Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
07:14
Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations
Published on: September 20, 2019
Cellular aging and centrosome aberrations.
Susumu Ohshima1, Atsushi Seyama
1Division of Morphological Science, Biomedical Research Center, Saitama Medical University, Moroyama, Iruma, Saitama, Japan. sohshima@saitama-med.ac.jp
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|June 12, 2010
Summary
Cellular aging increases chromosomal instability due to abnormal centrosome duplication. This study links supernumerary centrosomes and misalignment in aging human fibroblasts to genomic instability.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Chromosomal instability rises significantly with age, but mechanisms remain unclear.
- Previous work identified abnormal mitosis in near-senescent human fibroblasts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate centrosome aberrations in aging human fibroblasts.
- To correlate centrosome abnormalities with chromosomal instability during cellular aging.
Main Methods:
- Laser scanning cytometry to analyze centrosome number and chromosome alignment.
- Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to assess chromosome aneusomy.
- Examination of human fibroblast strains across multiple passages.
Main Results:
- Later passage fibroblasts showed increased supernumerary centrosomes and chromosome misalignment.
- Numerical centrosome aberrations were prevalent in polyploid cells.
- Centrosome over-duplication correlated significantly with chromosome aneusomy and misalignment.
Conclusions:
- Abnormal centrosome duplication is linked to cellular aging.
- Centrosome aberrations may drive age-related chromosomal instability.
- This provides a potential mechanism for increased genomic instability in aging cells.
Related Concept Videos
02:25Centrosome 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...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
02:25Centrosome 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...
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
01:13Centrioles 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,"...
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...
02:02Meiosis II
Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...