Dicentric Chromosome Formation and Epigenetics of Centromere Formation in Plants

Shulan Fu; Zhi Gao; James Birchler; Fangpu Han

doi:10.1016/j.jgg.2012.01.006

Volume 39 Issue 3

Mar. 2012

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Article Navigation > Journal of Genetics and Genomics > 2012 > 39(3): 125-130

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Dicentric Chromosome Formation and Epigenetics of Centromere Formation in Plants

doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2012.01.006

a
State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
b
Division of Biological Sciences, 311 Tucker Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA

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Corresponding author: E-mail address: BirchlerJ@Missouri.edu (James Birchler); E-mail address: fphan@genetics.ac.cn (Fangpu Han)
Received Date: 2011-11-02
Accepted Date: 2012-01-04
Rev Recd Date: 2011-12-28

Available Online: 2012-02-14

Publish Date: 2012-03-20

Abstract

Abstract

Plant centromeres are generally composed of tandem arrays of simple repeats that form a complex chromosome locus where the kinetochore forms and microtubules attach during mitosis and meiosis. Each chromosome has one centromere region, which is essential for accurate division of the genetic material. Recently, chromosomes containing two centromere regions (called dicentric chromosomes) have been found in maize and wheat. Interestingly, some dicentric chromosomes are stable because only one centromere is active and the other one is inactivated. Because such arrays maintain their typical structure for both active and inactive centromeres, the specification of centromere activity has an epigenetic component independent of the DNA sequence. Under some circumstances, the inactive centromeres may recover centromere function, which is called centromere reactivation. Recent studies have highlighted the important changes, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, that occur during centromere inactivation and reactivation.
- Centromere,
- Inactivation,
- Epigenetics,
- Wheat,
- Maize

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References(44)

References

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