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Molecular Mechanisms of Kinetochore Function
First described by cytologists more than a century ago, the kinetochore, the protein complex that connects chromosomes to microtubules during mitotic and meiotic divisions, lies at the heart of a fundamental process for life. Our lab studies kinetochore function using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches with the aim of gaining insights into how this molecular machine assembles, interacts with dynamic microtubules, signals attachment errors, and enables the generation of force.
Lampert, F., Hornung, P., Westermann, S. (2010). The Dam1 complex confers microtubule plus end-tracking activity to the Ndc80 kinetochore complex.
J Cell Biol. 189(4):641-9
(abstract)
2009
Kiermaier, E., Woehrer, S., Peng, Y., Mechtler, K., Westermann, S. (2009). A Dam1-based artificial kinetochore is sufficient to promote chromosome segregation in budding yeast.
Nat Cell Biol. 11(9):1109-15
(abstract)
Zimniak, T., Stengl, K., Mechtler, K., Westermann, S. (2009). Phosphoregulation of the budding yeast EB1 homologue Bim1p by Aurora/Ipl1p.
J Cell Biol. 186(3):379-91
(abstract)
2007
Westermann, S., Drubin, DG., Barnes, G. (2007). Structures and functions of yeast kinetochore complexes.
Annu Rev Biochem. 76:563-91
(abstract)
2006
Westermann, S., Wang, HW., Avila-Sakar, A., Drubin, DG., Nogales, E., Barnes, G. (2006). The Dam1 kinetochore ring complex moves processively on depolymerizing microtubule ends.
Nature. 440(7083):565-9
(abstract)
