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Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers. Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis. Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction

During meiosis, chromosomes occasionally separate improperly. This occurs due to failure of homologous chromosome separation during meiosis I or failed sister chromatid separation during meiosis II. In some species, notably plants, nondisjunction can result in an organism with an entire additional set of chromosomes, which is called polyploidy. In humans, nondisjunction can occur during male or female gametogenesis and the resulting gametes possess one too many or one too few chromosomes.

Viral Mutations

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...

Viral Recombination

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Generation and Isolation of Cell Cycle-arrested Cells with Complex Karyotypes

Generation and Isolation of Cell Cycle-arrested Cells with Complex Karyotypes

Published on: April 13, 2018

Viral transformation and aneuploidy.

Junichiro Yasunaga¹, Kuan-Teh Jeang

¹Molecular Virology Section, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

|March 28, 2009

Summary

Human tumor viruses can cause cancer by disrupting normal cell division, leading to abnormal chromosome numbers (aneuploidy). This review explores viral mechanisms that promote aneuploidy and malignant transformation.

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Generation and Isolation of Cell Cycle-arrested Cells with Complex Karyotypes

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In Vitro Establishment of a Genetically Engineered Murine Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line using an Adeno-Associated Virus-Cas9 System

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Area of Science:

Oncology
Virology
Cell Biology

Background:

15% of human cancers are linked to viral infections.
Aneuploidy, an abnormal chromosome number, is a common feature of cancer cells.
Normal cell euploidy relies on intact cell division machinery.

Purpose of the Study:

To review mechanisms by which viruses induce aneuploidy.
To explore the link between viral oncoproteins and malignant transformation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of viral oncoproteins and their effects on host cell chromosomal segregation.
Analysis of viral strategies to disrupt spindle assembly, centrosome duplication, and cytokinesis.

Main Results:

Viral oncoproteins can interfere with critical cell division checkpoints.
Disruption of chromosomal segregation by viruses leads to aneuploidy.
Aneuploidy contributes to the development of virus-associated cancers.

Conclusions:

Viruses employ diverse mechanisms to cause cellular aneuploidy.
Aneuploidy induced by viruses is a key step in malignant transformation.
Understanding these viral strategies is crucial for cancer prevention and treatment.