Centromeres Mutate More Rapidly Than Expected

[Chip (OP)]

Source:

https://www.the-scientist.com/centromeres-mutate-more-rapidly-than-expected-71876

Centromeres Mutate More Rapidly Than Expected

"After sequencing centromeres in humans and other primates, researchers found that they vary greatly across species and potentially contribute to aging and disease."

Authored by Kamal Nahas, PhD on May 30, 2024 and is a 4 min read

Introduction

When one cell becomes two, it must divide its chromosomes equally.

To accomplish this feat, each chromosome comes equipped with a centromere.

As a chromosome duplicates, the centromeres connect the old and new copies in an X shape.

This union provides the mitotic spindle a place to latch onto so that it can tug the two chromosomes apart during cell division.

Without centromeres, cells would fail to evenly separate their chromosomes.

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