Figure 2.

Potential deleterious consequences of CA on chromosome stability based on the class of merotely. (A) Multi-merotely: Many microtubules are attached to the incorrect spindle pole, resulting in chromosome missegregation and aneuploid daughter cells. (B) Equi-merotely: Roughly an equivalent number of microtubules are attached to the two spindle poles, so chromosome lagging occurs due to opposite polar forces. In most cases, the chromosome segregates to the right cell as a micronucleus (1). Occasionally, however, the chromosome missegregates and either forms a micronucleus or rejoins nuclear chromosomes (2). Lagging chromosomes can become trapped in and damaged by the cleavage furrow. They are either removed from the cleavage site or the cleavage furrow regresses, resulting in polyploidization, which may itself be tumorigenic, along with consequent further CA (3).