When push comes to shove: How chromosomes absorb spindle forces without losing grip.

Chromosomes absorb spindle forces during mitosis through stiff linkages and pliable centromeres, maintaining microtubule attachment under substantial tension.

• Why it matters: Understanding how chromosomes withstand spindle forces is crucial for insights into accurate chromosome segregation and preventing errors in cell division.
• What they did: Super resolution live imaging was used to analyze the physical properties of chromosome-microtubule connections, revealing the combination of stiff linkages and flexible centromeres.
• The result: This mechanism enables chromosomes to absorb spindle forces without losing grip, which may help ensure proper chromosome segregation during mitosis.