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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.

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...

Meiosis I

Meiosis I

Meiosis is the division of a diploid cell into haploid cells forming sperm and eggs in animals through differentiation. Meiosis I is the first stage of meiosis, where the genetic recombination of homologous chromosomes and the reduction of the ploidy level by half occurs.
Prophase I is the most extended and complex step of meiosis I characterized by synapsis, chromosome pairing, and recombination of the homologous chromosomes. This process is facilitated by a proteinaceous structure called the...

Meiosis I

Meiosis I

Meiosis is a carefully orchestrated set of cell divisions, the goal of which—in humans—is to produce haploid sperm or eggs, each containing half the number of chromosomes present in somatic cells elsewhere in the body. Meiosis I is the first such division, and involves several key steps, among them: condensation of replicated chromosomes in diploid cells; the pairing of homologous chromosomes and their exchange of information; and finally, the separation of homologous chromosomes by a...

Teratogenicity

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...

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Updated: May 30, 2026

Semiconductor Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy

Semiconductor Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy

Published on: August 25, 2019

Does formaldehyde induce aneuploidy?

Günter Speit¹, Stefanie Kühner, Regina Linsenmeyer

¹Universität Ulm, Institut für Humangenetik, D-89069 Ulm, Germany. guenter.speit@uni-ulm.de

|August 2, 2011

Summary

Formaldehyde (FA) shows clastogenic activity, damaging DNA in mammalian cells. However, it does not exhibit significant aneugenic activity, meaning it does not typically cause chromosome misdistribution.

Area of Science:

Genetics
Toxicology
Cell Biology

Background:

Formaldehyde (FA) is a widely used industrial chemical with potential genotoxic effects.
Distinguishing between clastogenic (chromosome breakage) and aneugenic (chromosome misdistribution) mechanisms is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the aneugenic potential of formaldehyde (FA) in mammalian cells.
To differentiate between clastogenic and aneugenic activities of FA using established genotoxicity testing guidelines.

Main Methods:

Cytokinesis-block micronucleus test (CBMNT) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a pan-centromeric probe.
Testing conducted on cultured human lymphocytes and A549 lung cells, following OECD guideline 487.
Comparison with known clastogens (gamma-irradiation) and aneugens (colcemid, vincristine) in V79 cells.

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Chromosomics: Detection of Numerical and Structural Alterations in All 24 Human Chromosomes Simultaneously Using a Novel OctoChrome FISH Assay

Chromosomics: Detection of Numerical and Structural Alterations in All 24 Human Chromosomes Simultaneously Using a Novel OctoChrome FISH Assay

Published on: February 6, 2012

Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I

Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I

Published on: April 10, 2018

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Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Semiconductor Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy

Semiconductor Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy

Published on: August 25, 2019

Chromosomics: Detection of Numerical and Structural Alterations in All 24 Human Chromosomes Simultaneously Using a Novel OctoChrome FISH Assay

Chromosomics: Detection of Numerical and Structural Alterations in All 24 Human Chromosomes Simultaneously Using a Novel OctoChrome FISH Assay

Published on: February 6, 2012

Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I

Using Mouse Oocytes to Assess Human Gene Function During Meiosis I

Published on: April 10, 2018

Main Results:

FA induced micronuclei (MN) in human cells, but FISH analysis showed most MN were centromere-negative, indicating clastogenicity.
Typical aneugens (colcemid, vincristine) induced centromere-positive MN and increased tetraploid metaphases, effects not seen with FA.
FA did not enhance MN frequency in mononuclear cells, unlike aneugens.

Conclusions:

Formaldehyde (FA) demonstrates clastogenic activity in cultured mammalian cells.
FA does not exhibit significant aneugenic activity, suggesting it primarily causes DNA damage rather than chromosome number abnormalities.