Dividing Cells Find Their Middle By Following A Protein 'Contour Map'
Monday, July 7, 2008 - 16:14
in Biology & Nature
Self-organization keeps schools of fish, flocks of birds and colonies of termites in sync. It's also, according to new research, the way cells regulate the final stage of cell division. Scientists have shown that a protein-chemistry-based contour map, which helps individual proteins locate the center of their cell without direction from a "master organizer," is key to ensuring accurate division during mitosis.