Dicentric chromosomes: unique models to study centromere function and inactivation.
Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)
Dicentric chromosomes are products of genome rearrangement that place two centromeres on the same chromosome. Depending on the organism, dicentric stability varies after formation. In humans, dicentrics occur naturally in a substantial portion of the population and usually segregate successfully in mitosis and meiosis. Their stability has been attributed to inactivation of one of the two centromeres, creating a functionally monocentric chromosome that can segregate normally during cell division. The molecular basis for centromere inactivation is not well understood, although studies in model organisms and in humans suggest that genomic and epigenetic mechanisms can be involved. Furthermore, constitutional dicentric chromosomes ascertained in patients presumably represent the most stable chromosomes, so the spectrum of dicentric fates, if it exists, is not entirely clear. Studies of engineered or induced dicentrics in budding yeast and plants have provided significant insight into the fate of dicentric chromosomes. And, more recently, studies have shown that dicentrics in humans can also undergo multiple fates after formation. Here, we discuss current experimental evidence from various organisms that has deepened our understanding of dicentric behavior and the intriguingly complex process of centromere inactivation.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Stimpson, KM; Matheny, JE; Sullivan, BA
Published Date
- July 2012
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 20 / 5
Start / End Page
- 595 - 605
PubMed ID
- 22801777
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC3557915
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1573-6849
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1007/s10577-012-9302-3
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Netherlands