Figure 1.

Tension-dependent error correction for syntelic kinetochore microtubule (KMT) attachments. Kinetochores (red) of a meiotic bivalent (blue) repeatedly bind MTs from different poles (green), but KMT attachments in the syntelic configuration are short-lived. Tension arises when the amphitelic configuration is encountered, inducing stable KMT attachments. Syntelic attachments can be stabilized artificially by applying tension with a microneedle. In meiosis I, as shown here, kinetochores of homologous chromosomes attach to opposite spindle poles in the amphitelic orientation. In mitotic cells, kinetochores of sister chromatids would attach to opposite poles.