Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cells

The centromere is the constricted chromosomal region required for the correct separation of the genetic material at cell division. The kinetochore protein complex assembles at the centromere and captures microtubules emanating from the centrosome to orchestrate chromosome segregation in mitosis and...

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Main Authors: Antje M. Kochendoerfer, Federica Modafferi, Elaine M. Dunleavy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Royal Society 2021-11-01
Series:Open Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.210107
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author Antje M. Kochendoerfer
Federica Modafferi
Elaine M. Dunleavy
author_facet Antje M. Kochendoerfer
Federica Modafferi
Elaine M. Dunleavy
author_sort Antje M. Kochendoerfer
collection DOAJ
description The centromere is the constricted chromosomal region required for the correct separation of the genetic material at cell division. The kinetochore protein complex assembles at the centromere and captures microtubules emanating from the centrosome to orchestrate chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis. Asymmetric cell division (ACD) is a special type of mitosis that generates two daughter cells with different fates. Epigenetic mechanisms operating at the centromere have been proposed to contribute to ACD. Recent studies have shown that an asymmetric distribution of CENP-A—the centromere-specific histone H3 variant—between sister chromatids can bias chromosome segregation in ACD. In stem cells, this leads to non-random sister chromatid segregation, which can affect cell fate. These findings support the ‘silent sister' hypothesis, according to which the mechanisms of ACD are epigenetically regulated through centromeres. Here, we review the recent data implicating centromeres in ACDs and cell fate in Drosophila melanogaster female and male germline stem cells.
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spelling doaj.art-d5e40f4c5a6b4e4485f98457ac923aed2023-05-23T13:48:34ZengThe Royal SocietyOpen Biology2046-24412021-11-01111110.1098/rsob.210107Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cellsAntje M. Kochendoerfer0Federica Modafferi1Elaine M. Dunleavy2Centre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91 TK33, IrelandCentre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91 TK33, IrelandCentre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91 TK33, IrelandThe centromere is the constricted chromosomal region required for the correct separation of the genetic material at cell division. The kinetochore protein complex assembles at the centromere and captures microtubules emanating from the centrosome to orchestrate chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis. Asymmetric cell division (ACD) is a special type of mitosis that generates two daughter cells with different fates. Epigenetic mechanisms operating at the centromere have been proposed to contribute to ACD. Recent studies have shown that an asymmetric distribution of CENP-A—the centromere-specific histone H3 variant—between sister chromatids can bias chromosome segregation in ACD. In stem cells, this leads to non-random sister chromatid segregation, which can affect cell fate. These findings support the ‘silent sister' hypothesis, according to which the mechanisms of ACD are epigenetically regulated through centromeres. Here, we review the recent data implicating centromeres in ACDs and cell fate in Drosophila melanogaster female and male germline stem cells.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.210107centromereCENP-Agermline stem cellasymmetric cell divisionepigeneticsDrosophila
spellingShingle Antje M. Kochendoerfer
Federica Modafferi
Elaine M. Dunleavy
Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cells
Open Biology
centromere
CENP-A
germline stem cell
asymmetric cell division
epigenetics
Drosophila
title Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cells
title_full Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cells
title_fullStr Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cells
title_full_unstemmed Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cells
title_short Centromere function in asymmetric cell division in Drosophila female and male germline stem cells
title_sort centromere function in asymmetric cell division in drosophila female and male germline stem cells
topic centromere
CENP-A
germline stem cell
asymmetric cell division
epigenetics
Drosophila
url https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsob.210107
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AT federicamodafferi centromerefunctioninasymmetriccelldivisionindrosophilafemaleandmalegermlinestemcells
AT elainemdunleavy centromerefunctioninasymmetriccelldivisionindrosophilafemaleandmalegermlinestemcells