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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...
Centrosome Duplication02:25

Centrosome Duplication

The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
Centrosome Duplication02:25

Centrosome Duplication

The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
Centrioles and Centrosomes01:13

Centrioles and Centrosomes

Most animal cells comprise a pair of centrioles together called a centrosome. The cell duplicates its centrosome and contains two centrosomes side-by-side, which begin to move apart during the prophase. As the centrosomes migrate to two different sides of the cell, microtubules start extending from each centrosome toward the other end. The mitotic spindle is composed of the centrosomes and their emerging microtubules.
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...
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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 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

The centromere-drive hypothesis: a simple basis for centromere complexity.

Harmit S Malik1

  • 1Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. hsmalik@fhcrc.org

Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology
|June 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Centromeres evolve rapidly due to an internal conflict, known as centromere-drive, which can harm species. Centromeric proteins evolve to counteract this drive, influencing meiosis and evolution.

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Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes
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Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

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Live Imaging Characterization of Centromere Movements During Male Meiotic Prophase in Arabidopsis thaliana
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Live Imaging Characterization of Centromere Movements During Male Meiotic Prophase in Arabidopsis thaliana

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Last Updated: Jun 22, 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

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes
09:39

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Published on: December 20, 2014

Live Imaging Characterization of Centromere Movements During Male Meiotic Prophase in Arabidopsis thaliana
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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Centromeres perform essential functions but are surprisingly complex and rapidly evolving.
  • This rapid evolution suggests an underlying evolutionary conflict.
  • The conserved function of centromeres contrasts with their high evolutionary lability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize evidence supporting the centromere-drive model.
  • To explore the implications of centromere-drive for species evolution.
  • To discuss the role of centromeric proteins in this evolutionary conflict.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing genetic and molecular data.
  • Analysis of evolutionary patterns in centromeric DNA and proteins.
  • Examination of meiotic processes across different taxa.

Main Results:

  • Centromeres are engaged in an evolutionary conflict to enhance their transmission during female meiosis.
  • "Cheating" centromeres can lead to detrimental species-level consequences, including skewed sex ratios and male sterility.
  • Rapid evolution of centromeric proteins acts to suppress the effects of centromere-drive.

Conclusions:

  • The centromere-drive model provides a framework for understanding centromere evolution.
  • This evolutionary conflict has significant implications for species' long-term viability.
  • Understanding centromere dynamics is crucial for studying meiosis and evolutionary processes.