forming half-spindles. Chromatid pair attachment. Motion of monovalently attached chromatid pairs. Motion of bivalently attached chromatid pairs and chromosome congression. Metaphase chromatid pair oscillations. Chromatid separation and anaphase-A chromosome motion. Anaphase-B pole separation. An ab-initio calculation of the maximum tension force exerted by a microtubule during mitosis that falls within the experimental range. Poleward force generation of chromosomes at poles with associated microtubule flux.