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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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Centrosome Duplication02:25

Centrosome Duplication

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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).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
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Centrioles and Centrosomes01:13

Centrioles and Centrosomes

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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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The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint02:19

The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint

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The spindle assembly checkpoint is a molecular surveillance mechanism ensuring the fidelity of chromosome segregation during anaphase. The checkpoint monitors the completion of all the prerequisite steps before chromosome segregation to determine whether the segregation process should proceed or be delayed.
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
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Attachment of Sister Chromatids02:57

Attachment of Sister Chromatids

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As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules.  Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall...
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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.
Telomeres consist of non-coding repetitive nucleotide...
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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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[DNA methylation shapes human centromere position and stability].

Medecine sciences : M/S·2026
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Oxidative DNA lesions destabilize centromeres and drive chromosome instability.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
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Author Correction: Heterochromatin boundaries maintain centromere position, size and number.

Nature structural & molecular biology·2026
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Heterochromatin boundaries maintain centromere position, size and number.

Nature structural & molecular biology·2025
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[Nuclear mechanosensing: a cell cycle checkpoint against aneuploidy propagation].

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DNA methylation influences human centromere positioning and function.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 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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Centromere: A Trojan horse for genome stability.

Andrea Scelfo1, Daniele Fachinetti1

  • 1Institut Curie, CNRS, UMR 144, Sorbonne University, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.

DNA Repair
|September 14, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Centromeres are crucial for genome stability but are prone to breakage due to their repetitive DNA and mechanical stress. This review explores centromere fragility, its causes, and its implications for genomic integrity.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Centromeres are essential chromosomal regions for accurate cell division and genome stability.
  • Their unique repetitive DNA structure and mechanical vulnerability during mitosis predispose them to breakage.
  • Centromere dysfunction is linked to carcinogenesis and various diseases.

Approach:

  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying centromere fragility.
  • It examines DNA replication, repair pathways, and protective mechanisms at centromeres.
  • The review discusses how centromere instability can threaten overall genome integrity.

Key Points:

  • Centromere fragility arises from its repetitive DNA composition and mechanical stress during cell division.

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Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes
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Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

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A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model
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A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 16, 2025

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

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Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes
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Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

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A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model
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  • DNA replication and repair processes at centromeres are critical for maintaining stability.
  • Despite vital roles, centromeres can paradoxically compromise genome stability.
  • Understanding centromere fragility is key to preventing diseases linked to genomic instability.

    • Conclusions:

    • Centromeres, while vital for faithful chromosome segregation, are inherently fragile structures.
    • Their instability poses a significant threat to genome stability, potentially leading to disease.
    • Further research into centromere maintenance and repair is crucial for therapeutic strategies.