Mitotic checkpoint control and chromatin remodeling

In order to maintain chromosomal stability during cell division, eukaryotic cells have evolved a number of surveillance mechanisms termed checkpoints. These checkpoints monitor the completion of essential molecular and cellular processes of one stage before entering another. The spindle checkpoint watches the bi-orientation attachment of spindle microtubules to all condensed chromosomes before initiation of nuclear division during mitosis. Histones are subject to a number of post-translational modifications during the cell cycle, which may in turn modify or facilitate cell cycle progression. Recent studies suggest that mitotic proteins including Bub1 and Sgo1 that are involved in the spindle checkpoint also play a major role in the regulation of histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. This mini-review summarizes emerging information about the new role of spindle checkpoint proteins in chromatin remodeling.