Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism for studies of chromosome segreration.

Abstract

DOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.02.49–42

Received 04. April 2015 ǀ Accepted 11. May 2015 ǀ Available online 29. June 2015

Cell division is one of the key condition of development and reproduction of animals, plants, microorganisms and humans. Therefore, the study of the cell cycle has enormous relevance to the health, well-being, and biology of all living organisms, including growth and development of organisms, deseases such as cancer, to aging. Thus, it is of great importance to study and understand the process of regulation and implementation of the cell cycle on molecular basis. Two types of cell division evolved through evolution, namely mitosis and meiosis. Whereas mitotic events lead to generation of genetically identical cells, the main task of meiosis is to reduce the content of the genetic material by half, and thereby ensuring genetic variability and diversity. We study progress and regulation of chromosome segregation in meiosis using simple model organism Schizosaccharomyces pombe because basic molecular mechanism shares common principles in animals, humans, plants and unicellular organisms.

Keywords: Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cell cycle, meiosis