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Related Concept Videos

Histone Variants at the Centromere02:30

Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone variants are the histone proteins with structural and sequence variations. These variants may be regarded as “mutant” forms that replace their canonical histone counterparts in the nucleosomes. Specific post-translational modifications on the histone variants enable further chromatin complexity and regulate tissue-specific gene expression. The most common histone variants are from histone H2A, H2B, and linker histone H1 families. However, several variants of histone H3 variants are also...
Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
Polytene Chromosomes02:04

Polytene Chromosomes

Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
Lampbrush Chromosomes01:51

Lampbrush Chromosomes

In 1882, Flemming observed lampbrush chromosomes (LBC) in salamander eggs. Later in 1892, Rückert observed LBCs in shark egg cells and coined the term "lampbrush chromosomes" because they looked like brushes used to clean kerosene lamps.
LBCs are made up of two pairs of conjugating homologous chromatids. Each chromatid consists of alternatively positioned regions of condensed-inactive chromatin and loosely placed-active side loops, which can be contracted and extended. The loops resemble the...
Chromosome Structure02:40

Chromosome Structure

A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...
Chromosome Structure02:40

Chromosome Structure

A functional eukaryotic chromosome must contain three elements: a centromere, telomeres, and numerous origins of replication.
The centromere is a DNA sequence that links sister chromatids. This is also where kinetochores, protein complexes to which spindle microtubules attach, are constructed after the chromosome is replicated. The kinetochores allow the spindle microtubules to move the chromosomes within the cell during cell division.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...

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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
05:35

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

Centromeres: long intergenic spaces with adaptive features.

Lisa Kanizay1, R Kelly Dawe

  • 1Department of Plant Biology, Miller Plant Science Bldg, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

Functional & Integrative Genomics
|May 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Centromere formation involves a paradox of conserved proteins and variable DNA. Epigenetic and genetic factors maintain centromeres, influencing their rapid evolution and expansion.

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Centromeres comprise conserved inner kinetochore proteins and variable repetitive DNA.
  • The formation and maintenance of centromeres present a fundamental paradox due to this compositional dichotomy.
  • A balance between epigenetic and genetic control governs centromeric DNA and kinetochore protein interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the interplay between genetic and epigenetic regulation in centromere formation and maintenance.
  • To investigate the evolutionary dynamics of centromeric DNA, including repetitive elements and transposons.
  • To understand the role of selfish genetic elements and meiotic drive in centromere evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of classical neocentromeres in plants (genetic control) and clinical neocentromeres (sequence-independent).
  • Examination of tandem repeat arrays and their potential origins in meiotic drive.
  • Investigation of retrotransposon invasion in grass centromeres and its impact on genetic regulation.

Main Results:

  • Neocentromeres in plants operate primarily through genetic mechanisms, while clinical neocentromeres are sequence-independent.
  • Tandem repeats and transposons, such as CENP-B box and CENP-B protein in humans, may arise from selfish evolutionary patterns.
  • Retrotransposon proliferation in grass centromeres disrupts genetic regulation, leading to centromere expansion and gene displacement.
  • Centromeres appear as rapidly evolving, large intergenic regions on genetic maps, seemingly independent of host fitness.

Conclusions:

  • The evolution of centromeres is shaped by a complex interplay between genetic and epigenetic forces.
  • Repetitive DNA accumulation and transposon activity contribute to centromere size expansion and sequence divergence.
  • Centromere evolution may be influenced by selfish genetic elements, leading to rapid changes and apparent disregard for host fitness.