Review Article

Models, Regulations, and Functions of Microtubule Severing by Katanin

Figure 5

Functions of Katanin in cell division. Katanin localizes in centrosome where it severs centriolar microtubules and cleaves more γ-tubulins to maintain adequate distribution of γ-TURC complex which can serve as site for nucleation and formation of new spindle during early divisional stage. Tubulins generated from severing of microtubules by enzymes like Katanin maintain normal pool of tubulin proteins for elongation of spindle by continuous tubulin polymerization. In late divisional stages, Katanin severs microtubules near plus ends (ends holding chromosomes) and maintains chromosome movement towards spindle pole by continuous spindle shortening (Pacman Flux).
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