CENP-E initiates chromosome congression by opposing Aurora kinases to promote end-on attachments

2025/10/21 by Kruno Vukušić, Iva M. Tolić · 1 voice · 7 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Chromosome segregation #Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics #Kinesin #Kinetochore #Microtubule #Microtubule and mitosis dynamics #Mitosis #Phosphorylation #Protist diversity and phylogeny

paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41467-025-64148-w

openalex publication_date 2025/10/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/22 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

Accurate cell division relies on rapid chromosome congression. The kinetochore motor protein CENP-E/kinesin-7 is uniquely required for congression of polar chromosomes. It is currently assumed that CENP-E drives congression by gliding kinetochores along microtubules independently of their biorientation. Here, by studying chromosome movement under different levels of CENP-E activity, we favor an alternative model in which CENP-E initiates congression by promoting stabilization of end-on attachments. In this way, CENP-E accelerates congression initiation without significantly contributing to subsequent movement. Stabilization of end-on attachments on polar chromosomes without CENP-E is delayed due to Aurora kinase-mediated hyperphosphorylation of microtubule-binding proteins and expansion of the fibrous corona. CENP-E counters this by reducing Aurora B-mediated phosphorylation in a BubR1-dependent manner, thereby stabilizing initial end-on attachments, facilitating removal of the fibrous corona, and triggering biorientation-dependent chromosome movement. These findings support a unified model of chromosome movement in which congression is intrinsically coupled to biorientation.

Cited by

• Polar chromosomes are rescued from missegregation by spindle elongation-driven microtubule pivoting
• Contractile peri-nuclear actomyosin network repositions peripheral and polar chromosomes to promote early kinetochore–microtubule interactions
• Contractile perinuclear actomyosin network promotes peripheral and polar chromosome interaction with the mitotic spindle. [europepmc]
• Polar chromosomes are rescued from missegregation by spindle elongation-driven microtubule pivoting [europepmc]
• Contractile perinuclear actomyosin network promotes peripheral and polar chromosome interaction with the mitotic spindle [europepmc]
• Microtubule occupancy at kinetochores links checkpoint silencing with mitotic memory [europepmc]
• A universal scaling law for mitotic spindles across eukaryotes driven by chromosome crowding [europepmc]

Discussions

• Two back-to-back stories on mitosis led by my incredible postdoc @krunovuk.bsky.social at @institutrb.bsky.social, in which we challenge the gliding model of CENP-E-driven chromosome congression! Toda [bsky, 76 points, 2 comments]

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• Polar chromosomes are rescued from missegregation by spindle elongation-driven microtubule pivoting
• Contractile peri-nuclear actomyosin network repositions peripheral and polar chromosomes to promote early kinetochore–microtubule interactions
• Kinesin-12 KLP-18 contributes to the kinetochore-microtubule poleward flux during the metaphase of C. elegans one-cell embryo