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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...
Karyotyping01:17

Karyotyping

Overview
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...
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,"...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Imaging Centrosomes in Fly Testes
09:41

Imaging Centrosomes in Fly Testes

Published on: September 20, 2013

Dicentric chromosomes: unique models to study centromere function and inactivation.

Kaitlin M Stimpson1, Justyne E Matheny, Beth A Sullivan

  • 1Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.

Chromosome Research : an International Journal on the Molecular, Supramolecular and Evolutionary Aspects of Chromosome Biology
|July 18, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Dicentric chromosomes, with two centromeres, are surprisingly stable in humans due to centromere inactivation. Research explores the complex mechanisms behind this phenomenon across different organisms.

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Last Updated: May 20, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Dicentric chromosomes possess two centromeres, arising from genome rearrangements.
  • Human dicentric chromosomes are often stable, suggesting mechanisms for successful segregation during cell division.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current experimental evidence on dicentric chromosome behavior.
  • To deepen the understanding of centromere inactivation mechanisms in various organisms.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of dicentric chromosome stability and fate in model organisms (yeast, plants) and humans.
  • Review of studies investigating genomic and epigenetic factors in centromere inactivation.

Main Results:

  • Dicentric chromosome stability varies significantly across species.
  • In humans, one centromere is typically inactivated, enabling normal segregation.
  • Evidence suggests both genomic and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to centromere inactivation.

Conclusions:

  • Centromere inactivation is a key mechanism for the stability of dicentric chromosomes in humans.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the molecular basis of centromere inactivation and the spectrum of dicentric fates.