Final answer:
MCAK (a catastrophin) is the microtubule-interacting protein that you would target to disrupt cell division in actively replicating tumor cells.
Thus option C) MCAK (a catastrophin) is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The microtubule-interacting protein that you would target to disrupt cell division in actively replicating tumor cells is MCAK (a catastrophin). MCAK is a protein that regulates microtubule dynamics by promoting microtubule depolymerization. By targeting MCAK, you can disrupt the formation of the mitotic spindle, which is crucial for proper cell division.
MCAK, or Mitotic Centromere-Associated Kinesin, is a protein that plays a crucial role in cell division, specifically during the process of mitosis. It is often referred to as a "catastrophin" because of its involvement in regulating microtubule dynamics.
Microtubules are structural components of the cell's cytoskeleton and are essential for various cellular processes, including mitosis. MCAK functions as a microtubule-depolymerizing kinesin, meaning it has the ability to destabilize or disassemble microtubules.
During mitosis, microtubules form the mitotic spindle, which is responsible for segregating chromosomes into daughter cells. MCAK contributes to the dynamic instability of microtubules, promoting their depolymerization. This depolymerization is particularly important during certain phases of mitosis, such as in the correction of improper microtubule attachments to chromosomes.
By regulating microtubule dynamics, MCAK helps ensure accurate chromosome segregation and proper cell division. Dysregulation of MCAK activity has been associated with abnormalities in mitotic spindle function and chromosome segregation, which can contribute to genomic instability and cell division-related diseases, including cancer. Therefore, understanding the role of MCAK in mitosis is important for gaining insights into both normal cellular processes and potential therapeutic targets for diseases characterized by aberrant cell division.
Thus option C) MCAK (a catastrophin) is correct answer.