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Related Concept Videos

Histone Variants at the Centromere02:30

Histone Variants at the Centromere

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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...
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Centrioles and Centrosomes01:13

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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...
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Chromosome Structure02:40

Chromosome Structure

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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.
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Centrosome Duplication02:25

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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).
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The Mitotic Spindle02:27

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The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
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Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins
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Immunofluorescence Analysis of Endogenous and Exogenous Centromere-kinetochore Proteins

Published on: March 3, 2016

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What makes a centromere?

Paul B Talbert1, Steven Henikoff1

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.

Experimental Cell Research
|February 10, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Centromere diversity arises from rapid evolution, favoring AT-rich DNA. Rapid sequence evolution is likely driven by frequent DNA breaks and specific evolutionary pressures shaping centromere structure and function.

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Centromeres are essential for accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.
  • Centromere sequences are not conserved and evolve rapidly across eukaryotes.
  • Centromere size and organization vary significantly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To categorize centromere diversity.
  • To explore evolutionary forces shaping centromeres.
  • To propose a model for centromere specification.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of centromere sequences and structures.
  • Review of existing literature on centromere evolution.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of DNA properties and regulatory mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Centromeres generally consist of AT-rich, gene-free DNA with low transcription levels.
  • Four main types of centromeres are identified: point, short regional, transposon-rich, and satellite centromeres.
  • Holocentromeres span entire chromosomes and can differ between mitosis and meiosis.
  • Rapid sequence evolution is linked to frequent centromere-proximal breaks.

Conclusions:

  • Centromere evolution is shaped by factors including DNA repair, RNA interference, meiotic crossover suppression, and asymmetric meiosis.
  • A model is proposed where low-level transcription facilitates non-B DNA formation, specifying centromeres and promoting nucleosome loading.
  • Understanding centromere diversity is key to comprehending chromosome dynamics and evolution.