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Related Concept Videos

Chromatin Packaging01:32

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter? 
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.
Chromatin Packaging02:21

Chromatin Packaging

Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base-pairs of DNA. Each base-pair is 0.34 nm long, which means that each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. How is such a long DNA strand packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10 - 20 microns in diameter? 
The chromatin
In combination with specialized DNA binding protein called Histones, the DNA double helix forms a compact DNA: protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin itself is further compacted into higher-order structures.
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
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...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Stretching Short Sequences of DNA with Constant Force Axial Optical Tweezers
08:48

Stretching Short Sequences of DNA with Constant Force Axial Optical Tweezers

Published on: October 13, 2011

Flies stretch their cells to avoid a chromatin trap.

Mar Carmena1

  • 1Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3JR Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. mar.carmena@ed.ac.uk

The Journal of Cell Biology
|November 28, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Cell division requires a clear path before the final abscission step. Drosophila neuroblasts elongate to segregate long chromatids, preventing cytokinesis failure and aneuploidy.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Cytokinesis, the process of cell division, concludes with abscission.
  • Proper cell division requires the cleavage plane to be free of chromatin before abscission.
  • Failure to clear chromatin can lead to cytokinesis failure and aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome number).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms ensuring chromatin clearance from the cleavage plane during cell division in Drosophila melanogaster.
  • To understand how cells avoid cytokinesis failure and aneuploidy when dealing with challenging chromosomal configurations.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Drosophila melanogaster larval neuroblasts as a model system.
  • Observed cell morphology and chromosome behavior during the late stages of mitosis and cytokinesis.

More Related Videos

A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology
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A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology

Published on: June 3, 2014

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis
11:04

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis

Published on: December 19, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Stretching Short Sequences of DNA with Constant Force Axial Optical Tweezers
08:48

Stretching Short Sequences of DNA with Constant Force Axial Optical Tweezers

Published on: October 13, 2011

A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology
16:46

A Novel Stretching Platform for Applications in Cell and Tissue Mechanobiology

Published on: June 3, 2014

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis
11:04

A Cell Free Assay to Study Chromatin Decondensation at the End of Mitosis

Published on: December 19, 2015

  • Analyzed the process of cell elongation and midzone clearance in relation to chromatid segregation.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstrated that Drosophila larval neuroblasts undergo significant elongation prior to abscission.
    • Showed that this elongation facilitates the segregation of exceptionally long chromatids.
    • Confirmed that cell elongation aids in the clearance of the central spindle (midzone) components from the forming cleavage furrow.

    Conclusions:

    • Cellular elongation is a critical mechanism in Drosophila neuroblasts to ensure proper chromosome segregation and midzone clearance.
    • This process is essential for preventing cytokinesis failure and maintaining genomic stability (avoiding aneuploidy).
    • The findings provide insights into the spatial regulation of cell division in response to specific cellular challenges.