CELL CYCLE AND MITOSIS: REVIEW OF MECHANISMS, CHECKPOINTS, AND THERAPEUTIC FRONTIERS

Mitosis is a critical process in eukaryotic cell division that ensures genetic material is evenly distributed into two identical daughter cells. This process supports growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. Mitosis occurs in five main stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, ending with cytokinesis. It is regulated by cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases, and checkpoint proteins to maintain genetic stability. Errors in mitotic regulation can cause chromosomal instability, which is often linked to cancer. This report examines the molecular mechanisms of mitosis, its regulation, common errors, and experimental methods used for its study. It also highlights therapeutic developments targeting mitotic pathways, underscoring the significance of mitosis in biology and medicine. Keywords: Mitotic errors, Cell cycle restriction points, Aurora Kinase Inhibitors, Polo-like Kinase (PLK) Inhibitors, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDACi)